Rude and abusive call from general manager
Price - Twinka
Rude and abusive call from general manager
Price online does not reflect $1,400 invisible clear coat scam
Bait and Switch…unavailable car is still listed on website
I test drove a used Hyundai Sonata on at Cardinale Audi with Anthony. He was polite, delightful and professional, but was busy the next morning with other customers. We had to test drive before Anthony was available so my son could go to work, so Alex stepped in. I asked if Anthony would still get credit, and he assured me he would. After returning from the test drive, we started the process to buy the car. In addition to the advertised price, the dealership adds an additional $1,400. Alex was unable to tell me exactly what the charge entailed. Apparently this is the invisible “clear coat” scam dealerships have been pushing since I started purchasing cars in the 1980’s, and I said this was a deal breaker. The sale appeared to move forward, albeit at a snail’s pace. No financing, we were paying cash, so why the wait? We waited for about two hours during which Alex carried on an in depth conversation with the windows washer while we waited and waited. After a while, I asked for the Carfax report and asked why the mileage was higher on the report than on the car. It was only 4,000 miles more, but the process instantly stopped as they said they are no longer able to sell the car. They were surprised at this, which was clearly a data entry mistake at the car’s last service location. Alex said they would probably sell it back to the auction service because it takes six months to correct a Carfax mistake. Disappointed and with about two hours wasted; we left.
Imagine my surprise to find a few days later, the car was still listed for sale on their website at an even higher price. Classic Bait and Switch: the customer is drawn to the dealership because of this advertised car, which is not available, but hey…we have other more expensive cars for sale! This is fraudulent.
Before driving the Hyundai, I had met with Edrick at Cardinale Nissan to drive a Sentra. Edrick was delightful. He said to let him know if I was interested in any cars within his group. I misunderstood and thought he meant the Nissan dealerships within the Cardinale group. He called during the two hours of waiting at Cardinale Audi and I discovered my error. I felt bad because Edrick would make the car buying process delightful. Because the deal was dead at Audi, I contacted Edrick, and asked if there was any way he could sell me that car or one comparable.
Frustrated and wondering if the Audi dealership simply refused to sell to me because I wouldn’t pay for their $1,400 “invisible protection”, I called the corporate offices, which in turn had Scott, the general manager of Cardinale Audi call me.
Scott started the call on the offensive accusing me of playing sales people against each other. I asked why he raised the price of the car and kept it on the website if it was not available. He said he changes used car prices every day, but it was not available to buy. I asked if this was “Bait and Switch” and he became angrier and more offensive claiming I don’t understand the concept of Bait and Switch; although I doubt its meaning has changed since studying for my Business Degree.
We discussed the additional 1,400 “clear coat” charge. He said this is added to all the cars they sell, but is not reflected in the advertised price. I asked if customers have the right to refuse this scam, and he said they can refuse to buy the car.
I asked why Alex refused to accept a certified check from Navy Federal Credit Union. To his benefit, Scott said they would have no problem accepting a certified check from NFCU. Alex would have had me bring a personal check or cash.
Scott was angry and unpleasant, telling me I’m not the kind of customer he wants purchasing from Cardinale Audi (his words exactly). He only became less nasty when I said I will take the time to share my experience with others online. Because of this, he did offer to contact me when they are able to rectify the Carfax mistake.
Online reviews are how we protect other purchasers from going through the same unpleasant experience. I have purchased many cars, most of which have been very pleasant in the past 20 years when most dealerships became more respectful of their customers.
It’s been over a week since I tried to buy the car, and it’s still listed for sale on their website.
Read More
Dealer Reviews
Service Reviews
Cars for Sale
Log In