Reason for Visit: Sales (New)
I recommend this dealer: No
My Review of Charles River Saab:
Looking for left over new 08 Saab. Saw their ad in Globe, saw $6500 dealer discounts on manual Saab 9-3, called & asked if they could match that on an automatic. Said they could, but when I made the trip from Maine to dealership, they didn't ("you're comparing apples to oranges, and its just not going to happen"). Subsequently wrote up deal after increasing the discount which seemed fair. From that point forward, it seemed that they did not want to do the deal. To get the discount, they said I'd have to be a member of a credit union (I was); they dinged my wife's credit score by offering a better bank rate, processing the app, then finding out the bank doesn't even do business outside of Mass; they said they could not accept an electronic payment direct from USAA (which they could and did 7 days later); said they had no knowledge of a $750 USAA rebate, which is prominently displayed all over USAA website for ALL customers (I finally called GMotors, they called dealer, who said they knew all about it ???)- this took a week; they repeatedly dragged their feet on paperwork and logistics, did not prep car for delivery on two separate occasions, gave misinformation, continually had so-and-so "out today" which dragged completion of the deal even longer, etc. After 2 weeks, I cancelled deal which they didn't hesitate to argue about, and then they refused to give me credit back on my card for $500 deposit I had made two weeks previously. When I called about it, the excuse was that the sales manager was on vacation for 2 weeks and he was the only one who could authorize a credit. Next, I left several messages for the General Manager of this and two sister dealerships (Boston Volvo and Volvo of Norwell), who at first did not return my calls. I researched the company on the web, tracked down the owner's number, and left a detailed message on his assistant's voice mail. The GM called me back within an hour, apologized and talked for over 40 minutes, profusely acknowledged their mistakes, and tried to save the deal. Sorry.......... The owner never did call back, even though his website is splashed with his personal quotes on the importance of customer service and their "great reputation".
In over 30 years of buying new cars (14 that i remember), this is absolutely the worst experience I have ever had. I don't know if their ineptness is genuine, making this group the most lame rubes I have ever encountered, or they are especially adept at acting stupid. DON'T EVEN WALK INTO THIS SORRY EXCUSE OF A DEALERSHIP!!! This dealer is part of Village Automotive Group which also includes Saab of Norwood and others (google the website if you must).
BTW, I got the same deal at another Saab dealer 20 minutes away who closed the deal and delivered the car within a few days - a very professional transaction and experience!!
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