James

I placed an order for a 2000 A4 back in early August and the dealer told me that if I wanted to get the car for late Sept. Early Oct. I would have to get the most popular options so as not to make the car a factory order. I have been calling the dealership for the last 3 weeks and have left a total of 7 messages NOT ONE OF THEM HAS BEEN RETURNED!! I got fed up and called the sales manager who told me that "as best he could tell" my car would not be built untill November meaning a January delivery date! When I told him about the horrible service I had been getting he did not seem to care. My problem is this: I need my car before January and am more than willing to get one off the lot or have them transfer over one from a different lot the problem is I can't even get this guy on the phone. My only option is to go down in person but he does not work weekends and I'm extremley busy during the week so I figured I have been saint-like thus far I am going to a different dealer. I have a $500.00 deposit on the car, however I ordered before the 2000 prices were available so there is a clause on the order stating that my buying the car is subject to the 2000 model being acceptable. Will I lose my $500.00 if I go to a new dealer? Will I be treated any better? Do all "Audi brand specialists" have such disregard to customer satisfaction? I'm about ready to just get a Volvo, Saab, or Bimmer

moroninc sales people

snobs, probaly because their whole show is an act, they get a company car with the "dealer plates" and then drive home to their moble home, atleasts thats my experience.

Christopher

I have in the past recovered deposits from dealers who were over optimistic on delivery dates. They may make a stink about doing it, but ultimately they will give it back (they have to if they effectively couldn't perform the service they agreed to).

Fed Up

It is your privilege to even talk to an Audi specialist

Another Drew

The deposit you placed is refundable. If you're not picky about options or getting the absolute best price possible, you'll be able to get a hold of a very shiny, and might I add VERY NICE A4, soon.

It has been my experience when calling dealerships, salespeople are more willing to spend time with you when you're there in person vs. just calling. They'll take you more seriously that you are a potential buyer.

Good luck

Drew
00 S4 from a very nice salesman.

James

Re: On the rare occasion when I have had this "privilege" every answer was "I DON'T KNOW"

a voice of experience

But aren't you sounding a bit snobby yourself? You might be surprised to learn that a reasonably sucessful salesperson pulls in six figures with a higher end line like Audi. The sales manager is probably close to $350 to $450k. I know because I represent a lot of car dearlerships. So I don't think there are too many mobile homes involved.

That being said, James is getting ****ty service and should retrieve his deposit and find another dealer.

stevebrown

My new perception of Lexus is that they are the Pontiac of luxury brands. Here in Houston, we went to SterlingMcCall Lexus to talk about a GS300. We were interested in (1) finding out what they had on the lot and (2) seeing how willing they were to negotiate.

Now we hadn't even decided if we would sell our current car or trade it in. I kept telling the guy that we were just beginning our car buying decision.

This guy goes super high pressure. Now I respond by saying, "OK, Mr. Man, let's see what you got...you want to sell a car today? Here's what you gotta do. If you don't do it, no big deal, we weren't really ready to buy today anyway." He misses my target by $10,000 (combo of trade & new car). AND we find out that Sterling McCall adds about $2000 worth of "Sealant & VIN etching on the windows" to the sticker. Non-negotiable he says. I again restate my position. He brings in the sales manager who misses my target by $6000. I tell him again, that our needs don't match his needs at this time, but thanks for trying...we'll keep shopping and MAYBE we'll come back. He puts the all out high pressure on us, at which point my wife goes completely BALLISTIC and tells him (in an EVERYONE-IN-THE-DEALERSHIP-CAN-HEAR-ME voice) that he is an idiot if he thinks we're paying for SEALANT and VIN ETCHING...He matches her tone and voice level and says, "YES, YOU WILL!". I play referee and tell him that we're leaving, but just so he knows, I found the entire Sterling McCall Lexus experience reminiscent of buying a Pontiac, and I would surely have to shower immediately to remove the slime.

Contrast this to my walk in, meet a friendly guy at Don McGill Audi/Porsche last year...make an offer...counteroffer is within $1000, deal is struck. Pleasant conversations, laid-back deal.

We did just buy a Mercedes C230K and that deal was somewhat less pleasant than McGill, but light years better than Lexus. Unfortunately, I hear that Mercedes for MY2000 and beyond is sticker price only....glad we got the 99!

steve

BDW

especially sales manager at $350-450K? Where are you getting these numbers? Sales people, check in anonymously with some income numbers! If these numbers are accurate, I might have to change my line of work.

BDW

snobbish

Im sorry what i ment to say was i get treated like i own a moble home when i make a decent 5 figures