Alright...this is the story

I have been looking for a 2003 c320 4matic for my mom for sometime. She wants black w/ash and I found this dealer in Long Island NY that has one (I wont disclose the name until after monday when I find out if they are really bad)

I talked to the salesman on the phone, and he did not want to give a quote or the equipment on the car. He wants me to go in and see him. At this point, I already did not like them. I went to the dealership and he told me "they can get a car with the specs I wanted."

The next day I worked out a deal on the phone with him and got the car $42,500 OTD with ash leatherette, sunroof and auto-dimming mirrors. He wanted a deposit of $1,000, I told him that is not normal and I will give him $500. He took my credit card number.

The third day I brought my mom there and signed the purchase agreement and we agreed to pick up the car a week from that day. We gave him our insurance agent's number and he told us they will take care of everything. (This was 11/16 Saturday)

On Wesnesday 11/20, the salesman called me at work and told me the car we ordered got "damaged" during transport and the front windshield was broken. He told me he already swapped another car and it was on the way to the dealership. The car has the same equipment, with the exception of the addition of 6-CD. I told him we did not want the 6-CD and wanted a discount on it. He will not budge at all and finally gave us the 6-CD for invoice, $372.

On Friday 11/22, the salesman called me again and told me they have not got the insurance card from our agent and thus picking up the car on Saturday will not be possible. I called our agents and was told they did not hear from the salesman. And then I was called again later by the salesman. Now he told me they have got the insurance car, but still cant pick up until Monday.

He then told me something like "oh yeah man, I hooked up with a girl that worked at your insurance agent's office" I was thinking like "what the hell does that have to do with anything?" I told him I have not been to my agent's place too often so I dont know what he is talking about....

Then...he dropped the bombshell. The car does not have the auto-dimming mirrors! I started to get pissed off at this point. I told him I was willing to let the issue of the 6-cd go, but now this?! He told me he can give me $100 off. I told him this deal has had too many things went wrong, and I was ready to pull out of it. He told me to give him a chance to find the car, he gave a few other cars, but none fit what my mom wanted. He said he will talked to his manager about the refund, and I told him 90% chance I will be asking for my refund. He told me he will call me back.

That was Yesterday. I waited for him to call the whole night and this morning as well. At noon, I made up my mind that I will be asking for the refund. I started calling him but all three times I was told he's with other customers and I left messages twice.

The fourth time I called and still couldnt get him. I asked to speak with the sales manager. I told the manager about the whole situation. When I told him about our car that got damaged during the transport, he sounded really surprised. "What? Who told you that?!" I said "Your salesman did!" I told him we would like our deposit back and he started to get defensive.

Him "You know, it cost us to do dealer swap. And you agreed to let us swap you a car."

me "I signed on for the car without the 6-cd. The salesman swapped the car with 6-cd without my consent. he called me and told me the new car is already on the way! And now at the last minute, you guys are telling me the car does not have the auto-dimming mirrors. That is 2 incidents!"

Him "Do you want us to find you another car?"

me "No, at this point. I just want my refund."

Him "I wont be here Monday night. Bring your purchase agreement with you and we will cut you a check and mail it to you, good bye"

now this is kinda weird. I have gotten deposit back from dealership before and I did not even have to go back. They simply refunded my credit card. I am wondering if you guys can see any tricks this dealership might pull on me when I go there this Monday. My theory is the salesman does not really have the car, he is trying to stall me and keep me from going to other dealers while he searches for the car. I do feel my stand is legit and I have every right to ask for my deposit. Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

Call other dealers. The one around me is Rallye, they are one of the biggest dealers, though I have had no experiences with them. I have, on the other hand, been to the Rallye BMW dealer w/ my dad. They were very helpfull, even though we didn't get anything.

 

I went to Rallye, but they did not have what I wanted I was treated like a king though. My salesman was very courteous and very honest about their inventory as well as their pricing.

 

That sucks... speaking of damaged new MB vehicles, I was on my way to Philly last Friday and there was a truckload of new S Classes, and at least two of them had the windows down. And it was raining. Hard.

 

Morons

 

Cockey sons a *****es.

 

Well...I just spoke to my salesman and I told him the sales manager will refund me the deposit.

He asked me if we want to order one (2 month) instead and I respectfully declined. He asked me to drop by the place tonite and give him the copy of the purchase agreement along with the yellow copy of my credit card receipt.

(They copied my credit card receipt right onto the purchase agreement, maybe that is why they want me to return it, I will make a copy of it)

I will keep you guys updated.

 

You know this actually sounds familiar.
Last year my wife and I were looking into a cheap honda for her. We went to the dealership and ordered a black 2001 ex. We had all the options we wanted and set up the price for 16050. Now this dealer was offering 0% if you had a 36 month loan. So of course we wanted that. So at the end of the negotiations we left a 1000$ check for a deposit and walked out thinking we were done. Well since this was a sat night we didn't hear anything all weekend. Then on monday morning the salesman calls my wife at work and told her the bad news. He said we couldn't have the car for that price with the 0% loan. But we could keep the price if we took the normal rate or had our own loan or money. If we wanted the 0% we would have to pay sticker price.
So I had her call back and tell them no way. They gave her a hassle so I get my dad (mean old english guy) and go down there. My dad has to argue with them for an hour and finally they said they would give her the deposit back but she would get a check within a month. I don't know why but they got to keep her money for that whole month too.

 

Dealerships do this all the time, making you believe they have the car. They take your deposit and try to dealer-swap the car at the same time. And when you ask for deposit back, they start to harass you.

I hope there will be no more complication when I go down there tonite

Lou: if you wish, you can pm me which dealer it is so I can stay away in the future.

And for all people interested, you can PM me for the name of the MB dealer

 

Don't worry I'm not all covert and what not, no need to PM. Here's the name of the dealer out right. Willis Honda in Burlington NJ. The worst part is, my wife was an old co-worker of the salesman and she thought he was hooking her up.

Why should we PM this info anyway. I think if a place doesn't conduct business in a positive manner then word of mouth (forums) should hurt their business. Now I'm not saying everyone is going to be honest and might even hurt the honest dealer (is there one) but in any case. Telling these stories has a point, which is to prevent someone else from making the same mistakes we have made.

On a side note. My dad told me I should never leave a deposit at a dealer unless its on a credit card and to leave the smalllest they will take. This way if a dispute ever arises then the cc company will fight the battle for you. Thanks dad too bad I needed that advice before I ran into this dealership.

 

I think dealerships fall in 3 categories: honest. dishonest, and simply clueless/incompetent. Most of the time they are the fixture of all 3

I did not know the CC company will fight battle for me if any dispute ever arises, especially with deposit at a car dealership...?

I am gonna see what happens tonite~

 

I work at a car dealership, BMW though ...not MB. If you still want to buy a C320, try Benjamin Motors in Willis Ave. Speak to Scott. They are a independent leasing company. Pretty reliable and service is just as good. (516-625-1772) I deal with him on a daily basis. very efficient, reliable and most of all - Honest.
With reagrd to you deposit, you should be able to get it back as soon as you request it...no hassle. GOOD LUCK

*if you decide to call Benjamin Mtrs., tell him George sent you

 

Okay...here is the result

I went back to the dealership last night. I gave my salesman the copy of my purchase agreement, he did not take my yellow credit card receipt though (I did not understand why he would want the copied purchase agreement back since I can make hundreds of copies???)

My salesman was surprisingly polite and shook my hand. He asked me again if I want to place an order instead. I declined. The sales manager happened to walk by and shook my hand as well. My salesman told me I can expect to have the refund on my credit card in 3-4 days.

Now I dunno whether to give them a thumbs down or thumbs in the middle. I will see if my credit card really gets refunded in 3-4 days.