Unannounced visit to the dealer today...

[Kimono_skunk]

I called the salesman at East Coast Car Group, (Where the PT Cruiser I am interested in is getting fixed prior to sale.) and asked if he had gotten any other PT's in since I talked to him almost a week ago.

As you all might recall the first PT he shown me, he couldn't sell because the transmission was bad. He then stated on phone that he was getting another PT in better shape, and for same price with the same guarantee.

I then went to the dealer and greeted the salesman.
He was happy to see me, and said that he had been a bit busy. He then opened the service bay door, and waved the head mechanic over.

In the service bay on the lift, was PT #1 with new brakes, new tires, rear driver fender off with replacement fender and tail light in box waiting to be installed, and a new transmission freshly installed in it.

Also on order, was a water pump, and timing belt.


He stated he couldn't sell the PT due to the bad transmission, so they spent the past week getting it repaired correctly, and was still interested in dealing.
He even stated that he could help with the title and tag fees, and give me more for my trade since I added a new Alternator, battery, and belts.

So.. upon seeing all the work that was done to PT #1, what should I do ?

(I have my Explorer on sale in Craigslist for $1800.00 btw...)

Wait for PT#1 to get finished and do the deal?
Go to another dealer and look for another PT?

Whatdaya think?

Kimmyskunk

[IMIEIW]

Did you say what year and how much? Thats most of the things that break right away. Check the AC. Good luck

[heifetz17]

I think it would be pretty poor on your part to let them do all this work on the car expecting to make a deal with you and sell you a great car with everything fixed, and then you turn around and buy one somewhere else.

That's just my opinion. I'm probably biased since I work at a dealer.

[Hooligan]

Originally Posted by heifetz17

I think it would be pretty poor on your part to let them do all this work on the car expecting to make a deal with you and sell you a great car with everything fixed, and then you turn around and buy one somewhere else.

That's just my opinion. I'm probably biased since I work at a dealer.

IMHO I have to agree with heifetz!!!

[Dino]

If they change the tranny, water pump, timing belt, and everything else works why would you want to take a chance on another used car.

[Kimono_skunk]

Originally Posted by heifetz17

I think it would be pretty poor on your part to let them do all this work on the car expecting to make a deal with you and sell you a great car with everything fixed, and then you turn around and buy one somewhere else.

That's just my opinion. I'm probably biased since I work at a dealer.

Well I was asking for the best answer to my question...

I know a lot of work has gone into it so far, however, the water pump and timing belt is still not done.

The salesman said in the initial agreement the water pump and timing belt, and all other needed repairs would be done within the week, but after almost 10 days, he calls me and says he can't sell the PT as the tranny was bad. I was under the impression the water pump and timing belt were changed already.

He was going to unload the PT for parts at an auction, and seen it was worthless with a bad trans in it.

The timing belt and Water pump are very difficult to change (From what I read on here) but the salesman STILL was not sure it had been done.

That scares me... Im happy the new tranny is in, but I wouldn't want to drive off the lot and 5 miles down the road, have the motor chew apart it's innards from the timing belt not being changed, and puking up all it's coolant from the water pump dying.

I am more than willing to give the dealer a chance, but if the PT hadn't had the water pump and timing belt changed after agreeing to it 2 weeks ago prior to the sale, is a bit unnerving.

I wasn't calling the dealer every day, mebee once every 5 days to see how things were going. I'm not asking for daily updates, just a call once in a while to let me know of any changes. Last 2 calls the salesman never returned, from being busy with other customers as it seems.

And since you work at a dealer, would you have handled the possible sale differently? If you would have promised me the PT would have been ready.. id be MORE than happy to give you the sale... ^^

Thank you most kindly...
Kimmyskunk

[heifetz17]

From what you say, they've handled the situation correctly. They didn't have to tell you the tranny was bad. They could have fixed the water pump and timing belt and sent you on your way.

2 weeks is a fair amount of time. I'm sure they didn't just have a tranny in stock. They had to order it. Obviously a blown tranny takes priority over a timing belt and water pump, so of course they wouldn't be done before the tranny.

The fact remains that they're being very honest with you, finding everything that's wrong with it and fixing it. They're definately going above and beyond what almost any other dealer would do for you.

I think you're just getting impatient because it's taking a while. But the reason it's taking a while is because of the holdup on the tranny. Just be patient, give the dealer the time they need to fix everything on the car, and in the end you'll be glad to get a good car with nothing wrong and nothing to worry about.

Patience is a virtue. This is obviously a dealer that cares about the product they sell you, rather than just making a quick sale to make some money. Remember that when you're thinking of other dealers.

Keep in mind that when dealing with dealer personnel, we're not just sitting by the phone waiting for a customer to call. We're often extremely busy from start to finish. There are phone calls I don't get a chance to return, but it doens't mean I'm blowing the customer off or forgetting about them! That's just how dealers are sometimes, especially when they're really busy!

[Kimono_skunk]

Wow, some VERY Good posts here for me to think about...

especially from heifetz17.

Thank you all most sincerely...

Kimmyskunk

[quicksilverdon]

I do not think you owe the dealer anything except a chance to sell you a car.
They have mechanics on salary, and have to pay them whether there are repairs to do or not, so they will fit in the timing belt when the mechanics have nothing to do.
The tranny probably died, so they had no choice but to fix it, since the car wouldn't move.
Look at several cars and decide what's the best deal for you - if you only let the one dealer make pitches to you, you'll have no basis for comparison.

[heifetz17]

Originally Posted by quicksilverdon

I do not think you owe the dealer anything except a chance to sell you a car.
They have mechanics on salary, and have to pay them whether there are repairs to do or not, so they will fit in the timing belt when the mechanics have nothing to do.
The tranny probably died, so they had no choice but to fix it, since the car wouldn't move.
Look at several cars and decide what's the best deal for you - if you only let the one dealer make pitches to you, you'll have no basis for comparison.

Dealership mechanics are not salaried. They are paid flat rate, meaning they get paid by what they do. If they don't flag hours, they don't make any money. That's why you get charged "hours" when you take your vehicle in for repairs. The tech gets so many "hours" for the repair. If there are no repairs, there are no hours, meaning they make no money.