Why? Well let me backtrack just a bit, first. Technically, we own 3 cars. Realistically, we only own one. The kids have taken over the other 2 – which is how it was intended, which is why the other 2 cars are Saturns. Bottom of the line, Saturns. (&, for what it’s worth, you truly do get what you pay for.
Our car is a 14 year old Toyota Camry. We got the car right around the same time we got the dog. On a trip to the vet, the new puppy puked in the backseat. That was the end of the new car smell for that car. But the car has served us well. I love my Camry, in spite of it being the oldest car we own.
Our plan was to get a new car next year. The Camry still ran fine & although the thought of a shiny new car thrilled me, I could hold out. Besides, maybe the 14 year old dog would be going home to Jesus soon, never needing to ride in my car again. Then, about a month ago (as those of you on Facebook know) the dog decided to have an accident in the back of my car. It was a very messy, nasty accident.
I will say the car’s backseat, after being scrubbed, was cleaner than it’s been in a long time. Still… the idea of anyone sitting back there repulsed me. I just couldn’t let anyone sit back there. The car essentially turned into a 2-seater. And that’s just not really convenient. We decided to just go ahead and buy a new car now instead of waiting.
I knew exactly what I wanted, a Honda Accord. I did my research. I got to ride around in one during my trip to Atlanta in April. That was going to be my next car. Frank & I discussed it. We discussed price & agreed on a particular figure. I then went to the dealer on Tuesday. The salesperson I dealt with was a woman. I thought that was good. She’d treat me as an equal, not as a dumb woman who didn’t know anything about cars.
I checked out the Accord. The figure she gave me was in our range. I took it for a spin. That was the car. After calling Frank up, we decided it was a done deal & that we’d come in to finalize everything today.
After I got home, I realized I didn’t have the VIN, which I would need for the insurance. It occurred to me later that she should have given it to me without me having to ask for it. After all, she knew I would need that.
When we got in there this morning, she asks me if I have the insurance card. Yep. She asks me if I have something else. I forget what. Uh, no. Shouldn’t you have mentioned I would need that? I also had the original title but not the updated one that showed the car was paid off. The woman had a problem with that. Again, she should have mentioned that before today, no? She wanted us to call the loan company. Uh, they no longer exist and besides, you just ran a credit check on us so you know there is nothing outstanding. Idiot. (No, I didn’t say that but I did think it.)
It turns out none of those things were an issue so after 4 hours, yes FOUR freaking hours, they had our car ready. I asked about the cut off switch for the alarm because every car we’ve ever had has had an issue with us needing to kill the alarm at some point. “Oh, this car doesn’t come with an alarm.” Uh, I’m pretty sure it’s standard but whatever. I just wanted to get the hell out of there.
We drive it home. As I’m getting out of the car, I see a sticker on the window that I point out to Frank. It says there is an alarm. Apparently the girl knows nothing about the cars she sells. How damn stupid can you be to sell cars without knowing about them. I knew more than she did about the different models and the differences between them.
Then I’m putting stuff in the car – tissues, maps, important things like that. I open the trunk to put in a first aid kit & a roll of paper towels. there’s something shiny in there. It looks like a car part. Why, it is a car part! A part that belongs on the exhaust pipe. I know it’s not an essential, crucial part but damn, if I am buying a new car, I expect all the parts to be on it!
So tomorrow I go back to have them put it on. And to have them take off the glue they left behind when they removed the stickers. And to tell someone off for not thoroughly checking out that car. What the heck were they doing for FOUR hours??? Having a tea party in the backseat?
I am now done with my rant, thank you very much.
If they don’t do it then you can use alcohol to get rid of glue goo. I use alcohol prep pads and they do the trick.
When I picked up my ‘new’ Prius, it had 600 miles on it. Turns out they drove it up from a Savannah car dealer.
The memory of their ineptitude will fade, the car will be a pleasure for years to come.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Man, I’d be tempted to give it back to them and head on down the road to the next Honda dealership…or, at the very least, have a little chat with the Sales Manager, or whoever that chick’s boss is. I really hate to say this, but I’ll bet it would have been a different story if FRANK was the one that went in to buy the car.
At the very least, someone needs to have a “chat” with her. Just sayin’!
But…CONGRATS ON THE NEW CAR! Pix?
Ohhh congrats on the new car.. I love new cars….
Not sure I want to visit the place you got it.. parts in the trunk… wow.. nice.
by the way.. i am baccccckkkkkk
smooch.
Where are you Monk?
Miss hearing from you, hope all is well…;p