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> Why I hate Automobile Atlanta, Just my take on bad customer service and no integrity
jj83118
post Jun 18 2007, 08:26 PM
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I thought I'd share my crappy experience with Automobile Atlanta. Maybe I just need to vent, but I think they are one shady outfit.

Here is my story:

I need a 914-6 oil tank to complete my car. Last February (one week before they were having their big "sale") I called AA and asked about their oil tanks. Bruce or Mclean told me there were 8 in stock...cool, only $535 list and a 20% discount to boot!

I got up early on the Saturday morning (the day of the sale) called AA and asked about oil tanks...I was told there were plenty in stock. Alright, I'll take one...problem solved. I was so pleased, I ordered two rear bearings and some CV joint gaskets too!

A week goes past and only the bearings and gaskets show up at my door. So, I give them a call. They say they ran out of tanks. WTF!

I talked to Bruce and told him the whole story. He said they would ship me a tank in two weeks when the new supply arrives. I say fine...it figured it was still a long time before I actually needed the tank.

A week goes by and low and behold an invoice arrives...I was charged full price for a tank that was never shipped ($587.45)! Oh boy! I get to call Bruce again.

Bruce tells me they will honor the 20% sale price and correct the charge to my credit card. Silly me, I believe him. He also says the tank will be shipped by the end of March. Deep breath and let it go.

I call my good buddy Bruce in April...where is the tank? Slight problem, should ship by end of month. Another deep breath.

Hey Bruce, April is almost over! Where's my tank? There's a problem with the supplier and it will take another month.

May rolls around and I'm too busy helping my Fiance with our wedding plans to deal with AA.

I get back from the honeymoon to find Bruce has left the building! Now I'm dealing with some guy named Charlie. Charlie where is my tank? There are big problems with the supplier and new tanks won't arrive for another month (could be just me, but don't you see a pattern here?). However, they have an oil tank kit in stock for $1300 something. I tell him I don't want a whole "kit".

He says they might be able to split-up the kit and sell the tank to me. He says things are just too busy around there and I should give him a call tomorrow.

I called the next day, two days later, and two more days later. Still no decision.

Last time I spoke to Charlie, he's not sure if they can split-up the kit and they want to charge me "significantly" more for the tank...WTF!!!

So here we are...charged for a part back in February (at full cost I might add) and still no oil tank. I've talked to my bank and they can dispute the charges. They also told me I could send a letter to the Better Business Bureau.

At first I thought my case might be an anomaly, but it appears George and crew have a history of this sort of thing.

I hate Automobile Atlanta! I don't think I can really blame Charlie, Bruce, or whatshisname for the problem. I think it is a problem with management and the low threshold of intergrity

I guess I get to call tomorrow and ask for my money back...Lord knows they won't call me!

Jim
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customstarr
post Jun 18 2007, 08:32 PM
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There's a pattern here, and that sucks because George seems to be a really helpful guy. I don't get it.
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ptravnic
post Jun 18 2007, 08:57 PM
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Jim - I see you are fairly new to the club/world (whatever we want to call it these days) so:

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

Sorry you've had such a (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stromberg.gif) time w/AA. I'll second the above as George seems genuinely freakish about his devotion to these cars.

I've had experiences with AA where they thought they had a part but ended up not having it BUT I didn't have any prob cancelling the order.

George has left his phone numbers on the board a few times - maybe time to give him a call.

-pt
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VaccaRabite
post Jun 18 2007, 09:07 PM
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Do we really need to do this thread again?

Some people don't like the way AA does business. Fine. Don't shop there.

Last Monday I realized restoring a part was not worth my time. PP was out of stock, AA had it and got it to me 3 days later.

Yeah, sometimes they are a bit wonky (maybe its a Georgia thing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif) ) but in the end I have always gotten what I needed from them.

Zach
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McMark
post Jun 18 2007, 09:07 PM
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I've never ordered from AA. And this isn't the first time I've heard this story. I genuinely hope that some day these stories will be a thing of the past, but apparently that day has not come. Correct, thorough, and verbose information to your customer is a necessary part of a successful business.

I don't know what tanks they are selling, but I can say that the reproductions available in our Member Vendors section from Don Welch (DWDesign.com, BigD9146GT) are amazing and a tank costs $750, plus the filler neck is $190, and the filter stand is $125. It's a lot of money, but worth every penny. They are great tanks (Andy has one in his 3.6) with amazing workmanship and they fit right the first time, just like a factory tank. If I were doing a six conversion, I wouldn't even look for a used factory tank.
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TROJANMAN
post Jun 18 2007, 09:15 PM
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Looks nice in pictures.........
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I had a problem with a vendor today.
I was actually quite pissed.
Of course, none of you would know that,
because I didn't post it publicly.
I handled it all through PM's and emails, and we both came to an understanding.

Obviously, one person's experience is not going to be the same as another's,
but there really is no need to bash someone in public.

:2cents:


Now...........The thread that george started, well, some people are just Masochists
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degreeoff
post Jun 18 2007, 09:53 PM
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I have been peeved with them too, but must second the statement that I always got what I paid for...and I have easily spoken to George 6-7 times in my 8 years of owning my car.. he does have alot of 914 parts layin around.........
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Demick
post Jun 18 2007, 10:13 PM
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In the other AA thread started by George, he basically said that if you talk to someone at AA (besides him), they will quote you a price for a part that may or may not be correct, on an item that may or may not be in stock.

Sounds like that's exactly what happened here too.
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PeeGreen 914
post Jun 18 2007, 10:14 PM
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Just when you think you're done...wait, there is more..lol
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There is aready a thred for being pissed off at AA. We get it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif) Do we need another thread? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)
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brp914
post Jun 18 2007, 10:38 PM
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We need another thread because this isn't an instance of shabby service, or a reneged deal. This is a seemingly criminal act of charging a customer not for the agreed price, but a higher price - for an item they do not have. I believe George needs to address this matter publicly.
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dr914@autoatlanta.com
post Jun 19 2007, 08:05 AM
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Now this unlike the turnsignal switch is TOTAL BULLSHIT! You should have received your tank pronto with no if ands or buts right away and I PERSONALLY have no idea why you did not. NO EXCUSES ON THIS ONE
I will make sure that one is sent overnight air to you today. A company takes tells you the price, takes your money, and doesn't ship? TOTAL BULLSHIT
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URY914
post Jun 19 2007, 08:19 AM
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(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) This is getting good....
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woobn8r
post Jun 19 2007, 08:29 AM
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Personally,

I think it's just SAD.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

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jonferns
post Jun 19 2007, 08:31 AM
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(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) wheres the artificial butter?
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dr914@autoatlanta.com
post Jun 19 2007, 08:57 AM
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QUOTE(brp914 @ Jun 18 2007, 09:38 PM) *

We need another thread because this isn't an instance of shabby service, or a reneged deal. This is a seemingly criminal act of charging a customer not for the agreed price, but a higher price - for an item they do not have. I believe George needs to address this matter publicly.


No this was just something badly overlooked
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URY914
post Jun 19 2007, 09:14 AM
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Buyer should have asked for George on the second call.
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Johny Blackstain
post Jun 19 2007, 09:17 AM
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QUOTE(URY914 @ Jun 19 2007, 11:14 AM) *

Buyer should have asked for George on the second call.


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Bingo!


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool_shades.gif)
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URY914
post Jun 19 2007, 09:37 AM
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QUOTE(Johny Blackstain @ Jun 19 2007, 07:17 AM) *

QUOTE(URY914 @ Jun 19 2007, 11:14 AM) *

Buyer should have asked for George on the second call.


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Bingo!


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool_shades.gif)


I know how hindsight is always 20/20 on this kind of thing.
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rhodyguy
post Jun 19 2007, 10:08 AM
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Chimp Sanctuary NW. Check it out.
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jim, just think how pleased you will be while installing your new tank tomorrow evening.

k
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Dr Evil
post Jun 19 2007, 10:34 AM
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Send me your transmission!
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Hmmm (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)
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