Bad experience with sales dept. Went to see the 8 with wife (I knew it was the car I wanted. Just needed to see it in person, get a test-drive, get wife's approval before signing on the dotted line). After about 10 minutes of snooping around the dealership and various cars, a rep comes over to chat. I guess they saw us pull up in a new Maxima SE so they figured we were not really buyers and only kicking tires. But he didn't even try to qualify us. He took down my name and number. Explained that he didn't have a car to test drive that evening and that he would call us.....etc. So we got the brush off. Suffice it to say that a week later, we still had not gotten a call.

Checked out the Mazda Canada website and they have a page where you can request a test drive through the same dealership. I figure the first rep I got was an idiot who prequalified us and by using the website to request a test drive, I would be able to get another rep. I imagine Mazda Canada give the names of prospects over to the dealer, no? We have a combined income well into six-figure. You figure some rep might think we would be able to buy a car. A week later still no call.

Stopped by at Gabriel Mazda. Was served by a kid with only 3 weeks experience. He did a good job. Offered test drive (but I had to leave a credit card with them in order to do the road test - that kind of ticked me off). Didn't know too much about the technical issues with the car but he went to get the service manager out to talk to me about DSC, ABS, flooding, etc. I really wanted to give him the sale. I thought he deserved it.

Finally bought the car at the third dealership I visited. The rep knew his stuff. Knew the 8. Offered test drive with no credit card. Told me to keep driving - there was no rush. Didn't even ask for my liscence. Did the appraisal on trade - Mustang GT convertible. We haggled a bit. I told him I'd call the next day. Salesreps usually go into aggressive close mode at this point. But this kid said it was no problem, whenever I decided it would be good for him. He was very professional. Next day, I called. We agreed on the numbers and finished the deal by fax.

Total timeframe 3 weeks to do the deal. But it could have been done in 15 minutes. Maybe some reps make too much money and don't need my business. Who knows.

Still haven't decided where I'll bring the car for service. N-e-1 have suggestions?

 

hah--- I called 2-20 beforehand, and they agreed to a test drive. Once I got there, it took 15 minutes of salesperson/manager discussion (theatre performance?) before they rolled the showroom car to the garage for my test drive. Then they couldn't get it started. No test drive. Wasted my time.

I bought it at Gabriel but they took their sweet time and drove it around, before I got it.

I'm read some threads that suggested Mazda Gabriel for service. All I need is an oil change and a Flash - it can't be that tough, right? ...unless there's bulletin work...

I guess bad salesmen are just part of life. Good ones get repeat business.

 

there are some salesmen that are very picky on customers. some desperate to make a sale, like when i was at Honda with my dad since he really likes Preludes. we got to the dealership and i spotted a used one so i ask the first salesman i see. i asked about the car and after 2 mins of talk he just walks off comes back with the keys and the license plate and tells me to go test drive it. didn't ask for any ID. (I was 16 at the time)

 

Well I bought my cars since 1983 from Armand Quérin Mazda witch is now called Mazda de Laval on Chomedey Blvd in Laval.

They know there stuff and you can even talk anytime with the new owner Richard Labelle if you are not satisfied with something.


Bought from them: 1983 RX-7 – 1985 626 – 1990 MX-6 – 1994 MX-6 – 2000 MPV – 2004 RX-8. NEVER had any problem with anybody. And NO I’am not working there!!!!

Serge

 

I wanted to change to transmission oil to redline as recommended from the forum users. Passed by the parts Dept on Sources 2-20 this afternoon to get the gasket (crusher) rings.

First he could not figure out there is any drain plug in the service diagram on the computer, he started to say there is no plug. Then he went and asked the mechanic. Came back and points to 3 similar plugs on the picture and proceed to log the part number. But there is no stock in Canada and he said he can order from the states and takes a week. WTF!

Next, big mistake, I asked if I could bring the Redline transmission oil and have the dealer change the oil. He fired back if I can bring a beef patty to McDonald and have them cook for you. He started to ask stupid questions like is the oil Mazda approved, did Mazda suggested to change MT oil within 5k, getting into warranty issue, on and on saying there is no need to change the transmission oil. If I do any of my own oil change, keep the records and proved it if there is any problem, he seen Mazda running over 10 years need no transmission oil change. I stopped him saying lets don’t get into the warranty issue. I told him I like to take good care of my car. Then he calms down a bit saying you do whatever it is your car and your money.

Although it is no big deal, he did not make me feel comfortable to go back there. LOL, C-tire service manager took good care of me when I took my van in for brake job. Explained to me patiently on stupid questions. I like to pretend dumb and ask different questions to make sure they aren’t BS.

I have the M-flash done at Ile Perrot 2-20 and spoke with the mechanic did the reflash on the car, his name is George and seems to be cool. I will probably go back and ask if they have the parts for transmission drain plug gasket. At least to find out if they have gaskets to replace when just doing the simple oil change at the dealer.

 

Signature Mazda in the Richmond (BC) automall is awesome. I test drove one for almost an hour, walked around the automall, checked out some other cars. Came back and talked about the 8 with the sales guy and manager. They encouraged me to take a Brand ******* New RX8 out of the back lot home for the night. Which I did.

The GT model new ended up being a bit to high for my price, so I eventually settled on getting a used (4600KM, mint condition) RX-8 GT from the sales manager at Burrard Acura. Saved about 6-7K over a brand new car.

Signature Mazda didn't get the sale, but they'll be seeing me in their service department.

 

Why would leaving a credit card tick you off? You're taking out a $40,000 piece of equipment, I think that's well within their right.

 

Perhaps it could of been done a different way, like make you sign a "demo form" with your driver's license. I too don't like the "we'll hold on your credit card if something wrong happen we'll charge it" approach.
At least that what my dealer did when I went for the test drive, they even gave a whole half hour for the drive... I was sold in 10min

 

Yeah, that's what they did with me at Signature Mazda... but only when I took it home for the night. The Hour Long Test Drive with the sales guy was no CC involved though.

 

No, it is not in their right. A right can be defined as a legal privege. And they cannot legally ask for a credit card.

Credit cards could be counterfeit. If I wanted to steal the car, I would get a fake credit card (I read somewhere in the newpaper long time ago about a dog that got a credit card in their name), and then use that piece of plastic to get my test drive. Shoot the salesman in the head with a .38 and drive off with a car.

In essence, a credit card (may even be stolen at that) is by no means a proper piece of identification.

But in having to leave my totally legit credit card with a credit limit about the same as the median canadian annual income, I am leaving myself open to all sorts of possible fraud. Besides, if another dealer can offer me a test drive without a credit card, why is it necessary for THIS dealer to hold ransom what I consider to be a piece of personal property?

I'm not even going to tackle the privacy issues here. Did you know that with your credit card, one can obtain your entire credit history? Where's my right to privacy?Don't get me started.

Now, stop asking me stupid questions. STOP, think about what you are going to say, reason it out before speaking. That's what I tell my kid. (Just kidding). But seriously, in this country, one is innocent until proven guilty.

What's next? I have to leave a $25 deposit at the local cinema in case I spill my popcorn? Give me a break.

 

Really! I was only kidding.

 

I've really got no problem with them taking my visa card information when I restricted it to a $500 limit, especially if they're going to let me take the car overnight. Besides, they usually take it with your drivers license etc etc... like a mini contract.

At the other dealerships I went to that day, they all took photocopies of drivers license before they headed out with me.

 

Okay, I forgot to respond to this, but I'm back to clarify my stance. It is most definitely within their right to ask for it, and well within their right to refuse a test drive on something they own. There is no law on a business asking for a credit card.

Sure credit cards could be counterfeit, however when you take a test drive you ask for a licence and proof of insurance. Most theives probably wouldn't be that organized.


Your right is to walk out of the dealership without a test drive and go elsewhere.


Potentially they can retrieve far more information with the strip on the back of your drivers licence than with a credit card so why are you telling me to think before I speak? I'm going to bet that when you took your test drive you didn't think twice about offering up your licence. I believe you can recant your erroneous statements now.

 

I wouldn't leave my driver's liscence and go on a test DRIVE! They can look at it and make sure it's valid but I NEED IT TO DRIVE THE CAR! Funny thing is that every dealer who looked at my driver's liscence invariable immediately gave it back to me because they knew I would need it if I were to take the wheel. I don't know how they would be able to read the info on the stripe in that case.
But to hold a credit card ransom? Give me a break.
The ONLY thing that you have said that makes sense is that it is indeed my right to walk out of the dealership and test drive elsewhere. To be honest, I was so taken aback by the credit card request that I did not even think to about it. I just handed it over. The next dealership did not ask about a credit card ransom. It was only then that I realized the the first dealer was unreasonable in his credit card request. I only buy one car every two years, but now I am attuned to this ridiculous practice of credit card ransom, rest assured I will never hand over a credit card for that again.
Furthermore, although it would not a dealbreaker, it probably in some small way did influence my decision to buy elsewhere.
My argument stands.