[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by WickedBMW

Autonation, is becoming powerhouse and that is not good for sales. It's another dealership that will corner market just like Carmax. You will not be able to negotiate prices whatsoever.

At least in the Seattle area, the Autonation BMW Porsche Mercedes dealers tend to have very arrogant salespeople and don't have interest in negotiating. My family has gotten significantly more well-equipped cars for lower prices from California or Portland, OR.

Just a couple weeks ago I went to their empty BMW dealer on a Sunday morning and inquired about the 2-series coupe but got completely blown off by the salesman. They love to act busy despite not doing shit.

[WickedBMW]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

At least in the Seattle area, the Autonation BMW Porsche Mercedes dealers tend to have very arrogant salespeople and don't have interest in negotiating. My family has gotten significantly more well-equipped cars for lower prices from California or Portland, OR.

Just a couple weeks ago I went to their empty BMW dealer on a Sunday morning and inquired about the 2-series coupe but got completely blown off by the salesman. They love to act busy despite not doing shit.

What gets me is people will go back to same place to buy their cars anyway instead walking away. Giant corporations don't care about negative reviews because they know a buyer will come because there are no other places to go.

I personally refuse to give money to anyone with piss poor customer service and immoral business. That's why I've boycotting Nike since 2001 and Adidas since 2017 (recent revelation).

I'm a huge MUFC fan, but when Nike sponsored them, I didn't buy any MU products and will continue to boycott because of the current sponsor; adidas.

[DocL]

I have three cars, all of which the dealerships are Autonation. I've been pleasantly surprised at the good customer service I've had from all three: Mercedes, BMW, and Chevy. It also helps that I ask for the same SA each time and give a $20 tip.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by WickedBMW

What gets me is people will go back to same place to buy their cars anyway instead walking away. Giant corporations don't care about negative reviews because they know a buyer will come because there are no other places to go.

We as consumers should in theory demand more, but reality often prevents it. My family and I will negotiate with different dealers for months and annoy the hell out of them to get a fair deal. But most people understandably want to make car buying as painless and convenient as possible.

In say the Seattle area where I referenced earlier, there are maybe three BMW dealers. Nobody wants to go through the hassle of buying a car sight unseen from California and paying a grand or two to ship it north. So as a result those three Seattle area dealers could give less of a damn about ordering inventory in interesting color combinations, negotiating on price, or even giving you their time of day.

[jmg]

One of the dealerships I frequent became an Autonation dealership not too long ago. I was worried, and there was a big shift in customer service around that time. I chalked it up to an adjustment period. I've gone there a few times since and they were without incident. In fact, the service was pretty good. I can't speak for everyone else though, yelp reviews range from 4 to 5 stars to 0 stars. Granted, most of the bad ratings are from sales, not service, but not all.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by WickedBMW

What gets me is people will go back to same place to buy their cars anyway instead walking away. Giant corporations don't care about negative reviews because they know a buyer will come because there are no other places to go.

I personally refuse to give money to anyone with piss poor customer service and immoral business. That's why I've boycotting Nike since 2001 and Adidas since 2017 (recent revelation).

I'm a huge MUFC fan, but when Nike sponsored them, I didn't buy any MU products and will continue to boycott because of the current sponsor; adidas.

I don't know where you are from but here in greater Phoenix there are multiple dealerships for every make. For example, there are at least 4 different BMW and Mercedes dealerships. So in a big city like Phoenix, there are lots of places to go.

You do know how to keep a grievance going.

[RCtennis3811]

Here in Dallas, I try and avoid BMW of Dallas. It's never a pleasant experience. I drive 25+ miles each way to either BMW of Grapevine (owned by the Sewell family which runs a bunch of luxury dealers in the state) or Classic BMW in Plano. Now Classic's service, which is also family-run, was starting to dwindle, but thankfully they were just bought out by Sewell. So now there are 2 close family-run BMW dealers in the burbs with excellent service and one 3 miles from me with abhorrent service. Nice.

[AutoCity]

Unfortunately between Auto nation and lithia both public traded company are buying up top grossing dealers in country to higher there bottom line which highers there stock price. Bill Gates big investor in Auto Nation.
Sucks when big Corp. takes over mom and pop proof is in the pudding.

[KevinC]

Bill Gates is an AutoNation investor? Wow. Now I'll definitely stay away.

[overcoil]

My local BMW Autonation dealership just sent me the cutest personalized video with my name and car interspersed throughout.
Think they won me over. I'm due for my yearly maintenance visit so I guess I have to go.

[FC4]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Bill Gates is an AutoNation investor? Wow. Now I'll definitely stay away.

George Soros has his hand in it as well.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by FC4

George Soros has his hand in it as well.

It all started with Benghazi.

[GoldfishTX]

Originally Posted by DocL

I have three cars, all of which the dealerships are Autonation. I've been pleasantly surprised at the good customer service I've had from all three: Mercedes, BMW, and Chevy. It also helps that I ask for the same SA each time and give a $20 tip.

This is sarcasm, right? You tip your SA when you go in?

[F32_Sierra]

Personally my extended family and myself have had nothing but GREAT experiences with Autonation. Penske-owned Toyota turned a blind eye to me when my 435i was not drivable in less than two weeks from purchase, but nothing crazy as the initial sales experience was decent.

[DocL]

Originally Posted by GoldfishTX

This is sarcasm, right? You tip your SA when you go in?

I always tip the SA. Why wouldn't you? The $20 is a worthwhile investment. When my car was making a strange noise from the rear end, he made the decision to goo straight to the district manager to get a new differential. I didn't have to wait weeks while my car sat there gathering dust outside.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by DocL

I always tip the SA. Why wouldn't you? The $20 is a worthwhile investment. When my car was making a strange noise from the rear end, he made the decision to goo straight to the district manager to get a new differential. I didn't have to wait weeks while my car sat there gathering dust outside.

"It's not tipping I believe in. It's overtipping."

Steve Martin in My Blue Heaven.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by DocL

I always tip the SA. Why wouldn't you? The $20 is a worthwhile investment. When my car was making a strange noise from the rear end, he made the decision to goo straight to the district manager to get a new differential. I didn't have to wait weeks while my car sat there gathering dust outside.

Didn't even know this was a thing...

Can I has some tips too?

[DocL]

Originally Posted by RM7

Didn't even know this was a thing...

Can I has some tips too?

Here's a tip: Start tipping.

[JIMN9NE]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Bill Gates is an AutoNation investor? Wow. Now I'll definitely stay away.

Seriously, Gates thinks we should all be eating synthetic beef

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by F32_Sierra

Personally my extended family and myself have had nothing but GREAT experiences with Autonation. Penske-owned Toyota turned a blind eye to me when my 435i was not drivable in less than two weeks from purchase, but nothing crazy as the initial sales experience was decent.

Interesting. I have always had positive experience with Penske but I have used the North Scottsdale foreign car collection and there is no Toyota dealership in that collection and I note that you live on the West side.

[F32_Sierra]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

Interesting. I have always had positive experience with Penske but I have used the North Scottsdale foreign car collection and there is no Toyota dealership in that collection and I note that you live on the West side.

I'll modify your notes for you...

https://www.penskeautomall.com/surprise/

[21F90M5C]

I do tip the SA too
Psychologically makes me think that the car will be treated much better by doing so…heh heh
Actually, I think it helps because I would go in and ask for some task that will require just a little labor at their end and the SA will help ensure its free of charge

Originally Posted by DocL

I always tip the SA. Why wouldn't you? The $20 is a worthwhile investment. When my car was making a strange noise from the rear end, he made the decision to goo straight to the district manager to get a new differential. I didn't have to wait weeks while my car sat there gathering dust outside.