Getting back at a car salesman - Need your input

Zee

Diamond Member
Nov 27, 1999
5,171
3
76
background -

so basically a i bought a car using the S-plan for mazda which means that i buy the car at invoice price. While I was buying the car, as part of the process, the salesman shows me the invoice copy to prove the prices. The whole thing is printed out but written in pen ink, on the bottom, was added a rear trunk lip for $350. Now at the time i didn't think anything of it though i found it odd that it's written in ink but i took his word for it and accepted it as part of the order.

This guy must have been high on the ease of this sale because i went in and bought a mazda3 instantly. No haggling, no waiting around... the easiest sale in the world. So the guy is pretty talkative and mentions to me that on the survey i will get in the mail, if the avg total in the survey doesn't equal a 9 or 10, then he won't get a bonus for the sale.

Checking later on at my own personal copy of the invoice price, that lip was only supposed to be $240, so the salesrep pretty much ripped me off for $110 by adding this lip in pen and saying it was part of the car that was available. Even the onvoice price on the rear spoiler isn't $350, but the MSRP is.

Now i feel irritated because he fvcktard knew I was buying anything and everything at invoice price, that shady fvck.

Now i have a choice, i received the survey about 2 weeks ago and haven't filled it out yet. From what i understand, if i don't fill out the survey he doesn't get a bonus. If i give a bad review he doesn't get a bonus.

Should I act all forgetful and not fill out the survey, or burn a bridge and give a bad review rubbing it in that the extra $110 he cheated me on IS the only bonus he will get?

cliffnotes:
- bought a car at invoice price on the S-plan
- shady salesmen added a rear lip for $110 more then what it's supposed to be
- doesn't get a bonus on this sale unless my review equals a 9 or 10
- 'Forget' to mail in the review or bash him good?
 

etalns

Diamond Member
Dec 20, 2001
6,513
1
0
You're an idiot for not researching into it first. He took advantage of you because he could, I'd take it as a lesson learned and wouldn't mail that survey in.
 

Ulfwald

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
May 27, 2000
8,646
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76
All car salesmen are crooks, Rip him a new one on the survey.
 

UTmtnbiker

Diamond Member
Nov 17, 2000
4,129
4
81
Burn him. Send in the survey and crucify the guy. Even if you elect to get service from the dealership, it's not like you're going to see or deal with a salesman. If you truly feel gipped, then you should tell Mazda USA. It's in their best interest to have ethical salesmen who do what they say.

 

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
Originally posted by: Qosis
You're an idiot for not researching into it first. He took advantage of you because he could, I'd take it as a lesson learned and wouldn't mail that survey in.
One should take the option of retribution if there aren't any negative consequences of doing so. :p

Of course, you might have to be cautious about getting the car serviced at the dealership.
 

Zee

Diamond Member
Nov 27, 1999
5,171
3
76
Originally posted by: Qosis
You're an idiot for not researching into it first. He took advantage of you because he could, I'd take it as a lesson learned and wouldn't mail that survey in.

Yes he took advantage. That is extremely obvious. But it's only $110 so it's no big deal. But again I can get even since, "he who laughs last, laugh's best". Should roar a belly ripping laugh or just chuckle back?
 

KarenMarie

Elite Member
Sep 20, 2003
14,372
6
81
Call him and ask him about it, and why he added the $110.00 extra.
Then ask him what *he* thinks you should do on the survey!

:)
 

ironcrotch

Diamond Member
May 11, 2004
7,749
0
0
Man you guys are cruel, the guy is just trying to make a living trying to feed his starving family. And you're gonna bone him out of his bonus over this? Lil Timmy needs new shoes. :(
 

Kibbo

Platinum Member
Jul 13, 2004
2,847
0
0
Originally posted by: KarenMarie
Call him and ask him about it, and why he added the $110.00 extra.
Then ask him what *he* thinks you should do on the survey!

:)

I agree. There was a billing error. Whether or not it was intentional, you should get a refund of the difference.

Edit: Or at least, that's how you should play it. And what kind of money do you make that 110$ isn't enough to make a stink over? You don't mind losing that for nothing? Would you be pissed if you were overcharged 110 for a chocolate bar? It's the same amount of money out of your pocket.
 

Rumpltzer

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2003
4,815
33
91
Originally posted by: Kibbo
Originally posted by: KarenMarie
Call him and ask him about it, and why he added the $110.00 extra.
Then ask him what *he* thinks you should do on the survey!

:)
I agree. There was a billing error. Whether or not it was intentional, you should get a refund of the difference.

Edit: Or at least, that's how you should play it. And what kind of money do you make that 110$ isn't enough to make a stink over? You don't mind losing that for nothing? Would you be pissed if you were overcharged 110 for a chocolate bar? It's the same amount of money out of your pocket.
I agree that you should have researched this better.
I agree that $110 isn't THAT much in the big scheme of things.
I agree that you should say what you feel on the survery and send it back.
I agree that you should call the dealership and tell them you want your $110.

I doubt that the MSRP on the tail lip was a "mistake" or billing error.
I doubt they'll give you the $110.

Good luck.
 

ttown

Platinum Member
Oct 27, 2003
2,412
0
0
Originally posted by: KarenMarie
Call him and ask him about it, and why he added the $110.00 extra.
Then ask him what *he* thinks you should do on the survey!

:)
better yet, GO there with both your receipt in hand and also the survey.
mention that you noticed he accidentally charged you MSRP instead of invoice - and while he's getting your $110, ask him to leave his card so you get the spelling of his name correct for the survey
He should be back in about 5 minutes with your $110 (+tax)
 

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
81
They're all the same

I'd take it as a lesson, you should have looked up prices

Also, what KarenMarie said is the best idea! :)
 

T2T III

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
12,899
1
0
Originally posted by: Qosis
You're an idiot for not researching into it first. He took advantage of you because he could, I'd take it as a lesson learned and wouldn't mail that survey in.

Correct. One has to be a very educated consumer in order to not get screwed - even if it means bringing in a whole tablet of prices.

 
Jan 18, 2001
14,465
1
0
Yes, you should have checked it out during the deal. Furthermore, now that its done, a $110 is not worth a big hassle of trying to get them to explain themselves. You might consider just stating all the facts in the letter and hope you get a follow up call and offered for some free oil changes.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
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is that the equivalent of X plan or is that a different plan?
 

maziwanka

Lifer
Jul 4, 2000
10,415
1
0
Originally posted by: Qosis
You're an idiot for not researching into it first. He took advantage of you because he could, I'd take it as a lesson learned and wouldn't mail that survey in.

and i would go back to the dealership and give that guy a piece of your mind.
 

AlienCraft

Lifer
Nov 23, 2002
10,539
0
0
Originally posted by: ttown
Originally posted by: KarenMarie
Call him and ask him about it, and why he added the $110.00 extra.
Then ask him what *he* thinks you should do on the survey!

:)
better yet, GO there with both your receipt in hand and also the survey.
mention that you noticed he accidentally charged you MSRP instead of invoice - and while he's getting your $110, ask him to leave his card so you get the spelling of his name correct for the survey
He should be back in about 5 minutes with your $110 (+tax)
I like this one. And mention that you've been mentioning it on hte intarweb
 

flot

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2000
3,197
0
0
Not only did they take you for $110 (although is there really a clause that on that plan, you are supposed to get ALL accessories, even dealer-added, for invoice??) but I'm going to say he tricked you on the survey, too.

C'mon. How many customers would actually bother to return that? I bet 15% at most.

However, if he tells you how important it is, and tells you he wants to do whatever it takes so that he gets 9s or better on the survey, then you are going to think he is truely doing everything possible to make you happy. At most that is probably a $20-50 "bonus" if it exists at all.

PS: Realistically, I wouldn't sweat it. If you bought a brand new car and only feel like you got screwed out of $100 you are probably better off than 95% of all consumers out there... I'd call it a victory.
 

Zee

Diamond Member
Nov 27, 1999
5,171
3
76
Originally posted by: HomeBrewerDude
Yes, you should have checked it out during the deal. Furthermore, now that its done, a $110 is not worth a big hassle of trying to get them to explain themselves. You might consider just stating all the facts in the letter and hope you get a follow up call and offered for some free oil changes.

It comes with free oil change for the lifetime of the car at that dealership
 

Ulfwald

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
May 27, 2000
8,646
0
76
$110.00 not a big deal? Think about that amount financed over the life of the loan. You got screwed.
 

Zee

Diamond Member
Nov 27, 1999
5,171
3
76
okay, bad review written and mailed. Hope it makes a difference to mazda corp.