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Smart Shopper Stories from the Sales Frontlines
48132 messages, Last post on Dec 08, 2009 at 8:54 AM
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This may not be up to the level of the Bill Heard story, but this just happened at our dealership. We have several lines: BMW, Porsche, Buick, Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover. Not to mention any used cars we decide to retail. Recently, we traded for an 02 Trailblazer. Something pretty cheap for an SUV, about 12K retail. Our oldest (70's) and longest term employee caught an "up" at about 10 a.m. a few days ago. He did not see what he drove up in or anything (turns out he was dropped off), but nevertheless, showed the car and went on a demo. They get back to the dealership and are talking numbers when the customer says he's hungry and would like to go get something to eat. However, he said he did not have any money... That may have been the first clue something was up. Our salesman, being the nice guy he was, gave him $6 and put him in the Trailblazer to go get something to eat. A little while later, customer shows back up and is again talking numbers. After a while, he decides he wants to buy it. But before he does, he wants to show his wife the car, who is at home ... supposedly. Again, the salesman gave him the keys, and the guy said he would be back in about an hour. As you might have already guessed, he was not back in an hour. The next day, the search begins, and we begin to find out a lot about the guy. Turns out he just got out of jail, had violated his probation or something and was wanted again. The following day, we receive a call from the man's ex-wife. Turns out, he had called her once he had gotten into Tennessee and wanted her to bring the kids up so he could see him. He told her what he did, and while she was on his way up to Tennessee, she called us and the State Trooper Association to tell them where he was. We heard about 10 officers arrived guns drawn to snag the guy. So, back to jail he goes. Of course, since the salesman has been here since Day 1 back in the 70's, they let it slide. I've been here working for BMW for 2.5 years ... I wonder if they would be as easy on me? bmw3434
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| Don Jacobs BMW in Lexington, Kentucky tried to pull the same trick on me (rewriting the sales contract after I had purchased the car) in 2004. I spoke to a lawyer and, after they caught wind of that, they agreed to take the car back. I tried complaining to BMW corporate, but like any manufacturer complaint, nothing really happened. Needless to say, I won't take my current car (bought elsewhere) there for service. | |
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Refreshing the page resubmits your post resulting in a triple post. Nice story but we don't need it posted 3 times. Back to Bill. So who thinks this is an honest mistake on some paperwork or a sly attempt to extort more money from the buyer? How often do you think they pull it and what is the percentage of buyers who go along? |
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related, but not completely on topic. i know someone who is pretty much a genius at figuring out how to get a vehicle. this person will pretty much be in the custody of the state for the rest of their life, sad.  story #1: it is cold and nowhere to go, so they sit in the emergency room of a hospital. guy delivering chinese food brings in an order. subject person jumps in the still running car, drives to his brother's house. knocks on the door and says, 'i got us all chinese food for dinner'. cops called, but he gets way for a few days. story #2: calls me up after get released. he always asks about my mustang 'the horse'. says is going to stop over for my daughter's birthday party if it is ok. 'sure fine with me'. anyways he asks 'what are you driving now?'. i tell him 'eb explorer'. day of the party he shows up driving one. turns out he sat outside the dealership where i bought, in a snow storm. when they moved the vehicles to plow the lot, he jumped in one they had just moved and left with the keys in it. 
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Replying to: explorerx4 (Jul 28, 2006 3:19 pm) ...says is going to stop over for my daughter's birthday party if it is ok... C'mon, you don't really socialize with people like this let alone let him near your daughter. Please tell us this ain't so, that your just funnin us. I might have to hang-out at a different thread, stuff like this could be contagious !!! jmonroe
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Replying to: imidazol97 (Jul 28, 2006 12:53 pm) Bill Heard seems to be the type of sleeze-bag (and that description is being kind) that has given dealers in general their bad name. Is it possible that an automobile dealers assoc. or something like it can do something to put an end to guys like him or is he too powerful ? I think I know the answer but your input is welcome. Consumers should be able to do it but we know they are too dumb !!! jmonroe
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Replying to: graphicguy (Jul 28, 2006 1:31 pm) I've read scores of posts, from members who have gotten "burned" on vehicle purchases from dealerships they had bought from before... and had "trusted". So, I wouldn't be putting to many of my eggs in the "trust" basket. |
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