Very frustrated...did I overreact?

[RustyNail19]

I have been browsing through these forums for probably a year and a half and wanting to get a Camaro of my own. Well today it was supposed to happen, but unfortunately did not. :(

I've known what I wanted for a while now, a 2012 black 2SS/RS auto w/ sunroof. I had a GM offer of $1,500 off and have been looking for the past couple months. With the 2013s coming out, I couldn't order and it was hard to find exactly what I was looking for. There were a couple around me, but one had 600 miles and the other had over 1,000 which just seems ridiculous for a brand new car.

Well about a week and a half ago I find the perfect car. Located in Chicago at Castle Chevrolet, only down side is it's about a 5 hour drive. All of their Camaros are on sale and this one is about 3k off MSRP. To top it all off, it's showing in transit from GM. I immediately call and have it held. The guy takes my information, including my debit card info, and tells me that if someone shows interest they will charge $1,000 to the card. I say no problem.

We exchange multiple emails confirming the sale price. He says nobody will be able to drive it when it comes in, almost as good as ordering it myself since it has the exact specifications I want and won't have hardly any miles on it. I was supposed to pick it up last weekend but was unable to make it, again due to the drive, and said I would for sure be there today as my offer expires. He said no problem they could hold it until today.

First, I get slightly concerned when I see the car listed on their website and it shows 31 miles on it. I confirm that it's being held and ask him if he can verify how many miles are on the car. After ignoring the question in a couple of emails he finally verifies that there are 31 miles on it. I thought about asking why so many but decide it isn't really that big of a deal.

Fast forward to today. My wife and I drive 5 hours to the dealership. First of all, about 15 minutes before arriving, the salesman calls and asks how close we are. I tell him about 15 minutes away and he says he may be in a meeting but to just ask for him and he will step out. When I get there, I'm told he's at another one of their locations today and someone different is going to take care of me. Okay a little strange but again, not a big deal. Then it get's interesting.

I go to check out the car and immediately I notice it has almost 300 miles on it. So I ask about it and tell him I specifically asked about this and was told 31 miles. He's like oh uh well, hold on let me see. Says something about the owner possibly borrowing it. Walks away, comes back and says yeah um I guess he took it for a few days. Now I'm pissed, I'm already getting a bad vibe from these guys and am now being told that the owner had this car out. I tell him we're going to grab some lunch before deciding. He then goes and grabs a manager who gives me some line about them taking the Camaros and Corvettes to a big car show in some town up North. Then the other guy mentions the owner taking it out which turns into well the owner's son had it for a few days.

After discussing it with my wife and brother-in-law over lunch, I ended up walking away. I'm so frustrated because it was a great deal but feel like I was lied to and deceived. I also don't like the idea of some owner's son taking a brand new Camaro SS and joyriding it for a few days, especially when a deposit was already put down (or made available) for it.

So am I overreacting? Because right now I'm pissed. I drove 10 hours today, spent money getting there and on the turnpike tolls, and it was all for nothing. I'm pretty sure these miles were put on prior to me asking and that's why the original salesman kept blowing me off. I should mention, the new salesman offered to give me 10 cents per mile for a whopping $26! They acted like it wasn't really a big deal, just a couple hundred miles. He promised me nothing was wrong with the car. I told him it was the principle of the whole thing.

So should I have walked or just bought the car? Do I have a right to be angry?

[Kiss My SS]

You did the right thing to walk away, mainly because they lied to you just to get you there.

[camaro_RS]

I would have walked away for sure. They don't deserve your business IMO.

[Johng57]

You did the right thing....

[buzzy56]

Just chalk it up to a very bad experience.Bad deal all the way around.Just part of what customers have to deal with now days.Cost you yes , but you are better off without that car and that dealer.Keep the faith, your's is out there.

[chevy 3]

That def woulda pist me off. You did the right thing. I always here good things about Becky at Rogers Chevrolet. They ship to you + . There on here a lot.

[Dizzy82]

Shady dealership, you did right. Good things come to those who wait.

[camarozzzz]

Originally Posted by RustyNail19

I have been browsing through these forums for probably a year and a half and wanting to get a Camaro of my own. Well today it was supposed to happen, but unfortunately did not. :(

I've known what I wanted for a while now, a 2012 black 2SS/RS auto w/ sunroof. I had a GM offer of $1,500 off and have been looking for the past couple months. With the 2013s coming out, I couldn't order and it was hard to find exactly what I was looking for. There were a couple around me, but one had 600 miles and the other had over 1,000 which just seems ridiculous for a brand new car.

Well about a week and a half ago I find the perfect car. Located in Chicago at Castle Chevrolet, only down side is it's about a 5 hour drive. All of their Camaros are on sale and this one is about 3k off MSRP. To top it all off, it's showing in transit from GM. I immediately call and have it held. The guy takes my information, including my debit card info, and tells me that if someone shows interest they will charge $1,000 to the card. I say no problem.

We exchange multiple emails confirming the sale price. He says nobody will be able to drive it when it comes in, almost as good as ordering it myself since it has the exact specifications I want and won't have hardly any miles on it. I was supposed to pick it up last weekend but was unable to make it, again due to the drive, and said I would for sure be there today as my offer expires. He said no problem they could hold it until today.

First, I get slightly concerned when I see the car listed on their website and it shows 31 miles on it. I confirm that it's being held and ask him if he can verify how many miles are on the car. After ignoring the question in a couple of emails he finally verifies that there are 31 miles on it. I thought about asking why so many but decide it isn't really that big of a deal.

Fast forward to today. My wife and I drive 5 hours to the dealership. First of all, about 15 minutes before arriving, the salesman calls and asks how close we are. I tell him about 15 minutes away and he says he may be in a meeting but to just ask for him and he will step out. When I get there, I'm told he's at another one of their locations today and someone different is going to take care of me. Okay a little strange but again, not a big deal. Then it get's interesting.

I go to check out the car and immediately I notice it has almost 300 miles on it. So I ask about it and tell him I specifically asked about this and was told 31 miles. He's like oh uh well, hold on let me see. Says something about the owner possibly borrowing it. Walks away, comes back and says yeah um I guess he took it for a few days. Now I'm pissed, I'm already getting a bad vibe from these guys and am now being told that the owner had this car out. I tell him we're going to grab some lunch before deciding. He then goes and grabs a manager who gives me some line about them taking the Camaros and Corvettes to a big car show in some town up North. Then the other guy mentions the owner taking it out which turns into well the owner's son had it for a few days.

After discussing it with my wife and brother-in-law over lunch, I ended up walking away. I'm so frustrated because it was a great deal but feel like I was lied to and deceived. I also don't like the idea of some owner's son taking a brand new Camaro SS and joyriding it for a few days, especially when a deposit was already put down (or made available) for it.

So am I overreacting? Because right now I'm pissed. I drove 10 hours today, spent money getting there and on the turnpike tolls, and it was all for nothing. I'm pretty sure these miles were put on prior to me asking and that's why the original salesman kept blowing me off. I should mention, the new salesman offered to give me 10 cents per mile for a whopping $26! They acted like it wasn't really a big deal, just a couple hundred miles. He promised me nothing was wrong with the car. I told him it was the principle of the whole thing.

So should I have walked or just bought the car? Do I have a right to be angry?

Friend, you did the right thing. This is a professional dealership that sells cars if they are lending out cars that you had a deposit on already then clearly something is up and they do not value their customers.

If it was me in your position I would contact GM, or whoever is higher up and make sure they understand how dissatisfied you are and how they just lost a huge sale from you. I would emphasize how unprofessional this was.

I has the same situation happen to me when shopping for my 2011. The dealer promised me a pre-owned problem free Camaro - told me the previous owner did not break anything/ no problems existed. When I tried it out it broke down in the first 4 miles...I walked right out of there, after having withdrawn all of my deposit etc. They called me a week later saying what the problem was, I told them to save it for the next customer. Should have known when I saw that the price was TOO good to be true, meaning that they knew something was up but preferred to hide it.

[coloeb]

If you don't mind, what was the dealership and area? Would not hurt to be on notice if someone here were fixing to do a deal.

[_Nick_]

The salesman's car would have mysteriously caught fire if I drove 5 hours and the car wasn't exactly as described.

[STuRTzz]

A had a private offer and i used it two days before it expired. Then I got an even better private offer like 3 days later. Patience is key and if your not happy with a certain car, wait till you find the perfect one.

[MagnumForceGB]

Originally Posted by camarozzzz

If it was me in your position I would contact GM, or whoever is higher up and make sure they understand how dissatisfied you are and how they just lost a huge sale from you. I would emphasize how unprofessional this was.

+1 on this.

[ss04flores]

I would have walked away also. Youll find yours.

[TRIPWIRE]

you did the right thing that is just honestly rediculous i cant believe they call themselves a business and try that shit with people i would been all like and

[JoansDriver]

I wouldn't have walked away. I would have attempted to use the deceit as a chance to haggle them down. Make them drop their pants on the sale. If they don't budge, then you walk. Don't blame you for being pissed, however.

[zkdreads]

with that bs. you shouldve got an EVEN BETTER DEAL! dont understand why companys cant just be honest. they couldve said owners son drove it. sorry about that but heres another $500 off. SOMETHING. we will throw in an oil change coupon. SOMETHING! i wouldve walked away AND DEMANDED for gas money lol

[squat]

Name the dealer on here and call GM and complain. 1/3 of the dealers were closed down a few years ago, maybe these guys should've been on that list...

[mcbeth15]

You absolutely did the right thing. Don't settle for anything less than what you want. It's your money to spend as you wish. But do others a favor and let GM know exactly what happened and how you feel. I'm sure they don't want dealers like that representing them. It's just not good business.

[swagled]

I agree with the others. The dealership owner had an unprofessional attitude towards his inventory. You probably would have become aggravated at another stage of your interactions there during the sale closing, or in warranty service.

[Kiss My SS]

I honestly wish there was a way that consumers could go pick up their vehicle right from the factory and not have to deal with some of these shady dealers

[5ohcamaro]

always go with your gut feeling. sucks you drove 5 hours to get there but thats a lot of money that would be on the line. i would of done the same thing my friend.

[doubletap407]

You were totally right in being mad and walking away! Wait for the right one you wont be sorry !

[Mikey193]

Nah you didn't, but there really was a big camaro and corvette show in St Charles they weren't lying lol

[Wantconvertible]

I would have walked also

Call Becky get one ordered and shipped

[ls3ss]

I'll bet that those were 300 very hard miles, and if you measured the tread there would be some missing. I wouldn't want my care broken in that way.