DEALER WARNING
07-11-2008, 01:22 AM
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'07 C230 Sport, '05 CLK55 AMG (Sold)
DEALER WARNING
I purchased a car on eBay from Forman Motorsport in AZ. Ad described the car as “immaculate”, etc. etc. They offered a PPI, but since I was out of state, I didn’t take (their town, their shops.) But since they had 100% + feedback, I took the chance and purchased: bad on me.
At pick-up, the car was dusty on the inside, missing two mats (AMG), and had squared tires, but no drama on the drive home. Once home, I found interior blemishes (scratches/dents in the metal trim, worn/chipped off buttons, peeling leather), tint had bubbles / streaks, lip had two small cracks, and the hood emblem was broken/loose. No one big thing, but not what I would call “immaculate.”
The local MB dealer inspected it:
- missing the front fender liner
- front rotors at 20%
- pads at 5%
$2700 in repairs
We all know the trick of fishing worn parts out of a box and showing them to the customer in place of their own parts. But, based on the condition of the vehicle, it didn’t seem unusual for these parts to be worn: my sister treats her new cars like crap, and lives on a hill so goes through front brakes like crazy. Her cars show the same wear at the same age as this one.
Over the next 1.5 months, I make many phone calls to Forman about the missing mats. They were pictured in the ad, so I expect to get them. I leave voicemails, get a hasty message with reassurances, but no mats. Finally a box arrives, and in it? Mats from a non-AMG Benz. WTF? That’s a shady used-car dealer stunt, not expected from “Luxury Performance Specialists” (as they call themselves.) I spend the next week trying to get in touch with anyone: salesman, VP, owner: nothing. Finally I get the salesman (Jarvis), who sullenly informs me that he sent me what mats he had, and he doesn’t know what else to tell me. He says he’s not going to buy a new set, so I’ll just have to wait until he can find some used mats. When I point out that his ad featured the mats, he says “Well, there are lots of things in ads that don’t come with a car. If there were a house in the ad, would you expect me to give you that too?”
W T F?????
So now I’m done. I had been waiting to give them eBay feedback, intending to make it positive if they came through with the mats, since technically the brakes were on me for not getting a PPI. But after the repeated unprofessional behavior of their representative, I gave them what they deserved: factual negative feedback.
Later I learned that my man called the VP (Tim) and let him in on what happened. Tim apologized and said he would make things right: he called me today to tell me they were going to find me a mat at an “auction”, and I’d have it within a few weeks. That was good of him, but the damage had already been done by Jarvis: the feedback was in.
So Tim calls me later, and he’s all fired up. He proceeds to YELL at me about how I’ve “torched” him on eBay for no reason. He claims the car was in perfect shape, and why didn’t I tell him about the brakes? Because if I can’t even get your dealership to provide a floor mat, do I really think you’re going to pay for a brake job after I’ve taken delivery? Cut to the end, he threatens that he doesn’t think he’s going to be able to do the right thing for me now (i.e. get me the mat.) I laugh and tell him to do whatever he feels he needs to, to which he throws a tantrum and slams the phone down, hanging up on me.
Yes, I did have the right to a PPI, even if it was under questionable circumstances (their town, their shops.) I may have still bought the car, even with repairs needed. But the level of unprofessionalism and lack of service after the sale that they showed are completely unsat. With the money I saved buying from them, I could have bought here and gotten a smooth, quality transaction:
You get what you pay for: bad on me.
I just wanted to let people know my experience with this dealer, in case anyone was considering their inventory. Maybe they figured they could blow me off because I’m a woman, maybe they had a bad few months: TS.
<Standby for the “Hell hath no fury like a Woman scorned…” quote…>
At pick-up, the car was dusty on the inside, missing two mats (AMG), and had squared tires, but no drama on the drive home. Once home, I found interior blemishes (scratches/dents in the metal trim, worn/chipped off buttons, peeling leather), tint had bubbles / streaks, lip had two small cracks, and the hood emblem was broken/loose. No one big thing, but not what I would call “immaculate.”
The local MB dealer inspected it:
- missing the front fender liner
- front rotors at 20%
- pads at 5%
$2700 in repairs
We all know the trick of fishing worn parts out of a box and showing them to the customer in place of their own parts. But, based on the condition of the vehicle, it didn’t seem unusual for these parts to be worn: my sister treats her new cars like crap, and lives on a hill so goes through front brakes like crazy. Her cars show the same wear at the same age as this one.
Over the next 1.5 months, I make many phone calls to Forman about the missing mats. They were pictured in the ad, so I expect to get them. I leave voicemails, get a hasty message with reassurances, but no mats. Finally a box arrives, and in it? Mats from a non-AMG Benz. WTF? That’s a shady used-car dealer stunt, not expected from “Luxury Performance Specialists” (as they call themselves.) I spend the next week trying to get in touch with anyone: salesman, VP, owner: nothing. Finally I get the salesman (Jarvis), who sullenly informs me that he sent me what mats he had, and he doesn’t know what else to tell me. He says he’s not going to buy a new set, so I’ll just have to wait until he can find some used mats. When I point out that his ad featured the mats, he says “Well, there are lots of things in ads that don’t come with a car. If there were a house in the ad, would you expect me to give you that too?”
W T F?????
So now I’m done. I had been waiting to give them eBay feedback, intending to make it positive if they came through with the mats, since technically the brakes were on me for not getting a PPI. But after the repeated unprofessional behavior of their representative, I gave them what they deserved: factual negative feedback.
Later I learned that my man called the VP (Tim) and let him in on what happened. Tim apologized and said he would make things right: he called me today to tell me they were going to find me a mat at an “auction”, and I’d have it within a few weeks. That was good of him, but the damage had already been done by Jarvis: the feedback was in.
So Tim calls me later, and he’s all fired up. He proceeds to YELL at me about how I’ve “torched” him on eBay for no reason. He claims the car was in perfect shape, and why didn’t I tell him about the brakes? Because if I can’t even get your dealership to provide a floor mat, do I really think you’re going to pay for a brake job after I’ve taken delivery? Cut to the end, he threatens that he doesn’t think he’s going to be able to do the right thing for me now (i.e. get me the mat.) I laugh and tell him to do whatever he feels he needs to, to which he throws a tantrum and slams the phone down, hanging up on me.
Yes, I did have the right to a PPI, even if it was under questionable circumstances (their town, their shops.) I may have still bought the car, even with repairs needed. But the level of unprofessionalism and lack of service after the sale that they showed are completely unsat. With the money I saved buying from them, I could have bought here and gotten a smooth, quality transaction:
You get what you pay for: bad on me.
I just wanted to let people know my experience with this dealer, in case anyone was considering their inventory. Maybe they figured they could blow me off because I’m a woman, maybe they had a bad few months: TS.
<Standby for the “Hell hath no fury like a Woman scorned…” quote…>
07-11-2008, 07:37 AM
#2
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Oh snap you're a chick. Well good for you. Normally I'd ask for pics but I'm trying to be a good boy....but you know what they say...old habits are hard to break. 
Back on topic. I've always been leary of cars on e-Bay. Buying something like that without getting a good look at it never sat right with me. Just like you said....you get what you pay for. Nothing beats going somewhere in person and getting "hands on" with the car you want. Unfortunately alot of us are not that lucky. Finding a nice, used AMG close by is next to impossible. So maybe the moral of the story is, if they offer you a free PPI just take it. Can't hurt right.
So any pics of your car? Maybe some with you in it?
Back on topic. I've always been leary of cars on e-Bay. Buying something like that without getting a good look at it never sat right with me. Just like you said....you get what you pay for. Nothing beats going somewhere in person and getting "hands on" with the car you want. Unfortunately alot of us are not that lucky. Finding a nice, used AMG close by is next to impossible. So maybe the moral of the story is, if they offer you a free PPI just take it. Can't hurt right.
So any pics of your car? Maybe some with you in it?
07-11-2008, 07:57 AM
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2001 clk55 AMG
Stiggs your killing me bro! Anyway back to the topic I almost got burned on a car from a local dealer I bought the car took it home and two days later did a carfax turns out the mileage was turned back alot I bought it with 43,000 and it had 48,000 three years earlier so I called the owner of the lot he called me a liar said carfax was wrong then went on a rant and hung up on me so I called state police used car fraud department and about an hour later the car lot called and told me they were sorry and I could bring car back get my money back or get something else. needless to say I didn't buy anything from them.
07-11-2008, 06:04 PM
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2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupé
Sorry about your problems, but it may be some comfort to hear that buying an AMG even from a MB dealer can have its complications.
Thanks to German Ebay, I found a 208 55 CLK with a rare designo paint color and interior. The car was so unique I flew from Paris to Frankfurt for the test drive. On the autobahn near Darmstadt (the public road where MB set an all time speed record in the late 1930s) the salesman opens her up and hits 257 kmh with the car still accelerating when we have to slow down for traffic. I'm sold.
The hitch - the floor mats! I love the designo floor mats with their matching leather trim, so I decide to order a set of regular AMG mats to keep the original ones from wearing out. Some work has to be done (a seat motor and of course the pixels) so I arrange to come back to the dealer in 10 days to pick up my baby. I get back and the original floor mats are gone. The saleman had gone on holiday and the prep crew had thrown them away!
To their credit, MB of Darmstadt did make good - shipping me a new set of mats, at a retail cost of over 500 euros. So sometimes the high priced MB "stealerships" can be not so bad.
Thanks to German Ebay, I found a 208 55 CLK with a rare designo paint color and interior. The car was so unique I flew from Paris to Frankfurt for the test drive. On the autobahn near Darmstadt (the public road where MB set an all time speed record in the late 1930s) the salesman opens her up and hits 257 kmh with the car still accelerating when we have to slow down for traffic. I'm sold.
The hitch - the floor mats! I love the designo floor mats with their matching leather trim, so I decide to order a set of regular AMG mats to keep the original ones from wearing out. Some work has to be done (a seat motor and of course the pixels) so I arrange to come back to the dealer in 10 days to pick up my baby. I get back and the original floor mats are gone. The saleman had gone on holiday and the prep crew had thrown them away!
To their credit, MB of Darmstadt did make good - shipping me a new set of mats, at a retail cost of over 500 euros. So sometimes the high priced MB "stealerships" can be not so bad.
07-11-2008, 06:25 PM
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'07 C230 Sport, '05 CLK55 AMG (Sold)
I just wish this place had taken customer service as serious as your place in GE did. The salesman flat out said he wasn't going to buy a new set, or even one new mat (that would have cut into his commission.)
BTW: that dealership reported $9 million in earnings last year...I can see why a $130 set of mats might be out of their range! I hope it was worth it: I've already had several people contact me from eBay who are reconsidering buying from them.
BTW: that dealership reported $9 million in earnings last year...I can see why a $130 set of mats might be out of their range! I hope it was worth it: I've already had several people contact me from eBay who are reconsidering buying from them.
07-11-2008, 08:09 PM
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'07 C230 Sport, '05 CLK55 AMG (Sold)
I hope so. I think they might have lost sight of how important each customer is, so maybe this will help them 'member!
The VP was outraged when he called: I'm guessing because sellers can no longer leave bad feeback for buyers on eBay. I guess there was too much retaliatory feedback being posted by *****bag sellers, so eBay cut them off.
The VP was outraged when he called: I'm guessing because sellers can no longer leave bad feeback for buyers on eBay. I guess there was too much retaliatory feedback being posted by *****bag sellers, so eBay cut them off.
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07-13-2008, 01:19 PM
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2005 E55, 2002 CLK55, 2005 SLK350 also a 2009 BMW 335-IX
I will never understand...
How anyone make a purchase this large... and a pre-owned car to boot... without a personal insection of the goods?
We have all heard of the person who gets a great deal on Ebay or something and the car ithat arrives is immaculate and perfect, or so they claim. Well I am never that lucky. Lady Luck crosses the street when she see me coming! LOL
We flew to another state about two years ago to buy an SLK32 off of an Autotrader ad. The car was described as perfect. Let me just say that my vision of perfect didn't line up with the sellers, so I took a pass. We ended up getting the Mrs. a CPO'd SLK350 locally instead. I could see exactly what I was getting and I could point out the flaws and have the dealer correct them before I handed over the cash.
It's "Buyer Beware"... Especially with used cars....
We have all heard of the person who gets a great deal on Ebay or something and the car ithat arrives is immaculate and perfect, or so they claim. Well I am never that lucky. Lady Luck crosses the street when she see me coming! LOL
We flew to another state about two years ago to buy an SLK32 off of an Autotrader ad. The car was described as perfect. Let me just say that my vision of perfect didn't line up with the sellers, so I took a pass. We ended up getting the Mrs. a CPO'd SLK350 locally instead. I could see exactly what I was getting and I could point out the flaws and have the dealer correct them before I handed over the cash.
It's "Buyer Beware"... Especially with used cars....
07-13-2008, 03:33 PM
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'07 C230 Sport, '05 CLK55 AMG (Sold)
Yep: as I said, that was bad on me. I felt a PPI would have been a waste of $, since it would be their car in their town at their friend's shops. eBay offers a contracted inspection, but they only do visuals, not mechanicals, so no help there. I put my faith in the seller (and their eBay feedback): totally wrong on my part.
The seller is up in arms: his lackey screamed at me on the phone, he responded to my feedback by saying it's going to be removed (which it's not-it meets all eBay's policies), and he started an independent feedback review where his claims are 100% bogus. Instead of chalking this up to a tough learning experience, he keeps pushing it.
As I said above, bad on me for buying the car: but me accepting financial responsibility for the repairs doesn't release him of his ethical responsibility. And just because I went through with the purchase doesn't mean I'm not allowed to describe my experience to others.
This guy is a shady used-car dealer passing himself off as "high-end."
The seller is up in arms: his lackey screamed at me on the phone, he responded to my feedback by saying it's going to be removed (which it's not-it meets all eBay's policies), and he started an independent feedback review where his claims are 100% bogus. Instead of chalking this up to a tough learning experience, he keeps pushing it.
As I said above, bad on me for buying the car: but me accepting financial responsibility for the repairs doesn't release him of his ethical responsibility. And just because I went through with the purchase doesn't mean I'm not allowed to describe my experience to others.
This guy is a shady used-car dealer passing himself off as "high-end."
07-13-2008, 10:12 PM
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Is this the CLK55 you are selling? How long ago did you buy it? So did you get all the problems worked out or are you selling it "as is" with the $2,700 in problems still there?
07-13-2008, 11:21 PM
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C63 / ////AMG
Please show us a link to the car in question or if it's no longer available, to the dealer's ebay page. You should threaten legal action either way, especially re: the brakes.
07-14-2008, 01:48 AM
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'07 C230 Sport, '05 CLK55 AMG (Sold)
I fixed the leather and the hood ornament, and I'm pricing replacement tint and radio buttons. I also got a Euroteck carbon-fiber lip (still in the box!)And just as all this fun was going on, the bottom fell out. My boyfriend's company lost their gov't contract, and the buyer for his Porsche backed out (wife laid down the law.) I'm back in nursing school in the Fall, so we need to trim down: the CLK has to go (both it and the Porsche are up for sale.) That's why I'm taking such a big loss: I need it gone asap.
07-14-2008, 02:08 AM
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'07 C230 Sport, '05 CLK55 AMG (Sold)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=180239949246
This guy is a douchebag and I want him out of my hair. I left him factual (negative) feedback for his unethical actions and lack of customer service. But I accept financial responsibility, since I chose not to do a PPI. But again, just because I accepted the car doesn't mean I don't get to tell people about what happened.
Up until recently, many buyers were afraid to leave honest comments for fear of retaliatory feedback from sellers. So many sellers have good feedback when they really didn't deserve it. But eBay put a stop to this: sellers can't leave bad feedback as revenge anymore. So since he no longer has the power of fear and revenge, maybe buyers will start leaving their actual opinions about him and that rating will continue to go down.
Funny thing: he initiated an independent feedback review (where a 3rd party evaluates my feedback to see if it violates eBay's policies...which it doesn't), but before he did that, he had already responded to my feedback claiming that he provided everything he promised and my feedback was going to be removed! This guy is an arrogant jerk who thought (and still thinks) he could pull one over on me because I'm a female.
I've already had several eBay members contact me with questions and I've been honest about my experience. Maybe the owner is an okay guy and he's just got some a$$hats working for him: who knows. But that doesn't change the fact that in this instance, they failed miserably on all counts.
07-24-2008, 05:51 PM
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'07 C230 Sport, '05 CLK55 AMG (Sold)
UPDATE:
The jerk lost his eBay feedback appeal: they decided that I was telling the truth and he was a dirtbag. The negative feedback stays on his record...
Ain't karma (car-ma!) a bi%ch?
Ain't karma (car-ma!) a bi%ch?
07-25-2008, 08:54 AM
#15
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+1 on the PPI....no matter what.
I checked out their feedback. I think in their eyes you hit the Grand Slam of negative feedback since all others are positive and your feedback put a dent in their 100% rating.
Good luck with the sale and nursing school.
I checked out their feedback. I think in their eyes you hit the Grand Slam of negative feedback since all others are positive and your feedback put a dent in their 100% rating.
Good luck with the sale and nursing school.
07-25-2008, 11:19 AM
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CLK500/Range Rover HSE/E55 AMG/Bmw 328Xi coupe/BMW 4.8x/Bmw 335i/GS350/Audi S5/E350
Yep, it's the one I'm selling: I bought it in May. I wouldn't do what the dealer did to me: I paid the $2700 and took care of the mechanicals/liner. It's got new front rotors and 4 new brake pads I fixed the leather and the hood ornament, and I'm pricing replacement tint and radio buttons. I also got a Euroteck carbon-fiber lip (still in the box!)
And just as all this fun was going on, the bottom fell out. My boyfriend's company lost their gov't contract, and the buyer for his Porsche backed out (wife laid down the law.) I'm back in nursing school in the Fall, so we need to trim down: the CLK has to go (both it and the Porsche are up for sale.) That's why I'm taking such a big loss: I need it gone asap.
I fixed the leather and the hood ornament, and I'm pricing replacement tint and radio buttons. I also got a Euroteck carbon-fiber lip (still in the box!)And just as all this fun was going on, the bottom fell out. My boyfriend's company lost their gov't contract, and the buyer for his Porsche backed out (wife laid down the law.) I'm back in nursing school in the Fall, so we need to trim down: the CLK has to go (both it and the Porsche are up for sale.) That's why I'm taking such a big loss: I need it gone asap.
07-25-2008, 12:32 PM
#17
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For what its worth, I got an excellent deal on a 208 CLK 55 a few years ago and excellent service through an EBay transaction - based on the ratio of feedback franzforman has, he had 24 positive transactions in the last 12months to one lousy one. Sorry to hear of your troubles. I agree on the Karma...what goes around comes around. Good luck on the future..
07-27-2008, 01:23 PM
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'07 C230 Sport, '05 CLK55 AMG (Sold)
It's a black/black 1985 Euro 930 w/ an Andial rebuild. Driving that thing is like being Wiley Coyote on the Acme rocket! Very fast, very fun. It's in great shape, just had the transmission done. He's got it listed on Rennlist (ad #7996) and Pelican Parts (his id is "Mackpipes.")
As of today, it's still for sale.
As of today, it's still for sale.
07-27-2008, 01:26 PM
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'07 C230 Sport, '05 CLK55 AMG (Sold)
It seems like it had a lot to do with me being a female: the salesguy interrupted me on the phone a lot, cutting me off to change the subject, giving me vague answers and trying to throw out car jargon like it was going to confuse me, etc. Who knows...
Car sold yesterday...
Thanks!
08-01-2008, 07:33 PM
#20
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Customer Warning
After reading Stone Cold's review of her CLK55 AMG purchase experience with us at Forman Motorsport, I couldn't help but respond to her allegations since, being the owner, I take these accusations very personally.
For starters, the car business deserves every bad rap that it has gotten as it is full of sleeze bags, liars, and cheats. The idea for Forman Motorsport started as an outlet for me to pursue my hobby of being surrounded by anything fast with an engine. It has grown into a "dealership" over the years but I am still as big of a car nut as ever and have strived to maintain an enthusiast following and keep an inventory of cars that I would gladly drive myself. Ms. Stone's car was no exception.
As far as her communication with my staff at the dealership, I do understand, and take full responsibility, that there was a breakdown on our getting her floormats in a timely manner. My salesman DID make a ridiculous comment about the house being included in the background and I have already addressed this with him. This was an off-the-cuff stupid remark on his part and should have never been said. For that I apologize. That said, I did try to make this up to Ms. Stone by sending her a set of nearly new Mercedes-Benz factory CLK floormats (which were much newer than those that would have come in her three year old car). Apparently, these newer mats were not acceptable because they did not have an AMG logo on them, something I gladly could have helped with had I known up front that this was all that would be acceptable.
My biggest complaint, and the source of all my frustration, is that we first learned of her dissatisfaction with the vehicle 35 days AFTER she bought the car when she left her negative comments on Ebay. Prior to this, we only knew about the floormats (which, as previously stated, I tried to make good on by sending her newer CLK mats). In addition, she states complaints with "interior blemishes" in the car, but everything was satisfactory when she was here to take delivery of her 55. Not only did we offer to take the car to the dealer of HER choice (not some type of local back-scratching ordeal as she alledges) for a buyer's inspection, but she also flew to Phoenix and picked up the car in person from us and signed an inspection form that we gave her once she had a chance to look at the entire car. Why not mention something while you were here so we could do something about it if there really was something wrong?? (I would be happy to forward the interior pictures to anyone on this forum to show that there were no major blemishes in the interior). Or, if it were not up to your expectations, why take delivery of the car? As far as the brake claim she alleges cost $2,700, this too is in question as we not only had two internal safety inspections on the car, (one at time of acquisition and one at time of sale) we also had the car at the local Mercedes dealership and they made no indication of brakes being needed. No sensor was illuminated, no squeaking, no grinding, no excessive fade, no strange pulling, etc... What Ms. Stone must not understand is that I have no choice but to replace brakes if they are needed on a car. This is not a way for us to "save-a-buck" or try to be cheap by not installing new brakes. It is a liability for us to sell a car that needs brakes that would cost far in excess of the $32K she paid for the car if something happened. Not to mention, if she paid $2,700 for brakes, no wonder she is upset! Front pads and rotors cost $750 and the rears are even less.
We pride ourselves on offering the finest cars that come out of Germany and Italy and the high-end car market is a very small world. We could not have maintained our 100% status on Ebay selling junk all over the world. Ms. Stone is correct that we did $9 million in sales last year and this year that number is on target for a 25% growth to more than $12 million. In a weak economy with many dealers going bankrupt, we have increased our sales mainly through repeat and referral business. This doesn't happen by swindling people online. We ship six-figure cars all over the world to very discriminating buyers who never have a chance to meet us or see the car and they have nothing but positive things to say about us. In fact, we have multiple letters of recommendation and the detailed feedback on Ebay and on our website, to prove it. Why would I risk ruining our reputation selling SL65s and Porsche Turbos over a $32K transaction? I wouldn't and I can't.
Ms. Stone's posting was titled "Dealer Warning" This is why I labeled my response as "Customer Warning." My appeal here is to any of you who are business owners or managers that deal with the general retail public who have ever had to "fire" a customer. We had a satisfied client who took delivery of a great car, at a great price, in person. After 35 days, and at least 1,000 more miles, we hear she is unhappy about the car from reading it on Ebay, and now on MBWorld. I don't know if she changed her mind on the color. I don't know if she wished she bought a different model. And, I don't know if she couldn't afford the car (now she is selling it after only six weeks due to admitted financial reasons). My opinion- now Ms. Stone has buyer's remorse and has resorted to name calling and allegations of sexual discrimination- calling me a doushebag, dirtbag, jerk, and a shady used-car salesman and implying that we took advantage of her because she was a female. Now, she is unloading the car and going through some tough times and has nothing better to do than go on a tirade because of an il-timed purchase that has now resulted in financial hardship. Sounds like the only bag here is the one that I'm left holding.
For starters, the car business deserves every bad rap that it has gotten as it is full of sleeze bags, liars, and cheats. The idea for Forman Motorsport started as an outlet for me to pursue my hobby of being surrounded by anything fast with an engine. It has grown into a "dealership" over the years but I am still as big of a car nut as ever and have strived to maintain an enthusiast following and keep an inventory of cars that I would gladly drive myself. Ms. Stone's car was no exception.
As far as her communication with my staff at the dealership, I do understand, and take full responsibility, that there was a breakdown on our getting her floormats in a timely manner. My salesman DID make a ridiculous comment about the house being included in the background and I have already addressed this with him. This was an off-the-cuff stupid remark on his part and should have never been said. For that I apologize. That said, I did try to make this up to Ms. Stone by sending her a set of nearly new Mercedes-Benz factory CLK floormats (which were much newer than those that would have come in her three year old car). Apparently, these newer mats were not acceptable because they did not have an AMG logo on them, something I gladly could have helped with had I known up front that this was all that would be acceptable.
My biggest complaint, and the source of all my frustration, is that we first learned of her dissatisfaction with the vehicle 35 days AFTER she bought the car when she left her negative comments on Ebay. Prior to this, we only knew about the floormats (which, as previously stated, I tried to make good on by sending her newer CLK mats). In addition, she states complaints with "interior blemishes" in the car, but everything was satisfactory when she was here to take delivery of her 55. Not only did we offer to take the car to the dealer of HER choice (not some type of local back-scratching ordeal as she alledges) for a buyer's inspection, but she also flew to Phoenix and picked up the car in person from us and signed an inspection form that we gave her once she had a chance to look at the entire car. Why not mention something while you were here so we could do something about it if there really was something wrong?? (I would be happy to forward the interior pictures to anyone on this forum to show that there were no major blemishes in the interior). Or, if it were not up to your expectations, why take delivery of the car? As far as the brake claim she alleges cost $2,700, this too is in question as we not only had two internal safety inspections on the car, (one at time of acquisition and one at time of sale) we also had the car at the local Mercedes dealership and they made no indication of brakes being needed. No sensor was illuminated, no squeaking, no grinding, no excessive fade, no strange pulling, etc... What Ms. Stone must not understand is that I have no choice but to replace brakes if they are needed on a car. This is not a way for us to "save-a-buck" or try to be cheap by not installing new brakes. It is a liability for us to sell a car that needs brakes that would cost far in excess of the $32K she paid for the car if something happened. Not to mention, if she paid $2,700 for brakes, no wonder she is upset! Front pads and rotors cost $750 and the rears are even less.
We pride ourselves on offering the finest cars that come out of Germany and Italy and the high-end car market is a very small world. We could not have maintained our 100% status on Ebay selling junk all over the world. Ms. Stone is correct that we did $9 million in sales last year and this year that number is on target for a 25% growth to more than $12 million. In a weak economy with many dealers going bankrupt, we have increased our sales mainly through repeat and referral business. This doesn't happen by swindling people online. We ship six-figure cars all over the world to very discriminating buyers who never have a chance to meet us or see the car and they have nothing but positive things to say about us. In fact, we have multiple letters of recommendation and the detailed feedback on Ebay and on our website, to prove it. Why would I risk ruining our reputation selling SL65s and Porsche Turbos over a $32K transaction? I wouldn't and I can't.
Ms. Stone's posting was titled "Dealer Warning" This is why I labeled my response as "Customer Warning." My appeal here is to any of you who are business owners or managers that deal with the general retail public who have ever had to "fire" a customer. We had a satisfied client who took delivery of a great car, at a great price, in person. After 35 days, and at least 1,000 more miles, we hear she is unhappy about the car from reading it on Ebay, and now on MBWorld. I don't know if she changed her mind on the color. I don't know if she wished she bought a different model. And, I don't know if she couldn't afford the car (now she is selling it after only six weeks due to admitted financial reasons). My opinion- now Ms. Stone has buyer's remorse and has resorted to name calling and allegations of sexual discrimination- calling me a doushebag, dirtbag, jerk, and a shady used-car salesman and implying that we took advantage of her because she was a female. Now, she is unloading the car and going through some tough times and has nothing better to do than go on a tirade because of an il-timed purchase that has now resulted in financial hardship. Sounds like the only bag here is the one that I'm left holding.
Last edited by speedlimit; 06-21-2012 at 03:20 PM.
08-06-2008, 08:32 PM
#21
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E55
I, as well as other colleagues at work, purchased vehicles from Forman Motorsports in the past. After reading the original post I was somewhat surprised because the experience the OP had differs so greatly from those that I've personally had and heard about.
There are certainly two sides to every story. I do find it interesting however that the OP appears to have waited more than a month to raise these issues, after she took delivery of the car, and after she passed on having a PPI.
Good luck to both of you.
There are certainly two sides to every story. I do find it interesting however that the OP appears to have waited more than a month to raise these issues, after she took delivery of the car, and after she passed on having a PPI.
Good luck to both of you.
Last edited by speedlimit; 06-21-2012 at 03:21 PM.
08-07-2008, 07:30 PM
#22
MBWorld Fanatic!
///
I, as well as other colleagues at work, purchased vehicles from Forman Motorsports in the past. After reading the original post I was somewhat surprised because the experience the OP had differs so greatly from those that I've personally had and heard about.
There are certainly two sides to every story. I do find it interesting however that the OP appears to have waited more than a month to raise these issues, after she took delivery of the car, and after she passed on having a PPI.
Good luck to both of you.
There are certainly two sides to every story. I do find it interesting however that the OP appears to have waited more than a month to raise these issues, after she took delivery of the car, and after she passed on having a PPI.
Good luck to both of you.
Last edited by speedlimit; 06-21-2012 at 03:21 PM.
08-08-2008, 11:22 AM
#23
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SL600
After reading Stone Cold's review of her CLK55 AMG purchase experience with us at Forman Motorsport, I couldn't help but respond to her allegations since, being the owner, I take these accusations very personally.
For starters, the car business deserves every bad rap that it has gotten as it is full of sleeze bags, liars, and cheats. The idea for Forman Motorsport started as an outlet for me to pursue my hobby of being surrounded by anything fast with an engine. It has grown into a "dealership" over the years but I am still as big of a car nut as ever and have strived to maintain an enthusiast following and keep an inventory of cars that I would gladly drive myself. Ms. Stone's car was no exception.
As far as her communication with my staff at the dealership, I do understand, and take full responsibility, that there was a breakdown on our getting her floormats in a timely manner. My salesman DID make a ridiculous comment about the house being included in the background and I have already addressed this with him. This was an off-the-cuff stupid remark on his part and should have never been said. For that I apologize. That said, I did try to make this up to Ms. Stone by sending her a set of nearly new Mercedes-Benz factory CLK floormats (which were much newer than those that would have come in her three year old car). Apparently, these newer mats were not acceptable because they did not have an AMG logo on them, something I gladly could have helped with had I known up front that this was all that would be acceptable.
My biggest complaint, and the source of all my frustration, is that we first learned of her dissatisfaction with the vehicle 35 days AFTER she bought the car when she left her negative comments on Ebay. Prior to this, we only knew about the floormats (which, as previously stated, I tried to make good on by sending her newer CLK mats). In addition, she states complaints with "interior blemishes" in the car, but everything was satisfactory when she was here to take delivery of her 55. Not only did we offer to take the car to the dealer of HER choice (not some type of local back-scratching ordeal as she alledges) for a buyer's inspection, but she also flew to Phoenix and picked up the car in person from us and signed an inspection form that we gave her once she had a chance to look at the entire car. Why not mention something while you were here so we could do something about it if there really was something wrong?? (I would be happy to forward the interior pictures to anyone on this forum to show that there were no major blemishes in the interior). Or, if it were not up to your expectations, why take delivery of the car? As far as the brake claim she alleges cost $2,700, this too is in question as we not only had two internal safety inspections on the car, (one at time of acquisition and one at time of sale) we also had the car at the local Mercedes dealership and they made no indication of brakes being needed. No sensor was illuminated, no squeaking, no grinding, no excessive fade, no strange pulling, etc... What Ms. Stone must not understand is that I have no choice but to replace brakes if they are needed on a car. This is not a way for us to "save-a-buck" or try to be cheap by not installing new brakes. It is a liability for us to sell a car that needs brakes that would cost far in excess of the $32K she paid for the car if something happened. Not to mention, if she paid $2,700 for brakes, no wonder she is upset! Front pads and rotors cost $750 and the rears are even less.
We pride ourselves on offering the finest cars that come out of Germany and Italy and the high-end car market is a very small world. We could not have maintained our 100% status on Ebay selling junk all over the world. Ms. Stone is correct that we did $9 million in sales last year and this year that number is on target for a 25% growth to more than $12 million. In a weak economy with many dealers going bankrupt, we have increased our sales mainly through repeat and referral business. This doesn't happen by swindling people online. We ship six-figure cars all over the world to very discriminating buyers who never have a chance to meet us or see the car and they have nothing but positive things to say about us. In fact, we have multiple letters of recommendation and the detailed feedback on Ebay and on our website, to prove it. Why would I risk ruining our reputation selling SL65s and Porsche Turbos over a $32K transaction? I wouldn't and I can't.
Ms. Stone's posting was titled "Dealer Warning" This is why I labeled my response as "Customer Warning." My appeal here is to any of you who are business owners or managers that deal with the general retail public who have ever had to "fire" a customer. We had a satisfied client who took delivery of a great car, at a great price, in person. After 35 days, and at least 1,000 more miles, we hear she is unhappy about the car from reading it on Ebay, and now on MBWorld. I don't know if she changed her mind on the color. I don't know if she wished she bought a different model. And, I don't know if she couldn't afford the car (now she is selling it after only six weeks due to admitted financial reasons). My opinion- now Ms. Stone has buyer's remorse and has resorted to name calling and allegations of sexual discrimination- calling me a doushebag, dirtbag, jerk, and a shady used-car salesman and implying that we took advantage of her because she was a female. Now, she is unloading the car and going through some tough times and has nothing better to do than go on a tirade because of an il-timed purchase that has now resulted in financial hardship. Sounds like the only bag here is the one that I'm left holding.
For starters, the car business deserves every bad rap that it has gotten as it is full of sleeze bags, liars, and cheats. The idea for Forman Motorsport started as an outlet for me to pursue my hobby of being surrounded by anything fast with an engine. It has grown into a "dealership" over the years but I am still as big of a car nut as ever and have strived to maintain an enthusiast following and keep an inventory of cars that I would gladly drive myself. Ms. Stone's car was no exception.
As far as her communication with my staff at the dealership, I do understand, and take full responsibility, that there was a breakdown on our getting her floormats in a timely manner. My salesman DID make a ridiculous comment about the house being included in the background and I have already addressed this with him. This was an off-the-cuff stupid remark on his part and should have never been said. For that I apologize. That said, I did try to make this up to Ms. Stone by sending her a set of nearly new Mercedes-Benz factory CLK floormats (which were much newer than those that would have come in her three year old car). Apparently, these newer mats were not acceptable because they did not have an AMG logo on them, something I gladly could have helped with had I known up front that this was all that would be acceptable.
My biggest complaint, and the source of all my frustration, is that we first learned of her dissatisfaction with the vehicle 35 days AFTER she bought the car when she left her negative comments on Ebay. Prior to this, we only knew about the floormats (which, as previously stated, I tried to make good on by sending her newer CLK mats). In addition, she states complaints with "interior blemishes" in the car, but everything was satisfactory when she was here to take delivery of her 55. Not only did we offer to take the car to the dealer of HER choice (not some type of local back-scratching ordeal as she alledges) for a buyer's inspection, but she also flew to Phoenix and picked up the car in person from us and signed an inspection form that we gave her once she had a chance to look at the entire car. Why not mention something while you were here so we could do something about it if there really was something wrong?? (I would be happy to forward the interior pictures to anyone on this forum to show that there were no major blemishes in the interior). Or, if it were not up to your expectations, why take delivery of the car? As far as the brake claim she alleges cost $2,700, this too is in question as we not only had two internal safety inspections on the car, (one at time of acquisition and one at time of sale) we also had the car at the local Mercedes dealership and they made no indication of brakes being needed. No sensor was illuminated, no squeaking, no grinding, no excessive fade, no strange pulling, etc... What Ms. Stone must not understand is that I have no choice but to replace brakes if they are needed on a car. This is not a way for us to "save-a-buck" or try to be cheap by not installing new brakes. It is a liability for us to sell a car that needs brakes that would cost far in excess of the $32K she paid for the car if something happened. Not to mention, if she paid $2,700 for brakes, no wonder she is upset! Front pads and rotors cost $750 and the rears are even less.
We pride ourselves on offering the finest cars that come out of Germany and Italy and the high-end car market is a very small world. We could not have maintained our 100% status on Ebay selling junk all over the world. Ms. Stone is correct that we did $9 million in sales last year and this year that number is on target for a 25% growth to more than $12 million. In a weak economy with many dealers going bankrupt, we have increased our sales mainly through repeat and referral business. This doesn't happen by swindling people online. We ship six-figure cars all over the world to very discriminating buyers who never have a chance to meet us or see the car and they have nothing but positive things to say about us. In fact, we have multiple letters of recommendation and the detailed feedback on Ebay and on our website, to prove it. Why would I risk ruining our reputation selling SL65s and Porsche Turbos over a $32K transaction? I wouldn't and I can't.
Ms. Stone's posting was titled "Dealer Warning" This is why I labeled my response as "Customer Warning." My appeal here is to any of you who are business owners or managers that deal with the general retail public who have ever had to "fire" a customer. We had a satisfied client who took delivery of a great car, at a great price, in person. After 35 days, and at least 1,000 more miles, we hear she is unhappy about the car from reading it on Ebay, and now on MBWorld. I don't know if she changed her mind on the color. I don't know if she wished she bought a different model. And, I don't know if she couldn't afford the car (now she is selling it after only six weeks due to admitted financial reasons). My opinion- now Ms. Stone has buyer's remorse and has resorted to name calling and allegations of sexual discrimination- calling me a doushebag, dirtbag, jerk, and a shady used-car salesman and implying that we took advantage of her because she was a female. Now, she is unloading the car and going through some tough times and has nothing better to do than go on a tirade because of an il-timed purchase that has now resulted in financial hardship. Sounds like the only bag here is the one that I'm left holding.
Try and put yourself in her perspective for a second. She pays good money (at nearly $30k +TTT for a 3+yr old CLK55, she certainly didn't 'steal' it) for a car described as "immaculate" in the advertisement. What's more, she bought it sight-unseen based solely on your heretofore sterling reputation. She took a leap of faith and placed her trust in your hands.
Then, what she actually received was a car with the brakes down to 5%, a missing fender liner, curb damage to the front spoiler, damaged interior leather, and buttons missing off the dashboard. Naturally, she's unhappy. Can you blame her?
Now at this point, you guys caught a gigantic break because, personally, I would have hired an attorney in your area and would have given you two options; 1: Either buy the car back from me, or 2: Get in touch with my local Benz dealer and eat the cost incurred to put the car in the condition that you misrepresented in your advertisement and auction listing. The car was without question misrepresented, and most people would not be nearly as forgiving as she decided to be, by choosing to simply chalk it up to a learning experience and eat the $2700 in needed repairs herself.
Then despite having already dodged a bullet on this deal, your salesman and your GM decide to act like spoiled kids and yell at her on the phone, blame things on her, and come up with ridiculous and patronizing logical parallels that make no sense whatsoever. And the shocking thing is, at that point all she was asking for was a silly set of FLOOR MATS that are only $140 new from the dealer! In response to this request, you guys have the unmitigated gall to send her a set of USED floor mats, that aren't even the correct part. For god's sake, she just bought a $30k car from you, and you guys screwed her on a bunch of repairs, and all she's asking for is FLOOR MATS and you try to pawn off a set of USED ones that aren't even correct for her car? She has a CLK55, and it comes with a specific set of mats, you can't just take any old mats and try to throw them at her and expect her to be happy.
Jesus Christ, man, it's just ridiculous, and I am amazed that you have anything at all to say to her on this forum other than "I'm Sorry". Instead, you guys are clearly bitter about the feedback she left you, which was completely accurate. And instead of saying "You know what, maybe we made a mistake, we're going to send you a set of new *correct* floor mats along with an apology letter" and saying "Oh by the way would you mind retracting your feedback", which at that point was still 99% likely to resolve the situation, you guys instead fought her tooth and nail through Ebay trying to have her feedback removed, and continued to insult her and try to blame your mistakes on the customer.
The net result of what you accomplished is that you sold your 100% feedback rating for a $140 set of floor mats. Hope it was worth it!
Last edited by speedlimit; 06-21-2012 at 03:22 PM.
08-08-2008, 11:38 AM
#24
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SL600
So in response to her request, the guy comes up with that absurd logical parallel about "If there's a house in the background of the photo, do you think you get that as well?", and tries to send her a set of used floor mats that aren't even correct for her car! Gimme a break! This wasn't something in the background of a photo, this was a part of the car that was attached to the car in the photos, and then went missing before it was delivered.
I honestly can't believe what I've read here, and as nice a guy, his attitude along with those of his GM and his salesman, are absolutely obnoxious. They owe her an apology, and yet he's still here trying to grasp at straws and blame her for what is obviously their issue.
Like I said, it was their choice to sell their 100% feedback rating for $140, it's impossible to feel bad for them about it after the fact. They had every possible opportunity to make this right, and failed. What's worse is, they got personally insulting to the customer, yelled at her, hung up on her, and were totally patronizing when they did speak with her.
Last edited by speedlimit; 06-21-2012 at 03:22 PM.
08-08-2008, 11:54 AM
#25
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SL600
After reading Stone Cold's review of her CLK55 AMG purchase experience with us at Forman Motorsport, I couldn't help but respond to her allegations since, being the owner, I take these accusations very personally.
For starters, the car business deserves every bad rap that it has gotten as it is full of sleeze bags, liars, and cheats. The idea for Forman Motorsport started as an outlet for me to pursue my hobby of being surrounded by anything fast with an engine. It has grown into a "dealership" over the years but I am still as big of a car nut as ever and have strived to maintain an enthusiast following and keep an inventory of cars that I would gladly drive myself. Ms. Stone's car was no exception.
As far as her communication with my staff at the dealership, I do understand, and take full responsibility, that there was a breakdown on our getting her floormats in a timely manner. My salesman DID make a ridiculous comment about the house being included in the background and I have already addressed this with him. This was an off-the-cuff stupid remark on his part and should have never been said. For that I apologize. That said, I did try to make this up to Ms. Stone by sending her a set of nearly new Mercedes-Benz factory CLK floormats (which were much newer than those that would have come in her three year old car). Apparently, these newer mats were not acceptable because they did not have an AMG logo on them, something I gladly could have helped with had I known up front that this was all that would be acceptable.
My biggest complaint, and the source of all my frustration, is that we first learned of her dissatisfaction with the vehicle 35 days AFTER she bought the car when she left her negative comments on Ebay. Prior to this, we only knew about the floormats (which, as previously stated, I tried to make good on by sending her newer CLK mats). In addition, she states complaints with "interior blemishes" in the car, but everything was satisfactory when she was here to take delivery of her 55. Not only did we offer to take the car to the dealer of HER choice (not some type of local back-scratching ordeal as she alledges) for a buyer's inspection, but she also flew to Phoenix and picked up the car in person from us and signed an inspection form that we gave her once she had a chance to look at the entire car. Why not mention something while you were here so we could do something about it if there really was something wrong?? (I would be happy to forward the interior pictures to anyone on this forum to show that there were no major blemishes in the interior). Or, if it were not up to your expectations, why take delivery of the car? As far as the brake claim she alleges cost $2,700, this too is in question as we not only had two internal safety inspections on the car, (one at time of acquisition and one at time of sale) we also had the car at the local Mercedes dealership and they made no indication of brakes being needed. No sensor was illuminated, no squeaking, no grinding, no excessive fade, no strange pulling, etc... What Ms. Stone must not understand is that I have no choice but to replace brakes if they are needed on a car. This is not a way for us to "save-a-buck" or try to be cheap by not installing new brakes. It is a liability for us to sell a car that needs brakes that would cost far in excess of the $32K she paid for the car if something happened. Not to mention, if she paid $2,700 for brakes, no wonder she is upset! Front pads and rotors cost $750 and the rears are even less.
We pride ourselves on offering the finest cars that come out of Germany and Italy and the high-end car market is a very small world. We could not have maintained our 100% status on Ebay selling junk all over the world. Ms. Stone is correct that we did $9 million in sales last year and this year that number is on target for a 25% growth to more than $12 million. In a weak economy with many dealers going bankrupt, we have increased our sales mainly through repeat and referral business. This doesn't happen by swindling people online. We ship six-figure cars all over the world to very discriminating buyers who never have a chance to meet us or see the car and they have nothing but positive things to say about us. In fact, we have multiple letters of recommendation and the detailed feedback on Ebay and on our website, to prove it. Why would I risk ruining our reputation selling SL65s and Porsche Turbos over a $32K transaction? I wouldn't and I can't.
Ms. Stone's posting was titled "Dealer Warning" This is why I labeled my response as "Customer Warning." My appeal here is to any of you who are business owners or managers that deal with the general retail public who have ever had to "fire" a customer. We had a satisfied client who took delivery of a great car, at a great price, in person. After 35 days, and at least 1,000 more miles, we hear she is unhappy about the car from reading it on Ebay, and now on MBWorld. I don't know if she changed her mind on the color. I don't know if she wished she bought a different model. And, I don't know if she couldn't afford the car (now she is selling it after only six weeks due to admitted financial reasons). My opinion- now Ms. Stone has buyer's remorse and has resorted to name calling and allegations of sexual discrimination- calling me a doushebag, dirtbag, jerk, and a shady used-car salesman and implying that we took advantage of her because she was a female. Now, she is unloading the car and going through some tough times and has nothing better to do than go on a tirade because of an il-timed purchase that has now resulted in financial hardship. Sounds like the only bag here is the one that I'm left holding.
For starters, the car business deserves every bad rap that it has gotten as it is full of sleeze bags, liars, and cheats. The idea for Forman Motorsport started as an outlet for me to pursue my hobby of being surrounded by anything fast with an engine. It has grown into a "dealership" over the years but I am still as big of a car nut as ever and have strived to maintain an enthusiast following and keep an inventory of cars that I would gladly drive myself. Ms. Stone's car was no exception.
As far as her communication with my staff at the dealership, I do understand, and take full responsibility, that there was a breakdown on our getting her floormats in a timely manner. My salesman DID make a ridiculous comment about the house being included in the background and I have already addressed this with him. This was an off-the-cuff stupid remark on his part and should have never been said. For that I apologize. That said, I did try to make this up to Ms. Stone by sending her a set of nearly new Mercedes-Benz factory CLK floormats (which were much newer than those that would have come in her three year old car). Apparently, these newer mats were not acceptable because they did not have an AMG logo on them, something I gladly could have helped with had I known up front that this was all that would be acceptable.
My biggest complaint, and the source of all my frustration, is that we first learned of her dissatisfaction with the vehicle 35 days AFTER she bought the car when she left her negative comments on Ebay. Prior to this, we only knew about the floormats (which, as previously stated, I tried to make good on by sending her newer CLK mats). In addition, she states complaints with "interior blemishes" in the car, but everything was satisfactory when she was here to take delivery of her 55. Not only did we offer to take the car to the dealer of HER choice (not some type of local back-scratching ordeal as she alledges) for a buyer's inspection, but she also flew to Phoenix and picked up the car in person from us and signed an inspection form that we gave her once she had a chance to look at the entire car. Why not mention something while you were here so we could do something about it if there really was something wrong?? (I would be happy to forward the interior pictures to anyone on this forum to show that there were no major blemishes in the interior). Or, if it were not up to your expectations, why take delivery of the car? As far as the brake claim she alleges cost $2,700, this too is in question as we not only had two internal safety inspections on the car, (one at time of acquisition and one at time of sale) we also had the car at the local Mercedes dealership and they made no indication of brakes being needed. No sensor was illuminated, no squeaking, no grinding, no excessive fade, no strange pulling, etc... What Ms. Stone must not understand is that I have no choice but to replace brakes if they are needed on a car. This is not a way for us to "save-a-buck" or try to be cheap by not installing new brakes. It is a liability for us to sell a car that needs brakes that would cost far in excess of the $32K she paid for the car if something happened. Not to mention, if she paid $2,700 for brakes, no wonder she is upset! Front pads and rotors cost $750 and the rears are even less.
We pride ourselves on offering the finest cars that come out of Germany and Italy and the high-end car market is a very small world. We could not have maintained our 100% status on Ebay selling junk all over the world. Ms. Stone is correct that we did $9 million in sales last year and this year that number is on target for a 25% growth to more than $12 million. In a weak economy with many dealers going bankrupt, we have increased our sales mainly through repeat and referral business. This doesn't happen by swindling people online. We ship six-figure cars all over the world to very discriminating buyers who never have a chance to meet us or see the car and they have nothing but positive things to say about us. In fact, we have multiple letters of recommendation and the detailed feedback on Ebay and on our website, to prove it. Why would I risk ruining our reputation selling SL65s and Porsche Turbos over a $32K transaction? I wouldn't and I can't.
Ms. Stone's posting was titled "Dealer Warning" This is why I labeled my response as "Customer Warning." My appeal here is to any of you who are business owners or managers that deal with the general retail public who have ever had to "fire" a customer. We had a satisfied client who took delivery of a great car, at a great price, in person. After 35 days, and at least 1,000 more miles, we hear she is unhappy about the car from reading it on Ebay, and now on MBWorld. I don't know if she changed her mind on the color. I don't know if she wished she bought a different model. And, I don't know if she couldn't afford the car (now she is selling it after only six weeks due to admitted financial reasons). My opinion- now Ms. Stone has buyer's remorse and has resorted to name calling and allegations of sexual discrimination- calling me a doushebag, dirtbag, jerk, and a shady used-car salesman and implying that we took advantage of her because she was a female. Now, she is unloading the car and going through some tough times and has nothing better to do than go on a tirade because of an il-timed purchase that has now resulted in financial hardship. Sounds like the only bag here is the one that I'm left holding.
You are harping on her signing the in-person inspection form, and her waiting for a month to bring the issues to your attention, right?
So then, explain to me how she could possibly discover that the inner fender liner was missing, just through a cursory delivery inspection?
Then explain how she could possibly know that the brakes were down to 5% just by doing a walk-around?
Then explain how she is supposed to see damage located under/behind the lip of the front spoiler on a walk-around?
This car sits 3" off the ground...do you expect all of your customers to lay on their stomachs on your showroom floor, or else they should expect the car to have non-disclosed hidden damage?
Shouldn't they be able to trust your employee's description of the car (which by the way is still posted on ebay, says nothing about any damage at all, and goes so far as to say the car is "immaculate")?
So I guess what I'm asking is, did your delivery inspection include putting the car on a lift? Did it include removing the wheels and brake calipers so that she could measure the brake pad thickness? Did it include your providing her with a set of measuring calipers so she could guage the rotor thickness?
Of course it didn't!
So how can you possibly throw the walk-around inspection and attendant form that she signed in her face after-the-fact, when most of the stuff she's complaining about couldn't possibly have been discovered during that inspection?
As to it taking a month, she stated that the car ran fine on the way home, and I'm guessing she had better stuff to do upon returning, and needed to use the car. She probably waited a week or two to call for the service appointment, which normally takes a week to get. So there's your month right there.
I'm still at a loss as to how you think any of this is remotely relevant? Do you really think that in one month, brakes could be worn down to 5%?
That's ridiculous. Clearly the car was mis-described, and you guys owe her a big apology.
Last edited by speedlimit; 06-21-2012 at 03:23 PM.
