Erhard BMW of Farmington Hills

by aikram on 09/21/2011

I have not been to many car dealerships, but I do know that car dealers generally do strive to get your business and make an effort to make a sale. If not that, at least there is some sort of negotiation before the sales person regretfully declines the counter-offer. I got none of that when I went to this dealership. My first interaction was with a guy called Steve. He was reasonably pleasant and showed me some of the specials they were offering on their 328i XDrives (2011). When I probed a bit deeper about the final selling price that these monthly specials translated into, I got very unclear answers. I don't think that was deliberate, but, in the least, it seemed that Steve wasn't very clear about some of the information. Steve went to his manager Mike a few times to get some figures on the final selling price on one of the cars we were interested in (Nothing wrong with that). Upon returning, Steve put down a figure in excess of $600/month 36 month/12K lease payment (including tax) for a 328i XDrive (Premium Package, Navi, XM, Heated Steering and Xenon Lights). This was AFTER incorporating the Special these guys were offering and after the (supposed) additional consideration by the manager. Obviously this was not a figure I was very comfortable with. When I disclosed my sentiments to Steve, he (on two separate occasions) said that "This is not a line in the sand" and implied that he is willing to take a counter offer to his manager, Mike. So when Steve asked if I had a number in mind, I said something to the effect of "Let me do some calculations for you based on the numbers I have on invoice prices and maybe that can help you arrive at a number which is more reasonable". Now this is where it gets interesting. Apparently Mr. Mike was standing behind us all this time (with our backs towards him) and so no sooner had I started doing my calculations, Mr. Mike walks in and introduces himself. I felt obliged to tell him that we were reconsidering the figures to arrive at a more reasonable monthly payment. Mr. Mike replies by saying "We don't advertise ourselves as having the lowest price in town". When I say that I know that and that I am not looking for the lowest price but for a reasonable price, he says something to the effect of "Take it or leave it". All of this, by the way, is happening in front of Steve who, just minuted ago, had told us that we were not looking at a line in the sand. Long story short, Mike is one of the most rude and arrogant sales people that I have come across. When I go to buy a car, I don't expect sales managers to be standing behind my back and listening to everything I say, waiting to interject as they please. Mike should have been courteous enough to talk to me directly about the price if that's what he wanted to do in the first place. Also, I haven't come across any manager who blatantly exclaims as not advertising the lowest price in town! I never said I was looking for the lowest price, only a more reasonable one! I would not recommend any of the my friends or family members to go here to get a BMW. I am not very well averse with how dealerships work, but I know bad customer service when I see it.

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