What would you say to the dealer?

vivid · 03-16-2008, 08:26 PM

Do you have anything in writing say that car is yours, or has it all been done by word?

PB07NOVA · 03-16-2008, 08:52 PM

On the one hand, I wholly support the notion of a private business being able to do whatever they damn well please. After all, if they screw over enough people enough times, the market will go elsewhere, because they'll get a bad reputation and lose business, right?

On the other hand, in all practical sense, why do they honestly need my car when they'll already have other launch cars? It's not like they'll have no other 1ers for shoppers to see.

I'm trying to be reasonable and accomodating by not pushing them to release it before BMW's launch date, but come on. A pre-ordered car is obviously highly anticipated by the buyer, so why would a dealer want to start off the relationship negatively?

Guys, I appreciate the suggestion to go to BMW NA, but having owned many BMWs over the past 20 years, I know exactly how they will react. If I complain, they will simply say, "Dealers are independent businesses with their own private practices that we do not and cannot govern. We have essentially zero control over how a dealer may choose to sell and service the products we import. Sorry, we can't help you."

PB07NOVA · 03-16-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vivid

Do you have anything in writing say that car is yours, or has it all been done by word?

I have no Sales Order whatsoever, but I do have my name listed as the customer on the BMW computer ordering sytem.

Why, what's your thinking?

JordoM3 · 03-16-2008, 09:01 PM

I would not want my car to be treated as if it were the an autoshow vehicle; I have owned several BMWs as well and this is an issue different than one on which they defer to the dealer. This issue is one that deserves confirmation from BMW of NA. They will not do anything for you if it is in fact a BMW "policy," but at least you will know that the dealer is not lying to you. On the other hand, if you discover that it is not a BMW policy, you can confront the dealer and make a demand that the car be released to you sooner.

PB07NOVA · 03-16-2008, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JordoM3

I would not want my car to be treated as if it were the an autoshow vehicle; I have owned several BMWs as well and this is an issue different than one on which they defer to the dealer. This issue is one that deserves confirmation from BMW of NA. They will not do anything for you if it is in fact a BMW "policy," but at least you will know that the dealer is not lying to you. On the other hand, if you discover that it is not a BMW policy, you can confront the dealer and make a demand that the car be released to you sooner.

Helluva a good point. I've accepted as fact, from what I've read on 1Addicts and from my salesman, that 3/22 is 'the official launch date' and that dealer's run the risk of problems from BMWNA if they sell before that date. I'll call BMW tomorrow and see what they say.

thegelatoking · 03-16-2008, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARES45

Or if I was having a bad day, I would punch him in the face. Then look at the next sales person on the floor if they are willing to sell you your car if not, kick them in the junk. Keep this up until someone sells you the car or no one can stop you from grabbing the keys and driving away.

I haven't lauged so hard in a long time...

fuhgetaboutit · 03-16-2008, 11:05 PM

What they are saying might hold water if not for the fact that there are obviously plenty of dealerships delivering 1ers prior to 3/22 (including mine). So what they are saying is pure shite, and they have only succeeded in painting themselves as the worst type of car dealership scum.

Just threaten to go to the BBB, I doubt it'll take more than that. Call their bluff and get your car.

vivid · 03-16-2008, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SR08NOVA

I have no Sales Order whatsoever, but I do have my name listed as the customer on the BMW computer ordering sytem.

Why, what's your thinking?

At least you have something showing that car was ordered for you... I was worried that if it was all done by word then you would have nothing to stand on to take any action...

Threatening a letter to BMWNA and the BBB should get their attention... are there any other dealers close by? If so I would not want to buy a car from a Stealer like that... very shady and I would not give them my money.

128er · 03-16-2008, 11:13 PM

I would just tell him to release it either on the launch date or get a big fat discount out of him. If he won't do either take your business elsewhere

john970 · 03-16-2008, 11:28 PM

I would be absolutely irate - I would send an email to the gm and cc the owner of the dealership and the bmw rep stating how unhappy you are, what they intend to do to compensate you, if this is even legal, and how disappointed you are that you will have to wait again now that you are ordering from another dealership.

Principal is everything.

alivebacon · 03-16-2008, 11:51 PM

Yeah my dealer said they have to follow the launch release date.

But he might be able to sneak the car on the 20th for me. I got a call two days ago and its already here. Thats the worst part, super tempting. ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

BMW Dreamer · 03-17-2008, 05:17 AM

Until the papers are signed, they own the car. Yes it sucks, but if the car is a hot item, they aren't worried if you back out. AND you don't want to wait another 3 months do you? Do all you can and hopefully you get it on the official March 22 2008 launch. Otherwise be calm and MAKE SURE the car stays locked. Make them put a rope around the car. That dealers name should be spread all over so people can boycot them. GOOD LUCK.

roadburn · 03-17-2008, 05:26 AM

Maybe the dealership would be willing to keep a count of the number of people who wander by and sit in your car and fiddle with your shifter and your radio. You could bet them on the over/under. If it's more than 500 people, you get a big discount; if it's less than 500 people, you get a free container of Zymol wipes for all of the fingerprints.

Sherifftruman · 03-17-2008, 07:41 AM

Well, you could always tell the guy that you are thinking of going public and/or walking away from the purchase but that you will be happy to take delivery of the car on the official Launch date and then bring it back for the launch event as long as you can be there with it. Of course, you should also negotiate a small discount for this as well, maybe $250 off or credit to use in the parts dept or something.

As someone else said, it might actually help sales to have a very satisfied customer there.

PB07NOVA · 03-17-2008, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherifftruman

Well, you could always tell the guy that you are thinking of going public and/or walking away from the purchase but that you will be happy to take delivery of the car on the official Launch date and then bring it back for the launch event as long as you can be there with it. Of course, you should also negotiate a small discount for this as well, maybe $250 off or credit to use in the parts dept or something.

As someone else said, it might actually help sales to have a very satisfied customer there.

Sure, I'd be willing to hang out and tell prospects how much I (expect to) love the car, except.....I live two hours away from the dealer. So, that's a non-starter for me. Good idea though. I also like the idea about the credit in the Parts Dept.

me1.0 · 03-17-2008, 11:26 AM

I wouldn't care how long I had to wait for another dealer. I would tell the jerk to choke on it and walk away.

The thought of giving my money to someone like that is unacceptable. This guy (manager) is an example of douchebaggery at its finest.

I would also make a point to announce to your sales person when he gets a job at a reputable dealership, he will get your business again.

Hermann · 03-17-2008, 12:52 PM

kepping the car to the 22nd is understandabel, but to the 29th? i don`t know anything about us law, maybe the dealer is right to do so. but even if this is legal, i don`t think it`s a good salesmen practice. first thing in the job discription of a salesman is to sell cars not to hold em back. i think this is a highly inappropriate behavior. you wanted to get a brand new car from the factory, you didn`t want to have no showroom vehicle. ok the engine is still new but imagine 1200 fatasses everyday sitting in your driverseat, turning every knob, pushing every button, etc. no one i know would pay the price of the list for a showroom car. i believe they really want you to step back from the deal, because they can sell the car easily to someone else after they had their free showroom time.

Jack in Jax · 03-17-2008, 01:03 PM

Nova:

Are you a CCA member? One easy/free/quick option, if you are, is to use their Ombudsman service - you'll find it described in the back of every Roundel issue. "The dealer refused to sell me my car, on which he is holding my desposit, because of his advertising needs. Does the CCA view this as an acceptable biz practice?" would be a nice starting point.

My take is that the dealer is a Weenie for enforcing the 22nd date, as BMW USA obviously doesn't prevent some other dealers selling sooner. As for the 29th, consider making lemonade out of lemons: Explain to the GM that his dealership could experience a good deal of negative PR from imposing his advertising needs on a patient customer...BUT you can also appreciate he has needs, so what kind of accommodation can the two of you reach? (How much will he knock off on the extended warranty, what credit can he offer on accessories, and so on).

Good luck; keep us posted.

Jack

ARES45 · 03-17-2008, 01:04 PM

I agree with Hermann, I feel they want you to back out so they can show room it then maybe even get a schmuck to pay a surcharge. Another idea I had was if they choose to hold it until the 29th you will still take delivery, however you will not recommend the dealership to anyone, and have a window sticker made that says XXX dealer treated me poorly please do not support them or something. Or email him a letter that you will be mailing in to the local papers etc. Basically tell them you will do what you can to ensure that people know how that business operates.

I do not retract my previous statement about kicking the GM in the junk.

john970 · 03-17-2008, 01:04 PM

On second thought, mail him a copy of this thread along with a letter and send other copies to the local news and BBB.

There seem to be more bad eggs in car dealerships than any other business. If I was in charge of a manufacturers dealer network, I would have prices set by market at the factory, along with procedures for things like this.

One thing I would also do is if BMW gives you a survey, mark everything poor, they get dinged financially for those at other manufacturers dealerships.

Genericuser1 · 03-17-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegelatoking

I haven't lauged so hard in a long time...

I think people in my cube farm a looking at me I was laughing so much.

j_t_heilbrun · 03-17-2008, 04:44 PM

IMHO you have no legal right to the car, they don't have any money from you for it so they can do what they want. I would try and put a deposit on it, my dealer requires $500, once you do that you have more of a claim to it. Then if they still want to hold it past the 22nd start contacting BMWNA.

03-16-2008, 08:26 PM	#23
vivid Captain 40 Rep 822 Posts Drives: 135i, 323i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA. iTrader: (0)	Do you have anything in writing say that car is yours, or has it all been done by word? __________________ Current: 135i, 323i wagon. Sold:GTI Sold: FX45 Sold: E36 M3
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03-16-2008, 08:52 PM	#24
PB07NOVA Private 2 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 328iT Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern, VA iTrader: (0)	On the one hand, I wholly support the notion of a private business being able to do whatever they damn well please. After all, if they screw over enough people enough times, the market will go elsewhere, because they'll get a bad reputation and lose business, right? On the other hand, in all practical sense, why do they honestly need my car when they'll already have other launch cars? It's not like they'll have no other 1ers for shoppers to see. I'm trying to be reasonable and accomodating by not pushing them to release it before BMW's launch date, but come on. A pre-ordered car is obviously highly anticipated by the buyer, so why would a dealer want to start off the relationship negatively? Guys, I appreciate the suggestion to go to BMW NA, but having owned many BMWs over the past 20 years, I know exactly how they will react. If I complain, they will simply say, "Dealers are independent businesses with their own private practices that we do not and cannot govern. We have essentially zero control over how a dealer may choose to sell and service the products we import. Sorry, we can't help you."
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-16-2008, 09:01 PM	#26
JordoM3 New Member 3 Rep 26 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jun 2007 iTrader: (0)	I would not want my car to be treated as if it were the an autoshow vehicle; I have owned several BMWs as well and this is an issue different than one on which they defer to the dealer. This issue is one that deserves confirmation from BMW of NA. They will not do anything for you if it is in fact a BMW "policy," but at least you will know that the dealer is not lying to you. On the other hand, if you discover that it is not a BMW policy, you can confront the dealer and make a demand that the car be released to you sooner.
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03-16-2008, 11:05 PM	#29
fuhgetaboutit Private First Class 10 Rep 121 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Charlotte,NC iTrader: (0)	What they are saying might hold water if not for the fact that there are obviously plenty of dealerships delivering 1ers prior to 3/22 (including mine). So what they are saying is pure shite, and they have only succeeded in painting themselves as the worst type of car dealership scum. Just threaten to go to the BBB, I doubt it'll take more than that. Call their bluff and get your car.
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03-16-2008, 11:13 PM	#31
128er Captain 90 Rep 900 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jul 2007 iTrader: (0)	I would just tell him to release it either on the launch date or get a big fat discount out of him. If he won't do either take your business elsewhere __________________ 2006 BMW 330i -Premium -Sport -Steptronic -Premium Sound -Xenons
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03-16-2008, 11:28 PM	#32
john970 1er 73 Rep 1,205 Posts Drives: 08 135 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	I would be absolutely irate - I would send an email to the gm and cc the owner of the dealership and the bmw rep stating how unhappy you are, what they intend to do to compensate you, if this is even legal, and how disappointed you are that you will have to wait again now that you are ordering from another dealership. Principal is everything.
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03-16-2008, 11:51 PM	#33
alivebacon Private First Class 14 Rep 189 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Yeah my dealer said they have to follow the launch release date. But he might be able to sneak the car on the 20th for me. I got a call two days ago and its already here. Thats the worst part, super tempting. ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
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03-17-2008, 05:17 AM	#34
BMW Dreamer Colonel 72 Rep 2,387 Posts Drives: Modded 06 TL Manual Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Northern IL. iTrader: (0)	Until the papers are signed, they own the car. Yes it sucks, but if the car is a hot item, they aren't worried if you back out. AND you don't want to wait another 3 months do you? Do all you can and hopefully you get it on the official March 22 2008 launch. Otherwise be calm and MAKE SURE the car stays locked. Make them put a rope around the car. That dealers name should be spread all over so people can boycot them. GOOD LUCK.
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03-17-2008, 05:26 AM	#35
roadburn rrroadburn 21 Rep 243 Posts Drives: SGM 135i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ohio Valley iTrader: (0)	Maybe the dealership would be willing to keep a count of the number of people who wander by and sit in your car and fiddle with your shifter and your radio. You could bet them on the over/under. If it's more than 500 people, you get a big discount; if it's less than 500 people, you get a free container of Zymol wipes for all of the fingerprints. __________________ CXXXVi
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03-17-2008, 07:41 AM	#36
Sherifftruman Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 295 Posts Drives: Join Date: Aug 2007 iTrader: (0)	Well, you could always tell the guy that you are thinking of going public and/or walking away from the purchase but that you will be happy to take delivery of the car on the official Launch date and then bring it back for the launch event as long as you can be there with it. Of course, you should also negotiate a small discount for this as well, maybe $250 off or credit to use in the parts dept or something. As someone else said, it might actually help sales to have a very satisfied customer there.
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03-17-2008, 11:26 AM	#38
me1.0 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 39 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jan 2008 iTrader: (0)	I wouldn't care how long I had to wait for another dealer. I would tell the jerk to choke on it and walk away. The thought of giving my money to someone like that is unacceptable. This guy (manager) is an example of douchebaggery at its finest. I would also make a point to announce to your sales person when he gets a job at a reputable dealership, he will get your business again.
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03-17-2008, 12:52 PM	#39
Hermann New Member 0 Rep 19 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	kepping the car to the 22nd is understandabel, but to the 29th? i don`t know anything about us law, maybe the dealer is right to do so. but even if this is legal, i don`t think it`s a good salesmen practice. first thing in the job discription of a salesman is to sell cars not to hold em back. i think this is a highly inappropriate behavior. you wanted to get a brand new car from the factory, you didn`t want to have no showroom vehicle. ok the engine is still new but imagine 1200 fatasses everyday sitting in your driverseat, turning every knob, pushing every button, etc. no one i know would pay the price of the list for a showroom car. i believe they really want you to step back from the deal, because they can sell the car easily to someone else after they had their free showroom time.
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03-17-2008, 01:03 PM	#40
Jack in Jax Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 226 Posts Drives: Pearson 424 Ketch Join Date: May 2008 Location: Jacksonville FL iTrader: (0)	Nova: Are you a CCA member? One easy/free/quick option, if you are, is to use their Ombudsman service - you'll find it described in the back of every Roundel issue. "The dealer refused to sell me my car, on which he is holding my desposit, because of his advertising needs. Does the CCA view this as an acceptable biz practice?" would be a nice starting point. My take is that the dealer is a Weenie for enforcing the 22nd date, as BMW USA obviously doesn't prevent some other dealers selling sooner. As for the 29th, consider making lemonade out of lemons: Explain to the GM that his dealership could experience a good deal of negative PR from imposing his advertising needs on a patient customer...BUT you can also appreciate he has needs, so what kind of accommodation can the two of you reach? (How much will he knock off on the extended warranty, what credit can he offer on accessories, and so on). Good luck; keep us posted. Jack
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03-17-2008, 01:04 PM	#41
ARES45 Major 34 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	I agree with Hermann, I feel they want you to back out so they can show room it then maybe even get a schmuck to pay a surcharge. Another idea I had was if they choose to hold it until the 29th you will still take delivery, however you will not recommend the dealership to anyone, and have a window sticker made that says XXX dealer treated me poorly please do not support them or something. Or email him a letter that you will be mailing in to the local papers etc. Basically tell them you will do what you can to ensure that people know how that business operates. I do not retract my previous statement about kicking the GM in the junk. __________________ "Don't run, you'll only die tired" ~ Gunship Pilot
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03-17-2008, 04:44 PM	#44
j_t_heilbrun New Member 0 Rep 13 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	IMHO you have no legal right to the car, they don't have any money from you for it so they can do what they want. I would try and put a deposit on it, my dealer requires $500, once you do that you have more of a claim to it. Then if they still want to hold it past the 22nd start contacting BMWNA.
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