Mad as heck at Toyota!!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest guest]

I am getting my new Echo today and have 10 years of added financial hardship to

look forward to trying to pay for it...

They have a mobility program and silly me I thought they would cover cruise

control for the following problem, caused by my EDS. because of my problem with

my back hips and legs seizing up when I drive any distance (like a half hour)

with my right leg out on the gas pedal, sometimes I can't move it enough to get

it on the brake so I have to do it left footed, which to me isn't the safest

thing at highway speed. SO I thought it perfectly reasonable to consider cruise

control, in my case, adaptive equipment. I make about 150 trips, 75% highway

driving, tot he city for medical appts a year. To me it is no different than

someone with hip arthritis deciding they want a hand control for their brake for

the same reason. IF i can move that right leg around while driving with the

cruise on, there is very low risk of me not being able to move it on to the

brake or gas as opposed to it getting completley seized up. Yet, apparently

because something like a handbrake is a more tradional piece of adaptive

equipment, that is covered. They couldnt' seem to wrap their minds around the

concept. Since they pay for the installation not the item, it is maybe $100 to

$200 to install. This is a pittance in Toyota's very deep pockets.

The definition of what they cover communicated to the customer is vague and

refers to lifts and something else then " other adaptive equipment " and need for

a letter from a physician, which for me would be no problem. To me if someone if

offering a so-called mobility program they should be looking at the individual

needs and any potential broader safety issues. It is virtually impossible to

come up with a definition that covers all potential disabilities and limitations

and even of adaptive equipment. I don't want cruise control for pleasure driving

since I hardly do any!

The " lady " I spoke with was like a broken record. Completely out of touch with

the reality of the problem I have. I have been a good customer for 14 years and

have given them customers. GIVEN them! They have taken in tens of thousands of

dollars because of me. I felt discriminated against because they are picking and

choosing disabilities and slapped in the face for being dumb enough to actually

think this was a half decent company that might actualyl appreciate a good

customer. The more I deal with the more I realize these big companies have too

much power against the average consumer andknow only the very deep pocketed can

take legal action against them so they get away with it. Give me a small

business anyday.

I certainly plan on pursuing this further but htink it is wholly pathetic.

What do you guys think?

Joyce

Joyce

[Guest guest]

Joyce,

Would it not be easier to pursue the hand controls then to risk the cruise

control issue? My concern is that if you are seated for a length of time

and do spasm, the cruise control isn't going to help you stop. The hand

controls would. With the SI issues you describe, it would be a safer thing

to pursue hand controls.

Jill