This has got to be one of the most unprofessional dealerships around in nearly every way.
I went in on Saturday to look at the 2010 GTI and was immediately accosted by a salesperson who didn't even take the time to ask me what I was looking for, show me inventory or speak about the features of the cars before asking me if I was ready to buy. When I replied that only a rich man or a fool would purchase a car sight unseen, he countered that a "nice man" would buy a car without seeing it. This sleazy wackiness set the tone for the rest of the experience.
Later, when I said that I'd like the car in blue (a new GTI color), the salesman said the car didn't come in blue until I pointed him to the VW website. The miscues continued - neither the salesman nor the guy he introduced as his manager knew anything about the cars. In fact, I had to tell them what was included in the various packages, that the car came standard with 17 inch wheels not 18 inchers and that the DSG transmission was closer to an automated manual than a traditional automatic. It's pretty disconcerting when the people you're ready to hand $30k to know less about the car than you do - not exactly confidence inspiring. Even scarier - I knew more about the car than the so-called manger. He said he'd been working for VW for six years. I perused the VW site for less than a half-hour prior to my visit.
Later, I was put in an occupied cubicle with another salesman who was trying to "close" on the phone with someone else. When the salesman returned and started asking me more questions, the dude on the phone yelled at us - "can't you see I'm in the middle of a conversation here?" At that point, I was ready to leave, thoroughly disgusted by their lack of professionalism. Unfortunately, I allowed myself to be convinced to move to another cubicle, where the "manager" started by asking me what I wanted my monthly payments to be. Anyone familiar with negotiating car pricing should be aware that this is another sleazy dealer tactic as opposed to negotiating the actual sales price of the car. In theory, the salesperson can "lower" your payments to the point that you'll owe far more than the car is actually worth.
Mister Manager continued by quoting MS RP numbers to me that were significantly higher (by at least $3k) than as stated on the VW corporate website - for example, I knew that the car/options I wanted listed for about $28,500 while he was quoting me an MS RP of $31,000. He also had the nerve to tell me he would take off the ridiculous $3k dealer markup (over and above the jacked up prices he was already quoting me) as a "favor."
The last straw came when the guy scrawled some rough figures on a piece of paper, placed an "X" at the bottom and asked me to sign. When I asked him what, exactly, I would be signing, he replied that it would empower him to run my credit and get me the best deal. This was without agreeing on a price or deciding how he would get me the specific model, color and options I was looking for. At that point, I said "thank you," got up and walked out.
He followed, saying he made a call and could have the blue GTI on the lot within two hours. I was through with them by this point.
Later, I found out from a more honest and forthcoming VW dealer that blue is a "late availability" color that can't even be ordered at this point. Just one more piece of complete BS from the folks at Pasadena VW.
Avoid at all costs. read more