Last weekend, after comparing the Canadian BMW 323i 6MT and the Acura TSX 6MT, my wife finally drove the TSX, and I had a chance to reaquaint myself with the car, having last driven one almost a year ago. I was neutral between the two cars, but I objected in principle to the detuned BMW 2.5L engine, down a whopping 44hp vs it's European counterpart, and the car's run-flat tires, for several reasons. The clincher was my that wife felt better about driving the TSX, and we ordered one (RBP), regardless of standard vs optional features. By the way, I test drove a 325i 6AT in 5" of virgin show, and that car works just fine in the white stuff.

Yesterday, I sent an e-mail to the BMW salesman, to let him know that we had turned down the BMW in favour of the equivalent cost TSX. This was his sour-grapes response:

First and foremost I wish you good luck with your new car. When it comes to technology and safety one can not compare a Japanese made car to a German one - the structual integraty (sp) is far superior in a BMW for sure - Japanese car fold like a sardine can in an accident - I personally would never let my children drive one of them for safety reasons alone - let alone the braking and steering is completely different qualities ---- air bags do not help when your car crunches up as ALL JAP CARS DO ---BEST OF LUCK

I think the 323i is a great car, but if that's how they have to sell them, now I know we've made the right choice.

 

Please respond to him with a link to this thread

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28101

 

I used to like German cars. I still do, but they are past the point of diminishing returns in their pricing. Also, the dealers seem to have a pretty snobby attitude, even VW.

 

Duh...they're called crumple zones, and they are meant to protect the passengers.

And wow, he shouldn't have talked to you like that, it was very unprofessional of him. He should have just been courteous, there's no need for snide remarks and snobbery.

Very unprofessional and childish behavior if you ask me.

 

So ? they are SALESMEN - 99.999% car salesmen badmouth competitors all of the time.
If I sell for non-Acura I'd be bashing Acura & everyone else to the best of my ability, hey I gotta eat.

 

Typical response from a know nothing snob who obviously likes to lift himself up by putting others down. As the old saying goes, “opinions are like…”

Knowledge can be expensive, ignorance is cheap.

 

I'm sorry but I find it hard to take any stalk in someone that can't learn to spell the word integrity... ever heard of spell-check? Snobs.

Safety is a lot more than how much the damn thing repairs after an accident. Personally, I'd rather have the car disintegrates around me but absorbs the impact than to have a car that receives a dented bumper that can be fixed for $50 but did nothing to minimize the jolting force of deceleration. If you've ever gone from 60 to zero in an accident (or 150 to 0 landing on an aircraft carrier), you'll appreciate the measures in place that keep the flesh from those forces.

 

I don't believe he said "Jap" in his email.....I'd dropkick the fucker...

 

 

I'd have written, "I wish you the best of luck with your new car. The TSX, I've read, is a terrific car, and while, of course, I think the BMW is many things the TSX isn't, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Please give me a call the next time you're shopping for an automobile and would like to consider BMW, and feel free to tell your friends to do the same." Classy, that's what someone who's going to remember you wants to hear. And a classy response is FREE! This guy has no idea, you may be looking for a car soon for yourself, or your kid, or your brother might be, or whatever. What an idiot.

 

i would send that email to the BMW corporate offices, i honestly dont think that guy deserves a job.

 

I second that x 1000. Dont even think about doing this,............DO IT right now. Include what he sent you in the email and the sales reps name/dealership he works for etc. That type of response is totally unacceptable and he should not have a job with that attitude.


This whole thing reminds me of a Prof I was talking with last month. He used to own a dealership. One day a rather attractive young lady came into the showroom and one of the sales reps commented on her "nice rack,.....I bet I can sell this chick anything on the lot" (I am making it more presentable for this post,....it was more rude) to one of the other sales reps. Of course, the owner/general manager etc heard this comment. He was then paged while talking with this young lady, and someone else was sent out to help her. Fired him on the spot,..........didnt want ppl working for him with that attitude.

 

He is a complete idiot. Pay no attention to people like that. I doubt that he would have any credentials in metallurgy or in engineering automobiles to make a statement like that. Salesman sell cars...end of story.

 

Show him the crash test ratings, side-by-side, and then ask him which car he'd like to drive his kids home from school in.

Or, better yet, don't be bothered with him AT ALL, except to do as someone else mentioned and report his ass to BMW management. Maybe he'll lose his job and have to trade in his land-tank for something more affordable, and safer (Honda!).

 

What else would you expect from a guy who used to sell Yugos.

 

Ditto!!!!!!

The salesman's response was completely unwarrented and offensive. I hope the rest of the dealership doesn't share his bad attitude.

 

He certainly doesn't have a sense of how to instill in the customer a sense of wanting to do business in the future. A better response would have been:

"While I'm sorry we weren't able to find something to meet your needs, I do hope you'll keep me in mind in the future. And as good as the Acura is, I truly believe that BMW is even better. I hope you enjoy your new car and look forward to the day I can serve you in your automotive needs. Sincerely, Joe the BMW salesman."

 

Sour grapes is right. What a putz. He is shoveling a complete load of bullshit about safety and technology. It sounds to me like he hasn't been selling many cars lately and is a little upset about it. Maybe TSX's have been stealing his sales

I personally love Bimmers, and always have, but an attitude like his would push me right away from purchasing one, at least from him.

Good luck and much fun with your new TSX, and congrats on selecting the proper tranny!

 

To be completely objective, many Acura dealers, or salesmen at least, are pretty snooty, too. But I see your point.

 

I'd find it hard to resist the temptation to drive by and show the guy the new car...

 

Naturally you're not going to make every sale. When I miss a sale, my thank you note is just like your suggested one. (yes, its a form letter, but I usually add a few things to personalize it....):

Dear Mr. Customer,

Just a short note to say “Thanks Again” for considering us in your recent car shopping experience. I’m sure your new "insert car" will be an excellent vehicle for years to come. I’ll try to keep in touch with you through my newsletters, and I hope you find the time to visit my web page at www.satoauto.com

Although we were unable to help you this time around, please remember me if someone in your family is looking for a new Honda or Acura. I've enclosed a few extra business cards just in case you know someone who wll appreciate my "low key" approach. I’m available at work (942-4555) and on my cellular (255-1255).

Aloha,

Colin A. Sato
Internet Sales Manager
Pflueger Acura

 

This would have been the best response. Burning bridges is a dangerous practice in the sales industry.

 

Colin, had I received such a response from you (hypothetically speaking, of course) you would be at the top of my list next time I went automobile shopping. Really. It's as simple as that. The BMW guy has a lot to learn about sales. The same principles apply no matter what it is you're selling. He's taking it personally.

 

can you post this salesman's email address?

 

 

My BMW salesman has way better attutide, well same as my Honda salesman too. The funny thing is My BMW salesman drove S2000 for track personally on the other hand my Honda salesman drive a E36 for more than 12 years. NEway, congrat your new purchase but you miss a big point not buying a BMW! you missing the chance to visit their service department frequently, they always hire hot girl on hot dressing as service receptionist instead!

 

I know that I told the BMW salesman that we put 500,000 km on two Hondas, and I'm sure that I DIDN'T tell him that I used to lap the old 325's (and even a couple of old M3's) in my modded Civic Si, at Shannonville [that car just wouldn't die - I swear those old Civics were the reason BMW brought out the 328!]. He knew we liked the Honda brand, and this was his chance to get us into a BMW, but he put no effort, or thought, into our meetings; reflecting, it was rather - this is a BMW, this is how much they cost - with nothing said about the car, which was odd because they never had a 323i on the lot to test.

Yes, I reproduced the salesman's reply, word for word, spelling and grammar mistakes and all, just like the original, including "...ALL JAP CARS DO."

You can find Martin Kaine, Town & Country BMW, at: MARTIN.KAINE@TCBMW.COM

 

Such poor salesmanship...

I think someone should give Town & Country BMW a call and get this chump fired.

 

Man, I still cant believe he actually sent you a response like that. He is either one STUPID idiot, or out of his freaking mind.

 

I wish i can buy my cars from Colin. He is so nice!

...Anyway, i have had bad experiences with an Acura salesman too (he didnt want me to test drive the car, didnt want to show me the navigation, etc...). There are assholes everywhere you go, in every single profession; the key is to be able to recognize them right away, and stay away from them.

Congrats on your car!

 

wow with this email address I could have some serious fun. so tempting cause there are so many things possible.

 

like what?
Send him some of those annoying Forward jokes? or an email with a file so you can netbus him?

meeeeh, just ignoooore.

 

I suggest reatraint

 

Perhaps you mean "stock?"

 

of course just imagining the things i could do.

 

Salesmen as himself give salesmen a bad name. Knocking the competition is always a bad sign of business. Even if you chose the BMW I would doubt you would have had a great followup and better experience down the line.

 

The guy has absolutely no idea WTF hes talkin about........ the TSX has better crash test ratings than the bimmmer

NHTSA CRASH TEST RESULTS:

TSX
Frontal crash ratings:
Driver: 5 star - Passenger: 5star
Side crash ratings:
Driver: 5 star - Rear Passenger: 4star
NHTSA ROLLOVER RESISTANCE RATING: 4 star

BMW
Frontal crash ratings:
Driver: 4 star - Passenger: 5star
Side crash ratings:
Driver: 3 star - Rear Passenger: 5star
NHTSA ROLLOVER RESISTANCE RATING: 4 star

Tell him why your NOT buying......
1. TSX's have the higher ratings obviously, especially for the driver. Every car ALWAYS has a driver, but not always a passenger, ESPECIALLY if your kids drive one.
2. I'm only 17, but I'd imagine i'd rather let my kids drive a I4 TSX than a I6 Bimmer, 6 Cylinders are gonna push more torque than 4 cylinders.
3. Unlike a Bimmer, TSX's don't break half as often, and has half the rattles/problems bimmers usually has.
4. Better Gas Mileage
5. Better Nav System/Everything Inside (325 interiors feel fake while TSX interiors feel more real), everything can be voice commanded
6. No racist salespeople /w 100% full BS

He should've pointed out other stuff that would actually appeal like faster car, free maintainance, not some BS about safety...... after all bimmers arent volvos =)

 

Town & Country BMW... just right by my house.

the salesman definitely could've responded in a more professional manner.

i did visit that dealership once, just to take a look at the mini's. it wasn't the most comfortable dealership i've visited. usually, at least 1 person, be it the front desk or any of the sales reps, would at say "hi." but, what can you do... i guess i didn't fit their profile as a potential buyer...

 

sending the Bimmer guy those pics of his JDMized 2004/CG

 

you can reply back to the salesman's email with the data sccpu3d provided, and ask again, "according to this data, please tell me how the bmw is a safer vehicle? i'm confused here."