Got REFUSED to buy back car today. Had appointment

[motorhead2]

I had a 10:30 AM appointment with Perry VW in San Luis Obispo Calif. today to sell my 2012 Sportwagen back. Car only has 19,000 miles. The license tags were due October 2016 so I put it on a non op and put it in the barn until I got my appointment. Since the car was not currently tagged, I drove it, under its own power onto my car trailer and trailered it 25 miles to the dealer. When I got to the dealer, I had to partially back the trailer into the side of the driveway because my ramps are short and I didn't want to damage the front valance. Right away a service writter comes up to me without any greeting and says I have to move it somewhere else to unload because I was blocking "HIS" driveway. I said "No I am not going to move because I have short ramps and didn't want to damage the car. He goes in and gets the General Manager and this guy right away tells me that they are NOT going to buy my car back today because I flat bedded it to the dealer instead of driving it. I told him I checked with VW and the class atty and the car needs to run on its own power. He got in my face and said he would have the car towed if I didn't get it off of the property. I'm 64 yrs old, in good physical condition and I asked him if he was the VW buy back person and he said no. I said then I don't need to talk to you and you don't know the contract and what it says.
So I talked t the VW buy back lady and she said her supervisor said not to buy it back today, that I was hostile. I said that the car moved and drove under its own power and that I trailered it to the dealer because it wasn't currently registered. I told the General manager I would see him in court.
I just got off of the phone with VWoA and told them my circumstances of why I trailered it. She said that the cars didn't need to be currently registered and asked me if the managr even drove the car. I said NO. They are calling the buy back person to try to get me back in today.
I have been involved with VW's since my dad bought a bug in 1955, when I was 3 yrs old. I worked at two dealers in the '70's and at an independent shop for 6 years. I have always owned a VW, bought a 1980 Dasher diesel wagon NEW and drove it for 19 years. I worked on them for clients, out of my home for 30 years. The 2012 was for my wife that I bought for her for our 35th wedding anniversary.
GREAT TREATMENT........Huh?

 

[Lightflyer1]

You could have saved yourself a lot of aggravation and just got a Vehicle Moving Permit.

Vehicle Moving Permit (CVC §§4002 & 11716)
A no–fee vehicle moving permit is valid for one day and issued to allow movement of vehicles:

With a PNO on file from the current place of storage to another place of storage.
To or from a garage or repair shop for the purpose of repairs or alteration.
For the purpose of dismantling or wrecking.
From one place to another for the purpose of:
Inspection by DMV or the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Assignment or verification of a vehicle identification number (VIN).
Inspection of pollution (smog) control devices.
Weighing the vehicle.
Obtaining brake/light certificates.
That are incomplete or under construction.
By a dealer, distributor, or manufacturer from their place of business to a place where the vehicle will be altered or supplied.
By a dealer, distributor, manufacturer, remanufacturer, or transporter from a vessel, railroad depot, or warehouse to a warehouse or salesroom.
From an impound yard.

A hostile attitude and demanding your own way will usually get results like this. Being compliant to some extent and finding a way to do the deal usually makes things smoother and easier. Drop at the Home Depot back lot and drive across the street.

 

[aja8888]

Wow, dealer does sound like an @$$. You would think they gave a damn about customers?

 

[Eggieztdi]

I'd be happy to call the dealer and talk to the GM and then contact his RM about how they took care of you. I don't believe you were at all in the wrong. I could be wrong, maybe you are an ass, but I highly doubt that is the case here. I might just do a little checkup with that dealership. Maybe not. I have a lot of time on my hand tomorrow . Sorry for their actions

 

[Lightflyer1]

I think the dealer has every right to ask you to move off their property, especially blocking the driveway. Had you pulled in and asked where you could unload instead of blocking the drive without asking, the situation may have been different. Even if they still said no just as easy to leave and go to the HD right there and unload. Damage unloading is your responsibility and can be minimized or none at all if done properly. Minor damage would probably be overlooked as well. This is a minor issue that was allowed to escalate beyond reason.

 

[smoav8r]

What was your goal today? Did you want to get into a pissing contest due to your frustration with VW or did you want to get a check? I would have moved the trailer, ripped the front clip off backing off the trailer, collected my check, and gone home.

 

[amstel78]

Strange. People have been turning in cars that were pretty much wrecked and have received restitution, but the OP was worried about valance damage while unloading? What difference would it have made since the car was being bought back? Now the OP has to wait again for a new appointment. To me, that's a world class waste of time and effort.

 

[BigWorm]

You should have moved it when he told you. You started the conflict in my opinion.

 

[Jimbabwe]

I'm glad I read this. I turn my JSW in tomorrow at the same dealer.
I have no intention of coming in with an issue, but I will be attentive to any "attitudinal shenanigans" that may or may not be present. Guaranteed I will be the more flexible of the parties involved as I've discovered that is more fun for me.
Thanks for the heads-up, more to follow I'm sure...

 

[tsingtao]

You could have saved yourself a lot of aggravation and just got a Vehicle Moving Permit.

I just saw a TDI on the freeway today in Phoenix with a paper plate. My first thought was, "I wonder who they bought that from?" but when I got closer I saw it was an AZ temporary permit. I would assume if CA and AZ issue them that most states do. Here you can buy a 3 day permit and print it out on your own printer.

 

[dropnosky]

Some states also provide a "one way delivery tag". I know in MO all you needed was a proof of insurance and a VIN. Vin could be written on a cocktail napkin for all they cared, as mine was.

Cost 12 bucks 10 or so years ago and i ended up with a paper tag with a hand written origin and destination and a time limit to make the drive.

 

[dropnosky]

I had a 10:30 AM appointment with Perry VW in San Luis Obispo Calif. today to sell my 2012 Sportwagen back. Car only has 19,000 miles. The license tags were due October 2016 so I put it on a non op and put it in the barn until I got my appointment. Since the car was not currently tagged, I drove it, under its own power onto my car trailer and trailered it 25 miles to the dealer. When I got to the dealer, I had to partially back the trailer into the side of the driveway because my ramps are short and I didn't want to damage the front valance. Right away a service writter comes up to me without any greeting and says I have to move it somewhere else to unload because I was blocking "HIS" driveway. I said "No I am not going to move because I have short ramps and didn't want to damage the car. He goes in and gets the General Manager and this guy right away tells me that they are NOT going to buy my car back today because I flat bedded it to the dealer instead of driving it. I told him I checked with VW and the class atty and the car needs to run on its own power. He got in my face and said he would have the car towed if I didn't get it off of the property. I'm 64 yrs old, in good physical condition and I asked him if he was the VW buy back person and he said no. I said then I don't need to talk to you and you don't know the contract and what it says.
So I talked t the VW buy back lady and she said her supervisor said not to buy it back today, that I was hostile. I said that the car moved and drove under its own power and that I trailered it to the dealer because it wasn't currently registered. I told the General manager I would see him in court.
I just got off of the phone with VWoA and told them my circumstances of why I trailered it. She said that the cars didn't need to be currently registered and asked me if the managr even drove the car. I said NO. They are calling the buy back person to try to get me back in today.
I have been involved with VW's since my dad bought a bug in 1955, when I was 3 yrs old. I worked at two dealers in the '70's and at an independent shop for 6 years. I have always owned a VW, bought a 1980 Dasher diesel wagon NEW and drove it for 19 years. I worked on them for clients, out of my home for 30 years. The 2012 was for my wife that I bought for her for our 35th wedding anniversary.
GREAT TREATMENT........Huh?

When you are partially blocking a driveway and they ask you to move, move your trailer. Whole situation was totally avoidable. As said above you could have asked for a good place to unload that wasnt the entrance to the dealer.

 

[cane929]

Self inflicted.

 

[amstel78]

When you are partially blocking a driveway and they ask you to move, move your trailer. Whole situation was totally avoidable. As said above you could have asked for a good place to unload that wasnt the entrance to the dealer.

And if he was so worried about damaging the vehicle while unloading from the trailer, I'm sure if he was nice about it, probably could have gotten someone from the dealership to help.

But, it's a moot point now.

 

[20IndigoBlue02]

I had a 10:30 AM appointment with Perry VW in San Luis Obispo Calif. today to sell my 2012 Sportwagen back. Car only has 19,000 miles. The license tags were due October 2016 so I put it on a non op and put it in the barn until I got my appointment. Since the car was not currently tagged, I drove it, under its own power onto my car trailer and trailered it 25 miles to the dealer. When I got to the dealer, I had to partially back the trailer into the side of the driveway because my ramps are short and I didn't want to damage the front valance. Right away a service writter comes up to me without any greeting and says I have to move it somewhere else to unload because I was blocking "HIS" driveway. I said "No I am not going to move because I have short ramps and didn't want to damage the car. He goes in and gets the General Manager and this guy right away tells me that they are NOT going to buy my car back today because I flat bedded it to the dealer instead of driving it. I told him I checked with VW and the class atty and the car needs to run on its own power. He got in my face and said he would have the car towed if I didn't get it off of the property. I'm 64 yrs old, in good physical condition and I asked him if he was the VW buy back person and he said no. I said then I don't need to talk to you and you don't know the contract and what it says.
So I talked t the VW buy back lady and she said her supervisor said not to buy it back today, that I was hostile. I said that the car moved and drove under its own power and that I trailered it to the dealer because it wasn't currently registered. I told the General manager I would see him in court.
I just got off of the phone with VWoA and told them my circumstances of why I trailered it. She said that the cars didn't need to be currently registered and asked me if the managr even drove the car. I said NO. They are calling the buy back person to try to get me back in today.
I have been involved with VW's since my dad bought a bug in 1955, when I was 3 yrs old. I worked at two dealers in the '70's and at an independent shop for 6 years. I have always owned a VW, bought a 1980 Dasher diesel wagon NEW and drove it for 19 years. I worked on them for clients, out of my home for 30 years. The 2012 was for my wife that I bought for her for our 35th wedding anniversary.
GREAT TREATMENT........Huh?

If VW really wanted to do the buyback, when you should of been... f-this, move the truck and trailer to a better location. and launch the car off the trailer under its own power, damaging the front bumper, the exact thing you didn't want to do.

When the dealership tries to suck up to you in order to get you into a Alltrack, tell them you're going to Subaru dealership instead.

 

[atomicfront]

Seems most of the people having issues bring everything on themselves. If someone tells you that you are blocking their driveway move your vehicle. Common sense. It isn't your property.

 

[fookin]

Sorry Motorhead, but your story lacks rational thought and behavior. At 64 you should be a little smarter. You could have parked the trailer a block or two away and just drove it in or gotten a one day permit. You bring this problem onto yourself.

 

[youngman]

Why did you care about scraping the front bumper on a buyback???????????????

 

[bizzle]

GREAT TREATMENT........Huh?

I was similarly mistreated by Mossy VW in San Diego.

It's horrible treatment that's only matched by the few here who choose to blame you, the victim, for being mistreated. It's a minority opinion that you'll notice among these handful of members here if you bother taking the time to search their posting history.

Presumably you've been with VW long enough to know by now the triangle relationship between corporate, their dealership franchises, and their customers is complicated, at best, but it still stings when you see it in action. Ignore the dealership's despicable behavior, ignore the apologists here blaming you for dealership's inability to treat you properly (literally, there is an ignore function on these message boards that will filter their responses. Click on their name, go to public profile, and click Ignore this user), and work through corporate for resolution.

https://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/what_is_ignorelist

 

[Tinman265]

I had a 10:30 AM appointment with Perry VW in San Luis Obispo Calif. today to sell my 2012 Sportwagen back. Car only has 19,000 miles. The license tags were due October 2016 so I put it on a non op and put it in the barn until I got my appointment. Since the car was not currently tagged, I drove it, under its own power onto my car trailer and trailered it 25 miles to the dealer. When I got to the dealer, I had to partially back the trailer into the side of the driveway because my ramps are short and I didn't want to damage the front valance. Right away a service writter comes up to me without any greeting and says I have to move it somewhere else to unload because I was blocking "HIS" driveway. I said "No I am not going to move because I have short ramps and didn't want to damage the car. He goes in and gets the General Manager and this guy right away tells me that they are NOT going to buy my car back today because I flat bedded it to the dealer instead of driving it. I told him I checked with VW and the class atty and the car needs to run on its own power. He got in my face and said he would have the car towed if I didn't get it off of the property. I'm 64 yrs old, in good physical condition and I asked him if he was the VW buy back person and he said no. I said then I don't need to talk to you and you don't know the contract and what it says.
So I talked t the VW buy back lady and she said her supervisor said not to buy it back today, that I was hostile. I said that the car moved and drove under its own power and that I trailered it to the dealer because it wasn't currently registered. I told the General manager I would see him in court.
I just got off of the phone with VWoA and told them my circumstances of why I trailered it. She said that the cars didn't need to be currently registered and asked me if the managr even drove the car. I said NO. They are calling the buy back person to try to get me back in today.
I have been involved with VW's since my dad bought a bug in 1955, when I was 3 yrs old. I worked at two dealers in the '70's and at an independent shop for 6 years. I have always owned a VW, bought a 1980 Dasher diesel wagon NEW and drove it for 19 years. I worked on them for clients, out of my home for 30 years. The 2012 was for my wife that I bought for her for our 35th wedding anniversary.
GREAT TREATMENT........Huh?

If they really are working with us the dealer should have taken a different route. Because the OP is not a $hit bag and didn't want to damage the car I would say the dealers reaction was a little over the top. I bet they would have let a tow truck bringing in a broken car unload there because that would be money in their pocket.

Who knows, maybe the OP was going to plunk down his check right there and then on a new ride? Wrong reaction by the dealer.

I see it time and time again, dealers in general think we need them. We don't. THEY NEED US! Lots of dealers to choose from and one is always looking to undercut the other.

 

[Lightflyer1]

If I ran a business anyone who pulled up and blocked my drive would be asked to move. Can't fault the dealer for that. Say all you want about the "minority" opinion here, but the OP kicked off the whole thing himself and escalated it as well. Short ramps on your own trailer don't give you the right to block someones business driveway. All the salesman asked was to unload somewhere else besides his drive, at that point. A question asked as to where he could have unloaded would have been appropriate not "I am not moving because I have short ramps". Unreasonable, caustic people get treated back the same way.

 

[bizzle]

Around here, every Target has a Starbucks inside of it, every Walmart has a Taco Bell inside of it, and it seems like every Costco has a Walmart next to it. Despite the proximity of those businesses to one another (even in the case of one being located inside the other, including the local supermarkets with banking branches inside of them) they have the same relationship to one another as the buyback specialist and a dealership representative--cordial but separate.

The issue is that some GMs are using their physical proximity to the buyback specialist to control that person's behavior along with anyone else they don't like (and buyback customers, especially those uninterested in buying a new car from the dealership, are already operating at a disadvantage in that regard). The customers aren't the only ones complaining about this alarming trend. Buyback specialists themselves have reported unwarranted meddling in the process despite the fact they are not employees of the dealership (like the customers, they are also having to operate within a hostile environment unless you're willing to believe that a dealership that is not making any money from the transaction, having to host a non-employee to make those transactions, and dealing with customers who want nothing to do with them is somehow *not* going to produce a hostile environment).

In any case, it's one thing to side with one participant during an argument. But to completely miss the point that it's infantile behavior for one business to get in the way of another is an entirely different issue. Going back to my original paragraph, if you park in front of the Walmart, Target, or wherever, and the store manager doesn't like it, he or she can do something about that perhaps even going so far as to follow through on that threat to call a tow truck or some legal authority for assistance.

What he or she can not do is walk around to all the different businesses and berate their employees into refusing to serve you. If you park in a handicap space without authorization, I would agree with the store manager you're being a jerk and I'd even say call up the authorities and cite/tow the vehicle. That doesn't give the manager justification to walk over to the Starbucks window and tell the barrista that you won't be served any coffee that day! Apply that scenario to the other examples (Walmart to Taco Bell, Costco to Walmart, or local supermarket to bank branch) and this type of behavior would not be tolerated within those contexts.

 

[chief poncho]

I don't know the OP's state of mind at the time and given he hasn't chimed back in is interesting, but I would say both parties were at fault. If he was indeed blocking a main entrance into their service department, they had every right to ask him to move the trailer. I've seen behavior at places that goes way beyond a polite request. No doubt the dealer escalated the situation initially which caused the OP to probably be defensive and basically say screw you, I'm dropping my car here and I don't give a damn. That seems to be the most likely scenario. For the buyback specialist not to go forward with the buyback is ridiculous, but we have no idea how far the initial contact with folks at the dealership escalated. I know given the situation for some people to be very angry over the entire buyback process, VW buyback reps have probably been cautioned to tread carefully in these types of situations. This obviously could have been handled better by both parties, but in general I would say the VW dealership was more in the wrong and should have offered to help unload the vehicle. If I was VW I would instruct everyone involved in the turn-in process to be extra nice to the customers, especially given they know they are going to have cash and are most likely going to be in the market for a replacement car.

My experience with a turn-in was quite pleasant with both the dealership employees and the buyback specialist. But then again, I didn't block anyone's service entrance either. ;-)

 

[Lightflyer1]

I don't know the OP's state of mind at the time and given he hasn't chimed back in is interesting, but I would say both parties were at fault. If he was indeed blocking a main entrance into their service department, they had every right to ask him to move the trailer. I've seen behavior at places that goes way beyond a polite request. No doubt the dealer escalated the situation initially which caused the OP to probably be defensive and basically say screw you, I'm dropping my car here and I don't give a damn. That seems to be the most likely scenario. For the buyback specialist not to go forward with the buyback is ridiculous, but we have no idea how far the initial contact with folks at the dealership escalated. I know given the situation for some people to be very angry over the entire buyback process, VW buyback reps have probably been cautioned to tread carefully in these types of situations. This obviously could have been handled better by both parties, but in general I would say the VW dealership was more in the wrong and should have offered to help unload the vehicle. If I was VW I would instruct everyone involved in the turn-in process to be extra nice to the customers, especially given they know they are going to have cash and are most likely going to be in the market for a replacement car.

My experience with a turn-in was quite pleasant with both the dealership employees and the buyback specialist. But then again, I didn't block anyone's service entrance either. ;-)

According to the OP's post, the OP started it when asked to move, he refused and made excuses. Nothing in his first post says the dealer did anything other than ask him to move.

"When I got to the dealer, I had to partially back the trailer into the side of the driveway because my ramps are short and I didn't want to damage the front valance. Right away a service writter comes up to me without any greeting and says I have to move it somewhere else to unload because I was blocking "HIS" driveway. I said "No I am not going to move because I have short ramps and didn't want to damage the car."

After that both sides escalated things.

 

[chadbag]

If I ran a business anyone who pulled up and blocked my drive would be asked to move. Can't fault the dealer for that. Say all you want about the "minority" opinion here, but the OP kicked off the whole thing himself and escalated it as well. Short ramps on your own trailer don't give you the right to block someones business driveway. All the salesman asked was to unload somewhere else besides his drive, at that point. A question asked as to where he could have unloaded would have been appropriate not "I am not moving because I have short ramps". Unreasonable, caustic people get treated back the same way.

How long does it take to unload? 5? 10 minutes? The service manager could wait that long for his precious driveway to be unblocked.

As was mentioned, if it was a wrecker flat bed bringing in a wreck for repair, I doubt there would have been the same reaction by the service manager.

This post just tells us what dealership NOT to visit if we are in that area.

 

[chief poncho]

Right away a service writter comes up to me without any greeting and says I have to move it somewhere else to unload because I was blocking "HIS" driveway.

This is why the dealership first escalated the situation. The service writer did not even determine what was going on prior to coping an attitude. Like I said, we all have no idea how the actual exchange occurred other than the information the OP posted. But once again, any and all TDI customers coming in for a turn-in should be treated "extra" nice, IMO. VW doesn't need any more negative publicity than they already have over this entire issue. Blogs, forums and other websites are full of the complaints about the buyback process. If anything VW reps of any sort, whether they are dealership employees, buyback reps, claims call in line people or anyone else remotely associated with the brand should be bending over backwards to keep what's left of their customer base happy. Motorhead already said he was a loyal VW customer for many many years...but after this....count another one gone. This incident only hurts the dealership and the brand, not Motorhead, no matter how much of a-hole he may or may not have been.

 

[Lightflyer1]

It isn't escalating to ask someone to not block their commercial driveway. It is when you refuse stating your tow dolly doesn't work right.

 

[chief poncho]

My point is simply we don't know how that initial exchange took place. Was it a cordial..."excuse me sir, but you can't unload your vehicle right there, you're blocking our service entrance" or was it "HEY BUDDY GET YOUR F'N TRAILER OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY?" We don't know, but the OP indicated there was an attitude behind the first request. Thus my point, treat your customers with kid gloves VW, if you plan on retaining any of them.

 

[pdq import repair]

How long does it take to unload? 5? 10 minutes? The service manager could wait that long for his precious driveway to be unblocked.
As was mentioned, if it was a wrecker flat bed bringing in a wreck for repair, I doubt there would have been the same reaction by the service manager.
This post just tells us what dealership NOT to visit if we are in that area.

It is likely because of wreckers and flatbeds that they are so sensitive to unloading in their driveway. They don't ever unload again without asking where and when after our service writer gets through with them here.

Random car drops are very much frowned on for a lot of reasons. Just poke your head in the door and ask, they will tell you where they want it.

 

[Lightflyer1]

Well we do know that the OP "" his and we don't know if the OP added that or was meant to mean something. We don't know. What we do know is the OP responded with an out and out refusal to move when asked to. That "is" a blatant escalation.