Bell Audi

I contacted Bell Audi in Edison NJ to inquire about a 2015 Audi S5 they had advertised on their website. I was searching for a pre-owned Audi S5 for several months I knew exactly what I wanted and was prepared to make a cash purchase. I spoke to Ajay Puri, Bell Audi Brand Specialist who checked the availability of the car, and confirmed the internet price. He emailed me a copy of the original window sticker and Carfax report so I could confirm the cars options and vehicle history. We negotiated a fair price for the S5 including my trade which was approved and accepted by his general manager. I told him I was prepared to place a $500.00 deposit on my AMEX card to hold the car and I would present him a certified check for the balance when we took delivery of the car. He told me he would call me back in one hour once he had an opportunity to draft the bill of sale and calculate all of the costs including, tax, tags and administrative fees. When he called back he told me that there was a miscommunication and he could no longer honor the negotiated price. He proceeded to inform me that the new price for the S5 had increased by $3,000.00 which was now higher than the advertised price and the value of my trade had decreased by $1,000.00. He proceeded to tell me that if I wanted to purchase the car it was going to cost an additional $4,000.00 from our previously negotiated price. He begins to start the negotiation all over again by suggesting that his manager would discount another $1,000.00 if we did the deal today. I thought we already had a deal but I guess Bell Audi is exempt from honoring a verbal offer and acceptance. I insisted that he honor our original agreement but he refused. I am simply amazed how this dealership finds it acceptable to waste my time negotiating a fair deal only to rescind it prior to issuing a deposit. If a dealership is unwilling to honor their commitments during the pre-sale how can you possibly trust they will honor their commitments after the sale? I am further surprised that a quality car maker like Audi would tolerate any dealer who demonstrates such deceitful business practices. How can Audi possibly retain brand loyalty when dealers like Bell Audi continue to tarnish their good name? I can assure you that I will never do business with Bell Audi and I will certainly discourage my friends, family, colleagues and business associates from doing business with them as well. If you are in the market for an Audi I would suggest finding a dealer who respects you, your time and values your business because it is clearly not Bell Audi.