My Buying Experience

[Bill1065]

Hope others will post tips on things to look out for. First I used a finance program found here before going to the dealer:

http://www.carbuyingtips.com/car3.htm

It helped me catch the finance guy in a $300 "error".

I found out CARMAX goes by Kelly Bluebook. Trade in value was $10,800 for my used car. The dealer offered $9000 till I mentioned I would go to Carmax for what my car was really worth. We then agreed on $10,500. Next I mentioned I spoke to a different Hummer dealer which offered $1500 off MSRP (they of course say that to get you on their lot). The dealer matched that offer. there were other things, but back to the finance dept: never believe the finance guy's computer display. Just because the figures are on a computer does not mean they are right. I caught him in a $300 unjustified profit margin. At least bring a calculator with you; I bought my laptop. I finally thought it was all over after the paperwork was signed. My last tip: make sure the dealer tries both sets of keys in your new ride before signing anything. My dealer said he lost the keys to my vehicle. He then (get this!) presented me with a different vehicle identical to the one I had signed for and advised me to take that one instead. On the outside it looked identical, but upon inspecting the inside I found scuff marks on the seat backs, sand on the floor. I asked for the keys and found the odometer read over 400 miles; obviously a demo. Next the dealer suddenly says he found one set of keys. I should have never taken the car off the lot without the second set of keys, but after 5 to 6 hours of waiting and negotiationg I just wanted to go home. The thought eventually dawned on me that any employee from that dealership could come over to my property and steal my car. Last night I could not sleep until I had blocked the H3 with two other vehicles to prevent towing. At work I remove a very small component from the engine; even with the key the car will not start. I also alerted the security staff at work what happened. Today I am going back to pester the dealership personally until they hand over the keys. I will perhaps use the extra set to the trade in that I forgot to give them as leverage. Thats my story. The H3 is a wonderful vehicle; this is comming from a guy who traded in a Mustang GT for it. I have no regrets, but if they had made a more cost effective, fuel efficient H2 I would have bought that instead. I like the H2 look better, but the H3 looks better to me than all the other brands out there.

[Bill1065]

Hope others will post tips on things to look out for. First I used a finance program found here before going to the dealer:

http://www.carbuyingtips.com/car3.htm

It helped me catch the finance guy in a $300 "error".

I found out CARMAX goes by Kelly Bluebook. Trade in value was $10,800 for my used car. The dealer offered $9000 till I mentioned I would go to Carmax for what my car was really worth. We then agreed on $10,500. Next I mentioned I spoke to a different Hummer dealer which offered $1500 off MSRP (they of course say that to get you on their lot). The dealer matched that offer. there were other things, but back to the finance dept: never believe the finance guy's computer display. Just because the figures are on a computer does not mean they are right. I caught him in a $300 unjustified profit margin. At least bring a calculator with you; I bought my laptop. I finally thought it was all over after the paperwork was signed. My last tip: make sure the dealer tries both sets of keys in your new ride before signing anything. My dealer said he lost the keys to my vehicle. He then (get this!) presented me with a different vehicle identical to the one I had signed for and advised me to take that one instead. On the outside it looked identical, but upon inspecting the inside I found scuff marks on the seat backs, sand on the floor. I asked for the keys and found the odometer read over 400 miles; obviously a demo. Next the dealer suddenly says he found one set of keys. I should have never taken the car off the lot without the second set of keys, but after 5 to 6 hours of waiting and negotiationg I just wanted to go home. The thought eventually dawned on me that any employee from that dealership could come over to my property and steal my car. Last night I could not sleep until I had blocked the H3 with two other vehicles to prevent towing. At work I remove a very small component from the engine; even with the key the car will not start. I also alerted the security staff at work what happened. Today I am going back to pester the dealership personally until they hand over the keys. I will perhaps use the extra set to the trade in that I forgot to give them as leverage. Thats my story. The H3 is a wonderful vehicle; this is comming from a guy who traded in a Mustang GT for it. I have no regrets, but if they had made a more cost effective, fuel efficient H2 I would have bought that instead. I like the H2 look better, but the H3 looks better to me than all the other brands out there.

[f5fstop]

Not good for a Hummer dealer, and you are warranted to be peed off; I sure would be.
However, I would not worry about someone from the dealership wanting to steal the car, if they had, they oculd have had a another key made, or a duplicate of an existing key.

[ree]

Ugggg. I've been soooo fortunate not to have had such an experience with any dealer. I agree that I wouldn't worry about them coming to steal the car.

I am surprised to hear that he presented you with a different vehicle than you agreed upon. I mean wasn't there a purchase agreement already written up and signed with a VIN on it? Or did he rewrite the paperwork after you called him out on the wrong vehicle choice?

At least you have it now http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Steve - SanJose]

What a long and painful buying experience.

Hopefully you can just enjoy your H3 now.

S.

[KenP]

That hurts. I hope you skewer them on the survey and let HUMMER know, too. That's BS.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

The important thing is that you got the truck you wanted and are HAPPY with the decision you made.

I'm still trying to buy two (2) H-3's and since I'm such a pain in the asp and cheap to boot its becoming a difficult thing. I know there is a dealer out there who will sell it to me at the price I want to pay. COME ON MAN TWO AT ONE TIME ...

Anyway - - - CONGRADS

RYD

[Bill1065]

I agree with a lot of what's been said, but if a worker has stolen the key without the dealer knowing about it I just feel it's something to worry about. Went there and let them know I still had the extra key to my trade in and will not surrender it until I get my spare key. I did not say it in a nasty way though. Hopefully patience will pay off. Thanks for the replies.

[Bill1065]

One question though; my old Camaro had a coded key; a duplicate could not be made in an ordinary key making machine because there was an electronic chip in the key. Is it the same with the H3?

[Hummer Guy]

Wow..pretty shady. Which VIN was on the paperwork? You could have taken the truck, wrecked it, then it turns out it wasn't even the truck you signed for! Then the dealer is stuck...Although I only recommend this if your dealer was an extreme pain... http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Hummer Guy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bill1065:
One question though; my old Camaro had a coded key; a duplicate could not be made in an ordinary key making machine because there was an electronic chip in the key. Is it the same with the H3? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nope, just a plain metal key, if cut correctly, will work in the H3.

[Bill1065]

None of them were a pain; always apologetic and polite. But the incompetance was nightmarish. Even in way of an apology, the salesman filled out a form for a free refill of gas next time I visited the dealership. Upon closer examination of the form I realised he had written in the wrong VIN number of my vehicle.

[XM DUDE]

I would have just walked out and told them to F**k them selves as there are lots of other dealers and I would have not put up with thwt crap at all!

[HummerJim]

It was a long drive to Lynch, but the buying experience was painless, and I was in and out in under 2 and half hours! They were really nice to me with almost no pressure at all. My view has always been the dealer is providing a service to you and not vica versa, so if you are unhappy leave and if you do buy, make sure to note your unhappiness on the comment card you will get soon! I've heard GM takes these very seriously.

[HumbleAg]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by HummerJim:
It was a long drive to Lynch, but the buying experience was painless, and I was in and out in under 2 and half hours! They were really nice to me with almost no pressure at all. My view has always been the dealer is providing a service to you and not vica versa, so if you are unhappy leave and if you do buy, make sure to note your unhappiness on the comment card you will get soon! I've heard GM takes these very seriously. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Welcome back, Jim. Glad the trolls didn't keep you away!

[Bill1065]

I called yesterday and the salesman found the spare set of keys. I get a free tank of gas. So it turned out pretty well, although I would have to think twice about letting them service my vehicle.

[TNTH3]

Our 3 month free trial for XM got botched and took a couple of days to get it turned on. Dealer set us up for a full year to make it up.

[partsguy]

When someone makes a mistake at your dealer,Do they try to make it right or do they just throw money,gas or anything else to "make you happy"
Do they ask you what would make you happy?
Just asking? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[TNTH3]

They didn't ask in our case what would make us happy. The sales guy just told us they were doing it when we called to follow up on it. They did say to make sure we came back by when we got our survey in the mail? Anybody else get charged for a stripe kit?

[ree]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by partsguy:
When someone makes a mistake at your dealer,Do they try to make it right </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Only if I escalate it and force them to do it http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">or do they just throw money,gas or anything else to "make you happy" </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I've actually had them offer to correct the problem and also throw in free oil changes.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Do they ask you what would make you happy?
Just asking? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
No. I've never been asked what would make me happy. I've always had to tell them what would make me happy.

Of course, I never told them that it would make me happiest if my truck were never ever to be put in the hands of an incompetent tech, and to fire the incompetent tech http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif I'm not saying they're all incompetent, it just seems 3/4 of the time someone without solid basics ends up working on my truck. This is probably because I've been banished to crappy service every since complaining to the service writer 5 separate times, getting no action, and finally called his boss directly.

[partsguy]

So,If they make a mistake and said they did and
offer to make it right you would be happy?
I'm just asking because it seems to me too many dealers try to buy out the problem without listening to their customers.Here"s a year supply of oil changes now get out.
It still does not make you feel fuzzy about that tech putting oil into your truck.Problem not solved.
If you could talk with someone willing to listen and really hear what you are saying (good or bad)you would feel more confindent and
more willing to continue to get your truck service there.I'm trying to understand why some Mgr's buy out problems and what the customer thinks of the dealership afterwards.
When you go out to eat you are willing to pay for what you want.You want it right the first time,not your next meal is free.
Sorry for the drawn out post,

[ree]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by partsguy:
So,If they make a mistake and said they did and
offer to make it right you would be happy? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Yes. I still can't get over being told I was wrong repeatedly by the service writer http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif . If he'd said, "Oh I'm sorry, let's fix that." that would have been more than enough.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">It still does not make you feel fuzzy about that tech putting oil into your truck.Problem not solved. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Bingo. You can give me all sorts of freebies, but I feel no more confident coming back the next time. In fact, I feel sort of less confident if they're too incompetent to admit their role in the initial problem.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">If you could talk with someone willing to listen and really hear what you are saying (good or bad)you would feel more confindent and
more willing to continue to get your truck service there. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
No. I talked to the brand manager at the dealer and, while he made it sound like they wanted to do right, I could just imagine him going slack with his service writer and the techs and giving them the motivation to put me on their black lists.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">...When you go out to eat you are willing to pay for what you want.You want it right the first time,not your next meal is free.
Sorry for the drawn out post, </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I've had it happen in a couple places where the manager had the meal reprepared and then "paid" the bill. Given that there wasn't a repeat bad meal, that was a very satisfying bad-meal experience. Had the next visit yielded a poor meal, it'd be a different story: the food's only good when the manager's around.


Mistakes are inevitable. Best recourse is to be honest, admit the problem, fix the problem, and try to ensure it never happens again.

[partsguy]

Thanks,
I'm trying to tell our people about what customers REALLY WANT
You just confirmed it.
Thanks again sorry you've had a few(more then enough)problems.

[ree]

Well I hope others agree.

If they don't, then they're probably the freeloader types who are willing to bring down others to get stuff without having to work hard for it.