Updated With Jpeg: Dishonest Chevy Dealer

[esoxlee]

Here's a letter I plan to spam all GM big wigs that I have an Email address for. It basically outlines how a dealership in Southern Ontario is screwing me after I purchased a 2007 Chevrolet Colorado:



Dear XXXXXXXXXXX:

With the recent troubles of market share loss and the media’s slander-like commentary towards GM products, Wednesday’s financial results is welcomed news. It is clear evidence that your turnaround plan is succeeding. And to maintain this momentum it is imperative that GM continues to strive to produce better and more innovative products than the competition. Equally important to this is for your representatives at the dealership level to provide buyers with the best experience possible to ensure that GM maintains the highest customer loyalty base in the industry. However, based on my unpleasant experience last week when I took possession of a 2007 Colorado at a XXXXXXX dealership, your loyalty stature is in serious jeopardy. Producing the best vehicles in the world would be meaningless if action is not taken to eliminate the highly questionable business practices that I encountered. Not only was I subjected to highly aggressive sales tactics for the various protection plans, but certain staff members clearly demonstrated to me that deceit and trickery are tools they are more than willing to utilize to increase profit margins.
This regrettable episode began when I was informed by one of the sales staff that the optional dark grey fender flares that I ordered for my grey truck were unavailable. But just by luck, they did have a set of black shiny ones in their inventory. Initially I was reluctant for the substitution, but the staff member assured me over the phone that these flares would look great on my grey truck. Since I had no reason to doubt him, I trusted his judgment. I could have not been more wrong. The flares looked absolutely horrendous to me and to my friends and family. One person even suggested that my truck reminded him of a toy car that came with his daughter’s Barbie and Ken Doll house. Before taking any further action, I decided to visit 2 other service departments at Chevrolet Dealerships in the area for a second opinion. Representatives at both service departments stated that the flares are a special order item specifically for a black truck. They also both agreed that they were likely part of a cancelled order and installing them on my vehicle was the perfect opportunity to liquidate them. Needless to say, they also thought that my truck looked absolutely ridiculous. When I returned to the dealership and spoke to one of their service staff ( who requested anonymity ), he confirmed that the fender flares should only be installed on a black truck.
Based on all my findings, I asked to have them removed. This is the point my customer experience declines exponentially. I was immediately informed that I would not receive any monetary compensation for this item and removing them would render them unusable. As a final insult, I would be charged an additional $55 labour. In other words, it was not bad enough that the dealership deliberately mislead me to accept an item that should never have been installed on my truck to begin with, they would generate another $55 profit to remove this eyesore. Ultimately, I would lose in excess of $500 for a set of damaged shiny black fender flares.
When you consider these unethical business practices and the consequences, it would be in GM’s best interest to implement safeguards to detect and eliminate such behavior. I certainly hope the local Toyota franchise appreciates all the new customers that this dealership is generating for them.

[MelvinJ]

Honestly, I don't know why you'd run to a Toyota dealership just because of this. I'd certainly never go to this Chevy dealer again, and I wouldn't hesitate to tell my story to anyone who would listen locally, but given that you said there were two other Chevy dealerships in your area, why wouldn't you just go to them? Dealers are independent businesses. GM is not involved in their day-to-day business actions. They may have never gotten complaints on them before. How can they really be held accountable?

By all means send your complaint to GM so that they are aware, but I just don't see how it makes sense to let one dealer's actions turn you away from a manufacturer, unless there really weren't any other dealers for that manufacturer in the area.

[coaster.n3rd]

You said yes to the Fender Flares. That is no ones fault but your own.

[Canyonaro]

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

You said yes to the Fender Flares. That is no ones fault but your own.

Yes it's true that he did say yes and should have known for sure what they were doing (obviously since they had them in inventory, no dealerships I know of do).

But regardless, they should have done what they could to make him happy (i.e. absorbing labour fees to take them off).

Sorry about that, I have the painted ones on mine, and never really cared for the grey plastic ones let alone an off colour fender look on these colorado/canyons.

[esoxlee]

Originally Posted by MelvinJ

Honestly, I don't know why you'd run to a Toyota dealership just because of this. I'd certainly never go to this Chevy dealer again, and I wouldn't hesitate to tell my story to anyone who would listen locally, but given that you said there were two other Chevy dealerships in your area, why wouldn't you just go to them? Dealers are independent businesses. GM is not involved in their day-to-day business actions. They may have never gotten complaints on them before. How can they really be held accountable?

By all means send your complaint to GM so that they are aware, but I just don't see how it makes sense to let one dealer's actions turn you away from a manufacturer, unless there really weren't any other dealers for that manufacturer in the area.

Don't get me wrong, I've been a loyal GM customer for years and I see through all the biased media commentary. In fact, I've been posting facts such as Toyota recalling more cars than it produced over the past few years. Additionally, I am constantly trying to bring to light the class action law suit against Toyota's engine sludge. And after their record $13.5 billion profit earnings, Toyota still tried to avoid paying for this defect by blaming the customers for not changing there oil.

My point is, less enlightened car buyers won't be so forgiving. Not once did I reference that I was switching to Toyota.

[HoosierRon]

The sales manager for the dealership is a crook. Plain and simple. Dealerships are independently owned. There is nothing Rick Wagoner or Bob Lutz can do about unconscienable dealership employees.

As you have pointed out, Toyota -- as a company -- is far worse than GM. Why run to Toyota because one local salesman is a crook. Your own letter points out the fact that two other Chevy delaerships had honest people who told you the truth.

Instead of attacking GM, why not go to a local news station and bring this to the attention of its "Help the Consumer" person. Then go get gray fender flares from another dealership, write off the price as the cost of learning not to trust other people's tastes, and enjoy your new truck.

[esoxlee]

Originally Posted by Canyonaro

Yes it's true that he did say yes and should have known for sure what they were doing (obviously since they had them in inventory, no dealerships I know of do). . . ..

That's what the other two dealerships said. This is something that is not normally stocked and most likely ordered for a previous customer that backed out of the deal.

[CrunkedRL]

No automaker is immune to unethical practices at the delearship level. Six months ago I had a bad experience at an Acura dealership. I think this is just an excuse to buy a foreign car. Well if you buy a new Tundra you wont need any help in making it look incredibly grotesque. It's looks speak for themselves.

[likearock00]

Am I the only one here that read his letter? He is NOT going to Toyota!! He is stating that with crappy service at a GM dealer people would be more inclined to go elsewhere..i.e.- Toyota. Good Lord!

Now that we got that straight....why not have them paint it to match your truck? They will get rid of the flares and you will have a sharp looking truck. Go to the GM there and see what they will do. If they do nothing, report their ass to the BBB. Then go to another dealership, tell them your story, and see if they will help you. I'm sure they would be willing if you assure them your next purchase will be with them.

[darndot]

Welcome to GMI.

Sorry, but it is your own fault. He may like the black on gray. You should have went down, and took a look yourself before they installed them. Talk with your sales person, and mangers first. Call the 1800 number in your owners manual. I have a feeling you are stuck with them. it is not like they didn't warn you that they were not gray.


I actually like the black fender flares on my Sonoma.

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[esoxlee]

Originally Posted by HoosierRon

Instead of attacking GM, why not go to a local news station and bring this to the attention of its "Help the Consumer" person. Then go get gray fender flares from another dealership, write off the price as the cost of learning not to trust other people's tastes, and enjoy your new truck.

Sorry to all if my post sounded like an attack on GM. I initially considered the local media route, but when you consider all the bias they are capable of, this dealer complaint would be manipulated to become another Anti-GM news story.

[coaster.n3rd]

Originally Posted by Canyonaro

Yes it's true that he did say yes and should have known for sure what they were doing (obviously since they had them in inventory, no dealerships I know of do).

But regardless, they should have done what they could to make him happy (i.e. absorbing labour fees to take them off).

They should have. Yes. They were lazy. But he said yes to their first offer. What would have happened if the buyer said no? The delaer would have offered alternatives. The dealer did what he wanted the first time. That is what makes most people happy.

He should have researched what they looked like before he bought them. You don't order a color combo based on what someone tells you it looks like without at least looking at a picture.

[GMCSonoma]

Title of the thread is misleading...

Why would anyone assume that the result of a bad Chevy dealer one automatically goes to a TMS store???

Thread title should read Dishonest Chevy dealer giving me the runaround!!!

As for your dealer...well...were they this rotten up until signing the paperwork?

[Canyonaro]

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

He should have researched what they looked like before he bought them. You don't order a color combo based on what someone tells you it looks like without at least looking at a picture.

Yeah I will agree with you there. It is always a gamble.

[Triple-X08]

why would you deal with them if they were pressuring you and treating you like crap, i wouldve had there offer in hand and went down the road and said, match this or beat it and ill buy it, but always make sure you know what your getting and the service behind it. buying a car from a dealer with bad service is pointless.


i can see 2 sides to this story though as both have been mentioned above so i wont go into details.

bottom line i think your doing the right thing though, obviously your not happy with the truck and you want something done about it. it wouldnt hurt them to make you happy, and it would benefit them in the long run.