Discriminated By A Dealership? (Kinda Long)

desertkj · **Joined:** Mon Jan 30, 2006 8:24 pm **Posts:** 677

OK, so I went with my mother to a local dealer in order to test drive a Chrysler Aspen. No intention of buying one today, but in the next year or sooner they are plannng on getting another vehicle. We made this clear and then refused to fill out a questionairre becuase the dealership has harasssed us previously with sales calls shrouded as service calls (which we reported). We see one with the Hemi that we wish to test drive. The lady (who was rude from the beginning) disappears for 15 minutes with us waiting and comes back out saying we cant test drive the vehicle. She says there is a recall on the HEMI and that is isn't road worthy. I hadnt heard of this (I spend a lot of time on car websites) so decided to do some research. After research on the NHTSA and calling other local dealerships, there is actually no recall on that motor and never has been. They blatantly lied. So now, my family is really not wanting a Chrysler at all. The Dodge branch has always been awesome, but the Chyysler/Jeep dealers are the biggest group of lying thieves I've ever seen.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 1:53 pm

You should complain to the general manager.

desertkj · **Joined:** Mon Jan 30, 2006 8:24 pm **Posts:** 677

Actually trying to find a number for the higher ups. We would like to file a complaint with DaimlerChrysler corporate. The sales department of that dealership ticks us off repeatedly. Unfortunately, the people in service there are awesome though.

psinsyd · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:05 pm

Definitely go as high up with the dealer and Chrysler that you can. That's total BS.

Elwenil · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:16 pm

Hmm, that is odd because Avondale has had a good reputation in the past as far as I have heard way over here. There are some recalls that are not done through the NHTSA and are totally internal called "Quick Response" recalls. These are done on vehicles in the dealer inventory before they are allowed to be test driven or sold. Normally they are safety issues that are caught before there are any accidents or injuries for anyone to complain about to the NHTSA. There have been a few that deal with drivability issues or customer satisfaction. We currently do not have any Hemi Aspens on the lot for me to go by and even then since these things are corrected on the assembly line also, if we did have one, it may or may not fall under the same recall. If you feel you were mistreated, I would call the customer service line and tell them your concerns especially about the questionnaire thing. I personally think that is a horrible way to do business and spamming someone's mailbox with crap tends to drive away customers in our area. Just my .02

Skipperb · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:16 pm

Discriminated By A Dealership
NOT, why did you tell them you were not planing on buying for a year
there impression (maybe a joy ride then shop around for better Deal)
Don't want to fill a Questionnaire ( just want to log free miles )
Its Bad that they were rude, But there is not many places that will let anyone test drive unless they think you will Buy. And hot many who will let you go by yourself usually that salesperson rides with you. The General Manger is probley why she was gone so long But it still does not require beeing rude.What have outher dealers told you when you went to them.

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

desertkj wrote:

Actually trying to find a number for the higher ups. We would like to file a complaint with DaimlerChrysler corporate. The sales department of that dealership ticks us off repeatedly. Unfortunately, the people in service there are awesome though.

Issues like this need to be taken care of at the local level. The Corporate office might log a complaint, but generally has very little power to "make things right" as they do not manage the day to day operations or OWN the dealership.

I'd guess the sales person simply did not want to waste their time on someone that was not immediately interested in buying...very short sighted, but probably all too common. I'd talk to the general manager.

Elwenil · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:36 pm

Skyjump136 wrote:

Issues like this need to be taken care of at the local level. The Corporate office might log a complaint, but generally has very little power to "make things right" as they do not manage the day to day operations or OWN the dealership.

I would have to disagree. If it's put the right way to DCX, they will definately say something to the dealer. They are sort of like the media, they get all the bad news, but rarely get back to you about anything good, lol.

desertkj · **Joined:** Mon Jan 30, 2006 8:24 pm **Posts:** 677

Skipperb wrote:

Discriminated By A Dealership
NOT, why did you tell them you were not planing on buying for a year
there impression (maybe a joy ride then shop around for better Deal)
Don't want to fill a Questionnaire ( just want to log free miles )
Its Bad that they were rude, But there is not many places that will let anyone test drive unless they think you will Buy. And hot many who will let you go by yourself usually that salesperson rides with you. The General Manger is probley why she was gone so long But it still does not require beeing rude.What have outher dealers told you when you went to them.

Its not that they arent planning on getting one. They just wanted to test drive one before they even started to seriously consider it. That way they could figure out finances and such, if they thought it was the right car for them. And as far as the quick response, what made me wonder was the fact that Performance Dodge does not know about a recall at all and they are selling the exact same vehicle. The only recall I could find was one for a steering knuckle made on vehicles on July 18 and 19, which was a total of 6000 units worldwide. It would not be specific to a Hemi only, which is what they said was unavailable.

detroit_doc · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 3:23 pm

I agree with Skipperb. The dealership is paying salaries to the sales people. They have to pay for the wear and tear on those demo vehicles. I don't blame them for not allowing someone who admittedly is not in the market to buy a vehicle to drive it.

Try this. Call 10 or 20 local roofers and tell them that you are not planning to replace your roof in the next year. But then ask them to come out and give you an estimate anyway. How many do you think will come out?

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 3:28 pm

A lie is a lie. Not a good business practice.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 3:46 pm

Tokyojoe wrote:

A lie is a lie. Not a good business practice.

That is true, BUT, that was solely that woman lying. She may of been having a bad week. Maybe she didnt sell any cars and when you said you were not buying you PO'ed her? They get paid by the # of cars they sell.. It may be a good dealership, sales people are ALWAYS D**ks.. Ive worked at dealerships before, I know.. :wink:

Jeger · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 3:58 pm

I wonder if they want to sell any vehicles next year?

Every one of the roofers should come out and give a quote, a business is nothing without customers NOTHING, unfortunately too many businesses have forgotten this simple thing, even if I had to pay more somewhere else, I would not buy a car there.

Skipperb · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 4:13 pm

WHAT IF that sales lady went to there General Manager and asked to let him go for a ride. GM asked, when is he planning on buying( NO, next year) just wants to test drive. GM - **^%$%$%** - waits a minute and has to think of something to tel **&*&%$$@#@@# hope that story works, so he does not get his feelings hurt. Is that a lie or just being polite. That what I'm trying to say.

chetos · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 4:28 pm

This is the way of the world. It's sad but everyone is trying to skimp and save wherever they can. They didn't take you seriously because they probably figured that if they are helping you (who isn't ready yet) they miss someone who is. The lady shouldn't have lied. I'll tell you a funny story:

My dad lives in Las Vegas and comes to Sioux City, IA once/twice a year. When he does come, he spoils his grand daughters like crazy. They are 5 and 7 now. Two years ago we went to Toys R Us to buy them bikes. Grandpa was all excited about spending money on them. My oldest falls in love with a specific bike. They didn't have any others other than the show model. They weren't very helpful about when others would be in and wanted to charge us full price for the show model plus the build charge. I use to be a hard core mountain biker so I know my way around bikes and pointed out several things on the bike that weren't assembled correctly and the 3 big scratches on the bike. They would not give at all in the price. They were like, "It's good you know how to fix bikes and just get some paint to fill in the scratches." We left and went to Wally World to buy them bikes. 8 months later the Sioux City Toys R Us closes. It's called Karma. What goes around comes around!!!

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Elwenil wrote:

Skyjump136 wrote:

Issues like this need to be taken care of at the local level. The Corporate office might log a complaint, but generally has very little power to "make things right" as they do not manage the day to day operations or OWN the dealership.

I would have to disagree. If it's put the right way to DCX, they will definately say something to the dealer. They are sort of like the media, they get all the bad news, but rarely get back to you about anything good, lol.

I work for the corporate office of a major franchise organization. Believe me, I deal with stuff like this all the time, but when it comes down to it day to day operational decisions are made at the local offices (or dealer in this case). We consider these types of complaints in whether to renew franchise rights (or 5 star certifications for instance), but in terms of making an instant impact there is very little that can be done by the corporate office. The dealerships are not owned by DC. There may be standards to be upheld to maintian a 5 star rating or equivalent, but those decisions are made over a period of time based on frequent and repeated complaints. SO...it might be worth a call to DC to log a complaint, but the liklihood of it having an impact on this particular situation is very small.

Now, if the complaint was in regard to a DC PRODUCT (ie. the Aspin itself) then DC would definitely be able to do something about it.

mjfoto · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 5:50 pm

detroit_doc wrote:

I agree with Skipperb. The dealership is paying salaries to the sales people. They have to pay for the wear and tear on those demo vehicles. I don't blame them for not allowing someone who admittedly is not in the market to buy a vehicle to drive it.

Try this. Call 10 or 20 local roofers and tell them that you are not planning to replace your roof in the next year. But then ask them to come out and give you an estimate anyway. How many do you think will come out?

I have sold cars for a few years now and good or bad this is the way it works. When I was at a Ford store we would not let you test drive a Mustang GT without a credit app. Most people know how they drive and dont want any miles on the vehicle.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 6:00 pm

When I was looking at Jeeps, the guy didnt care a bit to let us drive a HEMI RAM.. :twisted:

It was nice.. but I liked the libby better.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 6:18 pm

A lie is a lie and I stand by it. They should have said that it is the dealers policy not to allow people to test drive a vehicle unless they fill out a survey, some made up form for test driving, or whatever they want to use to get the individual's information so they can bug the crap out of them, later.

Don't just lie. Now there is NO trust in the salesman or the dealer, PERIOD!

As you can see what the consequences are, desertKJ will never visit that dealership again and they have lost a customer for life. Add those lies up and you have a lot of future potential customers lost for life.....and the word of mouth is very powerful, so add more lost customers for life.

I work in customer service (preventative medicine) and have been through many training seminars on customer service.

chefdab · **Posted:** Fri Nov 10, 2006 7:11 pm

If that is the vehicle you wish to buy, maybe you can still get it through another dealer. When we were shopping for my wife's last car, we found the one she wanted at the dealer next door to where I work. But we were totally unimpressed with the salespeople there so we went to another dealer a bit farther away. We were treated nicely at the new dealer but they didn't have the car she wanted in the color she wanted. But they wanted to make the sale so they searched the local inventory and found one they could have transferred to their dealership. And guess what, it was the exact same one we were looking at at the first dealer. Needless to say we bought it and got a great deal. Since then the first dealer has closed and is in the process of being demolished. I say screw them, they'll get what's coming to them, and go somewhere else.

Discriminated By A Dealership? (Kinda Long)

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