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AJ
Cruiser Fan
Posted: May 27, 2003, 9:38 PM
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Worst Buying Experience EVER
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I'm live in NY (Long Island)
I bought my turbo 4/24 from Ferman of Port Richey, Florida. It was the WORST BUYING of my life. The price was agreed upon with Carl Alvarez, Sales Manager on the previous night with the understanding that I would be there by noon of the 24th and that I expected the car to be prepped and ready to go. I had even contacted my insurance company and all they needed was the VIN # to fax me an FS-1. I was planning to load up the new PT, put my family in it and drive home almost straight from the dealer.
Due to traffic and my three year old, I didn't get to Ferman's until nearly 2 PM. (I was coming from Port Charlotte and I called Alvarez at noon to tell him I was running late, got his voicemail, left him a message. He never returned the call....,he later told me that he was too busy. (I walked into the dealership, the tumbleweed were rolling, they were so busy)).
When I got there, I discovered:
1. that they hadn't even dug the car out of where it had been parked!
2. They discovered when I got there that they didn't have the second key.
3. They didn't have the electronic key fobs.
I'm given the draft write up of our deal. The numbers weren't the same as we had discussed the previous day. Alvarez argues with me, I have to show him he's calculating the NYS and Nassau county sales tax wrong. Then I see he's adding wrong and he argues that he'll check it later. You know, a real calculator would do wonders for some people. I'm sitting on my hands for another 1/2 hour , waiting for the wheels to roll. I get the VIN (finally) and get on the phone to get my insurance company to fax me a new insurance card.
All of this was known by 3:30PM.
The only request of the extras that I wanted off of my 2001 PT that I was trading in was that I wanted to switch off the customized taillights and my locking lug nuts. I left them my customized grille, my new amplifier and speakers, my strut-tower bar. While I was waiting for the finance guy to free up, I even went out to the service dept. with Kurt, the salesman I was handed off to, to find the tools needed and to switch the pieces. I had told 2 salesmen what I needed, a long thin flat bladed screwdriver and a lug wrench, and they all had the same huge screwdrivers that they use to remove license plates.
When we got to the service dept, I had to argue with a service worker over what kind of screwdriver was needed. He tried a torx screwdriver over my protests, he wanted to use a wide head (X) screwdriver which I also told him wouldn't work. Of course, why should I know the correct tool needed? I've only remove these lights 3 times to change the bulbs and to apply and adjust the chrome trim! He finally removed the locking lug nuts while I was there. I told him that they needed a hollow bored allen wrench or something similar to remove the security screws on my license plates.
It's now after 4 PM, they tell me the service dept closes at 5, big deal , they only need 5 minutes to remove the plates.
Going inside, the financing guy is finally free. He gives me the schpiel about extended warranties, road hazard warranties. Alvarez pops his head in to say he's leaving for the night, (I'm assuming everything is going right with the new car.)I have Kurt paged to make sure the plates are off. The financing takes freaking forever.
It's like 6 PM , we're done. Now the fun really starts.
a. they can't find the second key
b. they can't find the electronic fobs
THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS NOW CLOSED AND THERE's NO WAY A NEW KEY CAN BE CUT AND THERE'S NO ONE AVAILABLE TO EVEN RECODE A TRANSMITTER FROM ANOTHER CAR.
They want to snd me on my way and promise to mail me the key and transmitters.
c. NOBODY TOOK OFF MY PLATES AND NO ONE HAS THE TOOLS NECESSARY.
d. THE CAR IS SO BADLY DETAILED THAT MY 3 YEAR COULD HAVE DONE IT BETTER.
I'm then treated to an hour and a half of another manager getting Alvarez on the phone and calling the service guy and getting in the face of the detailing department so that I can hear a great case of pass the buck which of course lands on the shoulders of Kirk, the salesman I was passed to.
They send me off with a loaner PT with the promise that my car will be ready by 9AM , the next morning, almost 14 hours after I had expected to be leaving for home.
The car is ALMOST ready as promised the next morning. NO ONE, until this morning that is, ever checked the engine/computer calibration which apparently is standard practice. They were ready to send me off on my way for a straight 1300 mile trip though the night before, right?
I had asked the manager the prior night that since they were holding my car overnight, could they install the PT mudflaps for me and I'd pay for them in the morning. And they were installed, after I reminded them in the morning. Now here's the thing. Say what you will about New Yorkers. I know that if this had happened in NY, my dealer would have not only thrown in the mudflaps and the installation, but probably would have thrown in a cargo net, maybe an oil change, wax, something. Here, well, I did say I'd pay for the flaps,but couldn't someone make sure that they at least waived the installation fee?
I'm finally on my way.
4 days later, I find out that all my financing paperwork is wrong because Chrysler won't finance the Wheel road hazard policy and they'll send me all new paperwork that I'll need to sign and return, at their epense , of course. All the paperwork is dated 5/1/03, I sign it on the 6th.
Think it's over yet?
May 19, I get a $500 match incentive offer from Chrysler for all sales 5/1-6/2/03. This is 19 days into the program!!
I call Chrysler and complain. They say put it in writing. I say hey, i would have waited til the 1st and wait, THE VALID CONTRACT IS DATED 5/1/03.
I'll let you know what happens with that.
Let me fill you in on the purchase of my first PT.
August 2000, I located a local dealer 3 PM Friday,who had a 5speed Limited available, the original contract was cancelled.
10 AM , I'm at the dealer.
1:30 PM, I'm driving a fully functional, fully detailed beautiful Silver PT down the road. And it wasn't a 5 star dealer!
BTW, I'm attaching a copy of this to the survey that came today.
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Posts: 36 | From: Wantagh, NY
| Registered: Nov 11, 2000, 12:00 AM
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Max_Fun
Cruiser Addict
Posted: May 27, 2003, 10:14 PM
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Re: [AJ] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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Indeed, you had a terrible experience. Most likely the dealer didn't feel very compelled to do a better job because they know you won't be coming back for service since you live so far away.
Since you had such a good experience buying your first Cruiser, why didn't you go back to that dealer? Are GTs in such short supply in NY? (Out here in Oregon, there are LOTS of GTs on the lots and several dealer incentives and deep discounts offered to buyers.)
Anyway, I hope things get straightened out for you. 1500 miles sure is a long way to go to buy a car that seems so readily available nowadays. But then, maybe that's not the case where you live. :)
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My Photo Albums
Check out Drive for Joy - United We Cruise wirst bands, t-shirts, and other fun stuff!
Live well, Laugh often, Love much
and DRIVE FOR JOY!
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Posts: 831 | From: Hillsboro, OR USA
| Registered: Mar 29, 2001, 12:00 AM
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zzzhuh
Cruiser Buff
Posted: May 27, 2003, 11:34 PM
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School Of Hard Knocks
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I threatened my dealer with taking my cash to another dealer so many times during negotiations that He gave me: 1) The Sony Stereo. 2) $2,500- rebate. and 3) A Price Lower than my Offer which was $800- Lower than actual invoice.
All on a Factory Order, and negotiations only took between 24 and 48 hours.
I would Never Rush a Business deal, especially one worth $23,500!
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Posts: 53 | From: N/A
| Registered: Jan 1, 2003, 12:00 AM
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Retro
Cruiser Veteran
Posted: May 28, 2003, 12:53 AM
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Re: [AJ] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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I'm curious too- if you had such a good experience with the first dealer, why didn't you go back to him for the GT? As a business owner myself, we make every effort to give good service and earn repeat business. Did you go to the second place because you thought you would get a better price? Sometimes it is "cheaper" in the long run to go with a company you know will deal with you with integrity even when the price "seems" a little higher upfront. In the longrun, it may not be. Good luck on the new car now, though, hope you enjoy it!
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Posts: 3924 | From: N/A
| Registered: May 21, 2000, 12:00 AM
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JR
Cruiser Expert
Posted: May 28, 2003, 4:53 AM
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Re: [AJ] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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next time save money and fly out to California and I'll take you to Yucca Valley Chrysler, you won't get ripped off. Beside you can enjoy Palm Springs too !
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A very Cool Graphite Cruiser,We be Toppless
By Surf City Cruiser
PTeaser Smoothy Front
22" Gril;
PTeaser Retro Roll rear
Air Force One Intake
MSD Ignition Package
Zoomer Daul Exshaust
Shaved Hood
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Posts: 181 | From: Palm Springs Calif.
| Registered: Nov 12, 2002, 12:00 AM
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AJ
Cruiser Fan
Posted: May 28, 2003, 6:19 AM
Post #6 of 29
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Re: [Max_Fun] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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1. I was down their on vacation when I saw their 0% financing push
2. He was gving me a better trade in thatn I was offered locally
3. I just remembered. One of his excuses to HIS superior was that he was practically giving the car away and they weren't making anything on my deal. Sure, nothing except not having to finance the car while on their lot anymore and bringing in cash to pay his salary.
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Posts: 36 | From: Wantagh, NY
| Registered: Nov 11, 2000, 12:00 AM
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Retro
Cruiser Veteran
Posted: May 28, 2003, 6:37 AM
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Re: [AJ] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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Woops! Ok, sorry, AJ, seen that one before. "Not making anything on the deal" is a common ploy to get a customer to "settle" for substandard service. Nothing is "free". A business HAS to make something on your deal or there is no reason to BE a business. You don't work for free and neither does anybody else. Without an adequate profit, nobody can warranty or service properly their products. When somebody says that to you, folks, pass them up. It will bite you in the long run. Another one to watch out for is being "rushed" to decide, I.e., "this price is only good today" and the old "bait and switch"- "well, yes we advertised this one at a ridiculous price but what you really want is this other one for a little more". We have competed against that type of stuff for many years and made a few purchasing mistakes ourselves as well. And it is easy to get carried away on vacation, too, with what sounds like a really good deal at the time. It is also hard to judge when the salesman out and out LIES to you! We have a different type of business but these kinds of things happen in all businesses and it is tough for the business who tries to do the right thing and is being undercut by these tactics sometimes. And it is very hard for the consumer, who naturally wants the best deal possible, to discern the difference. Thanks for sharing your experience, bad as it was, because perhaps it will help us all be better consumers and get a few good tips that might help somebody else. Now, get out there and enjoy cruising in the new car! The very bright side is you HAVE a very fine new vehicle to drive!
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Posts: 3924 | From: N/A
| Registered: May 21, 2000, 12:00 AM
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unclebill
Cruiser Certified
Posted: May 28, 2003, 6:49 AM
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Re: [Retro] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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Quote:
It will bite you in the long run.
I HATE that! It's painful and takes forever to heal!
UB 
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UB
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Posts: 1639 | From: Rensselaer, Indiana
| Registered: Oct 14, 2001, 12:00 AM
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AUCRZR
Cruiser Veteran
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: May 28, 2003, 6:51 AM
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Re: [Retro] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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I guess I am not a good customer... I give the dealer about 30 mins tops to do the whole deal or I am out  the door ..There is NO excuse BUT they are a SORRY  dealership if they cant.. If they are a slip  shod hassle to start off with it wont get any better with them in the long run..
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AUCRZR on Horsepower TV Show http://webpages.charter.net/tigertown/hptv.3g2
AUCRZR'S PT PIX WEBSITE http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2954617/1
My Other Toys..
1979 El Camino
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2606839
1969 SS Chevelle
(00=SS=00)http://www.cardomain.com/ride/791497
2003 Electric Blue/2003 Onyx Green (Sharon's "In the Pink" )
(This post was edited by AUCRZR on May 28, 2003, 7:06 AM)
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Posts: 2186 | From: Dead Men Tell No Tales
| Registered: May 5, 2003, 7:38 AM
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BLUESCAR
Cruiser Buff
Posted: May 28, 2003, 9:44 AM
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Re: [AJ] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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That just stinks that you were treated that way. Inspite of all the CRAP you had to go through, how do you like your GT?
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Posts: 51 | From: Camano Island Washington
| Registered: May 22, 2003, 11:30 AM
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AJ
Cruiser Fan
Posted: May 28, 2003, 9:52 AM
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Re: [BLUESCAR] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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I forgot to mention,
I LOVE THIS CAR
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Posts: 36 | From: Wantagh, NY
| Registered: Nov 11, 2000, 12:00 AM
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HipCat
Cruiser Veteran
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: May 28, 2003, 11:49 AM
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Re: [AJ] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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I am sorry that you had such a bad buying experience. It takes the whole fun out of getting a new car!
But I am so happy you love your new Cruiser! Welcome to the club! You will have lots of positive experiences with this group, I assure you.
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AL PTCC Director
http://al.ptcruiserclub.org/alabama/
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Posts: 2428 | From: Homewood, AL
| Registered: Aug 13, 2002, 12:00 AM
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Cruisin in Calgary
Cruiser Veteran
Posted: May 28, 2003, 12:34 PM
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Re: [HipCat] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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That really sucks, hope the pain is almost over for you though!
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Happy Cruisin'
Trevor.
Cruisin' since 5/24/00.
Click on the image below to visit our site:
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Posts: 3992 | From: Calgary, AB, CANADA
| Registered: Nov 25, 1999, 12:00 AM
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kwoozn
Cruiser Addict
Posted: May 28, 2003, 12:53 PM
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Re: [Cruisin in Calgary] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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Hope the new GT works out ok for you now! As for the dealer (?) I'm afraid I would have headed for the door a few different times, and hopped into the "Old Cruiser!" and been on my way!
Cruise on! kwoozn....
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Posts: 514 | From: Kansas
| Registered: Nov 29, 2001, 12:00 AM
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PT Milwaukee
Cruiser Expert
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: May 28, 2003, 8:40 PM
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Re: [AJ] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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I hope the car is better than the buying experience.
Meanwhile, go to www.cardealerreports.com and put your
experience there.
I was fortunate to have a good experience with my delivery
and I posted it there. My dealership continues to be good to
me and PTCC, with give-aways for events and telling new PT
buyers about PTCC.
You could turn this around to your favor and the favor of PTCC. If you get them to join the 10% off parts, labor, and
accessories for PTCC members, we all benefit.
If they don't change their tune, you still know you are telling 4000+ PTCC members how rotten they are.
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Posts: 220 | From: Milwaukee, WI, USA
| Registered: May 14, 2001, 12:00 AM
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silvereagle
Cruiser Addict
Posted: May 30, 2003, 6:20 AM
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Re: [AJ] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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All the Chrysler Dealers are the same. No wonder they can't make a profit. When I went out to buy the Silver Eagle from the first dealer I was told no sir you can't take it for a ride ,we only have two and there both sold. But they did finally let me sit in it just so I could see if I fit in it OK. Then they told me that after I ordered one and it had come it that they had to keep the cruiser on there proiperty for one week to use as a demo.They said that they wouldn't drive it but you know how they lie. But the best part was when the salesmen and I sat down to deal ,he said that first I'd have to give him $1000.00.I said what that for and he said that it was for him to keep. If I hadn't given it to him I'd have to go someplace else to buy my cruiser. So I got up and left. 
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big jim
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Posts: 902 | From: New Castle ,Del, USA
| Registered: Aug 6, 2002, 12:00 AM
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HipCat
Cruiser Veteran
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: May 30, 2003, 7:03 AM
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Re: [silvereagle] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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Good grief! I never heard of such a thing! I'm glad you left.
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AL PTCC Director
http://al.ptcruiserclub.org/alabama/
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Posts: 2428 | From: Homewood, AL
| Registered: Aug 13, 2002, 12:00 AM
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DTs_PTGT
Cruiser Fan
Posted: May 30, 2003, 10:06 AM
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Re: [silvereagle] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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Wow, reading some of these posts freak me out! What are these people thinking? It's not like people go out and blow 20,000+ dollars every day. If people do, then they probably aren't in a Chrysler dealership anyway.
Personally, I thought my buying experience was quite pleasant. Went to the dealership on Monday on a lark, just to check out the PT Turbo because I've been wanting to see one close up for ages.
I went there on my lunch break, and ended up spending about 1 1/2 hours as the dealer showed me the car from front to back and showed me the folding, removable seating, all the different ways to use the back shelf, how the rear doors opened to almost perpendicular to the car's body, etc., etc. We spent about 20 minutes where he showed me all of the car's features.
He let me take a turbo out for a test drive (not the one I ended up buying), pointing out some of the niceties of the extra power. The drive was short, probably about 5 - 10 minutes, but that's all it took for me. I knew I wanted one.
Later that evening, I called up the sales guy and told him what I wanted and to hunt it down for me. He said they normally don't do such a thing w/o a deposit, but I convinced him I would have cash the next day, so he was able to hunt down what I was looking for before I got off the phone with him. He called me back about 1/2 hour later and told me that he could get the car from the other dealer.
Anyway, 2 days later, I was driving off in my brand new Cranberry Turbo and have been loving it ever since! The guy even gave me a more in-depth tour of the car before I drove it off the lot. They even gave me a calendar filled through the end of 2004 with a 5x7 of my wife, car and myself before I drove it off the lot.
I was all set for a horrible experience at the dealership, but it was no hassle, everything was explained, all financing options were explored, all accessories explained and priced, etc., etc. I was really surprised at how I was treated from start to finish.
I took my car there for its first oil change (read in places to let the dealership deal with the over-torqued oil filter for the first change), and they did it for free even though no mention was ever made of free service, so I thought that was a nice bonus.
This was my first time ever buying a brand new car, so if this stuff is all commonplace, chalk up my gushing to naivette. But, reading AJ's and other people's experiences, it doesn't sound so commonplace to me.
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Posts: 8 | From: N/A
| Registered: Apr 2, 2003, 5:26 AM
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RAYN
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Jun 2, 2003, 3:49 PM
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Re: [AJ] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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So sorry to hear about your horrible buying experience. Some dealers just dont seem to get it do they! And with the market as bad as it is youd think they would be going the extra mile to provide the customer with a very satisfying buying experience. Wonder what would have happened in this instance if you had lived in their dealership area instead of being from out of state?
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Posts: 199 | From: Arlington Virginia USA
| Registered: Feb 24, 2002, 12:00 AM
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joe in li
Cruiser Expert
Posted: Jun 6, 2003, 5:55 AM
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Re: [AJ] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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Wow!!! That is one hell of a a bad experience. I would've definitly walked away, but understand you excitement to get your GT.... I'l tell you what though, I would've held those papers longer and called the dealer back (collect of course) to "re-do" the deal...
In any case I hope your enjoying your new car....
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(This post was edited by joe in li on Jun 7, 2003, 11:57 AM)
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Posts: 298 | From: lindenhurst,NY
| Registered: Jun 6, 2000, 12:00 AM
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AJ
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Nov 30, 2007, 9:45 AM
Post #21 of 29
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Re: [Retro] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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I was on vacation, twisted my ankle and had been driving a stick - my wife couldn't drive manual - all great excuses to get the turbo anyway :)
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Posts: 36 | From: Wantagh, NY
| Registered: Nov 11, 2000, 12:00 AM
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lacounty
Cruiser Expert
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Dec 1, 2007, 11:41 AM
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Re: [AJ] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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I can't wait to hear about your experience when you go in for service!!!
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Posts: 345 | From: Chino Hills, California
| Registered: Jan 3, 2004, 12:34 PM
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AJ
Cruiser Fan
Posted: Dec 1, 2007, 12:26 PM
Post #24 of 29
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Re: [lacounty] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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Service? I'm in Ny, dealer in Florida.
And I get stupid mass mailing every few months for oil change or trade in. computers causing the waste and morons that they are can't remove my name from list
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Posts: 36 | From: Wantagh, NY
| Registered: Nov 11, 2000, 12:00 AM
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silvereagle
Cruiser Addict
Posted: Dec 1, 2007, 2:46 PM
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Re: [AJ] Worst Buying Experience EVER
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My experiance isn't quite as bad as yours but it goes to show you how Chrysler treats it's customer's .Back in 2000 we went to buy a new PT from our local dealer When we said we wanted to look at the New PT they said that they only had one and it was sold .So I talked the salesmen into letting me look at it and to sit in it. He didn't want to do it but he finally said it was ok. The Cruiser was being held back so people could look at it but not to start it up. I found out later that the PT was owned By Cappy. only he didn't know it was at the dealership yet. When I sat down with the salesmen to work up a price he told us that we'd have to give him $1,000 for him to take our order. That money went into his pocket ,It was not to be used as a deposit. When he said that I walked out of the dealership. As of today he still works for that Dealer.We ordered the Silver Eagle four weeks later from another dealer and got the cruiser six weeks later. .
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big jim
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Posts: 902 | From: New Castle ,Del, USA
| Registered: Aug 6, 2002, 12:00 AM
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You have to take a little blame for that charade yourself for staying. I would have rolled in a New Yawk second at the first sniff of any one of those things. 
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