Why I hate used car garages....
Discussion
Having been looking for a certain car some time, I finally stumbled across what appeared to be exactly what I was after - in the PH classified no less. To avoid breaking the name and shame rule, let's just say they are a north-east based garage named after the souvenir signature one could get from a famous person.
I rather wanted to buy this particular item of their stock.... I rang up yesterday "oh yes, it's still available", so I went and looked at my diary, rang back and said I was serious and when could I come and view it. I was told "oh, by the way, the aircon doesnt work" (not in the advert, which described the car as "in great shape") but for the bargain asking price I was prepared to let it slide. Then I was told "we do have someone else coming to view it tomorrow by the way", so I thought fine, I'll be at the garage at 9am to get it first. Fast forward to a 2 hour drive there this morning in horrendous traffic, I went in and they said "sorry, we've given first refusal to the other viewers". I was agast and slightly livid, and I asked why the hell they had done that. "Oh, I thought you were going to ring ahead" was the reply. Their actual words on the phone had been "first come, first served" - and there I was, the first person through the door. As it was, I told them to shove it. Not only could I have punched the salesman for being more than economical with the truth on the phone, but to add insult to injury it also turned out the car was a good deal more shabby and dinged about than the advert ("excellent paint") and the photos online made out.
Not that I'm still fuming, or anything....
I rather wanted to buy this particular item of their stock.... I rang up yesterday "oh yes, it's still available", so I went and looked at my diary, rang back and said I was serious and when could I come and view it. I was told "oh, by the way, the aircon doesnt work" (not in the advert, which described the car as "in great shape") but for the bargain asking price I was prepared to let it slide. Then I was told "we do have someone else coming to view it tomorrow by the way", so I thought fine, I'll be at the garage at 9am to get it first. Fast forward to a 2 hour drive there this morning in horrendous traffic, I went in and they said "sorry, we've given first refusal to the other viewers". I was agast and slightly livid, and I asked why the hell they had done that. "Oh, I thought you were going to ring ahead" was the reply. Their actual words on the phone had been "first come, first served" - and there I was, the first person through the door. As it was, I told them to shove it. Not only could I have punched the salesman for being more than economical with the truth on the phone, but to add insult to injury it also turned out the car was a good deal more shabby and dinged about than the advert ("excellent paint") and the photos online made out.
Not that I'm still fuming, or anything....
Deva Link said:
He knew the car was crap and that you'd be awkward so just wanted to get rid of you.
Do please explain? I really wanted to buy that car, and made it clear at the time. How does ringing and asking if its still available make me awkward?As it is, they have lost what would have been a very quick sale (I was only after it as a shed so didnt actually mind about it being a little shabbier than described, especially considering the "we want to get rid of this p/x car" price they had it advertised for. If they have been similarly optimistic about the condition of the car to the other viewers, who may have been slightly more picky about appearance, then they may well have walked away - resulting in the car sitting unsold and the dealer now being roasted online for their abysmal attitude - which is bound to deter more people.
Thats not exactly running a good business.
mat777 said:
Having been looking for a certain car some time, I finally stumbled across what appeared to be exactly what I was after - in the PH classified no less. To avoid breaking the name and shame rule, let's just say they are a north-east based garage named after the souvenir signature one could get from a famous person.
I rather wanted to buy this particular item of their stock.... I rang up yesterday "oh yes, it's still available", so I went and looked at my diary, rang back and said I was serious and when could I come and view it. I was told "oh, by the way, the aircon doesnt work" (not in the advert, which described the car as "in great shape") but for the bargain asking price I was prepared to let it slide. Then I was told "we do have someone else coming to view it tomorrow by the way", so I thought fine, I'll be at the garage at 9am to get it first. Fast forward to a 2 hour drive there this morning in horrendous traffic, I went in and they said "sorry, we've given first refusal to the other viewers". I was agast and slightly livid, and I asked why the hell they had done that. "Oh, I thought you were going to ring ahead" was the reply. Their actual words on the phone had been "first come, first served" - and there I was, the first person through the door. As it was, I told them to shove it. Not only could I have punched the salesman for being more than economical with the truth on the phone, but to add insult to injury it also turned out the car was a good deal more shabby and dinged about than the advert ("excellent paint") and the photos online made out.
Not that I'm still fuming, or anything....
I wonder what they'd have done if you offered the asking price there and then.I rather wanted to buy this particular item of their stock.... I rang up yesterday "oh yes, it's still available", so I went and looked at my diary, rang back and said I was serious and when could I come and view it. I was told "oh, by the way, the aircon doesnt work" (not in the advert, which described the car as "in great shape") but for the bargain asking price I was prepared to let it slide. Then I was told "we do have someone else coming to view it tomorrow by the way", so I thought fine, I'll be at the garage at 9am to get it first. Fast forward to a 2 hour drive there this morning in horrendous traffic, I went in and they said "sorry, we've given first refusal to the other viewers". I was agast and slightly livid, and I asked why the hell they had done that. "Oh, I thought you were going to ring ahead" was the reply. Their actual words on the phone had been "first come, first served" - and there I was, the first person through the door. As it was, I told them to shove it. Not only could I have punched the salesman for being more than economical with the truth on the phone, but to add insult to injury it also turned out the car was a good deal more shabby and dinged about than the advert ("excellent paint") and the photos online made out.
Not that I'm still fuming, or anything....
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