I'd be very wary of this dealer's advertising on the Internet.
Based on a vehicle description on two major internet based auto search sites, we made an appointment to see the vehicle. Then my daughter and I traveled 6 hours and 300 miles in a snow storm to visit the dealer intent on purchasing the car if it was as represented.
The car for sale, a 3 series BMW, was advertised to have virtually every factory option excepting navigation. I quote from the online ad: "Features: Premium Pkg, Sport Pkg, Cold Weather Pkg, Comfort Access, Poplar Natural Wood Trim, Aluminum Trim, Rear Manual Side Window Shades, Pwr Front Seats W/Driver Memory, Heated Front Seats, Xenon Adaptive Headlights, Active Cruise Control, BMW Assist, Premium Hi-Fi System (Logic 7), Satellite Radio Preparation, Leather Seat Trim." These items are even listed on the dealer's web site, not just the online sites we discovered it on.
When we arrived to examine the car, we found that is was a base vehicle and had virtually none of the above options. In fact the original window sticker, which was in the vehicle, said the only options were Bluetooth adaptation and Sirius satellite preparation. It did not even have power seats or a leather interior! It was apparent this dealer merely copied and pasted the description of a fully optioned car in order to lure customers. When confronted with this fact, the dealer had no explanation, merely feigned ignorance.
We spent considerable time and money in the hope of purchasing this vehicle, only to be disappointed and, frankly, angry.
These guys are sleazy.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
James MK
La Jolla,California,
USA
Call to check first
#3Consumer Comment
Wed, November 23, 2011
In my experience discrepancies between the description of a vehicle in an ad and the actual car for sale are relatively common, especially when a dealership has many vehicles of a same make and model with various trim levels on his lot. Sometimes a single description is used for all those vehicles, often with "vehicle may not appear as shown" or somesuch written in small characters. This is not fraud, but some might consider this as a bait and switch scheme.
Due to this anyone willing to travel a long distance to buy a vehicle based solely on the description found in an ad should first call the seller to make sure the description matches the actual vehicle offered for sale.
Ali Nezam
Arlington,Virginia,
United States of America
Apology
#3UPDATE Employee
Sun, November 20, 2011
I would like to apologize to you, and your daughter. Unfortunately I have just come across this complaint. As for the photographs I can promise you that they we authentic, however there may have been an error made in during the upload from one vehicle to another. Obviously not a great excuse!, and both of you were still inconvenienced especially since you had to travel such a long distance. Since 2009 we have improved significantly the manner in which our advertised vehicles are described, and displayed. Typically now we have over 30 photos of each vehicle on our website, as well we have 3 people check the accuracy of the options listed. Unfortunately from time to time not often, even though we try to be extremely careful, still some errors are made. If you or your daughter are ever in need of a vehicle in the future, please call on me at +17032434466 Ext. 100 or email me at wbmotors@afsongroup.com. We will be happy to have the vehicle checked out in advance at dealer of your choice, pay for your plane ticket to our local airport, and have you picked up at the airport once you have arrived. Very kind regards, Ali Nezam General Manager Washington Blvd. Motors