Bad dealership experiences

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veryHeavy

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MN, CA
(1) I wanted to testdrive a Dodge Challenger Hellcat. I expected to hear "no" but the manager was very pleasant and said, "Of course! But it's in the shop getting some work done. Please come back Monday."

I returned Tuesday and there the car was sitting, waiting to drive, but the friendly manager suddenly said, "I'm sorry no." But you said I could testdrive it! "Of course you can sir.... after you buy it."

I then told him I will NEVER buy a car unless I get to drive it first, and I don't like being lied too and said, "I'm not surprised really. This is the same dealership that told me my radiator was leaking when nothing was wrong with it. Your mechanic also told me my wiper blades were "done for" when they were only 3 months old! Your whole organization is filled with dishonest people."

1 star review on yelp. Oh and I did buy a Challenger, but from a different dealer.
 
(2) About a year earlier I was looking for a Ford Fiesta BASE model online. I mainly wanted to compare the 4-cylinder versus the 3-cylinder. A dealer called me at work and said, "We have six of those in stock," so I agreed to come look at it.

A mere hour later I was standing in the dealership, and the guy says, "Oh we sold them all." You sold SIX cars in an hour? .... no answer.

I start to walk away and suddenly, "Hey we found a base model! Let's go for a testdrive." They walked me over to a Ford Fiesta and I said, "This is not a base model." They insisted it was. So I walked round the back, "No because this badge says SE. The base model is an S. Why are you trying to deceive me?!?!?"

Then I said "Thanks for wasting my time," and drove off.
That dealership earned a 1 star review too.
I did not get the Ford.
 
Originally Posted By: veryHeavy
(1) I wanted to testdrive a Dodge Challenger Hellcat. I expected to hear "no" but the manager was very pleasant and said, "Of course! But it's in the shop getting some work done. Please come back Monday."

I returned Tuesday and there the car was sitting, waiting to drive, but the friendly manager suddenly said, "I'm sorry no." But you said I could testdrive it! "Of course you can sir.... after you buy it."

I then told him I will NEVER buy a car unless I get to drive it first, and I don't like being lied too and said, "I'm not surprised really. This is the same dealership that told me my radiator was leaking when nothing was wrong with it. Your mechanic also told me my wiper blades were "done for" when they were only 3 months old! Your whole organization is filled with dishonest people."

1 star review on yelp. Oh and I did buy a Challenger, but from a different dealer.


You need to stop by that dealership, with your new Challenger, and say "Okay, I bought a Challenger like you demanded. NOW can I test drive it?"
 
It's amazing what they will do to try and get a sale (lying about specs, etc). Back in 2008 my dad was looking at Grand Cherokees. That particular body style had less headroom than the current generation (he now owns a 2013). He looked at a really nice 08 Overland, but simply couldn't fit. He is 6'3", but has a really long torso and his head hit the ceiling. He told the salesman he liked it but couldn't fit so would move on to something else. The guy kept giving him more money off of the Jeep and wouldn't let him leave. My dad said the price is not the issue, if I can't comfortably fit in the thing I can't drive it every day. The salesman still didn't seem to understand.

I could see them not wanting to let some 16 year old kid who looks like he has no money test drive a Hellcat, especially without the salesman riding in the passenger seat, but turning away an adult who could afford one is ridiculous.

The same thing happened to a friend's dad when he bought his BMW M4. He went to several dealerships and they all wouldn't let him drive it without buying it. He stated the same thing you did that he doesn't buy vehicles he can't drive, and even insisted on leaving a deposit then testing it. They refused. He ended up going to Germany and testing/buying one there and having it shipped over here. Ended up being cheaper and a better buying experience.
lol.gif
 
Originally Posted By: veryHeavy
(1) I wanted to testdrive a Dodge Challenger Hellcat. I expected to hear "no" but the manager was very pleasant and said, "Of course! But it's in the shop getting some work done. Please come back Monday."

I returned Tuesday and there the car was sitting, waiting to drive, but the friendly manager suddenly said, "I'm sorry no." But you said I could testdrive it! "Of course you can sir.... after you buy it."

I then told him I will NEVER buy a car unless I get to drive it first, and I don't like being lied too and said, "I'm not surprised really. This is the same dealership that told me my radiator was leaking when nothing was wrong with it. Your mechanic also told me my wiper blades were "done for" when they were only 3 months old! Your whole organization is filled with dishonest people."

1 star review on yelp. Oh and I did buy a Challenger, but from a different dealer.


This is when you go to the dealership general manager immediately. I can promise you he'd fire that asssclown right on the spot,right there in front of you. ANY thing that dousche bag salesman might've done or said that even could just maybe cause a lost sale will end up in immediate termination of said douche bag.
 
My worst experience at a Dodge dealer was having them jerk me around for about an hour on my best offer. My salesman must have made 3 trips to the manager's office to "go to bat" for me....lol. Finally, the sales manager comes out of his office and extends his hand to me, "congratulations sir, you drive a hard bargain, you got the car." We shake hands. After a couple seconds of silence he adds, "But, of course you know we can't give it to you for XXXX....but we can do it for YYYY." I walked out. Never been back.

Another time, a salesman at the dealership across that street (from the above) told me my offer on a used Crown Vic wasn't good enough. That was on a Friday afternoon. When the Saturday paper came out I checked the car ads and saw the same dealer was listing the same car I made an offer on...was now 15% lower! I nearly gagged on my cereal. I called that salesman up and told him he was an idiot...as was their entire dealership. Never been back.

These days, I try hard to find my cars from private parties or from small dealerships. I don't like or enjoy the big dealership hassles
 
Originally Posted By: veryHeavy
(1) I wanted to testdrive a Dodge Challenger Hellcat. I expected to hear "no" but the manager was very pleasant and said, "Of course! But it's in the shop getting some work done. Please come back Monday."

I returned Tuesday and there the car was sitting, waiting to drive, but the friendly manager suddenly said, "I'm sorry no." But you said I could testdrive it! "Of course you can sir.... after you buy it."

I then told him I will NEVER buy a car unless I get to drive it first, and I don't like being lied too and said, "I'm not surprised really. This is the same dealership that told me my radiator was leaking when nothing was wrong with it. Your mechanic also told me my wiper blades were "done for" when they were only 3 months old! Your whole organization is filled with dishonest people."

1 star review on yelp. Oh and I did buy a Challenger, but from a different dealer.


So they lied to you about 2 things prior - and you went back for a 3rd thing that became a 4th.

UD
 
These bash dealership threads get tiring. Yes- everybody here knows there are bad dealerships. A BITOGism is that all dealerships are bad.

That "ism" is not true.
 
Originally Posted By: CKN
These bash dealership threads get tiring. Yes- everybody here knows there are bad dealerships. A BITOGism is that all dealerships are bad.

That "ism" is not true.


Yes. Both of these dealerships went out of their way to not sell him a car. Thats how they're so successful.
 
When you vist a stealer to try and buy a car, wear a label web cam and mike, then you will have some real evidence that they lied to you, other than the salesmans lips were moving.

I bought a used Twingo from a dealer recently, BUT was silly enough not to bother getting it fully inspected up on the ramps because it had a new TUV inspection cert. I drove off only to find the front end alignment was off, so went to a nearby garage to use their ramps. I was stunned to find it must have hit a snow bank, as it was damaged underneath and needed new shocks, springs and track rods!
 
Originally Posted By: UltrafanUK
When you vist a stealer to try and buy a car, wear a label web cam and mike, then you will have some real evidence that they lied to you, other than the salesmans lips were moving.

I bought a used Twingo from a dealer recently, BUT was silly enough not to bother getting it fully inspected up on the ramps because it had a new TUV inspection cert. I drove off only to find the front end alignment was off, so went to a nearby garage to use their ramps. I was stunned to find it must have hit a snow bank, as it was damaged underneath and needed new shocks, springs and track rods!


When someone mentions a Twingo, this is what I picture.

renault-twingo-07.jpg
 
Originally Posted By: veryHeavy
(1) I wanted to testdrive a Dodge Challenger Hellcat. I expected to hear "no" but the manager was very pleasant and said, "Of course! But it's in the shop getting some work done. Please come back Monday."

I returned Tuesday and there the car was sitting, waiting to drive, but the friendly manager suddenly said, "I'm sorry no." But you said I could testdrive it! "Of course you can sir.... after you buy it."

I then told him I will NEVER buy a car unless I get to drive it first, and I don't like being lied too and said, "I'm not surprised really. This is the same dealership that told me my radiator was leaking when nothing was wrong with it. Your mechanic also told me my wiper blades were "done for" when they were only 3 months old! Your whole organization is filled with dishonest people."

1 star review on yelp. Oh and I did buy a Challenger, but from a different dealer.


There are always two sides to a story. The dealership may have been extremely careful about who they let test drive a vehicle, and they have every right to turn down someone they have doubts about or deem to be sketchy.

And if the dealership was dishonest with you before you supposedly requested a test drive, why would you even return?

Your "story" doesn't hold up very well under a little careful scrutiny.
 
Originally Posted By: 69GTX
My worst experience at a Dodge dealer was having them jerk me around for about an hour on my best offer. My salesman must have made 3 trips to the manager's office to "go to bat" for me....lol. Finally, the sales manager comes out of his office and extends his hand to me, "congratulations sir, you drive a hard bargain, you got the car." We shake hands. After a couple seconds of silence he adds, "But, of course you know we can't give it to you for XXXX....but we can do it for YYYY." I walked out. Never been back.

Another time, a salesman at the dealership across that street (from the above) told me my offer on a used Crown Vic wasn't good enough. That was on a Friday afternoon. When the Saturday paper came out I checked the car ads and saw the same dealer was listing the same car I made an offer on...was now 15% lower! I nearly gagged on my cereal. I called that salesman up and told him he was an idiot...as was their entire dealership. Never been back.

These days, I try hard to find my cars from private parties or from small dealerships. I don't like or enjoy the big dealership hassles


I had that very same thing happen to me years back. I found a beautiful low mileage 1995 300ZX for sale at a dealership. They were asking 18k for it. I offered them 15k CASH right there on the spot,sitting in front of them. They wouldn't back down off the 18k asking price. Well,I ended up buying a different one I found and saw that theirs ended up selling for 11k. Those asssclowns lost 4k of cold hard cash just for being douche bags.
 
Originally Posted By: CKN
These bash dealership threads get tiring. Yes- everybody here knows there are bad dealerships. A BITOGism is that all dealerships are bad.


What gets tiring is when someone tries to lump the lot of BITOGers into one category, as if we all think the same way. Fortunately, that isn't reality. Google "good dealership site:bobistheoilguy.com" and you'll find a number of threads on good dealership experiences right here on BITOG.
 
Yep, that's the model I have and they are far better than the new Twingo as they have a real good roll back roof. The Twingo is an excellent town car, BUT it lacks the power required for German autobahn conditions and I just join in with the trucks, buses and caravan rigs that are restricted to 100 Kmph.
 
I have learned that "asssclowns" and "douchebags" gets past the auto-profanity filter. Handy.

Seriously, Every time I hear of a bad dealership conversation (here) I think of how I would've spoken had I been the dealer.

I think a percentage of buyers (people who walk in the door?) are unrealistic fools but a professional dealer should not succumb to the temptation to toy with their unpracticed minds. Show any dippy-doo the door.

PERSONAL ANECDOTE:
The Chrysler-Jeep-RAM-RAM TRUCK-RAM CAR-RAM_RAM dealership I worked at (when it was a Dodge dealership) was notoriously dishonest. Its owner was excoriated on the paper's (relatively famous on a national scale) Sunday front page and that of the following Monday and Tuesday. The dealership changed hands and all the people employed there moved to nearby dealerships. Like goose turds accumulated at the low velocity end of a pond, they never moved far away from each other. Kira

ps To the OP: Why did you go back to that proven cesspool of a dealership? Do you live in a small town without options?

I wouldn't recommend driving by and taunting the guy as suggested here.
Any of these people have too much time on their hands and all their bad attributes could easily lead to an unnecessary fight of property damage to your ride when next it's at the pubs parking lot. K
 
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