I did not have a good experience at Portland Street Honda. After reflecting on the experience at Portland I felt like I was just another customer and was almost rushed into buying. The sales rep seemed very nice, taking us for a test drive. On the drive he was super knowledgable and friendly. When we got back we started discussing numbers and once we agreed upon an original number for him to bring to his manager I had assumed he would come back saying this number was approved or disapproved and ask how we wanted to proceed from there, however when he came back he congratulated me on my new car. Maybe this had to do with me not knowing how auto sales work but it seemed as though his instructions were unclear. Going in I had no intentions of buying that day, I just wanted to see what the bottom number would be so I could go home and think it over. Once he congratulated me I felt pressured to continue on and next thing I knew I was meeting with the finance manager discussing what I would need in order to proceed. Although I recognize that I should have been more clear in saying today we were just wanting to go over numbers and not follow through with anything I wish he would have taken the time to explain how the process would work. I did not put a deposit down or sign any papers but we did have a verbal agreement of the purchase. After my boyfriend and I left I felt a little bit nervous as the whole process was so quick but in the end I guess we were happy we got a car, just not sure if it was the best deal or if we took enough time to properly think it over. In the meantime, I had to cancel the upcoming scheduled meeting I had with colonial and upon cancellation they offered to beat the price of Portland. Of course as a young adult I was interested in hearing what they had to offer. I called them and explained the situation and asked if I was locked in. They explained that I was not locked in because I did not sign the lease agreement or put a deposit down so I went in to see what they could give me. Although hesitant to go to colonial as I felt bad about already having a verbal agreement with Portland, I decided it was in my best interest to hear them out in order to save money. When I talked with the guy at colonial he was very understanding and patient and offered for us to take the night to think about everything. The following morning I had explained the deal that colonial had offered me and the sales rep that I worked with prior to called me expressing his embarrassment and anger that we had talked with colonial and that he now has to go back to his manager and present a new deal. He was very passive aggressive over the phone and completely steered me the wrong way. I was so taken back by his approach and I knew that he immediately lost my business as I felt attacked and disrespected.
Customer service to me means you meet the client where they are at and do whatever you can to earn their trust and business. Because I was already so far in with Dartmouth I probably would have went with them if he had just said yes we of course can beat the deal they presented you and will do what it takes to earn your business. Instead, he lost all my respect so I immediately called colonial to see what he could do for us as I wanted to give them our business. If the sales rep would have approached the situation by recognizing what it might be like to buy a car for the first time while in school and when money is tight, actually showing me patience and understanding then he would have easily won my business but he did not.
I did however have a good experience with the finance manager and in her email she wished me all best, while still asking if I spoke with her manager to try and earn our business back. The manager did leave me a voicemail telling me could earn our business back and had an offer that might interest me but at this point the experience was too far gone for me to want to return.
I ended up purchasing the car through colonial and had a much better experience.