This week, I went with my sister to the I-79 Honda Mazda dealership ("I-79," aka Joe Romeo I-79 Honda Mazda), for moral support and to review any paperwork. She'd test-driven a car, negotiated, and was essentially ready to buy. The first day I went, she signed everything she needed to, to buy the car. The second day, unprofessionalism ran rampant - and ruined this business for me.
My sister did not ultimately buy the car - see below for why - but that didn't cause this review. What did, is that the "business manager" we dealt with on day two - Loretta Baldwin, per her card - was unprofessional and then some. Instead of addressing our concerns, she went from indifferent to awful. [That's the gist of the complaint, if the length of the review puts you off.]
For balance, though, the positive bits: the showroom was well-kept; the cars were pretty; no one objected to my nephew toddling around, exploring; the salesman we dealt with was nice (a little pushy, but that's the job?); and most of the other personnel seemed friendly.
One issue arose when I-79 denied a likely problem with the car, then begrudgingly agreed to a limited warranty which would cover the denied problem - THEN decided not to sell her the car, a day AFTER she'd already signed everything (and paid $300 for the warranty), saying that the car might have that problem after all. (The only thing left was for her significant other to sign a smidge more paperwork the next day, right before actually taking the car.)
But, fine. If the dealership legitimately decided a serious mechanical problem existed, I can understand not wanting to have to deal with it, particularly if it's under warranty. (Yay for insisting on warranties, yes?) It all just seems a little hinky.
Another perhaps-odd bit is that the salesman had acted surprised that we wanted the warranty in writing, but he did scrawl it out. However, beyond this written-out bit, there was no mention of the warranty in the pretty, official-looking paperwork: we had to point out the box that indicates whether or not a warranty is part of the sale.
Additionally, they wanted her to simply sign - not fill out - a _blank_ bank credit application. The woman seemed surprised when my sister objected, but did fill it out. I don't know: that might even be standard practice, to speed up the process, but it just seemed a little weird.
On to the issue at hand. The salesman, apparently trying to rectify the failed deal, tried to get the ball rolling on another car. Phone tag ensued, with I-79 calling, saying my sister was "approved" for another car - but it was one she'd literally not even seen. (This was probably honest miscommunication, particularly given the perpetual perils of phone tag. No biggie.)
So we went back to I-79, to see what exactly was going on about this other car, and to retrieve the now-moot documents regarding the prior car. (I-79 had indicated it would mail them, and refund the $300, but hadn't yet done so.)
When we went back, our salesman was out, so we spoke with the woman he'd had do the paperwork - Loretta. When my sister explained that she was not, in fact, interested in this car, Loretta went from aloof and indifferent-seeming to cranky.
And when my sister indicated her other concerns, Loretta progressed to haughty and rude. Specifically, my sister wanted to know whether I-79 had reapplied for credit on her behalf, for THIS car (because added credit applications can negatively impact credit scores, and because they'd not had any sort of authorization to do). These seem like legitimate concerns to me, but Loretta was outright dismissive about them, and worse. In our interaction, Loretta managed a few choice bits (that I can remember; it seems like there were more).
~"Well, I don't understand why you'd be upset. We were just trying to get you into a vehicle you could AFFORD." Given her tone, this read like, "Well, that car didn't pan out because you were too picky, asked too many questions, and demanded a warranty. And you should be grateful we're even trying, since you're poor ... ." (Apparently questions are bad, and concerns about overpaying are silly.)
Also, ~"I'm not sure what you're bothered about, but if you have any complaints, I'M not the person to complain to, I'm just the paperwork girl." Loretta utterly missed the point: if she would have actually discussed our concerns, there wouldn't be any complaints.
On that first day, we'd dealt with another "paperwork girl," whose name I didn't catch. Loretta was briefly involved, when she had a couple questions. Then, too, Loretta was perfunctory and rude - though whether it was aimed at the other woman, at us, or whether it's Loretta's general attitude, I couldn't say.
We won't be back. I wouldn't go if I were you, either, unless you like to drop thousands of dollars without asking any questions or expecting any follow-through. read more