Bait and Switch ...You be the judge

[Mavster Mechanic]

We have all probably been there. Smarmy salesman who knows he can sell you something you weren't interested in. Thinks the old 75 year old is a mark waiting to be convinced. Not caring the cost in time and .... well read on ...Ahhh so begins the tale:
We drove 4 1/2 hours based on assurances the truck would be ready and could close a deal right then. I offered a credit card to provide earnest money on the deal which was rejected and was sent a dealer Deal Sheet # 12619 listing all costs and final price. He had my cell phone number and I was on time. He waited until I was seated and told me the truck was sold 20 minutes earlier. Then he and a sales manager? tried to sell me a truck that I repeatedly said I was not interested in. I finally told them a price I would consider concerning the outgoing model year and what was below what I could do locally and to "make things right" knowing they would not take it and to show my disgust with how cavalier they were with what had occurred, And car dealers wonder why they are not trusted (2024 KPA Dealership Trust Survey conducted by The Harris Poll). Knowing I was coming, a reasonable salesman would insure the car would be available by placing a temporary hold on anyone selling it until after the time I said I would be there. The process turned into all the appearances of a classic bait and switch where the salesman knew if it was sold he could convince me to buy from older in stock vehicles. The alternative to that manipulation is indifference to buyers time and resources where a day of 2 peoples lives were wasted driving to this dealership. Time is a resource that can't be replaced.
We traveled 244 miles @ 70 cents per mile (IRS mileage rate)=$140.80 round trip $341.60 is a real cost not including eating on the road. They knew I wasn't local so why would they care if I never returned.
Now its your turn to add to the madness with your tale of woe

Name them.

Else this story reads like a book with the last page missing.

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[CJV]

Update
2 main points. I have learned that my temper gets me nowhere, so I kept my cool in the showroom and let them have the opportunity to correct their behavior or dig a deeper hole. They did not put down the shovel.
The dealership customer relations manager contacted me through Google maps on Dec 9 concerning my Google maps review. And I have only communicated with her at this point.
My experience has been the vast majority of dealers I have worked with are professional and this was an abberation. I have not listed the salesman's name or the dealership since both had gotten overall good reviews and this could be an outlier but I recorded it in the dealership Yelp and Google reviews so others could judge for themselves if they researched the dealership. I also filed with the BBB and Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Board.
I bought a 2026 Maverick XL at Randy Marion Ford Statesville NC on Dec 8. They had been my second choice because they advertised some options I neither wanted or needed. After the debacle on Dec 6 I researched the dealership and heard from others who had used the dealership. I then contacted them with my original reservations on their 2026 Maverick concerning options I did not want. They quickly knocked them off the price and assured me the truck would be there. Yes I took their word. Less than 4 hours later I had driven down and bought the truck. No, I did not give in to the lack of trust from the first dealer. I went and did what I had done MANY times in the past with no issues.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Name them.

Else this story reads like a book with the last page missing.

Or why post?

 

[CJV]

The post title "Bait and Switch ...You be the judge" was about a not uncommon occurrence that actually happened. It was not about doxing a particular dealership although that seems to be the consensus that is forming.
The posts are intended to do 2 things for me
1) To get feedback as to whether was it bait and switch or merely an arrogant salesman who could have good reviews through charm as he fleeces the unsuspecting or something else.
2) to serve as a cautionary tale.

I am pursuing redress. I am also placing reviews where potential customers can find them and weigh them up against the other reviews.

 

[ABTremor]

Someone actually thinks Randy Marion is a good place to buy a vehicle????

Plenty of folks I know would disagree on that.

 

[TwoTone]

We have all probably been there. Smarmy salesman who knows he can sell you something you weren't interested in. Thinks the old 75 year old is a mark waiting to be convinced. Not caring the cost in time and .... well read on ...Ahhh so begins the tale:
We drove 4 1/2 hours based on assurances the truck would be ready and could close a deal right then. I offered a credit card to provide earnest money on the deal which was rejected and was sent a dealer Deal Sheet # 12619 listing all costs and final price. He had my cell phone number and I was on time. He waited until I was seated and told me the truck was sold 20 minutes earlier. Then he and a sales manager? tried to sell me a truck that I repeatedly said I was not interested in. I finally told them a price I would consider concerning the outgoing model year and what was below what I could do locally and to "make things right" knowing they would not take it and to show my disgust with how cavalier they were with what had occurred, And car dealers wonder why they are not trusted (2024 KPA Dealership Trust Survey conducted by The Harris Poll). Knowing I was coming, a reasonable salesman would insure the car would be available by placing a temporary hold on anyone selling it until after the time I said I would be there. The process turned into all the appearances of a classic bait and switch where the salesman knew if it was sold he could convince me to buy from older in stock vehicles. The alternative to that manipulation is indifference to buyers time and resources where a day of 2 peoples lives were wasted driving to this dealership. Time is a resource that can't be replaced.
We traveled 244 miles @ 70 cents per mile (IRS mileage rate)=$140.80 round trip $341.60 is a real cost not including eating on the road. They knew I wasn't local so why would they care if I never returned.
Now its your turn to add to the madness with your tale of woe

At 75 years old you should have know not to drive that far without having done the paperwork.

I've purchased several vehicle long distance. No matter what anyone tells you, it isn't yours until you sign paperwork. On the flip side, do you know how many people have probably told the same thing an not show up.

They aren't going to lose a sale hoping you show up.

 

[CJV]

The comment on Randy Marion proves my point about reviews. As far as paperwork goes it has only once been a problem and I would never buy anything I didn't see try /first. When you pay cash you have little recourse on getting your money back. Trust and verify.

 

[First Sergeant]

"get a rope!" Bet you can't name that famous tv commercial. Anyway that was a screw job and they knew it. I have bought a couple vehicles the way you attempted. I was absolutely positive about wanting the vehicle and the mutually agreed price. I insisted on a deposit on my credit card and they agreed. I must have been lucky as it was a flawless experience both times. One of them however, tried to add on a couple things, rust proof, vin etch on window. He just had to try, right? I said no of course and down the road I went. Glad you were able to get a truck at another dealer. Good luck with your new machine!

 

[TwoTone]

The comment on Randy Marion proves my point about reviews. As far as paperwork goes it has only once been a problem and I would never buy anything I didn't see try /first. When you pay cash you have little recourse on getting your money back. Trust and verify.

You can do the paperwork ahead of time and still refuse the vehicle when you get there.

 

[Cherokee]

Maybe you should have made them show you the bill of sale for the truck you wanted, so you could see the date and time of the sale. May have been sold a few days before, which is why they didn’t want your deposit.

That’s not how this went down. There was never a truck that he wanted.
First thing out that greedy bastard salesman’s mouth was a lie.
There is a special place in Hell for that kind of person.

 

[SuperK401]

The post title "Bait and Switch ...You be the judge" was about a not uncommon occurrence that actually happened. It was not about doxing a particular dealership although that seems to be the consensus that is forming.
The posts are intended to do 2 things for me
1) To get feedback as to whether was it bait and switch or merely an arrogant salesman who could have good reviews through charm as he fleeces the unsuspecting or something else.
2) to serve as a cautionary tale.

I am pursuing redress. I am also placing reviews where potential customers can find them and weigh them up against the other reviews.

Small deposit would’ve secured your transaction and made this entire post irrelevant.

 

[710-oil-614]

The post title "Bait and Switch ...You be the judge" was about a not uncommon occurrence that actually happened. It was not about doxing a particular dealership although that seems to be the consensus that is forming.
The posts are intended to do 2 things for me
1) To get feedback as to whether was it bait and switch or merely an arrogant salesman who could have good reviews through charm as he fleeces the unsuspecting or something else.
2) to serve as a cautionary tale.

I am pursuing redress. I am also placing reviews where potential customers can find them and weigh them up against the other reviews.

I'm with others. Your reluctance to name the dealership is a bit absurd. Name them.

 

[710-oil-614]

That’s not how this went down. There was never a truck that he wanted.
First thing out that greedy bastard salesman’s mouth was a lie.
There is a special place in Hell for that kind of person.

What? Yes there was they sent him a dealer sheet for a very specific truck.

 

[NeoPhoenix83]

My thoughts on this:

1) Yes, it's a bait and switch. I've had this happen multiple times where a dealership lists a vehicle that isn't still or has never been on their lot. I remember once inquiring about a truck that "sold yesterday" and it was still listed 30 days later. Thankfully for me, that dealer was only 20 minutes away. The "It just sold" excuse is used to defend themselves from bait and switch, but I doubt they have sales records to support the claim.

2) Ever since the automotive market heated up in 2021 or so, dealerships in general have had less motivation to cater to customers and increased tactics have occurred. I've walked away from multiple deals with add-ons that the dealer refuses to remove, such as $2,000 "paint treatments" or charging $1,000 or more for etching the VIN on the windows.

My advice would be to ignore what has worked in the past, and really try to rely on dealers that you or someone you know well specifically have had good experiences with. I've abandon the wide scope searches and instead have a few sales people that I've worked in the past with who I contact when I'm ready to shop. I tell them what I want, and the price I'm interested in purchasing it at. Then I let those people work to get my business again.

 

[710-oil-614]

My thoughts on this:

1) Yes, it's a bait and switch. I've had this happen multiple times where a dealership lists a vehicle that isn't still or has never been on their lot. I remember once inquiring about a truck that "sold yesterday" and it was still listed 30 days later. Thankfully for me, that dealer was only 20 minutes away. The "It just sold" excuse is used to defend themselves from bait and switch, but I doubt they have sales records to support the claim.

In the purest definition of bait and switch - this is not it. Bait and switch is when a dealer advertises a price that was never available to a buyer. This specific vehicle was available for purchase at the price and it was purchased by someone other than OP.

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