Beware Santa Monica BMW

[theclay]

I bought a Sirius radio from Santa Monica BMW for $897.90 back in Dec. of 2005. The radio never worked outside of greater Los Angeles because the radio could not see the satellite, only the repeaters. I brought the car in four times to fix the radio. On the third visit I asked for a refund. The manager at the time pleaded to give them one more chance and to leave the car for two full days this time. I was reluctant but he agreed to give me a refund if this attempt failed. So I rented my own replacement vehicle again (they never provided one). When I brought the car in for the fourth time a new manager was in charge. I told him about my agreement and he seemed to understand. I didn't think I would need to get the promise of repair or refund on the fourth try in writing but i was wrong.

Summary:
-No refund, Defective radio still doesn't work outside of the city (at all)
-Out of pocket $897.90 + rental car fees
-New manager says no refunds, only more attempts to fix at my expense. (not letting them touch my car again)
-This is not a flame against BMW, I love my 330 and had no problems with Beverly Hills BMW (where I bought the car). This post is to inform my fellow BMW lovers to beware of the business practices of Santa Monica BMW. I have cases filed with BMW of North America and the Better Business Bureau but neither can make a refund happen.

Don't end up like me, check out SMBMW's score with BBB at http://www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/Business/CompanyReportPage_Expository.aspx?CompanyID=45015

 

[deutsch100]

Hey Clayton,

So sorry to hear that. Over the years, I have test driven a few cars at Santa Monica BMW, and I was not impressed with them at all. In my opinion, they were pushy and unprofessional.

Why didn't you buy the radio from Beverly Hills BMW, if you were happy there? Although, I know A LOT of people who do not like Beverly Hills BMW at all either, and even if you buy a 760Li from them, they don't provide loaner vehicles. That's horrible!

I swear by Century West BMW in North Hollywood. Awesome sales Dept., and a great Service Dept.

Hope BMWNA settles this for you!

 

[codex57]

Maybe it's the new manager? When I was down there, people I talked to didn't like Beverly Hills BMW. I was fine with Santa Monica's service dept. One time, they had my car in for service, but when I came to pick up, they couldn't find the keys. Since I had to be at work, they gave me a rental, even tho I only needed it for a few hours. I thought they were properly apologetic and did what they reasonably could for their screwup.

As for sales, I'm not a fan of most of the BMW dealers in SoCal.

 

[Detrich]

sorry to hear about this and thanks for the heads up. i think all crappy dealers deserve to rot in hell.

i usually go to new century when i need service. but, i thought bh bmw wasn't bad either. they probably are used to catering to snobby, rich, white people and hence- know what customer service means.

if i were u i'd write to bmwna and file a complaint. someone there should arbitrate or give u some help.

 

[theclay]

sorry to hear about this and thanks for the heads up. i think all crappy dealers deserve to rot in hell.

i usually go to new century when i need service. but, i thought bh bmw wasn't bad either. they probably are used to catering to snobby, rich, white people and hence- know what customer service means.

if i were u i'd write to bmwna and file a complaint. someone there should arbitrate or give u some help.

I have a complaint filed with BMW of NA, they can't force a refund though. To the poster who asked why I didn't buy the radio from Beverly Hills, I thought anyone could do a simple radio, I was wrong.
Furthermore, no rentals were ever offered or given to me during the four attempts made to fix THEIR mistake.

 

[Detrich]

dang... well, there are 3 things that you could do at this point i guess...

one is to just take the car to another (good) dealer, pay to get the radio fixed, file a report against SM BMW at the Better Business Bureau, and then just move past this- and never go back to SM BMW ever again. yes- it totally sucks and is totally not fair. but, sometimes it's nice just to have the issue fixed and leave the aggravation behind. (http://www.betterbusinessbureau.org/)

the other idea is to talk to the dealer's general manager or owner and tell them how the service manager totally screwed you over. and, see if he will do anything. chances are though, if the service manager is an ass, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

the third option is to file a claim against them in small claims. i'm not an attorney by any means, but it sounds to me like you have a very solid case. small claims can be time-consuming and lengthy. so, u have to weigh the pro's & con's and whether it's worth your time. (http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/smallclaims/)

if it were me, personally, i'd just do the first option and enjoy the stereo. you've already done a good job by letting everyone here know about SM BMW. what comes around goes around. and, any dealer that irresponsible won't have good business in the long run.

hope u get it taken care of soon.

 

[theclay]

dang... well, there are 3 things that you could do at this point i guess...

one is to just take the car to another (good) dealer, pay to get the radio fixed, file a report against SM BMW at the Better Business Bureau, and then just move past this- and never go back to SM BMW ever again. yes- it totally sucks and is totally not fair. but, sometimes it's nice just to have the issue fixed and leave the aggravation behind. (http://www.betterbusinessbureau.org/)

the other idea is to talk to the dealer's general manager or owner and tell them how the service manager totally screwed you over. and, see if he will do anything. chances are though, if the service manager is an ass, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

the third option is to file a claim against them in small claims. i'm not an attorney by any means, but it sounds to me like you have a very solid case. small claims can be time-consuming and lengthy. so, u have to weigh the pro's & con's and whether it's worth your time. (http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/smallclaims/)

if it were me, personally, i'd just do the first option and enjoy the stereo. you've already done a good job by letting everyone here know about SM BMW. what comes around goes around. and, any dealer that irresponsible won't have good business in the long run.

hope u get it taken care of soon.

My father, sister, and brother in law are lawyers. I have done everything I can short of small claims court. I work in the film industry and taking a day off to sit in court is just not worth it. I have given up on having a working Sirius radio, any more money spent at another dealer just doesn't make sense. I have already gone over $1,000 when you add rental car fees.

I just want people to know about Santa Monica BMW and how they honor their promises. So. Cal. has a lot of dealers to choose from. I only wish I would have seen a post like this before I got screwed.

If you missed it, I did go to the BBB, results are here
http://www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/Business/CompanyReportPage_Expository.aspx?CompanyID=45015

 

[Doughnut]

Sorry to hear about this, I too am having a problem with trying to get a refund on rims.
So frustrating when stuff dont happen to plan, and you loose alot of money in the process.

i think all crappy dealers deserve to rot in hell.

I fully agree, not only dealers but any place that decides to screew you over...
I'm angry for you 'theclay' I know how you feel

 

[ThatOneGuy]

Thanks for the warning.

 

[theclay]

Sorry to hear about this, I too am having a problem with trying to get a refund on rims.
So frustrating when stuff dont happen to plan, and you loose alot of money in the process.

I fully agree, not only dealers but any place that decides to screew you over...
I'm angry for you 'theclay' I know how you feel

It is frustrating but now that we live in the "information age" hopefully we can inform each other of our positive and negative experiences with retail dealers. I am glad there are so many forums for us to utilize before spending our money.
Best of luck to you sir.

 

[Average Jae]

late in chiming in,
man that really sucks! i know no words can remedy your frustration, but thank you for sharing. once again it goes to show, get it in writing!... *sigh