Jerry Crockford
6th September 2006, 09:16 PM
I have wanted a convertible for years.
Fancied a SAAB, as I thought that the Astra was overpriced—especially as I had an SS Commodore which was a 'made after 5pm lemon', and figured anything with a Holden badge would be the same.
But then I actually LOOKED at the Astra, (instead of just assuming from a distance!) and realised what a TERRIFIC car it is. Apart from the badge, it really is a European vehicle, and is beautifully made.
Anyway, after much searching, was tossing between a used SAAB and a used Astra, I decided to go for the SAAB.
But, as the email to the SAAB dealer (Who tried to stiff me) below shows, I ended up with the Astra.
And let me tell you, I am absolutely delighted. I'm 45 and should know better, but I just can't get enough of this lovely car. It is sensational to drive, the red leather is just dreamy, the soft top works like a charm. Absolutely magic!
So, for your singing and dancing pleasure, here is the email I sent to the fella at Brisbane Prestige when he tried to pull a swifty on me. While you are reading it, I'm off to the carport to clean my Astra's windscreen one-more-time...
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Re: Saab convertible:
Bernie, Bernie, Bernie,
There is NOTHING that pisses people off than to be told ONE thing on the phone-then be told ANOTHER thing when face-to-face in the store. Like you did to me.
Remember?
It went like this...
You said on the phone that you would:
Pay out the $17K for the SS Commodore.
Sell me the SAAB at the online retail price of $33,990 and
Cover the stamp $650 duty. "Beeeuty!" I thought. "We have a deal". (Hope now up. Enthusiasm on high. Starting to see the SAAB in my garage which is EXACTLY what you wanted, isn't it Bernie?)
So on the strength of our agreement, I grabbed my cheque book, scuttled over to see you and ...
When you got me down there in the showroom where I can smell the leather, you THEN give me the bad news (Using the good guy/bad guy routine with your boss in his glass cage), telling me that you had made a slight mistake, and that you would:
Pay out the $17K for the Commodore.
Sell the SAAB at the online retail price of $33,990 BUT
Not cover the $650 stamp duty after all. And you looked so sad and pained when you shared this little gem with me. (You ought to nominate for a Logie or even an Oscar - I almost felt like whipping out a hankie for you)
Maaaaate ...
Give me a break!
I may LOOK only 21 years old, but I didn't come down in the last shower. You boys were getting me on a string and pulling my chain. You were hoping that I'd just swallow the $650 to keep the dream alive and get the car. "After all" you helpfully explained "It'll only be a dollar or so each month on the lease".
Fact is, BERNIE, you were, in short, trying to smart-arse me into that SAAB. And I'll bet you play that game over and over again.
My response was to remain outwardly calm (customers will do that you know. Ya gotta watch 'em, sneaky little buggers!) while seething on the inside. I smiled goodbye, and off I stumped to pay a deposit on a car elsewhere where they tell it like it is. John Walsh is his name, over at John Sivyer Holden. Nice bloke. You boys could learn a thing or two offa him, let me tell you!
Then, after signing up and giving John my cheque, I shambled off home and vented my spleen about Brisbane Prestige on a couple of them there "what I hate about car dealers" websites. I felt, let me tell you, much better after that.
But you know, it still didn't stop me telling all my buddies at the barbeque on Saturday night about the games they like to play at Brisbane Prestige.
I should point out that the gang were VERY surprised. As we all agreed over a beer, you'd EXPECT silly mind-games like that from a suburban yard flogging off $6,000 cars. But at an inner city dealership for European vehicles? Surprising indeed! But there you go Bernie: Truth is INDEED stranger than fiction!
There was a moment there that we talked about how I ought to:
Tell you on the phone that I was interested,
Get you to come over and
THEN tell you that the missus said I couldn't buy the car after all. (See, Good guy/ Bad girl. It's a twist, but the basics are the same) But alas, I am a straight shooter, so I couldn't bring myself to do it. Would've been fun though, don't you agree?
Anyway, Bernie, I'll love you and leave you ... and look forward to giving Brisbane Prestige SAAB the finger whenever I drive past in the convertible that you DIDN'T sell me.
Cheers, Jerry
PS. One of my barbeque buddies has a SAAB Viggan, which is coming up for a lease renewal in the not-too-distant. You know the model? A little over $100K if my memory serves me right. Unlike me, he doesn't buy used cars. He likes 'em shiny and new. He loves his SAAB, and is looking forward to getting another. But ... not from you son, not from you.
Regards,
Jerry
Fancied a SAAB, as I thought that the Astra was overpriced—especially as I had an SS Commodore which was a 'made after 5pm lemon', and figured anything with a Holden badge would be the same.
But then I actually LOOKED at the Astra, (instead of just assuming from a distance!) and realised what a TERRIFIC car it is. Apart from the badge, it really is a European vehicle, and is beautifully made.
Anyway, after much searching, was tossing between a used SAAB and a used Astra, I decided to go for the SAAB.
But, as the email to the SAAB dealer (Who tried to stiff me) below shows, I ended up with the Astra.
And let me tell you, I am absolutely delighted. I'm 45 and should know better, but I just can't get enough of this lovely car. It is sensational to drive, the red leather is just dreamy, the soft top works like a charm. Absolutely magic!
So, for your singing and dancing pleasure, here is the email I sent to the fella at Brisbane Prestige when he tried to pull a swifty on me. While you are reading it, I'm off to the carport to clean my Astra's windscreen one-more-time...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Re: Saab convertible:
Bernie, Bernie, Bernie,
There is NOTHING that pisses people off than to be told ONE thing on the phone-then be told ANOTHER thing when face-to-face in the store. Like you did to me.
Remember?
It went like this...
You said on the phone that you would:
Pay out the $17K for the SS Commodore.
Sell me the SAAB at the online retail price of $33,990 and
Cover the stamp $650 duty. "Beeeuty!" I thought. "We have a deal". (Hope now up. Enthusiasm on high. Starting to see the SAAB in my garage which is EXACTLY what you wanted, isn't it Bernie?)
So on the strength of our agreement, I grabbed my cheque book, scuttled over to see you and ...
When you got me down there in the showroom where I can smell the leather, you THEN give me the bad news (Using the good guy/bad guy routine with your boss in his glass cage), telling me that you had made a slight mistake, and that you would:
Pay out the $17K for the Commodore.
Sell the SAAB at the online retail price of $33,990 BUT
Not cover the $650 stamp duty after all. And you looked so sad and pained when you shared this little gem with me. (You ought to nominate for a Logie or even an Oscar - I almost felt like whipping out a hankie for you)
Maaaaate ...
Give me a break!
I may LOOK only 21 years old, but I didn't come down in the last shower. You boys were getting me on a string and pulling my chain. You were hoping that I'd just swallow the $650 to keep the dream alive and get the car. "After all" you helpfully explained "It'll only be a dollar or so each month on the lease".
Fact is, BERNIE, you were, in short, trying to smart-arse me into that SAAB. And I'll bet you play that game over and over again.
My response was to remain outwardly calm (customers will do that you know. Ya gotta watch 'em, sneaky little buggers!) while seething on the inside. I smiled goodbye, and off I stumped to pay a deposit on a car elsewhere where they tell it like it is. John Walsh is his name, over at John Sivyer Holden. Nice bloke. You boys could learn a thing or two offa him, let me tell you!
Then, after signing up and giving John my cheque, I shambled off home and vented my spleen about Brisbane Prestige on a couple of them there "what I hate about car dealers" websites. I felt, let me tell you, much better after that.
But you know, it still didn't stop me telling all my buddies at the barbeque on Saturday night about the games they like to play at Brisbane Prestige.
I should point out that the gang were VERY surprised. As we all agreed over a beer, you'd EXPECT silly mind-games like that from a suburban yard flogging off $6,000 cars. But at an inner city dealership for European vehicles? Surprising indeed! But there you go Bernie: Truth is INDEED stranger than fiction!
There was a moment there that we talked about how I ought to:
Tell you on the phone that I was interested,
Get you to come over and
THEN tell you that the missus said I couldn't buy the car after all. (See, Good guy/ Bad girl. It's a twist, but the basics are the same) But alas, I am a straight shooter, so I couldn't bring myself to do it. Would've been fun though, don't you agree?
Anyway, Bernie, I'll love you and leave you ... and look forward to giving Brisbane Prestige SAAB the finger whenever I drive past in the convertible that you DIDN'T sell me.
Cheers, Jerry
PS. One of my barbeque buddies has a SAAB Viggan, which is coming up for a lease renewal in the not-too-distant. You know the model? A little over $100K if my memory serves me right. Unlike me, he doesn't buy used cars. He likes 'em shiny and new. He loves his SAAB, and is looking forward to getting another. But ... not from you son, not from you.
Regards,
Jerry