He had spent the day with his elderly aunt, helping her buy a new car. She wanted something small and economical, to replace her 1999 Chevy that had 3900 miles on it. I'm not kidding. Unfortunately, it had so many things wrong with it, it was going to cost more to fix than the blue book price. By the end of the day, they had it narrowed down to a Honda Civic and a Hyundai Elantra.
They visited both dealerships twice, and they both took test drives. Finally, his aunt decided that she was more comfortable behind the wheel of the Civic. This was at the Hyundai dealership, after she'd driven the Elantra. My husband said that the car salesman had been very kind and knowledgeable, so they went back inside to thank him, but tell him that she was choosing another car. (You see where this is headed, right?)
Well, the salesman was gracious and thanked them for coming in. They were walking out when they see the sales manager. He was in one of those clear glass offices, with another customer. As they were headed towards the door, the sales manager stands up and heads their way, asking where they are going. My husband repeated that his aunt had chosen another car. To which the manager says (in a very loud voice), "Are you kidding me? A Honda? Good luck at the repair shop!" And he storms back into his office. My husband was taken aback, to say the least. He walked his aunt out to his car and went back inside.........
To confront the offensive party, because my husband doesn't take crap! He walked into the guy's glass office (don't you love the irony?) and told the guy that that was the most unprofessional thing he's every experienced. Do you think an apology was offered? Nope, the guy hem hawed around, saying how 'frustrating it was' and 'Car & Driver say this and that'..........um, isn't that the nature of sales? That many times, the customer is going to choose another car?
I was rather shocked by the whole story. First, that a manager would be so rude, and secondly, that he would act that way in front of other customers. I wonder what those other customers thought when my husband said he currently owns four Hondas and they are the most reliable cars we've ever driven?
A bully is a bully is a bully. Screw 'im. . .
ReplyDeleteIf you're losing sales to Honda, figure out why customers prefer Hondas, and make yer own cars more competitive. Hard lesson (which my own company is just getting around to learning), and unfortunately for the sales manager, it happens WAY upstream of him. . .
(Tho I still might've wished his auntie had gone with another Chevy. . .)
;)
And, she drives 300 miles/year? Sheesh, I go farther than that in two days. . .
First of all, WOW! I think it's amazing that your aunt got 3900 miles out of her Chevy. Yet, I can believe it because I once owned a Chevy (Nova) and that thing lasted me for years and years and years. I was so sad when I finally had to get a new car.
ReplyDeleteAnd BRAVO to your husband for marching himself into the sales managers office and telling him what he thought!
*three loud cheers*
That's another reason why I love no longer having a car. Buying one can be one of the most horrific experiences because you have to always be on-guard to the 'sale experience."
Craig - Well, when you are 90 years old, you basically go to mass, the bank and the grocery store. She's amazingly sharp and spry, so it's great that she goes anywhere!
ReplyDeleteRon - My first car was a '72 Chevy Nova! I have no idea how many miles it had on it when my parents junked it in 1985, but it was a lot!
Bully is the word for sure, Craig. It seems to go with the territory, I know many who were bullies growing up and ended up in some sort of sales position, cars being one of the more popular.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I have me some fun with 'em now. When my mother gave up her car her one regret was that she'd never get to watch me deal with the salespeople again .... :-)
Good for your husband. Bullies should always be confronted, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteX - Fortunately, we buy from the same person every time we want a new Honda (the mom of a girl my husband used to coach), so we haven't had to deal with any recently. Should have just gone that route again, but he wanted his aunt to have a choice in cars.
ReplyDeleteMe - Funny that everyone is labeling the guy a bully. I was thinking more along the lines of another example of crappy customer service, but maybe I'm wrong.
What Craig said. Instead of making snide remarks about Hondas needing repairs, he should find out why people prefer Hondas and don't want a Hyundai. That way he might actually sell a few more cars. Though I've also heard that Hondas are very reliable.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, he's a bully because bullying is basically about undermining someone's self-confidence. Which is what he was trying to do.
You got to tell 'em like it is...
ReplyDeleteI got to give your hubby my kudos.
My hubby & I are like Ron; we no longer have a car and don't regret it at all. When we need one, we rent and we get by just fine in this big city.
Nick - I suppose you're right about bullying. I just can't imagine my husband being the victim of a bully (brains over brawn thing!)
ReplyDeleteBarb - Unfortunately, life in the 'burbs doesn't lend itself to walking anywhere except for leisure.
Intimidation is what bullies do. . .
ReplyDeleteCraig - True. I usually associate bullying with making fun of or picking on someone else. But there are people who 'intimidate' me who are by no means trying to bully me (such as a doctor). Maybe I should rethink my title?
ReplyDeleteWell, it looks like your husband absolutely wasn't a victim as he confronted the guy and rejected his stroppy attitude. Good for him.
ReplyDeleteBut your doctor isn't trying to intimidate you. . . I hope. . .
ReplyDeleteAnd, what nick said. . .
Good for your man for taking that sales manager to task on his impudence.
ReplyDeleteSome people!!
what a jerk. i am glad your husband gave his thoughts on the matter. i'd take it a step further and notify whoever is above the manager.
ReplyDeleteThat was so nice of your husband to help his aunt AND to stand up to that guy. Even though he didn't apologize, maybe he'll think about how he acted in the future and be different with customers. Well, probably not likely, but one can hope. lol
ReplyDeleteWe have to consider car shopping soon. I dread it. Even though we got a decent price on our last couple cars (discounted leftover type deal), hubby is considering a lease this time so we have more info. to research I guess.
That's nuts - you'd think the sales manager would want to be more circumspect in front of other customers.
ReplyDeleteAnd you can't go wrong with a Honda.