Long story short..

1 - received an internet bid on Monday evening of $15,000 and change for the Fit Sport with automatic.

2 - Called and confirmed the availability mid day on Tuesday of the color we wanted with their internet sales manager.

3 - Made reservation to meet with said manager at 6 pm on Tuesday to test drive and then purchase the car. Was VERY clear we were looking to take delivery that night.

4 - Arrived at dealership on time and test drove the car and then went to the little glass room to conclude business.

5 - Gave the salesman that was helping us (seemed to be the junior sales person being blooded) the print out of the quote I had been sent two days previously and indicated we wanted to pay fully, not finance the car.

(note - by this time we had been at the dealership about 1.5 hours)

6 - Junior sales guy leaves the little glass room to get contract drawn up and provide final number for the wire transfer in the morning.

7 - after 20 minutes of waiting for his return I head for a cup of coffee and Pam seeks out the internet sales manager.

8 - (and here is where it gets good) Internet sales manager says... "that car is sold, hang around and I will let you know if the deal is final or not" (or words to that effect) with a smirk and no apology or offer to find a replacement vehicle. (I should note that NO ONE was looking at the car while we were there and it was pretty empty in the place with just the sales people hanging around in clusters chatting - zero traffic on this car as it sat in the parking lot) It is also significant they NEVER returned to the room to share the news of this "sale" with us.. we needed to wander out to find this answer ourselves.

9 - Pam is stunned and after some strong words from me to assorted sales staff we both depart the scene in total shock.

10 - Arrive at home and begin drafting letter to every member of the board and executive team of Honda Japan and Honda USA.

the end.

 

Wow! sounds like typical sales bait and switch. Go get em'

 

unfortunately that type of thing is the rule, not the exception.

I have had a couple good experiences...

#1 -- Subaru dealership in Chattanooga, TN. Called, asked for manager, told him what I wanted, he gave me the price. I couldn't beat it in cross-comparison, so I accepted. Drove up there, they had the car sitting in the showroom with a big SOLD sign. Since the papers weren't ready, they tossed me the keys and flung open the doors. Told me to drive it and make sure it's what I wanted and come back in an hour. When I came back, I signed and was gone in 15 mins.

#2 -- Dodge / Chrysler / Jeep dealer in Monroe, MI. Bought a brand new 2007 Jeep Liberty Sport 4x4 on eBay for $17,500, far cheaper than anything local, not to mention they were the only dealer in the US who had a 6-speed 4x4 on the lot. Flew in, internet sales dude picked me up curbside in a new 300C. Drove the 30 mins back to the dealer, and was on my way in under an hour.

I have a couple bad stories too, but would rather forget them.

 

Nothing like building a strong relationship.

 

and say hi to Pam for me! ;-)

 

Sounds like they didn't take you seriously. For whatever reason.

Cars require some prep, and they aren't going to do that just because you're coming in for a test drive.

Test drive car. Then tell them you'll come back when the paperwork is ready.

 

that's fine - but why jerk him around with the sold nonsense?

 

it was not about driving the car away that night.. rather securing that model in that color for delivery today post the wire transfer.

 

I hate when buying a car becomes a negative experience...if you can't leave the dealership in a good mood, make sure you're not taking a car with you.

 

CC the state attorney general to. They love that stuff. And the local BBB