KACHINA CADILLAC discrimination Scottsdale - Phoenix *Consumer Advocate response
This is my encounter with Kachina Cadillac in Scottsdale Arizona.
I am a 22 year old male of Spanish decent. My job pays me over $50,000 a year not including other miscellaneous income. I own my own brand new home, I belong to a health club which I'm at daily and I just started my own importing business in the medical supply industry.
For the last year I've wanted to buy a Cadillac, so I decided to take a 45 mile trip and test-drive a used Cadillac. I could have gone to about four other dealers that would have been closer, but I wanted the best selection, so I went to the biggest dealer in the valley.
My first attempt to look, the dealership seemed to be a little busy for me. However, I waited quite awhile but no one came around to offer assistants to help me. I asked several times different sales people if someone could answer some questions on some cars I found outside on their lot. I would get the answer that someone would be with me shortly. Meanwhile, there would be sales people just talking and laughing to each other. I couldn't wait any longer so I left. I did notice how quick the elderly white couples were assisted immediately.
Then, two weeks later I decided again to give it another shot and went back to Kachina to test drive a Cadillac. I brought a lady with me this time. When I got there I said to myself, I'll definitely be helped because it was dead. Only one or two customers. I could see the sales men looking out the dealership window at me while I stared walking toward them. I thought they would come over and offer to assist me after I stood there looking at cars for about 20 minutes. Then, only when I signaled and waved to them did they come. Slowly and not so eagerly they approached me. I introduced myself that I was interested in test-driving a used '98 Elderado or Deville STS. The sales man said, the two other cars parked in front of them, I don't think I could get them moved now. The sales man was with another sales man that just stood there and looked at me. I then asked if I could try another one I was interested in further down the lot. I said, that car had no cars blocking it? He stated, "no not now, maybe if you come back another time."
I could not figure out what was the problem. I'm dressed neat. Always clean shaven, and well dressed. I thought to myself, maybe they just thought I couldn't afford them anyway and I'm just wasting there time? I went to the sales man and asked, why can't I test drive a car? I have the money to buy a car. He said, "We are just too busy right now." I then said, you have all these sales people standing around up there by the showroom? He just said, "I cannot be bothered right now with this." I finally said, "You know what? Don't even bother." I then left, insulted and furious.
I then called the dealership the next day demanding the cooperate number and address. I was then directed to the general manager Larry Hicks. He asked what the problem was, so I explained the encounters I had with his dealership. He seemed upset by what I told him, so I thought, and he assured and promised me this would not happen again. He was going to speak to his sales men and take care of this problem.
About three weeks later, I again drove over 45 miles to the dealership on March 18th a Sunday afternoon. I approached again, and not to my surprise found myself standing for 20 minutes waiting for someone to assist me while I was looking at a '98 pearl white STS. Several sales people were busy helping older white couples, and there were about 6 other sales people just standing around. It was not busy at all. I noticed there were three other sales people that were very occupied relaxing under the shade having a barbecue. I was 20-30 feet away. Again, I stared and looked waiting for help. I also remember the general manager Larry Hicks assuring me, promising and swearing, this would not happen again. But that's another strike. BMW has never insulted me like this nor any other dealer, why Kachina Cadillac?
I feel very discriminated against being a young Hispanic man. This has never ever happened to me, ever! I don't think this is right or fair and action should be taken immediately. I write to you at badbusinessbureau.com because I had read about you and what it is you do for consumers, minorities and immigrants that have come to this country and are being mistreated. I am not poor, but I know if I go to an attorney it will cost me a lot and it seems your organization would want to help and that you are very dedicated as to what you do. I am willing to pay if that's what is takes. Please help me.
If you are a minority and or you do not like discrimination, you should not buy a car from these people.
M Moreno
Mesa AZ
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
How Stupid Can They Be?
#4Consumer Suggestion
Mon, August 11, 2008
I learned THAT lesson decades ago. Usually when I go look at vehicle I dress like crap and drive the '88 Ram Charger. Went into northside ford to look at a new F-150 Lightning for $30k. The first weekend I went to look, the moron salesman blew me off. The following weekend I drive up and see several salespersons standing there, one of which is the moron from the week before. I ignore his a** and turn to the guy next to him and say "I want a hot dog and a lightning". They have hot dogs on Sat. Drove out a couple hours later with the lightning. When I've gotten slighted by one dealership, I go on to another until I find what I want, at the price I want. Then I take my new vehicle back to the first dealership for service and just HAPPEN to run into the first jerk and tell him about my great purchase at the OTHER dealership. They always get this funny look on their faces. I wonder why?
Norm
Tolleson,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Hmmmmmm...
#4Consumer Suggestion
Mon, August 11, 2008
Even though Mesa is NOT 45 miles from Kachina, one would wonder why you would keep going back over and over to the same place where you were having a problem. Since you were looking for a car that was 10 years old, I would think that you would find a much better deal in the Auto Trader and at a much lower price than through a dealer. Stop looking for an excuse to b***h about discrimination. If you're making $50k ayear, go buy a new car!!!
Prejudging the consumer is the wrong thing to do.
#40
Sat, March 24, 2001
We see that Mr. Moreno wanted to buy a Cadillac. What has happened to this man, goes on across the country. This is called "Cherry Picking the Ups." If a car salesman thinks for one-second that you look like you can't afford the car that you are looking at, they do what is called a "lot Drop." In other words, they will do anything to get away from you. They feel that you are day dreaming and wasting their time.
Yes, they are discriminating against you if you look Hispanic in this mostly all white community. As you stated in your e-mail to us, they were helping others that came after you and there were sales people standing around doing nothing and they just ignored you. At most any big dealership, the sales people are standing around like vaulters waiting to get you.
Car dealers like to hire car salesmen that know how to sell to buyers, and "lot drop" is what they feel are day dreamers. Prejudging the consumer is the wrong thing to do. If I were this man, I would call another Cadillac dealer and ask to speak to the fleet sales department.
I would tell the fleet department that you make $50,000 a year. That you are thinking of buying a Cadillac and would like to make an appointment to come in and see their inventory. That you do not have any intentions of wasting their time. I would make it known real fast that you are looking at what you can afford, and that your looking for a good deal.
All the car salesmen at this car dealer that seen Mr. Moreno did not want to talk to him because they where judging him by race, looks or the car that he drove on their lot, or someone would have helped him.
Most car makers do not care how a car dealer treats the consumer, just as long as the cars get sold.
Stick Bogart
Auto Buyers Advocate
consumer advocate Volunteer
badbusinessbureau.com