Date:         Tue, 10 Oct 2000 23:41:29 -0700
Reply-To:     Bjorn Ratjen <Bjorn@IGLIDE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bjorn Ratjen <Bjorn@IGLIDE.NET>
Subject:      yet another VW-dealer-jerk story (long)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hello Volks,

Friends of mine who are retired and are just selling their house were
looking for a good car to travel and live in. They owned a 1986 Syncro
Crewcab (rebuild engine) and a 1990 Westfalia Vanagon (175000 kms)
Automatic. They would really like a good Syncro Westie.

The VW dealership in Nanaimo, BC (Harbourview) sold them a 1997 Winnebago
Eurovan with VR6 (37900 kms) for can$46995. They took both of their
vehicles in trade for a total of can$20500. After tax and extended warranty
this left their bill at can$33000. (Note: the same vehicle is currently
offered at the Victoria dealership for can$41900).

They tried the Winnebago Eurovan for almost two weeks and did not like it.
In the meantime the dealer had done repairs to their Westfalia totalling
can$7200 retail (engine replacement, new tires, new sliding door) with
another can$2000 still to come for paint jobs. Their Syncro had all CV
joints replaced and new brakes (I would estimate this at about $2000). 

My friends offered to pay can$12000 for all repairs plus can$3000 for use
of the Eurovan in order to reverse the trade. The dealer offered a return
value af the Eurovan at can$36000 and they could buy their Vanagon back
valued at can$18500 and they would get can$17500 back from their cheque.
This would basically mean that they would pay can$15500 (33000-17500) for
repairs totalling less than can$10000 and loose their Syncro crewcab. The
owner of the dealership insists that he is now owning the Syncro Crewcab
and he proudly said that he intends to fully restore it. (He knows that he
will make money on that one.)

When I heard the story I was quite offended and offered help with
negotiations. After about three hours and ridiculous posturing and inuendo
on the salesman's part, twists and turns where they wanted to sell their
version as a good deal, they basically said: too bad. I have to say that my
friends are very honest people who do not have much experience with dealing
and wheeling. It was very hard on them as they also are giving up their
home and were under time pressure.

After a couple more pushes the dealer finally suggested an alternate
option: to guarantee a buyback value of can$38000 as a trade in and first
dibs on a Westfalia Vanagon when available. (That's where the whole game
will start again of course when values are inflated as needed.) 

Apart from the financial loss it also leaves the bad taste, when honest
elderly people - who are maybe not up to speed when it comes to negotiating
and are not always aware of the pitfalls - are being taken for a ride for
someone else's profit.

I just wanted to vent this and hopefully this serves as warning for others
in dealing with car dealerships. Forget customer satisfaction and all the
advertised lies, prepare for a trip through the jungle.

Björn



Björn Ratjen
Mill Bay, B.C.

1987 Vanagon Syncro est alia (self camperized, TDI wannabe)
1978 VW Bulli (self camperized)
1995 Passat TD Wagon (hers)
1970 VW Beetle (son's)