Kearny Mesa Toyota advertised a specific price on a vehicle in stock, which I was made aware of by the fleet manager. It was advertised for Sunday, but the fleet manager extended the offer to me in writing (by email) while I got a cash down payment and loan approval from my credit union. He also offered to add leather for a written agreed upon price.
Within 38 hours, I had the cash downpayment and loan approval. I went to the dealer and accepted the fleet manager's offer. The vehicle was still on the lot and they took me for a test ride. The sales manager told my salesman that the offer I'd been given had expired on Sunday. I explained the written agreement to extend the offer and the leather price. The sales manager said the leather price was incorrect and it would be an additional $198 dollars. I said that wasn't the agreed price, but I'd accept the change. He said he'd have to call the GM about the other agreement.
About 20 minutes later the sales manager said the offer would not be honored. He said the fleet manager did not follow protocol and did not get approval to make the offer. He acknowledged that the agreement had been made, because the sales manager checked the fleet manager's email. But, they still would not honor the written agreement. I took a day off work to make this deal and spent 5 hours on the lot with my wife and young child to have them refuse to honor a previously written agreement. They said they could make the deal if I paid an extra $1300 or so dollars. I explained that I felt the actions of their fleet manager was beyond my control, but a written agreement had been made. If nothing else, customer service would dictate their honoring this agreement. They said no and we left.
We were stunned at this blatant rescinding of an offer by their fleet manager to a customer. I had purchased a new car from this lot before, and they were aware of that. Your word is who you are, but a written agreement is a contract. This falls within the "bait and switch" parameters, but at the very least, it was outrageous customer service. We remained shocked the whole 50 minute drive home and wondered how a dealership could treat customers in such a fashion.
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