aight guys here goes the long story
I had a financed 2020 330i looking for an early return since I don't drive it enough. I kept it as long as I could due to the low rate (0.24%)
So I was calling around the BMW dealerships that are close to me to see if there's any interest.
Given the car was uninsured sitting in the garage. I wasn't really interested putting a plate on it and drive it to dealership unless there is a good offer on the table to begin with.
Phoned Autowest and BJ, sales from both side ran some numbers and told me it's doable likely without any penalty but they still need to talk to their managers, I get it ,fine, no rush, just give me a shout back.
Autowest called me back a day later, it was the manager calling me directly. we chatted for about 30 mins, on the value of the car, the market generally etc. It was agreed upon that I would get a cashback on top and he DID NOT need to see the car, he took my words for it that when I said my car is still in excellent condition, which it is. I thanked him for his phone call, and told him I would confirm with him tomorrow as I'll see what BJ would do.
Phoned back the sales guy from BJ, he told me he needs to see the car in order to give me a number, then kept asking me when I can bring the car in. I told him the situation about the car being uninsured, I would much rather have some sort of an agreement before I go get my ICBC day pass and drive it all the way there. He said he understood but his manager said that they still need to see the car. HE THEN SAID " We will beat whatever Autowest offered you", so when can you bring your car in? how about tomorrow?
I asked the sales, you don't even know how much Autowest offered me. He hesitated a bit then asked me how much it was. Fine, I spilled the beans, but I told him specifically that I need a confirmation that you guys are fine with the numbers. He said sure, no problem. I started to having doubts, so I said, can you just go ask your manager and make sure he knows what we are on numbers-wise. He said sure, he will ask and call me back. As soon as I hung up, he called me back within 1 second, said great news, manager was actually beside him and he said it's fine, we will beat what Autowest offered you, so when can you bring your car in? how about tomorrow?
I gave in with some suspicions, thinking ok, if I can get more money from BJ, why not, I'll put some time driving it over there and pay a ICBC day pass.
The next day, took off work early and spent an hr going to BJ due to typical Vancouver traffic in the afternoon.
Arrived at BJ, sales guy came out to see me, opened the door for me which was nice. As I sat in the sales desk, I overheard the convo between the sales guy and his manager in the background. Manager said " He is playing games with us, we are not giving him more than what Autowest offered him, where is the guy? you go tell him that".
the sales guy came back, gave me some bs and how his manager fucked him. I stood up, gave him the finger and told him this is exactly what I was trying to avoid getting all my shit ready for nothing, and I left. I wasn't ready to make a drama as I know it's pointless, I won't be able to get a free happy meal coupon out of it anyways.
I was in and out in about 5 mins @ BJ, they didn't even see the car, I basically wasted getting my ICBC day pass and wasted taking early leave at work.
Funny thing was, the manager at Autowest warned me that this would happen lol, he said he had a lot of customers who dealt with BJ but never got what they were promised, and I had the first hand experience myself.
Props to Autowest though, the manager and sales were all great, offered to come to pick up the car with D plate so I don't need to waste money on the ICBC day pass. We ended up giving them our business by traded in our X3 as well and picked up an X5 from them. Autowest is up front with every detail during our trade ins and purchase, genuine and pleasant to deal with.
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