shumax

Ok-
So Jeff (thanks Jeff!) sends me the "S" Plan document and I call my dealer this morning and leave a detailed message on his voice mail. Two hours later he calls back and says that everyone pays the DOC and PREP fee and that he won't waive the fee for me. I asked if he read the document and he said Yes. However, he wasn't going to waive them for me.

Keep in mind this was an Elite dealer with Mazda---some fancy award they receive for good customer service. I am now without a car and working with another dealer. He found me what I wanted, but it's without the leather. I am going to accept it, but am also going to go after this first dealer as hard as I possibly can. I find it absurd that he wouldn't follow the rules as an Elite dealer. Furthermore, he said I had trust issues with his dealership---and he said it like he was confused why I had those issues

I am looking for suggestions on what you think I should do. I can call the customer service hotline, but I would like to get higher up in the company. I don't want some custmoer service rep to log my complaint and move on. I want a division manager or VP reading my thoughts on this. Anyone have ideas or connections?

Thanks,
Curt B. Shumaker

swgeek

I would probably not go with this dealer either, but you may want to hold out for leather. It makes a *big* difference in the feel of the car while you are driving...

BTW - if "elite" is based on reviews, it is worthless. I think the elite dealers basically bribe the car buyers to give them good ratings. Not kidding either - they offer free oil changes or a tank of gas - but you have to return the survey to them and they send it to Mazda (to check your replies).

swgeek

shumax

Here's the problem---I have checked 6 dealers in Ohio and have found no leather cars that are white with an auto. Unless you want a yellow P%, you have very little to chose from in terms of a leather car.

I have given it up. My wife was the one who really wanted it. In my mind, it felt sort of cheap anyway. Don't get me wrong, I wanted it too, or I wouldn't have spent 3 hours looking for one. It just didn't feel all that nice to me. Then again, I had been driving a newer Maxima that had MUCH more expensive leather in it. I.E. that was a $1000 option where it's a $400 one on the P5.

Oh well, I have decided to go with it on the white one.

Thanks,
Curt B. Shumaker

swgeek

Gotcha.

I actually like the leather in there - it is not the thick "solid" leather found in a more expensive car, but it feels good anyway.

But, the P5 is really nice either way.

I agree with leather being tough to find - there was only one in my area with leather - not exactly the configuration I originally wanted, though I am really happy with the extra options I was forced to get.

Have fun with the car - it is really nice.

swgeek

shumax

I am anxious, I will tell you that. I hope that it goes smoothly when we go to sign

I, too, wish we had been able to locate the leather. However, I guess when you are paying under invoice you can't be all that particular about the car. I.E. you can't expect a dealer to drive 500 miles to get you a car when they make nothing on it.

Curt B. Shumaker

jas9297

I don't have any connections, but you could call customer service and ask to speak to an executive in charge of your region of the country. If they are not available, perhaps tell the agent to have the executive call you back. You can base your need for a high-level complaint on the fact that you showed them Mazda's written S-Plan terms, they acknowledged them, and they refused to follow them. Since they stated they would accept the S-Plan (not all dealer's are required to), they almost lost a customer and have tarnished Mazda's reputation and this needs immediate attention. At least, this is what I would say!

Then, when/if you talk to an exec, tell them what happened, including the car wash fee. That's a new one to me!