MAJOR Dealership Problem - Damaged Car

[GallopingFord]

It is embarrassing to hear that some Ford dealers still don't realize that word of mouth is the most powerful thing in the retailing world. I really hope your pal get this smoothed over. No matter what a GM, or any other type of dealership personnel should never use vulgar language. Yeah, they can get pissy, but nothing ever warrants an "F" bomb or other obscenities when talking to a customer.

Rule #1 of Retail: Customer is always right. (sure there are some loopholes)

Coming from the managerial perspective on this, being that I do work for my families dealership, I admit that we do make mistakes. This may include learning how to drive a stick, or not telling the full intent of actions, but apologies and admittance is what completes the closure process. It's going to be hard for this to be solved since it is a he-said-he said matter and dealerships will trust their personnel more than the customer regularly.

On a side note, it is not out of the ordinary for a possibly trade in to be test driven. Sure the guy could have told him when he was walking out the door as that seemed a little odd, by the context that you displayed.

Again, I hope you get this matter resolved.

 

[notastockdohc]

Had a dealer take my 1996 cobra vortech sc, out for a drive without my permission. I was looking a trading on a 2003 lightning. Pissed me off because as I was test driving the lightning my cobra went blowing by me on a two lane road. The sales man was driving my cobra he caught up to me and blew by me doing over 90mph full boost. I got back to the dealership told him no deal give me my keys ASAP before I kick someone's ass.

 

[RazorbackMustang]

I've traded in several cars in the last 4-5 years, not one of them has been test driven.

 

[GOTTORQ]

If they claim that this didn't happen and nothings wrong with the car. Bring it to another ford dealership, have it checked out. Use the warranty to have it fix, bring the invoice to the original dealership and tell them to fuck off and burn that bitch down(don't do it). Contact steedman he works at the ford dealership in east Hartford/ Hartford line. He might be able to help you out.

 

[SeVeReDiStOrTiOn]

He messed up your friends car so find out what the clutch burner drives and return the favor....be creative.

 

[Steedman07]

Not a whole lot you can do. If the owner deferred him back to the manager, then that ends it there. Ford will not get involved in a case like this. Have you talked to Chris Messier at the dealership? You wont get far at all with the BBB or the Attorney General's office, so dont waste your time. Next time you are in the market, come see me in East Hartford..

And as for the manager yelling at you, talk to Chris Messier, tell him what happened. If it was my guy that did that, I would reprimand him/her quickly..

 

[UltraKla$$ic]

The dealership that I traded mine in on not only never drove mine they took my trade on pics alone!!!!!! They never even saw my car in person!!!!!

Ida stopped a mudhole in some salesmen.......

 

[5.0H]

just pm'ed you steedman. he may have actually been by on Sunday. Kona Blue '12 GT premium with ~12k on the clock. magnaflow axlebacks. his name is Dylan. I'll keep you in mind if/when I'm in the market for a new stang

 

[tjm73]

The lesson here is never, NEVER let anyone drive your car or hand over the keys until it's absolutely required.

As buyer you control the pace of the situation. Too slow walk, too fast make them slow down. If they intend to drive it, go with them. If they don't like it, walk. You own your car. You are about to spend the money on a new car. You have the power. If they refuse to sell you a car, it's a signal that they are not the dealership to buy from. There is nothing special about the car. The car is a commodity. You can get the exact same car at any Ford dealer. The dealerships can hang their hat on customer service before, during and after the sale. Service and price is the only thing that separates dealerships.

 

[Steedman07]

just pm'ed you steedman. he may have actually been by on Sunday. Kona Blue '12 GT premium with ~12k on the clock. magnaflow axlebacks. his name is Dylan. I'll keep you in mind if/when I'm in the market for a new stang

Pmed you back. I am closed on Sunday's..Dats the holy day man..

 

[dark steed]

Can he contact one of the other dealers he visited to verify that the issue didn't exist before he went there? Surely they had some paperwork if they appraised it...


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[skwerl]

The lesson here is never, NEVER let anyone drive your car or hand over the keys until it's absolutely required.

As buyer you control the pace of the situation. Too slow walk, too fast make them slow down. If they intend to drive it, go with them. If they don't like it, walk. You own your car. You are about to spend the money on a new car. You have the power. If they refuse to sell you a car, it's a signal that they are not the dealership to buy from. There is nothing special about the car. The car is a commodity. You can get the exact same car at any Ford dealer. The dealerships can hang their hat on customer service before, during and after the sale. Service and price is the only thing that separates dealerships.

But so many people respond positively to being treated like shit. Why do you think the biggest, busiest dealerships always have some asshole screaming at you on the radio every 5 minutes to come buy a car? The fact that Kav's friend still stayed at the dealership for an hour after the asshole took his car is just more proof that most people will allow themselves to be walked on and still sign on the dotted line.

 

[5.0H]

Can he contact one of the other dealers he visited to verify that the issue didn't exist before he went there? Surely they had some paperwork if they appraised it...


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that's actually a good idea. I'll tell him to look into it.

he should be jumping into this thread shortly. He tells me he's making an account here...dragging him over from afm

 

[Steedman07]

..dragging him over from afm

He is better off over here man..

 

[5.0H]

I agree with everyone saying that he should never let anyone drive his car without going with them...the fact of the matter is that they did not have consent. He handed them to keys so that the salesman could run and grab the exact mileage off the dash while he sat down with the other salesman. At no point in time did anyone say anything about a test drive.

 

[5.0H]

He is better off over here man..

agreed. that's why I only have 9 posts at afm

 

[SilentScope]

compared to the way I treat my clutches, im SURE his clutch was NOT damaged by a little bit of stalling and riding the pressure plate.

you really think that a clutch is that weak? It's made to last thousands of miles of abuse.

 

[weather man]

The bottom line guys is that if your salesperson isn't a good fit for you; you can always ask the manager for a different salesperson to work with. You don't have to be confrontational about it either. The good stores want you to be happy.

ULTRACLA$$IC: It looks like you take immaculate care of your stuff and when your car showed at the dealer in immaculate condition, life is good. I'm surprised the sales guy called about the tire. If it was a guy who sells a lot the sales manager won't usually ride those guys on stuff like that. If it was a new or low volume guy, some dealers will strip the cost of the tire out of your paycheck for not catching it.

 

[ctt326]

compared to the way I treat my clutches, im SURE his clutch was NOT damaged by a little bit of stalling and riding the pressure plate.

you really think that a clutch is that weak? It's made to last thousands of miles of abuse.

I'm with this guy.

I mean it sucks what happened but I highly doubt in the amount of time he was driving the car he did serious damage. Letting my girlfriend drive my car probably did more damage than what that guy did. I also have over 400whp and 65k on the completely stock clutch. Be mad at the dealer but stop being paranoid about the car, its only going to piss you off..

 

[5.0H]

so for anyone who would like to "voice" their opinion on the matter, Columbia Ford's number is 860.228.2886. Cheers!

Columbia Ford of Columbia, CT
GM- Chris Messier
Used car manager who drove the car- Dale Thompson