SavsMom
New member
Toyota isn't addressing the issue with using the middle seat in the 2nd row to the salespeople, so don't fault the salesperson for that one, many salespeople do not know a lot about car seat safety or installation, in most cases if a customer has a question about something the salesperson will reference the owners manual to find out (this is what they do here) so since the owners manual says nothing about NOT using the middle row middle seating position I can see where a salesperson would say something.
Would I bring it up to managment - absolutely, would I blame the salesperson for not knowing that it couldn't be used (especially when it could be in the previous generation) - NO WAY. Bring it up to management so they can make their salespeople aware.
The dealership I work for did address this issue at a meeting - but only because I got word that it couldn't be used.
Would I bring it up to managment - absolutely, would I blame the salesperson for not knowing that it couldn't be used (especially when it could be in the previous generation) - NO WAY. Bring it up to management so they can make their salespeople aware.
The dealership I work for did address this issue at a meeting - but only because I got word that it couldn't be used.
DaddyW - I don't know about adding a "tether" point to the 2011, but it conflicts with everything I've heard from Toyota so far. I've been told the MINI seat is NOT for CAR SEAT use. I'm not trying to yell at you, but trying to get the word out since as we all know the salespeople/dealers are not known for their car seat knowledge. I mean when I ask about Latch, about half the time they don't know what I'm talking about.
I have OFFICIAL word from Toyota from 3 different sources that in the 8 passenger Sienna you can put TWO seats in the second row and THREE seats in the third row. That is all.
First - I called Toyota Customer experience who stated that the "mini jump" seat is NOT for child seat use. They could not explain why this is not clearly stated in the owner's manual.
Second - Then the dealer we were working with told us that during training he asked the question and the design team rep. said that there had been so many customer comments about how hard it was to remove the old 8th seat that they decided to make a small stowable seat and loose a car seat position.
Third - I asked Iguida.com who contacted Toyota and a they said that the Sienna can hold 5 child seats, three positions with Latch/tether, and the two third row spots with seatbelts only. They said only a small percentage of sales were 8 psg models so it didn't seem important.
I think the data is skewed, since the 8 passenger version was only available on the CE/LE versions and to get leather you needed to go up to the XLE. It will still be skewed in 2011 since the FWD is 8 psg and the AWD is 7 psg, so you don't really have all the options that a consumer may want!
So "busymomof3" the dealer you worked with gave you a line of BS since that is what it sounds like, I would go to the general manager of the dealership and see what options they can offer you. Tell them that the Customer Experience center completely disagrees with the information provided to you by the sales person.