- Report: #661673
Complaint Review: Paragon Honda - Internet
Reported By:
CharlesA -
Stamford, Connecticut, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Paragon Honda
Internet, United States of America
Phone:
Web:
http://www.paragonhonda.com
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good?
Paragon Honda Bait and switch, scammers, liars Internet
*Consumer Comment: What did they say?
*Consumer Comment: What did they say????
*Consumer Comment: Alert not Brain Dead
*Consumer Comment: Kinda humorous
*REBUTTAL Owner of company: Paragon Honda is here to help.
*Consumer Comment: I respect the reponse...
*Author of original report: Not exactly
*Consumer Comment: NATIONWIDE HOLIDAY SHOPPING ALERT: Make sure to....
My wife found a car online that she liked. We called to make sure that the car was still for sale (i.e. in stock). Rachel personally checked the car and confirmed that it was there and they were showing a lot of activity on the car so we needed to get there right away. As many men that adore their wife, I took 2 hours off and immediately drove to this dealership from Hartford, CT. I was very specific when I called that I wanted to be 110% sure that the car was available because taking time off for me is big money.
When we arrived, surprise... there was no car. There never was a Blue Accord. The car is now Black and beat up. After traveling almost 2 hours in traffic I was not in a good mood and I immediately let the sales manager know that the Attorney General, the DMV Commissioner will be hearing from me in the morning and that my legal folks will ensure that I recover my lost time and costs for this bait and switch/scam.
Brian Benstock (VP of BS) at first pretended to understand the issue and wanted to have a few days to locate the car. He didn't locate anything and I am pursuing legal action. Thanks to all of these reports I will seek punitive damages as well because these people at Paragon are scammers and need to be corrected. Mr. Benstock does not realize that I rarely make people a project, I made him and his company my project now and I will make sure that any and all consumer protection and regulatory agency will make them a priority.
8 Updates & Rebuttals
Karl
Highlands Ranch,Colorado,
USA
NATIONWIDE HOLIDAY SHOPPING ALERT: Make sure to....
#2Consumer Comment
Tue, November 16, 2010
'Google' this- CAR SALES: TRICKS OF THE TRADE- CONSUMER ALERT, and watch the video where Tori is scammed when she goes to buy a car.
Thank You
WELCOME TO THE CAR DEALERSHIPS IN AMERICA- HOW MAY WE SCAM YOU TODAY?
Ronny g
North hollywood,California,
USA
I respect the reponse...
#3Consumer Comment
Tue, November 16, 2010
..as usual..two sides to every story. I do know based on so many complaints lodged here and all over, that many dealerships do in fact tell a customer the car they want is there..and when the customer takes time off from work..and travels a large distance (and sometimes even sold their car and were depending on the one they are going to buy being there to drive home)...only to arrive at the dealership..and, surprise...switch a roo...the car is gone.
In this case it seems the dealer is admitting they made a mistake...were willing to make concessions, and the customer is the one being unreasonable...
Who to believe? I do not know but I can say by the dealer at least responding, does show a sign of good faith. Has far as the honesty of the reply...no one but the dealer and the OP know for sure.
While I agree a customer can not sue just because a dealer lied..if bait and switch tactics are used, which are supposed to be illegal and at the very least unethical..I would respect the decision to go after any business that is really using it. Most just get mad and blow it off, or end up purchasing the "switch" and later regret it and find no recourse..because they signed something..so the activity continues on unfettered. Once in a while someone needs to stand up..that is IF it is truly warranted. This case is in question for sure, I am tending now to lean towards the dealerships side..but with caution.
CharlesA
Stamford,Connecticut,
United States of America
Not exactly
#4Author of original report
Tue, November 16, 2010
Dear Brian:
I am glad you agree with the fact that "Rachel's" personal inspection of the vehicle was a bit inaccurate, the car was listed as Blue, she checked the car and it was blue and in immaculate condition. When you and I talked, you too were told that it was Blue. The whole concept of personally checking the vehicle and verify the stock, condition and color is to go out, look at the car and then report based on the observation. I was on hold for over 3 minutes and I was reassured several times.
The "Black" car was not the same. It had leather seats (an unlisted option). While an upgrade it is NOT what the blue car was listed as. I wouldn't doubt that such a "fancy" option would have been listed as it is a major upgrade for a Honda Accord. The black car was FAR from immaculate, the bumpers were damaged, at least 3 body panels had major scratches.
Why would I be getting calls for several day afterwards concerning the BLUE Honda from Rachel? Calls to my office numbers are recorded and I can gladly share that. Any reputable businessman would immediately remove incorrect and inaccurate information and not leave it on the website after it caused such a big issue. It was still on last I checked.
An ERROR is a mistake, something that gets corrected upon learning of it. If Rachel's "personal" inspection was also an error, please let me suggest that you should consider offering better medical benefits so that she could take care of her eyesight.
At the end of the day, I simply asked you to make me whole for the repeated errors of the your staff. Please note that I did not imply that they were intentional (and therefore I did not imply malice) but at the most basic level, you should simply rectify the "mistakes" that imposed undue expenditure and losses upon others.
There seem to be a lot of complaints on Paragon Honda on this site and there must be a good reason. Many of these people are very nice hard working people that need transportation and come to Paragon because they are under the impression that they would get a decent deal. In my opinion, and based on what i am reading, there seems to be a lot of unhappy patrons. I'd be mortified if I found one complaint against my companies here...
I am glad your counsel wrote such a professional reply, you come across (to me, and again this is MY personal opinion) as an individual that only cares about the mighty dollar. You have an amicable solution, you have my losses itemized. By going to court you actually will pay an attorney, take the risk that a judge looking at so many similar complaints (printed from this board) will award punitive damages and that I will post the judgement online (provided that the judge rules in my favor).
Here's what a smart businessman does (and I trust that you understand this since on your linked in you brag extensively about your technological superiority thanks to CRM etc), you take corrective action so that errors like this will not repeat. You don't try and discount or discredit the potential customer that was actually screwed but you appreciate the fact that "upper management" learned of a shortfall. Isn't your latest speech about survival of the fittest, whereby only those that excel in every aspect of the sales and service experience survive in this economy? Well, you can thank me for highlighting a few aspect that are not up to par with your expectations (or imagination).
As you know Brian, my time is very expensive and I love my job, my clients and my primary duties are towards my family and my clients. Mistakes happen, it is how you make up for them that makes you a wise businessman, a silly one or a lousy one. The choice is yours.
This forum actually gives you the opportunity to turn around every bad experience and show that Paragon Honda is responsive, caring and is managed by the NON-STEREOTYPICAL car salesmen. I pay for my mistakes every time, why shouldn't you?
I wrote to you, you have my fax number, as soon as your release shows up things could and will probably be different.
I am NOT the first and I will not be the last that is unhappy with Paragon Honda. Only you can change that. With that said, I hope that you implemented some system to better manage your assets and at least know what color your cars are (if I should believe this).
Best Regards,
Charles
Brian b
Laurel Hollow,New York,
U.S.A.
Paragon Honda is here to help.
#5REBUTTAL Owner of company
Mon, November 15, 2010
Please be advised that Paragon Honda, Rachel and I take the accusations of any customer very seriously. The consumer complaint posted by a gentleman from Hartford, Connecticut is, however, misleading. The facts are that this individual contacted an employee at Paragon and an employee, Rachel, did personally check to ensure that the referenced vehicle was available. Rachels inquiry confirmed its availability, and she so notified the customer. When the customer arrived, it was then discovered that the vehicle that he requested was available; however, the vehicle was not a blue Accord but a black Accord, which was otherwise identical to the described vehicle. The mistaken information regarding the availability of a black Accord as opposed to a blue Accord was not intentional, but based upon information that Rachel received upon making an inquiry into the inventory. When this matter was brought to my attention, I endeavored to rectify the situation with the customer, including offering to compensate him for the costs expended in traveling to and from the dealership. The customer and I had three conversations pursuant to a resolution. Rather than accepting a possible resolution, the customer has chosen to disparage the dealership. Please note that an automobile dealership, like other companies, is not infallible. However, please consider that upon making a mistake, all that an entity can do is to try and work out a reasonable resolution. These attempts by Paragon Honda, and the individuals who are employed by Paragon Honda, apparently do not comport with this particular individuals agenda. Paragon Honda remains amenable to working out a resolution with this individual and will continue to endeavor to meet its clients expectations with the absolute understanding that its customers time is extremely valuable.
Very truly yours,
Brian Benstock
General Manager
718-507-5000 ext 271
Flynrider
Phoenix,Arizona,
USA
Kinda humorous
#6Consumer Comment
Mon, November 15, 2010
While I despise these kinds of tactics, it still strikes me as amusing that someone is going to sue a dealership because a salesperson lied to them. What a novel argument! I'd be willing to lay down some cash that this goes abolutely nowhere (unless the OP has deep pockets and a hungry lawyer). The whole premise is a non-starter unless the OP has a concrete admission from the dealer that they lied.
Good luck
coast
USAAlert not Brain Dead
#7Consumer Comment
Mon, November 15, 2010
I agree that car dealerships use bait and switch. The OP verified the car was available 2 hours earlier. That is why I asked if the car had just been sold. The OP has not answered the question. Without an answer to that question it would be unjust to the dealer to assume it was bait and switch.
Ronny g
North hollywood,California,
USA
What did they say????
#8Consumer Comment
Mon, November 15, 2010
...This is what they said Mr. brain dead..."We called to make sure that the car was still for sale (i.e. in stock).
Rachel personally checked the car and confirmed that it was there and
they were showing a lot of activity on the car so we needed to get there
right away."
"I was very specific when I called that I wanted to be 110% sure that the
car was available because taking time off for me is big money..."
This is typical SCAM dealer bullshit bait and switch..or form thereof.
I SINCERELY hope the OP is not blowing smoke..and WILL proceed with FULL vigor to attain recourse for the bait and switch SCAM that this dealer who has NO consideration for others time..like so many other "stealerships" we read about here and elsewhere.. do indeed and in FACT..pull on prospective victims.
Apparently, this poster had half a brain and did not purchase or be sucked into the "switch"..but decided on behalf of himself and other victims past, present and future ..to take ACTION.
I HIGHLY commend this.
coast
USAWhat did they say?
#9Consumer Comment
Sun, November 14, 2010
How do you know that there never was a blue Accord? Did they tell you that? Did they claim the car had just been sold? Maybe the black car was a different car.
