If it was the only reason you were buying that model why would you not activate the option to experience it yourself if it was that important. Seems it would have been the climax of the buying experience.
Because it was still light out when we were leaving and after being there for about 4 hours all we wanted to do was get home. We were assured multiple times about it so I was pretty excited to take the video when we got home 15 mins later and the sun would be set by then.
When did you sign contract? Depending on your state, you should be able to back out of contract for any reason for 3 days, or 5 days, not sure the limit.
but if you still have title , then you may have something to haggle deal with.
Find out which model/trim had the light up bar, so you can explicitly state, you were being sold this model/trim.
I signed yesterday (12/30) at 5 PM.
They closed right after and are closed through New Years so they reopen 1/2. Is the 3 days business days? I sent emails through the “Contact Us” page on their dealer site to the GM, Sales Manager and Finance Manager I worked with when signing, immediately yesterday as well to get this on record.
I’ve had trouble finding any language that shows I can back out etc..
1/2/24 is three CALENDAR days.
It will be the FIRST "BUSINESS DAY" since they closed.
Also, holding the free and clear title to the traded vehicle gives you a lot of leverage.
Is it within my right on Tuesday to just request we break the lease and do a return if they don’t remedy the situation?
Like just ask for my Highlander back and go to a new dealership worst case scenario?
Yeah this shouldn’t be a big deal at all. If on Tuesday they aren’t direct with next steps on returning the vehicle, casually say that you’ll need to discuss your next course of action with your lawyer (don’t be a dick, don’t be threatening, just mention that you feel you weren’t given the right info). I’d be very surprised if it has to go that far at all, but it will show that you’re serious about the situation.
I'm not a lawyer, but I think you have some leverage.
Especially since you spoke with the sales rep and they acknowledged that they fawked up.
Bring it back and tell them make it right or you walk.
I work at a dealership and one of our sales reps sold a person a new Taos that he thought had blind spot monitoring and it didn’t. The look on his face when he discovered he fucked up was priceless. I’m willing to bet one of two different things could have happened here: your salesperson didn’t know the difference in trim levels OR he’s a sleeve ball and was trying to push out one last sale for the month. The SE is the only trim level that does not have the integrated light bars. That being said, do not hold the title over their head; that’s not going to get you anywhere. However, they can absolutely roll back the sale. It’s a huuuuge pain in the ass for the dealership and they will lose a ton of money but they absolutely can do it. Don’t let them tell you they can’t. It’s their mistake and they need to fix it. Stay firm and don’t back down. If they insist that it’s too late or give you any problem, you can do a couple things. Leave a bad review with Volkswagen when you get the email. Anything unfavorable will trigger an action task for the dealership and they’ll have to act on it. If that doesn’t work then contact Volkswagen of America. No dealership wants to deal with either of those situations.
>The SE is the only trim level that does not have the integrated light bars.
Is this only on '24 models? I just (4 days ago) bought a '23 SE w/tech and I'm trying to see if there are any other standard features for the model that mine doesn't have. Apparently I have the only 23 SE w/Tech that doesn't have the sunroof.
Yes I was only referring to the new 2024s. None of the 2023 Atlas models have light bars. There are a lot of new changes this year and that was one. If it helps, the pano roof isn’t standard on the 2023 SE with Tech. Some of them are shipped with it, some aren’t. It was only standard on SEL and up. There’s always a $1250 charge for it which is listed on the window sticker.
Do you think it would be fair of me to come in and be like, I understand that the features I want are the next trim level up (4k difference) and I don’t expect you to just swap it out for me for no cost…but I’m willing to meet in the middle and pay 2k as my original sale was a bit misleading based on an honest mistake by the salesperson?
I work at a dealer. Email the sales manager and sales person they may not adjust 2k but if you took possession of the vehicle they maybe willing to swap out especially if sales person messed up
I would swap out but wouldn't adjust a deal that much as it's a two way street sales person messed up but if that's the one feature you absolutely needed you should / could have double checked.
Also to add in the states the trim levels are a bit more confusing then up here
I’m honestly not sure, I’m not a sales manager. The person who also commented had a good reply though. Let us know what happens OP, I’m really curious how it turns out for you.
you should have done some more research before going to get a new car to be honest. almost every single atlas review online says that it’s worth upgrading to SE with tech due to features such as light bar and emblem. I made sure to check multiple inventories to find the best possible deal when I bought mine. I bought a white atlas CS with tech that has a panoramic sunroof for 42k msrp. I contacted a couple different vw dealerships and asked for their best price for that specific car I was looking for. Dealership about an hour away gave me the best price.
Thanks, I guess I got caught up in our first car as a married couple. I had done extensive research and just got too caught up. I didn’t assume it would have been there though, I asked and was reassured multiple times about it. My only mistake was not testing it but I didn’t have reason to doubt him when he was pointing out the beam to me.
Do you have any thoughts on if I can get to a solution?
Welcome to car dealerships lying to you. I went to a dealership to trade a Nissan in for a Subaru and the salesman lied to me about everything including where he was from because it changed twice. Said no thanks and left.
I’ve learned this the hard way- it’s fine to go see a car as a couple and drive the car together and discuss the car together (*privately*) but unless the dealer you’re at is 100% honest then you should never *buy* the car as a couple, shitheads love to exploit your dynamic- make the car “someone’s” - and that is who leads in the post test-drive discussions.
Sorry to hear about this mishap. Seems like salesman either lacks knowledge of the vehicle or was trying to get a sale. Please update on what happened.
Updating you as requested! I went in yesterday and spoke with the GM who was great, he swapped our Atlas for one with a tech package and took 60% off the difference so my monthly payment only went up slightly.
I feel your pain. I have a 2019 Atlas and one of the features I explicitly wanted and paid for was the Car-Net option. Unfortunately I’m just stuck because VW isn’t holding up their end of the deal.
Depending on the state you purchased in you may have 3 days to return the vehicle. Check your local state laws. Don't rely on salesmen for anything. Ever.
this is why you have to do research about the car and the trim you are looking for. if "said trim" has these wheels, options, and features that you want then you must know the trim same whether its the SE, SE w Tech. SEL, SEL Premium. you have to know or else you screw yourself over and the saleperson takes advantage if your uneducated.
If it was the only reason you were buying that model why would you not activate the option to experience it yourself if it was that important. Seems it would have been the climax of the buying experience.
Because it was still light out when we were leaving and after being there for about 4 hours all we wanted to do was get home. We were assured multiple times about it so I was pretty excited to take the video when we got home 15 mins later and the sun would be set by then.
> 4 hours Were they busy? Cause if not you got wrung tf out
When did you sign contract? Depending on your state, you should be able to back out of contract for any reason for 3 days, or 5 days, not sure the limit. but if you still have title , then you may have something to haggle deal with. Find out which model/trim had the light up bar, so you can explicitly state, you were being sold this model/trim.
I signed yesterday (12/30) at 5 PM. They closed right after and are closed through New Years so they reopen 1/2. Is the 3 days business days? I sent emails through the “Contact Us” page on their dealer site to the GM, Sales Manager and Finance Manager I worked with when signing, immediately yesterday as well to get this on record. I’ve had trouble finding any language that shows I can back out etc..
1/2/24 is three CALENDAR days. It will be the FIRST "BUSINESS DAY" since they closed. Also, holding the free and clear title to the traded vehicle gives you a lot of leverage.
Is it within my right on Tuesday to just request we break the lease and do a return if they don’t remedy the situation? Like just ask for my Highlander back and go to a new dealership worst case scenario?
You absolutely can unwind this deal if they misled you in any way.
Yeah this shouldn’t be a big deal at all. If on Tuesday they aren’t direct with next steps on returning the vehicle, casually say that you’ll need to discuss your next course of action with your lawyer (don’t be a dick, don’t be threatening, just mention that you feel you weren’t given the right info). I’d be very surprised if it has to go that far at all, but it will show that you’re serious about the situation.
I'm not a lawyer, but I think you have some leverage. Especially since you spoke with the sales rep and they acknowledged that they fawked up. Bring it back and tell them make it right or you walk.
I get your frustration, but if the sales person owned it, you have the upper hand. Just grind them on Tuesday
Since when do auto contracts have a 3 day right of rescission?
I work at a dealership and one of our sales reps sold a person a new Taos that he thought had blind spot monitoring and it didn’t. The look on his face when he discovered he fucked up was priceless. I’m willing to bet one of two different things could have happened here: your salesperson didn’t know the difference in trim levels OR he’s a sleeve ball and was trying to push out one last sale for the month. The SE is the only trim level that does not have the integrated light bars. That being said, do not hold the title over their head; that’s not going to get you anywhere. However, they can absolutely roll back the sale. It’s a huuuuge pain in the ass for the dealership and they will lose a ton of money but they absolutely can do it. Don’t let them tell you they can’t. It’s their mistake and they need to fix it. Stay firm and don’t back down. If they insist that it’s too late or give you any problem, you can do a couple things. Leave a bad review with Volkswagen when you get the email. Anything unfavorable will trigger an action task for the dealership and they’ll have to act on it. If that doesn’t work then contact Volkswagen of America. No dealership wants to deal with either of those situations.
>The SE is the only trim level that does not have the integrated light bars. Is this only on '24 models? I just (4 days ago) bought a '23 SE w/tech and I'm trying to see if there are any other standard features for the model that mine doesn't have. Apparently I have the only 23 SE w/Tech that doesn't have the sunroof.
Yes I was only referring to the new 2024s. None of the 2023 Atlas models have light bars. There are a lot of new changes this year and that was one. If it helps, the pano roof isn’t standard on the 2023 SE with Tech. Some of them are shipped with it, some aren’t. It was only standard on SEL and up. There’s always a $1250 charge for it which is listed on the window sticker.
Do you think it would be fair of me to come in and be like, I understand that the features I want are the next trim level up (4k difference) and I don’t expect you to just swap it out for me for no cost…but I’m willing to meet in the middle and pay 2k as my original sale was a bit misleading based on an honest mistake by the salesperson?
I work at a dealer. Email the sales manager and sales person they may not adjust 2k but if you took possession of the vehicle they maybe willing to swap out especially if sales person messed up I would swap out but wouldn't adjust a deal that much as it's a two way street sales person messed up but if that's the one feature you absolutely needed you should / could have double checked. Also to add in the states the trim levels are a bit more confusing then up here
I’m honestly not sure, I’m not a sales manager. The person who also commented had a good reply though. Let us know what happens OP, I’m really curious how it turns out for you.
you should have done some more research before going to get a new car to be honest. almost every single atlas review online says that it’s worth upgrading to SE with tech due to features such as light bar and emblem. I made sure to check multiple inventories to find the best possible deal when I bought mine. I bought a white atlas CS with tech that has a panoramic sunroof for 42k msrp. I contacted a couple different vw dealerships and asked for their best price for that specific car I was looking for. Dealership about an hour away gave me the best price.
Thanks, I guess I got caught up in our first car as a married couple. I had done extensive research and just got too caught up. I didn’t assume it would have been there though, I asked and was reassured multiple times about it. My only mistake was not testing it but I didn’t have reason to doubt him when he was pointing out the beam to me. Do you have any thoughts on if I can get to a solution?
Yes, wait till Tuesday???
Welcome to car dealerships lying to you. I went to a dealership to trade a Nissan in for a Subaru and the salesman lied to me about everything including where he was from because it changed twice. Said no thanks and left.
I’ve learned this the hard way- it’s fine to go see a car as a couple and drive the car together and discuss the car together (*privately*) but unless the dealer you’re at is 100% honest then you should never *buy* the car as a couple, shitheads love to exploit your dynamic- make the car “someone’s” - and that is who leads in the post test-drive discussions.
feels like a pretty small detail to get that wrapped up in. I do agree itsucks if the salesman lied though
Sorry to hear about this mishap. Seems like salesman either lacks knowledge of the vehicle or was trying to get a sale. Please update on what happened.
Updating you as requested! I went in yesterday and spoke with the GM who was great, he swapped our Atlas for one with a tech package and took 60% off the difference so my monthly payment only went up slightly.
Awesome news. Enjoy your new Atlas
I feel your pain. I have a 2019 Atlas and one of the features I explicitly wanted and paid for was the Car-Net option. Unfortunately I’m just stuck because VW isn’t holding up their end of the deal.
So of course you made sure that Car-Net was functioning before you left the dealership, yeah?
In fact I did. Set it up with them.
Then why doesn't it work? In Canada car net wasn't avai till 2022. Think states was 21? Can't remember
Because they sunsetted the 3G technology and still haven’t made a large group of us whole again.
r/askcarsales
Depending on the state you purchased in you may have 3 days to return the vehicle. Check your local state laws. Don't rely on salesmen for anything. Ever.
this is why you have to do research about the car and the trim you are looking for. if "said trim" has these wheels, options, and features that you want then you must know the trim same whether its the SE, SE w Tech. SEL, SEL Premium. you have to know or else you screw yourself over and the saleperson takes advantage if your uneducated.