Friendly Honda

My experience with Friendly Honda was absolutely horrible. I am a small business owner and was looking to purchase a vehicle that was more fuel efficient. I went to Friendly Honda as my family and I have purchased numerous vehicles from them in the past. Below is a copy of the letter I sent to both the owner of Friendly Honda and Honda Headquarters. February 25, 2013 Eric K., Dealer Principal 1143 Dutchess Turnpike Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 Dear Mr. K., I went to Friendly Honda on Thursday the 21st looking to purchase a vehicle that was more fuel efficient. I met with Shane T. who was assigned as my salesman. I told him I almost didn’t go to Friendly Honda because I had a problem with one of the employees. Shane asked who and I told him Russ T. After discussing my options we scheduled an appointment for me to return the next day. The initial meeting on Thursday went great. I returned Friday and brought my office manager along to assist with the paperwork. I left -------- and Shane to fill in the minute details on the paperwork while I got up and looked around the showroom. I wanted to get a visual of my interior and exterior color options. After Shane showed me additional color options we sat back down to finish filling out the paperwork. We completed the paperwork and as we got up to leave Shane said “If you are ever looking for something else, let me know.” ---------- replied “No, Thanks, you don’t have the type of truck we are looking for.” After discussing the Honda Ridgeline we decided it did not suit our needs and started to heads towards the door. As we were walking out the door, Shane made the comment “No, seriously, I meant I was talking about you were working here.” I asked ---------- if he just said what I really thought he said, which he had. ---------- and I got in my truck and I asked her what happened. She told me while they were filling out paperwork Shane asked her if she was controlling. When she responded “Yes, I like to make sure everything is handled properly.” He replied “Really? We need someone here that has a controlling personality and can handle doing her job. The person we have now up front is horrible. I’ll hire you to work here.” ---------- responded “No, Thank You, I already work full time, and besides, I am happy with Alan.” Shane continued the conversation by saying “I didn’t mean another job, I meant instead of working for Alan.” ---------- again responded “No, thanks.” After relaying that conversation to me, she also told me another conversation Shane initiated and that both conversations made her uncomfortable and put her in a very awkward position. After asking her to work for Friendly Honda, Shane asked if I am easy to get along with. Shane then told ---------- a story that was made up and told to him by Russ. “I was “razzing” another guy and the guy didn’t like what I said so the guy went to the owner of the health club. The owner called Russ, who identified himself to Shane as the manager of the health club (he was only another member, not a manager) and Russ told the owner I “spazzed” out on the guy, basically went nuts on him. What Russ told the owner got Alan kicked out of the health club.” The story that Russ made up and told Shane was completely false and had nothing to do with me purchasing a car at Friendly Honda and the conversation between Shane and Russ should have never happened. What they did was considered gossip and it was highly unprofessional not only for Russ to tell this to Shane, but for Shane to relay this to my employee. Once again, this made her uncomfortable to have the salesman gossiping about her boss. I expected more professional service and was truly shocked and appalled at Shane’s and Russ’s behavior. I immediately returned inside and asked the front desk personnel to speak to a manager and was informed there was not one there at the time. I was however, directed to Jim L., the finance manager. I explained the situation to him but I feel nothing was really resolved and given the attention it deserves. The entire experience was a complete turn off and it made me have doubts about the type of customer service I would receive in the future. This has caused a major disruption in my business and has been quite an unnerving experience. This experience with Shane has left my business manager uncomfortable and hesitant to deal with your company in the future. Shane and Russ not only attacked me and my business but they outright disrespected my office manager as well. I hope you understand the full impact of this situation, business owner to business owner. I did not realize my reputation was going to be tarnished beyond belief and I have not been able to sleep nights re-creating the situation that took place. I did not know my employee was going to get solicited at a car dealership and if I had known in advance I would have rethought my options as to which dealership I was going to purchase from. I work hard to keep my employees and customers happy. Sincerely, ------------------- The name of my office manager has been blanked out for anonymity purposes. Do NOT bring your employees here as they will try to steal them from you!!! After writing this letter to the owner, he does not follow up on instances like these nor does his assistant seem to take these situations seriously. I will NOT be going back to Friendly Honda!!!