An Abhorrent Customer Service Experience
Avoid at all costs. One of the most abhorrent customer service experiences I've ever had with a company. My husband and I purchased a 2017 Subaru Fore
Avoid at all costs. One of the most abhorrent customer service experiences I've ever had with a company. My husband and I purchased a 2017 Subaru Forester in March, right before NYC went into lock down. The car seemed great, but the AC wasn't super powerful. We asked about it, and was told that if there was an issue after we purchased the car, we could bring it in to get repaired, no questions asked. Obviously the seller, Chris, was just trying to make a quick sale. We took his word for it, which was a mistake on our part.
Fast forward to May, and the AC is fully out. My husband took it in for a dye test (we were still within warranty then). We were told to bring it back when it stopped working again. The first week of July, it stopped working again. We made an appointment for two weeks later (now out of warranty) to get it serviced, and were suddenly slapped with a $700 bill, despite being told when we purchased the car that it would be taken care of and the fact that we started this process when we were still within warranty.
We spent 8 days trying to get in touch with the General Sales Manager of the dealership, Michael Chiusano, to try to resolve the billing issue. We were pushed between departments, left multiple messages and emails with zero calls back, have been treated very rudely and dismissive, and in the end, got $60 off our $700 bill (after hours and hours on the phone, and multiple hours waiting in their showroom).
A complete joke. We were scammed when we were sold the car and made the mistake of taking the dealership for their word. But hey, they made their sale, and that's all that matters.
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by AlisonMcc
Jul 21, 2020 -
Bay Ridge Subaru responded
Alison, I regret to learn about your overall feedback for us and we’re sorry for any inconvenience we may have caused you. We pride ourselves on providing a fully transparent, and professional sales experience to all of our guests. I personally answered all calls and emails I received from you. I wouldn't hide from anyone, especially our clients. During our last conversation, we went over your whole agreement and unfortunately, since you opted out of getting an extended warranty this process was not covered by the time of your July service. I also, explained that our dealership doesn't practice verbal agreements but everything is in writing to ensure things that are promised are never forgotten. It is always our #1 goal to satisfy our customers, and I apologize that we've fallen short of that. We hope that we are able to work with you again in the future. Sincerely, Michael Chiusano
Jul 21, 2020 -
Bay Ridge Subaru responded
Hello Alison,
On the day you picked up the car we had docs signed saying we didn’t owe you anything. Verbal conversations in any business can not be binding as it is all hearsay and no one knows if any parties said any of the things that were mentioned. I hope you can understand why businesses can not accept verbal agreements. I have spoken to my team and no one remembers that conversation, they do remember going over the NYS Lemon Law warranty and what is covered and unfortunately that item is not covered. We offered you an extended warranty agreement to purchase to cover the whole car mechanically but unfortunately you turned it down which would have covered the part in question. This is an unfortunate issue and we do apologize however I am sure if you were a business owner you would understand where we stand and why we can not accept a verbal conversation that you might have had with our staff.
The 10% discount was in fact the Buyers Benefits, I never claimed I gave you that discount for the job performed. That discount was part of what your entitled to as a thank you for buying a car from us as well as the other benefits you will receive. As for the messages, whenever you called me I followed back up with you, I even called you on my day off from my home. I went out to you when you visited the showroom on Saturday (I would have met with you after my appointment but I understand you could not wait for me). Everything I promised you, I did for you and I went above and beyond to look into this situation but there is nothing more I could have done. However thank you for letting me know my off site call center might not have forwarded all your messages to us that is something I will not stand for and will rectify.
In closing I am sorry we did not satisfy you. We try to go above and beyond for our clients and we do the right thing however this was an unfortunate issue that occurred and could not do anything more for you.
Sincerely,
Michael A. Chiusano
General Sales Manager
Jul 21, 2020 -
AlisonMcc responded
I appreciate the response Michael - but while you say your dealership doesn't practice verbal agreements in practice, the fact of the matter is, that's exactly what your sales agent did in reality. So you might want to speak with your team about that policy. We should have requested the IOU in writing, but as first time buyers, made the mistake of trusting it would be offered to us if necessary. Also, I counted 13 outgoing calls in my call log to the dealership where I left messages with staff and 2-3 of those were answered.
On top of that, the "10% discount" you were able to do us "as a favor" was already part of the buyers benefits we would have received any - wow, what a generous favor!
This was our first car purchase, so sorry to say you have lost us a long-term customers. We will not be purchasing with you again and are making sure our friends, family, and social media contacts know about our experience as well.
Jul 21, 2020 -
AlisonMcc responded
All I'll say is that this experience has proved that car dealerships and used car salesmen have a sketchy reputation in our culture for a reason :)
nice experience
Always make customers comfortable they advise you of the weight time give you a price before time so you can make arrangements. WENT IN FOR OIL CHANGE
Always make customers comfortable they advise you of the weight time give you a price before time so you can make arrangements. WENT IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND ENGINE LIGHT ON THEY TOOK CARE OF IT NO PROBLEM.
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by NICKYDEST
Verified Customer
Verified Customer
Jul 17, 2020 -
Bay Ridge Subaru responded
Thanks for such a delightful rating. We truly appreciate it and hope to work with you again, Nicky! Sincerely, Tom Ruggiero, Dealer Principal
Chris Malone was incredibly helpful and insightful during
the entire purchasing process. His knowledge and patience throughout the time I spent at Subaru was beyond reproach. I could not be more satisfied wi
the entire purchasing process. His knowledge and patience throughout the time I spent at Subaru was beyond reproach. I could not be more satisfied with the experience.
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by WILLIAM.MCGRATH0
Verified Customer
Verified Customer
Jul 16, 2020 -
Bay Ridge Subaru responded
Thank you for your kind review as well as your five star rating. We are glad you had an excellent experience at Bay Ridge Subaru. Chris is outstanding & we are lucky to have him on our team. We appreciate you choosing Bay Ridge Subaru & we hope to see you again soon! Sincerely, Tom Ruggiero, Dealer Principal
They stayed true to the time in which the service was
scheduled to be completed. Service was professional and friendly. I highly recommend this place.
scheduled to be completed. Service was professional and friendly. I highly recommend this place.
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by jimlebron2009
Verified Customer
Verified Customer
Other Employees Tagged:
Joseph Teti
Jul 09, 2020 -
Bay Ridge Subaru responded
Thanks for such a delightful rating, Jim. We truly appreciate it and hope to work with you again! Sincerely, Tom Ruggiero, Dealer Principal
No pressure, just great service.Thank you Gerald and
Chris. We are repeat customers and love our Subarus. Greatly appreciated the Covid precautions! All the best. Chris and Mary
Chris. We are repeat customers and love our Subarus. Greatly appreciated the Covid precautions! All the best. Chris and Mary
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by COGSMOE
Verified Customer
Verified Customer
Jul 06, 2020 -
Bay Ridge Subaru responded
Thank you so much for your great feedback for Gerald and Chris. We are so glad to know of their outstanding and fabulous care. Congratulations on your new Subarus! We thank you for your repeated business, Chris and Mary. Let us know if we can help you with anything else. Sincerely, Tom Ruggiero, Dealer Principal
All online, very simple.
We reached out about some used car options and ended up purchasing a new car because of the financing specials and pandemic considerations. The corres
We reached out about some used car options and ended up purchasing a new car because of the financing specials and pandemic considerations. The correspondence was easy and mostly via email. The car was delivered to us and all COVID protocols were followed. Chris was very friendly, easy-going and nice to work with. Would recommend to future purchasers.
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by MKMCNA
Verified Customer
Verified Customer
Jul 01, 2020 -
Bay Ridge Subaru responded
Congratulations! We are so happy to know your experience went well. Thanks for your feedback for us. We look forward to working with you again in the future for any other of your vehicle needs. Sincerely, Tom Ruggiero, Dealer Principal
The process for leasing a new vehicle was made simple,
easy and painless. I would recommend this dealersher to anyone looking to buy or lease.
easy and painless. I would recommend this dealersher to anyone looking to buy or lease.
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by RAMOSN
Verified Customer
Verified Customer
Jun 05, 2020 -
Bay Ridge Subaru responded
So glad you had an easy and painless leasing experience with us, Ramson! Congratulations on your new vehicle and we hope to see you again soon. Sincerely, Tom Ruggiero, Dealer Principal
Cornelius Middleton is great and a pleasure to work with.
The service and staff at Bay Ridge Subaru are great! Everyone we encountered at the facility were friendly and accommodating.
The service and staff at Bay Ridge Subaru are great! Everyone we encountered at the facility were friendly and accommodating.
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by DROMEO3
Verified Customer
Verified Customer
May 21, 2020 -
Bay Ridge Subaru responded
Thank you for the five-star review! We are so glad that we could provide you with great and friendly service. Sincerely, Tom Ruggiero, Dealer Principal
Thanks for the professional service. Loving my new Subaru
Ascent. It makes my work for RAND Engineering and Architecture much easier to do in these times.
Ascent. It makes my work for RAND Engineering and Architecture much easier to do in these times.
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by KLINGENSMITH.FAGIN
Verified Customer
Verified Customer
Other Employees Tagged:
Joseph Teti
Mar 24, 2020 -
Bay Ridge Subaru responded
Congratulations on your new Subaru Ascent! On behalf of the team, it was a pleasure to work with you and we hope to see you again for all your vehicle needs. Thank you for choosing Bay Ridge Subaru! Sincerely, Tom Ruggiero, Dealer Principal
Good experience
Pleasant, effective, professional . I would definitely continue my relationship with Bay Ridge Subaru for years to come, God willing.
Also would reco
Pleasant, effective, professional . I would definitely continue my relationship with Bay Ridge Subaru for years to come, God willing.
Also would recommend this center as well as the Forester.
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by BYRONJACKIE
Verified Customer
Verified Customer
Mar 24, 2020 -
Bay Ridge Subaru responded
Here at Bay Ridge Subaru, we understand your time and business is valuable. We're glad to hear that we were able to provide you with such an amazing experience. Thank you for letting us know how your experience was and we hope to continue to provide amazing service to you! As one of our valued customers, we want to sincerely thank you for your business. We're thrilled to have you as a customer, Jackie and we hope to see you here again down the road! Safe travels! Sincerely, Tom Ruggiero, Dealer Principal