Topic: Beware of Dealer!!

[landis]

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to share my rather unpleasant story I have of Carter GM on Lougheed Highway in Burnaby, BC near the Esso station.

I went to these guys for a service and they damaged my car! they totally denied the whole thing. Very long story short they were dishonest and not pleasant to deal with. The service consultant as they call them was totally useless and not knowledgeable at all.

Oh, and don't bother with the GM customer service line because that will get you nowhere! Once they can't find a resolution they'll just end up telling you that they're completely independent of the dealer and that there is absolutely nothing they can do.

Be warned!

[mrthompson]

Let's get the long story.

[Wolfe]

 

[Brigitte]

Let's get the long story.

Betcha there isn't one, and that the short one is a load of BS as well.

[MudHucker]

I have been going there for 10 years now.  I have had issues with them but, they always end up paying for it one way or the other.  And one of them was an issue with my 12 year old truck.  If it is an issue that I think GM should pay for I go there.  Out of warranty work I go to a local shop (non-gm) if it's something I can't fix. 

[barrie1]

Please explain in full the problem you have had with this dealer. As your truck is 12 years of age we all realize there is NO warranty left on it. Some of on here have or still do work in the trade and have a good knowledge of most fixs or problems with most vehicles. In order to take you serious we need to know the whole story please. 

[MudHucker]

Please explain in full the problem you have had with this dealer.

I haven't had a problem with this dealer.  I have had several issues that were resolved without any arguing or "I want to talk to your manager" kind of talk.  The latest issue I had was with a child seat tether anchor.  I had no knowledge of GM's policy of only putting them in vehicles that were up to 10 years old.  My truck at the time was just over 11 years old.  After a brief discussion they paid for it.  Probably helped I bought my last car there (5 years ago now).  I also had a car before that where the warranty had run out about 3 months prior and they replaced the steering column no questions asked.

Honestly, allot of it in my opinion has to do with how you treat the technician and staff.  If they treat me wrong I file a complaint.  I have only had to do that once in 17 years of owning GM vehicles (6 in total).

[topcat]

Not sure if this is the right spot but here goes.
I concluded a deal on a 2008 Honda Civic EX-L Coupe.
The salesman said i'd have to be flexible on the choice of colours.
I gave him 5 options and numbered them in order of preference on the sales agreement.
The salesman said since they didn't have the model I wanted in stock, they'd have to trade for it. This would take no more than TWO days.
Four days go by, no word, I send an e-mail asking for an update. On the fifth day I get an e-mail from the saleman saying the found a car and it's my FIFTH (last) choice.
I responded by sending the sales office a letter stating I was pissed off and hoped that future transactions would be much better. I also informed them that I would accept the fifth choice (i'd give them that option after all).
This is the reply I recieved from the dealership...

I am really sorry to hear of your dissatisfaction. I was able to  get you what I believe is the only Civic coupe Exl in the province. I do not want you to proceed with any transaction you feel is substandard. With that in mind, I invite you to opt out of your agreement with Honda. I believe we have provided you with good service and a fair price. If you want to opt out of the transaction please let us know by noon tomorrow, failing that ,we will assume that you are prepared to follow through.

My questions are: Am I wrong to express my dis-satifaction?
                          Am I being a hard ass (regarding the deal)?
                          Do I follow though on the deal (man of my word), or accept the offer to decline it.
In case anyone wonders I have all the e-mails to back up this tale of woe.

[1TSX]

Not sure if this is the right spot but here goes.
I concluded a deal on a 2008 Honda Civic EX-L Coupe.
The salesman said i'd have to be flexible on the choice of colours.
I gave him 5 options and numbered them in order of preference on the sales agreement.
The salesman said since they didn't have the model I wanted in stock, they'd have to trade for it. This would take no more than TWO days.
Four days go by, no word, I send an e-mail asking for an update. On the fifth day I get an e-mail from the saleman saying the found a car and it's my FIFTH (last) choice.
I responded by sending the sales office a letter stating I was pissed off and hoped that future transactions would be much better. I also informed them that I would accept the fifth choice (i'd give them that option after all).
This is the reply I recieved from the dealership...

I am really sorry to hear of your dissatisfaction. I was able to  get you what I believe is the only Civic coupe Exl in the province. I do not want you to proceed with any transaction you feel is substandard. With that in mind, I invite you to opt out of your agreement with Honda. I believe we have provided you with good service and a fair price. If you want to opt out of the transaction please let us know by noon tomorrow, failing that ,we will assume that you are prepared to follow through.

My questions are: Am I wrong to express my dis-satifaction?
                          Am I being a hard ass (regarding the deal)?
                          Do I follow though on the deal (man of my word), or accept the offer to decline it.
In case anyone wonders I have all the e-mails to back up this tale of woe.

I don't see the problem, other than the 3 day delay...which isn't that big of a deal, IMO.

[topcat]

I'm wondering if Honda Coupes are very rare because they state the found "only EX-L in the province". Can this really be true?
If it is i'll apologise, but it really sounds like making excuses.

[1TSX]

The Civic EX-L is pretty rare...most people who buy Civics aren't going for a top of the line version. Coupes are not as common as the sedans either.

If this is recent...the number of 08's are getting scarce, especially in EX-L Coupe form, since 2009's are coming soon.

[articsteve]

Best to phone a salesman if you need a quick reply.  You won't see those interest rates again anytime soon when the 09s arrive.

What colour was #5 ?

[topcat]

#5 was Alabaster Silver Metallic. The salesperson stressed the importance of making a deal by the end of Sept. 08 because the offer would change in Oct.
Yet Honda's web site still shows .9% financing for 36 months and 1.9% for 48 months.
Part of the problem is a lack of communication. I've learned more from 2hondas in a couple of posts than I did from the salesman over the course of five days.

[articsteve]

There are exceptions, but most dealerships are part of large dealer groups and are poorly run by hired help or the owner's kid runs it. 

Any good salesman will push you to close a deal by inferring things that are not the case like the interest rate time limit.

First thing tomorrow I'd start phoning Honda dealers in a ever enlarging radius for a EXL coupe.  You might get a surprise.  Phone the dealer in Owen Sound.  They're fairly stupid but you'll get an honest answer. 

[dorin]

Not sure if this is the right spot but here goes.
I concluded a deal on a 2008 Honda Civic EX-L Coupe.
The salesman said i'd have to be flexible on the choice of colours.
I gave him 5 options and numbered them in order of preference on the sales agreement.
The salesman said since they didn't have the model I wanted in stock, they'd have to trade for it. This would take no more than TWO days.
Four days go by, no word, I send an e-mail asking for an update. On the fifth day I get an e-mail from the saleman saying the found a car and it's my FIFTH (last) choice.
I responded by sending the sales office a letter stating I was pissed off and hoped that future transactions would be much better. I also informed them that I would accept the fifth choice (i'd give them that option after all).
This is the reply I recieved from the dealership...

I am really sorry to hear of your dissatisfaction. I was able to  get you what I believe is the only Civic coupe Exl in the province. I do not want you to proceed with any transaction you feel is substandard. With that in mind, I invite you to opt out of your agreement with Honda. I believe we have provided you with good service and a fair price. If you want to opt out of the transaction please let us know by noon tomorrow, failing that ,we will assume that you are prepared to follow through.

My questions are: Am I wrong to express my dis-satifaction?
                          Am I being a hard ass (regarding the deal)?
                          Do I follow though on the deal (man of my word), or accept the offer to decline it.
In case anyone wonders I have all the e-mails to back up this tale of woe.

So, what happened?

[barrie1]

I know for sure that GM dealerships do this but possibly other makes and dealerships as well. That is to install a childs Babyseat for you for free. I have never heard of a age restriction on the vehicle as tha doe not make sence to me at all. Its supposed to be a free service to the public and they will do this only once for you I believe as well at that price. 

[topcat]

Long story short, I bought the car.I explained that I really wasn't thrilled about the service, but we'll hope for better. And I have had some nice comments on the colour, it grows on you.
Downsides: rear view mirror has to be replaced.
 Leather seats aren't the most comfy, but that may be because of my fat arse.
digital read out takes some getting used to.
The "premium" stereo is no great whoop. Ok but nothing special.
Ups: handles great
tons of storage space for stuff.
gas mileage excellent.
car feels solid, looks good
transmission shifts are seamless.

[articsteve]

 

[tpl]

Polite Canadian compromise.... nothing like it 

[landis]

Let's get the long story.

Betcha there isn't one, and that the short one is a load of BS as well.

wow, you must be the incompetent lady that i dealt with. Hey, go for it, take your vehicle there.

I don't want to sit here naming names and being explicit with the details. Take the advice or not - don't need your useless commentary.