Devastated!! Seeking Advice

Zpoint

I'm sitting here it total shock and stunned at how I have been treated by the local dealership. My story goes back to the Summer of 2008 when I was looking to purchase a new car and test drove the 350z. I liked it but wanted a little more. Thankfully I caught wind of rumors of the 370z and patiently waited. I was able to order the car I wanted in the beginning of '09 but that ended disastrously last Summer. You can read more about it here.

The saving grace of my attempt to purchase the 370z I wanted was that again I caught rumors of a few minor changes plus a new color that really appealed to me (black cherry). I was willing to not only forgo the sales tax write-off for '09 by waiting another season but to also pony up a few hundred more due to the pending price increase.

So I head over to the same reputable dealership, half intending to ask for my deposit back that I paid in February of '09 when the same sales guy gives me some very courteous and apologetic words. I decided to give them another shot. So I yet again order the car, this time even more excited as I have been waiting since roughly July of '08. I'm told it will arrive by roughly mid-March and I can take delivery by mid April at the latest.

So during the past few months, I have been routing my life around this purchase. Probably not the best thing to do but this is a purchase of passion. I could easily buy a much more "practical" car but I already have one of those (Scion). My plan is to have my son start driving my current car when I get the 370z. It's also been stressful as I am going to use my VPP status with my employer to make this purchase and it has been a nail biter at times over the past 21 months. I have often wondered what would happen to my order if I lost my job or changed employers. Also, in the past few months I have deferred certain financial purchases, foregone a weekend trip or two and for the past 8 weeks, worked my butt off with two jobs in order to put down a sizable down payment. As a result of working two jobs, I have had to pass on several special occasions for both family and friends. The bottom line here is that I have made several sacrifices in my personal and financial life. That and I have been very patiently waiting for 21 months to make this purchase.

About 4 weeks ago I call the dealership requesting a status update as I have not heard anything. Again, I expect some type of courtesy call indicating the car is in production, in transit, etc. What I was told was that the car was delayed and would not be arriving until early May. Well that blows a few plans that I had put in place to have the car to use for a surprise for my girlfriend and her birthday (weekend trip). I begrudgingly accepted this and was willing to accept another wait for a few weeks.

I was browsing the local dealer inventory hoping to find a 370z in stock in the black cherry color so I could get a close up look at one. To my surprise, I see the exact car that I ordered! I quickly check with the dealership where I ordered my car and confirmed that it was mine. Yes!!

On Wednesday the 12th of May, I went to the dealership, filled out some paperwork (VPP info, license, insurance, the typical stuff) and got an approximate price. I was told that I would get a call on the 14th with the exact amount once they obtained the license and registration. Delivery was scheduled for Saturday morning at 10am (the 15th). I spent the day moving funds around from savings to checking, verifying my home line of credit was good so I could take out a loan to pay for part of the car not to mention a dozen other things like arranging for a ride to the dealership, etc.

When I got home, I received a call from my sales guy. I figured that it was to tell me the final amount. I called him back and he said that he had bad news. I thought he was joking at first but he finally broke the news. They had mistakenly sold my car to another buyer that day!! He explained that they tried to get the car back to no avail. They were going to look for a replacement but if it's anything like last year, I don't think the car I ordered will be found.

So I sit here beyond furious. My son's 19th birthday was yesterday and I planned on surprising him with the new car (turn the Scion over to him, take some fun rides in the 370z). I have been keeping this car a secret from my girlfriend too and planned on taking a surprise getaway trip in two weeks with her. Summer is just starting here in the north east and I have been looking very forward to getting this car after so much BS and waiting for 21 months!

Yeah I can search for the same car but that didn't pan out last year. I can also buy one that has similar options. Bottom line is that I have been waiting for 21 months, dealer has had my deposit, I've been making sacrifices and here I am mere hours away from taking delivery of a car that I have toiled over only to have it sold by mistake to someone else who is thoroughly enjoying the vehicle that I ordered!!!!

The point of all of this? I want advice from anyone who can offer some. Requesting a refund and walking away is not an option. I have been way too patient and I want all that I can get from this. I am definitely going to talk to and/or write to Nissan regarding this matter at a minimum. I am also contemplating talking to the sales manager directly but I fear that I will lose my cool and get nowhere. If it comes down to me offering up names on this forum and every other forum on the net then so be it. A "sorry" we can get a similar car in a month and here's a free oil change is not even close.

What can I do, who can I talk to? The gloves are off on this one!

tjlazer

Why is requesting a refund and walking away NOT an option? That is exactly what I would do!!! Why cause anymore stress and aggravation for yourself?

At this point in the game, since you are very specific on what you want, I would do a nation wide search for the car you want and be done with it! Purchase a one way ticket and break the Z in on the way home!

I also was specific. I wanted a BLUE Z with Sports package. I waited and luckily found one. I was not wanting any other color.

Good luck!

__________________
2009 370Z Monterey Blue,Nismo Conversion,RE-11's, K&N Typhoon intakes,Blue Kickplates,Homelink,FI 18" CBE,ERZ HFCs,Hotchkis sways, Swift Spec-R, EVO-R Highwing, UPREV

SmoothZ

That is truly crappy. I can't believe they did that. Shouldn't they at least have put some kind of big sign on the car that said "RESERVED!" and tell the sales guys not to sell it?

__________________
"Once you go Asian, you never go Caucasian."

"I talk to myself, and when I do that, I know I'm talking to an intelligent person."

BoostAddict

I would do the same...walk away. This dealer in question already strung you around twice, why go through the torment of them telling you another story to possibly be let down again. There are plenty of dealerships who will do business with you without leading you around. Go online and search dealer inventories. They are now receiving 2010 models as the first few months of the year were for deliveries of anniversary models and roadsters.

Move on, it's clear this dealership doesn't respect you as a customer. Good Luck!

__________________
40th Anniversary 370Z

Zpoint

I was told that there was a "sold" sign on it of sorts. I was boiling when this situation was explained to me and I didn't hear everything clearly. I was also told that there was a mix-up due to the new software system they were using.

To answer the other question, yeah, I could take my deposit and never return but after 21 months, a ton of patience and sacrifice (I just liquidated $25k of my assets this month for the down payment taking a few hits in the process), I refuse to just walk away and say "oh well." Is there a chance that Nissan customer relations will offer any assistance? In the off chance the dealer finds the car I want in the next week, can I get additional discounts? Will they offer me that black GT-R for the same price as my 370z? Do I have any options for filing complaints/leveraging this situation in my favor? If I walk now, I get nothing and I refuse to do so at this point without exploring my options.

SmoothZ

I would use all those good points you made about customer service and give their general manager an earful. Then I would ask for a refund and walk away. They just lost a customer, especially one that was willing to put down a lot of cash (which to me is a waste of money).

__________________
"Once you go Asian, you never go Caucasian."

"I talk to myself, and when I do that, I know I'm talking to an intelligent person."

errett

I would PM Lou or Koeppel and see if they can get you exactly what you want. Call Nissan, but I would be surprised if it does any good. I called Infiniti about my dealership and got a single return call, they left a message, I called them back multiple times and never heard from them again. Local dealership called multiple times, but I had no interest in speaking with them again.

Some dealers rock and some dealers blow. You got stuck with one that blows.

E

Trips

__________________

Chriz

I like this idea

__________________
PW 7AT w/Sports Pkg
Hook Em!

pauley

Getting a refund and walk away is the BEST option. Buying a 30k+ car from a dealer, who from your account, who has given you s#*tty service for 21 months would be stupid. Your rewarding incompatence. There are so many Nissan dealer/internet options to find your Z, use them.
When i was looking for my Z, a few local dealers tried to play games so i said F@*k U. Went online found my car in delaware with no hassle and delivered to my home. Done.

__________________
2009 370Z Blk/Blk Touring/Sport + 2007 G35SModified

SmoothZ

__________________
"Once you go Asian, you never go Caucasian."

"I talk to myself, and when I do that, I know I'm talking to an intelligent person."

Cyberium

I would definitely mention getting the GTR for all your hassles. lol

__________________
Stillen G3 Intakes | F. I TDX

NYBladeZ

Hit up the forum dealers. Since you are hesitant to walk away I think it's early to discuss any possible legal answers. To be honest, if it was me, yeah I would be very upset but I'd find another Z, maybe a different color. I'm not sure exactly what your specific order included but I don't see how it would vary greatly in any major areas other than color.

__________________
2009 Carbon Fiber/Red 370z aka Trish: Sports Package, Meisterschaft full catback, Fast Intentions Longtube Headers, Injen Long Tube Intakes, UpRev Tune: Sold
2008 Lotus Exige S Club Racer aka Bella, always leaves me smiling

shabarivas

dude...

1. I dont understand how you are having trouble finding a z?
2. I dont understand why you cant find another dealership?
3. I dont understand why you are not suing them right now?

Seriously - the dude didnt accidentally sell anything... they got a better price than you are giving them for that Z so they sold it... if you see that car driving around talk to the owner and find out what they said... if you are lucky the dude is local...

FuszNissan

Tough combo, I will see what's out there

__________________
Mods: Too Many to list!
LouFuszNissan
ZDAYZ 2012