You wonder why car dealerships get a bad rap? This week I had two “bait and switch ” tactics pulled upon me by two different dealerships. A local Cincinnati dealer gave me a quote for a new ZO6 lease. After waiting 2 1/2 hours for the paperwork, I was advised that the quote was now $250 more per month! Sweet.
A Columbus dealership gave me a quote for a new C6 with the magnetic suspension I was interested in and the LT3 option. I confirmed both the stock number and the VIN number with the salesperson. After driving to the dealership the next day, I was informed that the quote was for a C6 with no options and that the car I was talking about was $158 more per month. The salesman I spoke to was not in the dealership. When the dealership called him, he played along with the game that he was talking about the car that the dealership was offering. Unbelievable.
My last five cars were in this order: BMW; Lexus; BMW; Infiniti; and BMW. With each transaction, the dealership did everything it told me it would do and the numbers were always as quoted by telephone. I therefore entered this adventure expecting the same type of straight up, honest dealings. I really wanted to buy American this time. Now I don't know.
One final comment. A mechanic at the Cincinnati dealership who apparently is involved in several Corvette forums told me putting a short throw shifter in a new Corvette was stupid. He said the shift effort was exceedingly high and that reverse was often unattainable. I told him that was not what I had read on the forums. He told me to live and learn.
So maybe I will read this forum with envy that others obtained an honest deal. As it now stands, I am going to contact some dealers who offer cars on eBay and see if I can do anything with them. Of course, it will be by e-mail with a confirmation faxed to me before I drive anywhere to execute the deal.
And I have to admit, I really like the new Corvette.
Enjoy your weekend. And thanks for listening.
Jim
