I was again contacted by the owner of Honda of Champaign on 7/14/2014. The owner, Ben once again apologized for the situation that developed when I tried to purchase a vehicle from his dealership last year. The fact that his salesman made a deal with out any approval from the sales manager or the owner was a clear overstepping of authority by an employee.
Ben really seems like a good person who is doing his best to turn around a dealership that has lacked a direction and a vision for a very long time. Customer satisfaction is a huge concern of his and how I was treated was not acceptable. Ben did not have to contact me again and apologize, but he did take the time out of his schedule in order to repar the damage that had been done by a gross error. The salesman who made that agreement was let go and has never stepped foot in his dealership again.
I told the owner that I still thought that my original deal should have been honored, even though what happened was clearly a situation of an employee overstepping his authority. I empathize with that situation, however that salesman was working under the flag of his ownership and should have been honored. For me personally, I will do business elsewhere, but I also understand the perspective of the owner. I really believe this dealership is highly professional and like all of us, we learn from mistakes. I am positive if the owner could rewind the clock and change things, he certainly would do that.
I would think a customer could find a fair deal at this car dealership and no doubt after my expiereince, customer satisfaction is paramount.