LaFontaine Subaru

Reviews 3

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Dennis F

My wife and I stopped in at the Commerce Lafontaine Subaru dealership this past weekend. Our experience was less than pleasurable. We wanted to view a used Forester that was posted on craigslist. That particular vehicle had already been sold so we looked around to see if there was anything else on their used car lot. We notice an Outback that had just been traded in, less than 20 mins before. Our sales person had us jump through hoops, asking if we would be willing to purchase today, signing a ‘sold’ card and placing it on the instrument panel, etc… As we were looking at the vehicle, a different salesperson brought another buyer to view the vehicle at the same time. There was no regard for the silly ‘sold’ card that was so important to our salesperson or the fact that we were viewing it. My wife actually thought it was some kind of sales tactic to generate a sense of urgency from us. I have to admit that I have never had that happen to me before either. We went in to discuss the purchase details of the Outback and trade-in value of our vehicle. While I was prepared for a trade-in value lower than I would be happy with, their offer was downright insulting. I was offered $1,100 for my vehicle minus $1,400 to have it reconditioned. Therefore we would owe the dealership $300 to trade it in. After our refusal to accept their trade-in offer, he said he could give us “scrap value” for it. Mind you, this is a vehicle I drive every day. (I probably should have walked out right then.) I politely said “no thank-you” to their offer and moved on to discuss the price of the Outback we were interested in. The salesperson had to talk to the manager to get a price. He returned with the price. I countered the offer, which needed to be presented to the manager. He returned and said that the manager rejected our offer because “he doesn’t need to negotiate. The other lady is willing to pay full price” At that point my wife and I decided we had had enough. We left the dealership. Needless to say we wouldn’t be returning and we told the manager this as we left. Lafontaine does a nice job of presenting an image of a friendly buying experience were everyone gets “The Family Deal” Boy, I’d hate to be a part of that family. Pitting prospective buyers against each other to drive the price up is a pretty sleazy thing to do. This is the exact kind of thing that gives dealerships such poor reputations. All this, just to make a couple extra dollars. I’ll stick with private buyers in the future.

AM

amruth sagar

I recently got a job and decided to buy a car. My roommate purchased a car a year ago at lafontaine subaru for a decent price. Since, i recently graduated I decided ill buy a car not more than five years old. On my friend advise who was happy to buy a car before assisted me. So, I went there along with my friend to test drive 2010 volkswagen cc. Greetings: We were greeted well and discussed the numbers before deciding to drive but the car wasnt ready yet, in spite of making a prior appointment. Deal : I was not given any time to make decision, since I liked the car and they promised to detail it. I was asked to sign a deal agreeing to pay a particular number for the car, without any auto loan approved, which I might reconsider based on the rate of interest. On the big day : They gave me a good deal with low rate of interest from my bank. Next day, I arrived at 5:30PM waiting to sign the papers and shake hands and leave. Its 8:30 still no sign of the car parked outside. Then I was asked to put a cash down of $3500 and not $3000. When asked questions, I was the only customer in the dealership surrounded by employees, manager telling me that the Deal was for yesterday and accused me as a " I am not the man of my word ". My friend watched me in shock and silence. Me and my friend thought to put all this behind and get out there as soon as we are done. Delivery: I was given the key (just one). The key fob was damaged like someone, drove a car on it. I asked for a new pair but I didnt get one. Its all okay fine, Phew and suddenly my car doesnt have a number plate. There was no one else in the office to ask. They turned off the lights and left. I rushed to get hold of them in the parking lot and was told its okay and I can show the signed papers if pulled over. Me and my friend got into the car. Not a sign of relief, the car showed the low tire pressure and the worst of all the car has a hanging roof liner, broken vent above the sun glass compartment. Which is never as it looks when i test drove it. I felt betrayed, this is such a bad business , I regretted coming here. I had to change my damaged tires again for $500.00 and had a quote for $300.00 for car roof liner. PS : You may have seen good reviews on the internet. But I dont think it looks as it is.

BR

Brian P. Gallagher

We bought our WRX here last year and were very happy with our saleslady. However, we just decided to put witer tires on it and called them to ask about it. We wanted them mounted on a seperate set of rims to make it easy to switch them out. They told us they didnt sell any cheap rims, but they do this all the time and we should buy the rims at discount tire and they will put the tires on the rims and on the car. He quoted us a price out the door and it was $40 cheaper per tire than Discount Tire so we agreed to buy the tires here. We brought them the rims and they told us it would take 90 minutes. Thats a long time to do tires, but OK, we went and had dinner down the street. The service guy called us after an hour plus and told us it would be an additional $100 per tire if we want the tire pressure light in the car to work. We felt like that was a bait and switch, why didnt they quote this whith the tire price. Technically, if I say these shoes are $100 and I later tell you the laces needed for them to work correctly, I havent ripped you off, I just havent been complete in my answer. Technically, the tires will work without the TPS units, but to get the safety lights to work you need the TPS units. They said 90% of their customers drive with the warning light on, something not safe for my wife (plus, it probably isnt a very good idea to confess you facilitate 90% of your customers in defeating a Subaru safety feature!). They then said 80% of the rebuild units at discount tire dont work, although every one Ive gotten there for $14 each has always worked, at which point he started interrogating me about my vehicle, what year, what make, etc... We asked them to put the rims back in the boxes and we would go to discount. The porter/tire guy drove the car around and he showed us everything was back in the car. The service guy and his manager who were both very rude to us walked away without saying a word to us as we left. We will not be back, which is a shame since we had all the service on our last WRX here and purchased and had every service item on our new WRX as well.