University Park Audi, Dallas, TX

My wife and I first went to University Park Audi in the Fall to enquire about a 2007 A4 Avant. We got a Sales Executive who was very uninformed about both cars, and couldn't answer any of our questions. She introduced us to the General Manager, who made off-color comments to us, so we got turned off and left.

A few weeks later, we wanted to reconsider the Audi. So, we went back to University Park Audi and spoke to another Sales Executive this time. She seemed more knowledgeable about Audi, though she wasn't very friendly. We drove the A4 Avant and liked it, but really liked the Q7. Within a day, we thought we'd decided on the car. My wife called the General Manager to enquire about price; he assured her that he would match the price of any dealer in Texas.

We knew exactly what options we wanted on the car, and wanted to stay within our price range. Since University Park Audi didn't have a Q7 with exact equipment in inventory, my wife spoke to a couple of other dealers in the area/region, one of whom had one, and offered (unsolicited) to sell it at invoice.

A day later, my wife and Debra had a conversation; my wife explained that she'd found a car in the area with the color and equipment we wanted, and that the dealer offered it to us at invoice. She also told her that we would buy the car from University Park Audi, if they offer us a good price. Later that day, the Sales Executive called her back and gave her University Park Audi's best price, which was over $2,500 above invoice. When my wife told her that we would then get the car from another dealer around invoice, the Sales Executive rudely told her that she'd found the car we wanted and had already requested it, and that University Park Audi was now the only way to get it!

Shocked by the approach, my wife called the General Manager a day later to discuss the issue with him directly. She reminded him that he had personally offered to match the price of any dealer in Texas. He didn't discuss price with her; rather, he replied that maybe, with our budget, we shouldn't be driving an Audi, and that perhaps we should consider another car! Then, he added that he does not want to do business with people who are price sensitive, and that we (price-conscious types) are not the types of customers he wanted to work with! My wife told him that we could buy anything he has on the lot, but that we had set what we wanted to pay. She protested that this is no way to deal with customers, and that this approach is what turned us off Audi the first time we visited. He hung up on her mid-sentence!

Absolutely shocking! Note that I do not take issue with the General Manager's refusal to sell the car at the price we want. I can respect his decision to sell his products at whatever price makes sense for his business. This is about his base attitude, treatment and insults. He and his Sales Executive exemplify the worst in sleazy used car sales people. Having people of this caliber in charge of sales reflects poorly on the dealership, its owners and on the Audi brand.

My wife and I are both young, educated professionals with high incomes. We both drive a BMW and everyone we know drives cars over $40K. With this treatment, the staff we met have cost the dealer (and Audi) our business and that of our friends and family.

We really liked the car, and were virtually sold on it until the General Manager showed his charms. This poor experience has overshadowed the high quality of Audi's products. With so much competition for our dollars, no one should have to endure this type of treatment.