bait and switch at the dealership

[89911]

Im shopping around for a preowned car and recently located one at a dealership in the neighboring state. I call on a Saturday morning and work on the price, my trade and making an offer. Towards the end of the day I don't hear back, but I tell the sales person I want to make an offer. Odd that you have dealt with a potential buyer, got a trade in price of the car, and they make an offer and you never call back? My initial offer is about $1500 off the asking price, perhaps low, but I expected a counter. I call back but the dealership stopped taking calls after 5. I left the sales person an email telling her that I would like to know if the car is available and I would like to leave a deposit. I assume the car sold at the end of the day and they just didn't feel the need to call me. I did some searches with the vin # and one lead directly it being listed as sold.

Get in to work on Monday and wanted to reconfirm that it is sold. I called but could not reach the salesperson (and I don't want to sound sexist, but this "salesperson" seemed like it was her first week working). No calls back, no follow up, everything needed to go past her manager, etc. Get an email at 11:00 am that the car is available and they are knocking 200 off the price if I still want it. I said yes and wanted to leave a deposit. I then get an email that it just sold. Furious, I call the sales manager because I am tired of dealing with this newbie and he tells me that someone strolled in Monday morning at 9:00 am, totaled their car, and just picked up this one unannounced.

Both days, Saturday and Monday, they tell me that they have a similar car for sale, but not as optioned or priced as attractively. Where is this going? It has been over 2 weeks and they are still showing this car as available on both autotrader and their website, despite me asking if it still is available. When I ask the salesperson why, they give me some runaround about website upkeep or other BS. This is 2013 and large upscale car markets have their on IT personnel, so this is BS.

My thought is that this car has been sold even before I talked to them on Saturday. They are just using it as a move to get shoppers to their dealership to push other cars on them. Common move for dealers? I thought I might run it past those here before I leave a review for this dealership for wasting my time.


This is the car still being listed as available:

http://www.davewalterbmw.com/VehicleDetails/certified-2012-BMW-535i_xDrive-Sedan-Akron-OH/1946108463

I was told it sold on 3/4/13

[sc_rufctr]

I think you're right. Definitely sounds like a bait car.

It's a common tactic and it's not frowned apon in the industry.

[T77911S]

your lucky, the hard part is getting the sales people to STOP calling.

[89911]

If this wasn't the exact car I was looking for, I wouldn't really care. Things don't really add up and I felt if I had the right saleperson, I would have already been driving it. I would like to move on, but everyday I do some searches for a similar car, guess which one keeps coming up!

[oldE]

Move on and when you do come across the ad, remember why you are NOT doing business with these people.
Even if their IT glitch is legitimate, it should be a signal to you that all is not well at that dealership.
Take your money to a place that can be trusted. There is more to life than the bottom line.

Best
Les

[A930Rocket]

With their ethics, the good news is you didn't buy it.

[recycled sixtie]

I prefer dealing with a private individual as they are not prof. sellers. Dealers/sales people as the above poster says keep calling frequently. PITA.

[asphaltgambler]

A few things I would like to comment on. First, no one in the auto industry at the dealership level I have ever met over the last 35 years has ethics. If they did, they don't get far.......................it's just the truth. Further, in some cases it's the system not the person.

If I were serious in purchasing a vehicle, I would just go down in person after initial phone contact. The bait / switch happens on a daily basis.

[matthew-s]

Hey, it looks like your car is still available! Maybe the deal fell through!!

I had similar things happen when we were searching for my wife's car this past August. I posted it earlier, but I'm upset enough to post again. The process went like this.

1) Exact Car we are looking for is posted on the web
2) call dealer, lot's of "let me find the right person" [on hold]
3) Oh, sorry. That car was just [sold, was sent to a wholesaler,etc] but we have many great cars here, so come on down!

The above happened at 3 different dealerships. One we broke down and visited, drove one or two of their crappy cars, and when I informed them we were not buying until we saw what we wanted, I was told "Oh, ok. Well let me call the used car factory when they open tomorrow, and I'll put in an order"

This was at an Acura dealer. So lame.

2 days later we found excactly the car we were looking for. So keep looking, but you'll need to hold your nose through the whole process.

[wdfifteen]

I'm still getting thank you notes and birthday cards from a BMW dealer for a car I ordered and walked away from without buying. I don' think they know what the heck they're doing.

[Tervuren]

For what its worth, a lot of the listing websites aren't very good about taking listings down. This was my experience once when my car wouldn't get taken down despite having been sold.

Ended up editing the add with the specs of another car for sale.

Just like in a printed magazine, the add can stay around longer than the car...

[jwgn777]

Bait and switch is a common practice. The next time someone gives you a tap dance don't waist time turn around and walk away. In the beginning of 1987 I signed a contract for a 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS to be built. The vehicle was not delivered on time. That didn't surprise me. However when the dealer started coming up with excuse after excuse and time has past by I started doing some detective work. Yes you guessed it he sold my vehicle to some one else. After harassing the heck out of the owner of the dealership he was able to find a new one at a out of state dealer. Had two options less than I had ordered but the price I had negotiate for it was very good. I think when my vehicle was delivered some one must of offer the dealer more than what I agreed to. The good part of this story is that I racked up 300,000 miles on the SS then after 20 years I sold it for $2000,00 Wish I had it back!

[Por_sha911]

I spent almost 10 years in the biz '80-89. By law, an advertised car has really exists when the ad is first run but they have a lot of leeway as to how quickly the ad is changed. You'd be surprised how many people come in looking for a 4 door sedan and drive out in a two door convertible. Emotional purchases are a dealer's best friend. The last store I worked at insisted that every call was told we have it in stock and then make excuses when the customer arrived. I got fired for not following their system. I saw the handwriting on the wall as far as how things were going downhill ethically and got out of the business.
That dealer did you a favor by showing his true colors. You need to return the favor by telling everyone where NOT to shop.

[Dantilla]

Maybe this is why I never call a dealer about a car. When I find the car I'm looking for, I go to the dealership unannounced. If I am standing next to the car when a salesman shows up, he/she can't give me excuses. If I don't see the car, I may ask. I either get to see the car, or a story. If I get a story, I leave.

Bummer the car you want is so far away.

[T77911S]

we should all start calling and asking for the car. nothing like 1000 phone calls to make your day.

i avoid car lots like the plague. although.....i just bought an 02 honda accord from the honda dealership. the ONLY reason i did is that my wife new the wife of the sales manager. plus, it was an emergency and i needed a car, 5 were not enough.

i did get a good deal. 143k miles for $4k. after tax and some work, timing belt and brakes, i have about 5100 in it. i had to dirve it 1300 miles to OKC and it has been fine, plus 34 mpg. i can still unload it pretty quick for 5500.

[Bob Kontak]

I know the dealership pretty well and buy VW parts from them at their new car dealership right across Exchange street from their shop the BMW was for sale.

They really don't have a volume of cars that would support bait and switch. Also, the used car sales staff is pretty thin and I wonder if the retail car salesman have to rotate over to the used cars.

I think it is a case of poor (pathetic) communication vs. dishonesty.

[MisterB]

Since this dealer is local to me I replied to the car from the link and asked if I could test drive it this afterrnoon. I received an email back telling the car is a "Sold Pending" and then they stated they had a smiliar car and asked if I was interested in it. Well I replied back telling them it sounded like a "bait and switch" and here is the response for FWIW:

Ed,

This is nothing like a “bait and switch.” I do want to apologize that this has upset you.

We had a gentleman who came in yesterday evening from Cleveland – test drove the vehicle and gave us a deposit. He will be coming back on Saturday to take delivery of the vehicle.

This is no different than if you come into the location today and liked the vehicle. Then decide to put a deposit down and pick the vehicle up on Saturday.

We are not the typical dealer. I just simply suggested a similar vehicle that we have in inventory. My intention was not to offend you.

Would you like to still come into the location and take the vehicle I have available for a test drive?

Sincerely,
Mxxxxxx Lxxxxxxx
Dave Walter BMW

[T77911S]

if the buyer has not picked up the car, ask to see it. simple. if he can produce it, even if it is sold, he is legit.

if he produces the car, at least take a look at the other. if not, report him to BBB

[aigel]

+1 on what's been said already:

- What do you expect from a used car dealer?
- If you have to buy from a dealer, go there in person. If it is too far, forget about it.

Personally I would NEVER buy a used car at a dealer. Private party only. A new car is the only unfortunate case where you HAVE to go to a dealer.

G

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by MisterB

Since this dealer is local to me I replied to the car from the link and asked if I could test drive it this afterrnoon. I received an email back telling the car is a "Sold Pending" and then they stated they had a smiliar car and asked if I was interested in it. Well I replied back telling them it sounded like a "bait and switch" and here is the response for FWIW:

Ed,

This is nothing like a “bait and switch.” I do want to apologize that this has upset you.

We had a gentleman who came in yesterday evening from Cleveland – test drove the vehicle and gave us a deposit. He will be coming back on Saturday to take delivery of the vehicle.

This is no different than if you come into the location today and liked the vehicle. Then decide to put a deposit down and pick the vehicle up on Saturday.

We are not the typical dealer. I just simply suggested a similar vehicle that we have in inventory. My intention was not to offend you.

Would you like to still come into the location and take the vehicle I have available for a test drive?

Sincerely,
Mxxxxxx Lxxxxxxx
Dave Walter BMW

This does sound pretty lame. I am going over there now to confirm the pending sale. Will report back in an hour or so.