Why you should never do business with Town and Country BMW
Yes this could be construed as another consumer rant, but I really believe this organization has a high level of institutional dysfunction. Long story short, Albert Holtzman was my sales representative he offered me a price on a new BMW 3.28 2012 sedan. The price sounded fair so I accepted it. I would go without a car for a week (my other lease was up) while they shipped it in from another dealership but I live on the subway line so I didn't bother asking for a loaner and they didn't volunteer one anyway.
After sorting out the insurance on my soon to be new vehicle, go through the credit apps etc. it was finally time to collect my new car. When I originally sat down with Albert I pressed him on the bluetooth audio capability of the new vehicle which he said it supported. Finding the description of the BMW assist with bluetooth audio option's description somewhat misleading I followed up with an email prior to signing the sales agreement. Here is a transcript of the conversation verbatim:
Hi Albert,
One thing I need to be clear on is that in the absents of the BMW assist with extended bluetooth package that I can do the following:
1) Make and receive bluetooth calls through the phones media interface and
2) Stream bluetooth audio through the cars stereo
Can you please confirm that this is the case.
Thanks,
Mathew
His reply:
Yes and yes to both questions. Let me know if you require further. Look forward to receiving documents sent you.
Regards,
Albert
So I get in the car and it cannot stream bluetooth audio. A really big deal. So did BMW profusely apologize? Offer me a loaner? try and get me a new vehicle? No they first came out with this is the car take it or leave it. Now Albert didn't strike me as the brightest individual on the planet so I thought I'd find a manager. Now I didn't find a manager but I did find a very poor excuse for one in John Gotzamanis. I Showed him the email and asked if he could help make things right. A loaner car and a new vehicle with the option I wanted that I would gladly pay for. The manager at first feigns sympathy tells me to wait a few minutes and he'll see what he can do. Then he approached me outside the dealership surrounded by dozens of brand new and used BMWs and with a straight face he tells me they have no car to lend me. I then rather loudly point out how we happen to be surrounded by cars his dealership owns and could lend me. After noticing my somewhat angrier demeanor immediately responds they have a car for me to use. The lesson to take home here kids is if you need a car from BMW after they materially misrepresent themselves in negotiations all you need to do is lose your temper and take a few years off your life to get one. I told the rather slimy John Gotzamanis that I was not here to negotiate with over what at any other self respecting institution would be routine and basic customer service and promptly left.