So it looks like my dealership LIED to me!!!!

escobar929 · 10-01-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mohammadz

big mistake..i know

you're young bro, it happens. dealers can be intimidating at times. if it was on you papers for the car not to have more than 50km, that would have been even more of a reason not to take it w/ 700km. its like they drove it from the other place to your dealership instead of towing it

tm30 · 10-01-2009, 10:45 AM

How hard is it to take a picture and post it? I'm calling Bravo Sierra on this whole thread.

thesmokingone · 10-01-2009, 12:25 PM

So if you can't tell...

I mean you should get what you paid for and all but i dont understand how you could need leather if you couldn't tell a difference.

mshahidz · 10-01-2009, 10:29 PM

since I went to the dealership, i guess its 100% guaranteed I dont have leather...I just dont know how to approach the subject now.

Lester · 10-01-2009, 10:50 PM

For sure - you have leatherette seats, not Boston Leather, and it sounds like you also got a demo car. I would phone in a complaint to BMW Canada and give them all of the details, explain what happened and how you were treated. If you don't feel confident doing this yourself, have a relative or a friend do it for you.

As you can see in the picture, real Boston leather has the dual seams on the sides.

Actually, there is nothing wrong with the leatherette seats - but that is not the issue here. The issue here is that you were lied to and not treated right.

mshahidz · 10-01-2009, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lester

For sure - you have leatherette seats, not Boston Leather, and it sounds like you also got a demo car. I would phone in a complaint to BMW Canada and give them all of the details, explain what happened and how you were treated. If you don't feel confident doing this yourself, have a relative or a friend do it for you.

As you can see in the picture, real Boston leather has the dual seams on the sides.

Actually, there is nothing wrong with the leatherette seats - but that is not the issue here. The issue here is that you were lied to and not treated right.

Thanks.

My problem is DEFINITELY not "leather or not", its the fact that I was lied to. I paid 50K for a car that I thought was "perfect". Now I find that its not actual leahter, its just disappointing.

If you dont mind me asking, what can BMW Canada do? Should i go to the dealer first, or contact BMWCA

dragon1761 · 10-01-2009, 11:04 PM

that sucks. I would bring the sticker invoice and just drive it to the same dealership you got your car. If it says boston leather on the sticker, then it might be the fault of the manufacturer so not really the dealer's fault.

Add1ct · 10-01-2009, 11:05 PM

yea that's flat out bull shit. you need to be reimbursed, big screw up here. at the least go in and claim it under warranty. say that there's something wrong with my leather and when they ask what it is- say IT'S NOT LEATHER!!!!

MOCKBA · 10-01-2009, 11:07 PM

Your dealer could unintentionally lie you. My experience shows that dealers are very unknowledgeable about cars they sell and certainly can’t tell difference between leatherette and leather. They will tell you what you want to hear.
We have window sticker in US, so it is a good source of info about your car.

Lester · 10-01-2009, 11:21 PM

Even the dumbest car salesman will be able to instantly tell the difference between leather and leatherette seats, and furthermore there is no possible way that the premium package would have left the factory with the wrong type of seats.

The fact that the car has 700 km's on it, and that the dealer is trying to conceal the fact that these are not the seats that should come with the car as equipped add up to one thing - a misrepresentation.

Call the dealer up, tell them that they have 24 hours to come up with a plan to recompense you fairly - and if they don't your lawyer is going to contact the President of BMW Canada - Mr. Lindsay Duffield. That ought to get them off their fat lying asses.

Angry3 · 10-02-2009, 01:38 AM

Honestly, the first thing you need to do is figure out what you paid for. Call BMWCA or a dealer and get the specs on the car. Every dealer (in the US at least) has a customer care specialist, I called my local dealer when I was looking at a used car and they gave me the complete specs on it. Or go to a service advisor at your local dealer if you want to bypass the sales guys, he can pull up the exact specs on your car. Then compare it with the window sticker/bill of sale/whatever will show what you paid for.

This isn't complicated, you have to start by finding out the actual equipment that you car has, you can do that with either the dealer or BMWCA, or both.

Forget about the over miles thing, they compensated you for that, you took delivery of the car, and that's done.

If there was a legitimate mistake and you can prove you paid for a car with Premium and it doesn't have it would tell them you want them to order you a 2010 model, sell it at their cost, and take your car back at what you paid less .20 per KM for your use of it. Then again, I would probably go right to an attorney at that point before doing anything.

mshahidz · 10-02-2009, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angry3

Honestly, the first thing you need to do is figure out what you paid for. Call BMWCA or a dealer and get the specs on the car. Every dealer (in the US at least) has a customer care specialist, I called my local dealer when I was looking at a used car and they gave me the complete specs on it. Or go to a service advisor at your local dealer if you want to bypass the sales guys, he can pull up the exact specs on your car. Then compare it with the window sticker/bill of sale/whatever will show what you paid for.

This isn't complicated, you have to start by finding out the actual equipment that you car has, you can do that with either the dealer or BMWCA, or both.

Forget about the over miles thing, they compensated you for that, you took delivery of the car, and that's done.

If there was a legitimate mistake and you can prove you paid for a car with Premium and it doesn't have it would tell them you want them to order you a 2010 model, sell it at their cost, and take your car back at what you paid less .20 per KM for your use of it. Then again, I would probably go right to an attorney at that point before doing anything.

thanks for all the opinions guys...going to take a trip to the dealer tmrw and see what happens. Do you guys think its likely that they will do a car swap even though i've driven my car 3500km-ish?

2010's have ugly mirros

Well anyay, ill update you guys sometime tomorrow evening. Not sure if anyone read my previous posts, but my SA already insisted its leather to me!

escobar929 · 10-02-2009, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angry3

Honestly, the first thing you need to do is figure out what you paid for. Call BMWCA or a dealer and get the specs on the car. Every dealer (in the US at least) has a customer care specialist, I called my local dealer when I was looking at a used car and they gave me the complete specs on it. Or go to a service advisor at your local dealer if you want to bypass the sales guys, he can pull up the exact specs on your car. Then compare it with the window sticker/bill of sale/whatever will show what you paid for.

This isn't complicated, you have to start by finding out the actual equipment that you car has, you can do that with either the dealer or BMWCA, or both.

Forget about the over miles thing, they compensated you for that, you took delivery of the car, and that's done.

If there was a legitimate mistake and you can prove you paid for a car with Premium and it doesn't have it would tell them you want them to order you a 2010 model, sell it at their cost, and take your car back at what you paid less .20 per KM for your use of it. Then again, I would probably go right to an attorney at that point before doing anything.

100% agree

Lester · 10-02-2009, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mohammadz

thanks for all the opinions guys...going to take a trip to the dealer tmrw and see what happens. Do you guys think its likely that they will do a car swap even though i've driven my car 3500km-ish?

2010's have ugly mirros

Well anyay, ill update you guys sometime tomorrow evening. Not sure if anyone read my previous posts, but my SA already insisted its leather to me!

Have a look at other 1 series on the lot before you meet with him. Find one with Boston Leather stitching. Then find another one with leatherette. Then before you even get into it with him, take him to the two cars, and show him the difference. Then take him to your car and show him your nice leatherette seats.

Then look him square in the eye and tell him that unless they refund you the difference, or replace your seats with Boston Leather - you will report him, his mamager and the dealer to BMW Canada.

pit1 · 10-02-2009, 08:44 AM

I would take nothing but a replacement car. At least buy your car back and leave you at square one to shop somewhere else. Get BMW Canada on board ASAP!!!! They will contact your dealer and push them, that piece is essential. Open up a case file BEFORE going to the dealer. Threatening the dealer to contact BMW Canada won't get you as far, show them you mean business. If they've been treating you poorly due to your age, this will send a clear message. They'll do what they can to save their reputation if they realize you're willing to go that far. I've had BMWNA push to offer a replacement car for far less than this.

Make the call to BMW of Canada to start the case file. Just let them know all that has happened to date and you're going to the dealer to try and work out a resolution. VERY IMPORTANT, start the paper trail now. Outline the entire experience to date and your intentions with the dealer, address it to BMW of CANADA(NA) and CC your dealer. Mail or fax the letter as soon as you speak to a BMWNA rep. The dealer will step in quickly to halt your correspondence with BMWNA.

If you have something equivalent to the Better Business Bureau, carbon copy them as well. I've done the same, and received acceptable responses. FYI, I'm only in my 20s, age makes no difference, it's all in your attitude, professionalism and demand for respect as a paying customer.

You have nothing to prove in terms of proving it's not leather. Facts are facts, you've tested their sales staff, and they've lied (or have been mistaken) twice. If you, in fact, paid for the option...it's a clear case. Sure it's just seating surface, but the principle is the same as paying for a 135i and getting a re-badged 128i M-Sport.

mshahidz · 10-02-2009, 09:20 AM

Sigh, just got off the phone with BMW Canada....
I explained the guy my situation, he told me that I have to take it up with the dealer as they cannot do anything about it. They can't open a dispute file.
He said "once you drive the car off the lot,
it's yours... You should have pointed out that it's not leather". I told him that I had no idea, and I was told it's Boston leather! He replied, "leatherette is really not that bad".... I just told him have a nice day and
hung up.
WTF do I do now

mshahidz · 10-02-2009, 09:21 AM

Oh yeah!
He said the car was ordered with premium, but leatherette seats. Regardless I was never told this.

carbonaccord · 10-02-2009, 09:24 AM

Where did you get your car? Was it shipped from Halifax?

When I was car shopping the sales guy found a black on black 135 in Halifax with Sports package and Premium Package but it's listed on the computer as leatherette. He was confused by this too, since Premium package comes with leather! Either way I didn't get this car.

Hey if they swap your interior for leather (which they should, or take them to court) can I have your sports seats???

Quote:

Originally Posted by mohammadz

Sigh, just got off the phone with BMW Canada....
I explained the guy my situation, he told me that I have to take it up with the dealer as they cannot do anything about it. They can't open a dispute file.
He said "once you drive the car off the lot,
it's yours... You should have pointed out that it's not leather". I told him that I had no idea, and I was told it's Boston leather! He replied, "leatherette is really not that bad".... I just told him have a nice day and
hung up.
WTF do I do now

mshahidz · 10-02-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carbonaccord

Where did you get your car? Was it shipped from Halifax?

When I was car shopping the sales guy found a black on black 135 in Halifax with Sports package and Premium Package but it's listed on the computer as leatherette. He was confused by this too, since Premium package comes with leather! Either way I didn't get this car.

Hey if they swap your interior for leather (which they should, or take them to court) can I have your sports seats???

My car is AW on black...
I hope they do a seat swap at least... It would be easier for them to swap my car with another IMO. I hate my life right now! I'm so unhappy about the whole situation, feel like such an idiot.

warmtoes · 10-02-2009, 09:47 AM

I would just push for a seat swap then it's the way you ordered it. A car swap is such a big deal I doubt it'll ever happen without a major effort on your part.

Absorber · 10-02-2009, 09:49 AM

Don't be so hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes. The trick is to learn from them so they don't happen again.

I once bought an old sailboat that I planned on fixing up and it turned out to be nothing but a burden for a long time. It was the single biggest mistake of my life. I wasted so much time and money on that thing that it's silly. I learned a lot about sailboats, what I really wanted in a sailboat, and most importantly that it's never better to buy a cheap old sailboat vs. newer more expensive one. In fact, buying boats is pretty stupid in general, lol! I won't make that mistake ever again.

M2BMW · 10-02-2009, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mohammadz

My car is AW on black...
I hope they do a seat swap at least... It would be easier for them to swap my car with another IMO. I hate my life right now! I'm so unhappy about the whole situation, feel like such an idiot.

If the seats are the issue, I don't think they will be swapping cars.

10-01-2009, 10:45 AM	#68
tm30 Private First Class 8 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	How hard is it to take a picture and post it? I'm calling Bravo Sierra on this whole thread. __________________ 128i/Jet black/6MT/Sport/Premium/Blk. Boston/Heated/Xenon/Prem. HiFi/iPod
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10-01-2009, 12:25 PM	#69
thesmokingone Second Lieutenant 4 Rep 242 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	So if you can't tell... I mean you should get what you paid for and all but i dont understand how you could need leather if you couldn't tell a difference. __________________ “Engineers like to solve problems. If there are no problems handily available, they will create their own problems.”
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10-01-2009, 10:29 PM	#70
mshahidz Major 129 Rep 1,347 Posts Drives: M4, 991 GT3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (7)	since I went to the dealership, i guess its 100% guaranteed I dont have leather...I just dont know how to approach the subject now.
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10-01-2009, 10:50 PM	#71
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	For sure - you have leatherette seats, not Boston Leather, and it sounds like you also got a demo car. I would phone in a complaint to BMW Canada and give them all of the details, explain what happened and how you were treated. If you don't feel confident doing this yourself, have a relative or a friend do it for you. As you can see in the picture, real Boston leather has the dual seams on the sides. Actually, there is nothing wrong with the leatherette seats - but that is not the issue here. The issue here is that you were lied to and not treated right. Attached Images
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10-01-2009, 11:04 PM	#73
dragon1761 Lieutenant 83 Rep 528 Posts Drives: 128i SGM 08; 328i AW 14 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Arcadia, CA iTrader: (0)	that sucks. I would bring the sticker invoice and just drive it to the same dealership you got your car. If it says boston leather on the sticker, then it might be the fault of the manufacturer so not really the dealer's fault.
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10-01-2009, 11:05 PM	#74
Add1ct Lieutenant Colonel 59 Rep 1,859 Posts Drives: 135i, 335i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Palos Verdes Estates (SoCal) iTrader: (3)	yea that's flat out bull shit. you need to be reimbursed, big screw up here. at the least go in and claim it under warranty. say that there's something wrong with my leather and when they ask what it is- say IT'S NOT LEATHER!!!! __________________ E82 N54 6MT 6FL 668 KASW turned in E92 Crimson/Cream N54 6MT, ZSP, ZPP, ZCW, Nav, Sat radio, HD Radio, Logic7, PDC, Active Steering, Active Cruise, 6FL, CA
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10-01-2009, 11:07 PM	#75
MOCKBA Captain 54 Rep 870 Posts Drives: 135 convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SFBA iTrader: (0)	Your dealer could unintentionally lie you. My experience shows that dealers are very unknowledgeable about cars they sell and certainly can’t tell difference between leatherette and leather. They will tell you what you want to hear. We have window sticker in US, so it is a good source of info about your car. __________________ 535i/HUD Kamerton brings me true sound fidelity
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10-01-2009, 11:21 PM	#76
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	Even the dumbest car salesman will be able to instantly tell the difference between leather and leatherette seats, and furthermore there is no possible way that the premium package would have left the factory with the wrong type of seats. The fact that the car has 700 km's on it, and that the dealer is trying to conceal the fact that these are not the seats that should come with the car as equipped add up to one thing - a misrepresentation. Call the dealer up, tell them that they have 24 hours to come up with a plan to recompense you fairly - and if they don't your lawyer is going to contact the President of BMW Canada - Mr. Lindsay Duffield. That ought to get them off their fat lying asses.
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10-02-2009, 01:38 AM	#77
Angry3 All your 1 are belong to us!!! 20 Rep 658 Posts Drives: '08 135i 'Vert Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	Honestly, the first thing you need to do is figure out what you paid for. Call BMWCA or a dealer and get the specs on the car. Every dealer (in the US at least) has a customer care specialist, I called my local dealer when I was looking at a used car and they gave me the complete specs on it. Or go to a service advisor at your local dealer if you want to bypass the sales guys, he can pull up the exact specs on your car. Then compare it with the window sticker/bill of sale/whatever will show what you paid for. This isn't complicated, you have to start by finding out the actual equipment that you car has, you can do that with either the dealer or BMWCA, or both. Forget about the over miles thing, they compensated you for that, you took delivery of the car, and that's done. If there was a legitimate mistake and you can prove you paid for a car with Premium and it doesn't have it would tell them you want them to order you a 2010 model, sell it at their cost, and take your car back at what you paid less .20 per KM for your use of it. Then again, I would probably go right to an attorney at that point before doing anything.
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10-02-2009, 08:44 AM	#81
pit1 Captain 239 Rep 790 Posts Drives: F87 M2 Join Date: May 2008 Location: It's always Sunny... iTrader: (1)	I would take nothing but a replacement car. At least buy your car back and leave you at square one to shop somewhere else. Get BMW Canada on board ASAP!!!! They will contact your dealer and push them, that piece is essential. Open up a case file BEFORE going to the dealer. Threatening the dealer to contact BMW Canada won't get you as far, show them you mean business. If they've been treating you poorly due to your age, this will send a clear message. They'll do what they can to save their reputation if they realize you're willing to go that far. I've had BMWNA push to offer a replacement car for far less than this. Make the call to BMW of Canada to start the case file. Just let them know all that has happened to date and you're going to the dealer to try and work out a resolution. VERY IMPORTANT, start the paper trail now. Outline the entire experience to date and your intentions with the dealer, address it to BMW of CANADA(NA) and CC your dealer. Mail or fax the letter as soon as you speak to a BMWNA rep. The dealer will step in quickly to halt your correspondence with BMWNA. If you have something equivalent to the Better Business Bureau, carbon copy them as well. I've done the same, and received acceptable responses. FYI, I'm only in my 20s, age makes no difference, it's all in your attitude, professionalism and demand for respect as a paying customer. You have nothing to prove in terms of proving it's not leather. Facts are facts, you've tested their sales staff, and they've lied (or have been mistaken) twice. If you, in fact, paid for the option...it's a clear case. Sure it's just seating surface, but the principle is the same as paying for a 135i and getting a re-badged 128i M-Sport.
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10-02-2009, 09:20 AM	#82
mshahidz Major 129 Rep 1,347 Posts Drives: M4, 991 GT3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (7)	Sigh, just got off the phone with BMW Canada.... I explained the guy my situation, he told me that I have to take it up with the dealer as they cannot do anything about it. They can't open a dispute file. He said "once you drive the car off the lot, it's yours... You should have pointed out that it's not leather". I told him that I had no idea, and I was told it's Boston leather! He replied, "leatherette is really not that bad".... I just told him have a nice day and hung up. WTF do I do now
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10-02-2009, 09:21 AM	#83
mshahidz Major 129 Rep 1,347 Posts Drives: M4, 991 GT3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (7)	Oh yeah! He said the car was ordered with premium, but leatherette seats. Regardless I was never told this.
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10-02-2009, 09:47 AM	#86
warmtoes Lieutenant Colonel 31 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: EBII 435i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	I would just push for a seat swap then it's the way you ordered it. A car swap is such a big deal I doubt it'll ever happen without a major effort on your part. __________________ *2014 EBII 435i xDrive M-sport* Gone: 2011 TiAg F25 X3 xDrive35i M-sport Gone: 2008 TiAg w/Coral Red E88 135i Cab M-sport
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10-02-2009, 09:49 AM	#87
Absorber Lieutenant 27 Rep 476 Posts Drives: 2008 e93 M3 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Maryland iTrader: (2)	Don't be so hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes. The trick is to learn from them so they don't happen again. I once bought an old sailboat that I planned on fixing up and it turned out to be nothing but a burden for a long time. It was the single biggest mistake of my life. I wasted so much time and money on that thing that it's silly. I learned a lot about sailboats, what I really wanted in a sailboat, and most importantly that it's never better to buy a cheap old sailboat vs. newer more expensive one. In fact, buying boats is pretty stupid in general, lol! I won't make that mistake ever again.
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