Mazda Likes To Screw Us

[CXRabbit]

I stumbled across this thread by accident.

I would NOT let the dealer install a Bose system. This is NOT a dealer-installed option... your car comes from Japan either equipped with it or not. Don't mistake this for a dealer-installed option.

The question remains whether you paid for it or not. This is really the crux of the matter. No lawsuit will stand if you paid the typical price for a sport that everyone else paid. If you actually PAID for the Bose system and can prove the price you paid was increased by the amount that system is worth, then you're entitled, but nothing on the sticker indicates what you paid for your car. The sticker merely states MSRP and there is a disclaimer right on it that says "*MSRP (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price)".

I hope they work something out for you that is reasonable, and I hope you yourself are being reasonable. You SHOULD have checked the car before you took delivery. Yes, I went equipped with CDs, including MP3 CDs, and had my salesperson show me how to load them into the changer. The salesperson went over all the systems in the car -- and that has been my experience with every car I've ever bought.

I see this as Mazda made a mistake -- they weren't trying to purposely deceive you... and they wouldn't have "deceived" you at all if you had taken 3 minutes to check out the stereo in the car you were paying for. While the manager may not have been the nicest, I do think they tried to rectify it with you. You may not be happy you didn't get the Bose system, but you also didn't pay for the Bose system.

 

[Hughes412]

Hughes - I'm going to sue you now for your typos! See how rediculous it sounds...



BTW - the window sticker IS NOT an invoice.

Wow another pro speller. Hummmm lets see how good the Pro Speller spells sense he likes to point out peoples errors!

I haven't posted on this in a little while. I was treading lightly in the shark infested waters of litigation happy individuals. But FINALY there are people here that know the difference between an honest mistake by Mazda and being 'screwed' by Mazda. A consienscious buyer ALWAYS checks the car before leaving the delaer's lot and ALWAYS knows what they are buying
before they buy it. I spent 20 minutes in my MS3 checking EVERYTHING before driving off the dealer's lot.

BTW: I paid for my Bose, its called the MS3 GT.

Hughes - I'm going to sue you now for your typos! See how rediculous it sounds...
BTW - the window sticker IS NOT an invoice.

By the way, didnt you post this?

It would be in Mazda's best interest to work with people on this instead of trying to sweep it under the rug.

I wish companies would start taking a little responsibility for their mistakes. Good luck to all of you that have the funky window stickers, I wish the best outcome for all of you, no matter how you handle the situation. Just try to work it out before going all lawyer crazy.

FYI: All of you complaining about the 'alarm' issue. Anti-theft and theft-deterrent are two different things. The GT has both. Theft-deterrent is the alarm, anti-theft is just an engine disabling feature. Look at your sticker very carefully for the sport - it should only list anti-theft, which has no audible or visual alarm.

So are you now saying they should sweep it under the rug now? Its ridiculous to post for both sides.

I got the Black Mica GT. So far I have ahd absolutely no problems with it. I love this car, it has the power and handling to do anthing that I ask it to do.

I haven't noticed the torque limiting in first or second. Ther is still plenty of power in those gears. I don't plan to push it much harder than I already have because I like keeping my money instead of giving it to local law enforcement.

It feels pretty good over bumps. It is noticeable when you hit a larger bump or railroad track, but you have that with any car. I can't really compare it to anyhting except that it is much better than going over the same bumpy terrain with my old '97 Ranger. Overall I think that it handles a majority of bumps and road irregularities very well.

This car has a lot more to give than I will probably ever ask out of it.

I've posted on this before. Mazda is 'trickling' the MS3 into the USA to allow delaers time to sell them if they aren't presold. They are also doing it this way to keep interest and demand high. With the MS3, they aren't doing a single, big production run. They aren't dumping 5 of them at a dealer at once. Each dealer is only allotted a certain number determined by Mazda - it doesn't matter how well the dealer sells the first ones it gets. Plus not every Mazda dealer is a MAZDASPEED authorized delaer, which is required in order to sell the MS3.

I think that Mazda has thought out the presentation of the MS3 to the American market very well. I think they finally understand how to sell their limited production vehicles.

Well now I guess I was wrong about highwaypizza, maybe he isnt a Pro Speller. Maybe he shouldnt bother pointing out spelling errors until he learns how to use the spell check function himself!!

Is presold a word?

Oh, I see why you flip flop, and act like an ass. You said you were a 27, network engineer/consultant.

Now back to the topic at hand.(poke)

 

[fourthmeal]

Wow.

I don't think people get it.

In the end, it is so simple, and yet people are still debating over it. And its not their car!

(enguard)

It doesn't matter that his MSRP price on his sticker is no different from mine. Why would you think so? His car states that for that price, his car includes a Bose system. Consider that no matter what the price of the option, even if its free (yes, free), then if its on the sticker, then it needs to be on the car.

Now, here's an example: say you are going to buy a new Playstation 3, and your particular box of a Playstation 3 has printed on it that it includes an extra controller, and a free game inside. You, the consumer, grab that particular package because you like what the box has printed on it. If you came home, and there was no controller, and free game inside, you'd be one sad little kangaroo, because what you thought was in your particular box wasn't really in it. Ahh, but Sony of America said it would be on the box! Would you shrug it off, or would you go back to the store (or call Sony, doesn't matter what you do, its the decision you make that counts here) and demand the goods that were printed on the box? You guys (who are arguing against this) don't see the problem here? It doesn't matter what he paid! Some things are not about price. What it is really is - lack of goods delivered - doesn't have to be about money.

The plain breakdown of the whole issue is that a consumer's best interests are that they will receive goods or services for an amount paid. Those goods or services that are promised (or written, same thing) but not delivered causes the consumer loss. And thats the bottom line. So what if there are 10 other MS3's on the lot with the same MSRP that don't contain the Bose system, his that he chose did say it did, so thats what he should get. Since his does not, Mazda, in my mind, should either buy back the car and sell him a model that does have those features, OR settle and be done with it.

Settling is a simple act of a consumer and a goods/services provider coming to the agreement that at one point or another, something went wrong, and unlike a normal transaction, the power of human consideration and negotiation (you don't see squirrels doing this with their nuts, do ya?!) then determines the correct solution to the consumer's AND the provider's issue. You see, both parties are involved until both agree (or a judge does it for them, thats what they are for.)

I hope you never get near any lawyers... The MS3 is CLEARLY advertised with TWO options packages: Sport and GT. End of story. Like other people, I did my homework before buying the car. I knew specifically why I wanted the GT over the Sport and the Bose/6CD was a major reason.

Clear advertising is irrelevant. Most people ignore advertising, consciously. Instead, they would trust the manufacturer to provide correct information, such as what's printed on the inside of the car, from the plant. You may know specifically, but I didn't. And you know what, I'd be mighty pissed if I were in his shoes, paying a high car payment and expecting but not getting what I am paying monthly for. Homework is not required of a consumer, unless you are talking about Caveat Emptor, which in this case he WAS AWARE, thanks to the sticker that told him.

I would see it the exact same way bud... if the b**** doesn't realize when she gets in the car that the stereo isn't what she wants, and she drives the car off the lot, too bad so sad. Why is it SO damn hard for the customer to look at the car they are buying and see if it is in fact something they want to purchase? Furthermore, if she then went and got a 150 dollar compensation, and then a 500 dollar compensation, and STILL bitched about not having the stereo, I would say that SHE is the childish one.

Too bad, so sad? Really? Let's say I'm a motorcycle service writer, and I fix your bike you brought in. You ride off, and one of your fairing pieces goes flying off about 50 feet away from the dealership. Too bad, so sad, you left the dealership without checking your bike! Awww. You didn't realize it...I'm sure you wanted it (the fairing), but woops,...you didn't get to keep it, cuz its on the pavement, bud. Aren't you going to come back to the dealership? Nah, it was your fault that you didn't check, you should suck it up, and not worry about getting even.....Now then, say you DID come back in, and I bought you a free oil change because of the mistake. Good enough? NO! You'd want your friggin fairing replaced, with a new one, AND you'd probably want free oil changes for the rest of your bike's life. And you know what? That's what I'd do, because that's what is right. Of course, if you were a punk kid, and you called me a b****, I'd probably bring a "9" to the dealership with me.

Why is it that people need free s*** before they will reccomend anything to their friends? The car itself isn't enough? Should he now go and tell his friends to NOT buy Mazdas since he didn't get his FREE stereo?

Referrals don't often come from a product, but from a service. You see, HOW people are treated is what they remember, not what they got. What they got is irrelevant. They could get a steaming pile of poo, but if thats what they ordered (say they wanted manure), then the service they got while getting their poo is what will be remembered. And what if he got free "s***" (you see, I had to use poo as the product, so I could get to that excellent pun), then thats my choice as a product and service provider to give the customer the illusion that they are getting a good deal on my s***. If my s*** has perceived value, and my services of it are good, then I'll likely get referrals and recommendations. If my s*** sucks, then I might have to make amends to the s*** buyer, perhaps by giving some of the bad s*** away at no charge.

EVERY single one of you are. Making Mazda give you a stereo that YOU DID NOT PAY FOR is in fact, screwing them over.

He did pay for it. Thats what the price means below it all. Thats what you pay for getting the things listed above that number. An example would be the free guitar giveaway that VW is/was doing with lots of their cars. Lets say you bought one of those cars, and didn't get your guitar. Should the dealer give it to you? Yes. Its part of the price. No, it didn't add to the price of the car, but it was an incentive. Not getting an incentive (the bait, if you will) is bad business. The screwing, my loud-spoken-but-not-really-getting-it friend, is coming from the other side. Perhaps not willingly, but all the same, its a ream.

Bottom line, in my life of being in sales for a decent amount of time, seeing both sides of the consumer/sales POV, if you think that he's not entitled to what the car was supposed to come with (as described on the sticker of the car), then you'd be wrong. About as wrong as you'd be if I sold you bad s***, and you did nothing about it, because its just s***.

 

[MS6S2K]

Wow. Interesting read that I have come across all this time later. Sometimes it's hard to be objective because we think of our own personality and what we would do. We all react to situations different, so I'm not about to take one side or the other here. For me personally, I research cars, and I'd have known it was a mistake, and checked into it ahead of time. We all don't work that way, and I am an experienced adult who always looks into what he is buying down to every detail. I do believe since he's a young lad who is blessed with generous parents, he truly did believe he got the sound system, and at that age when you aren't paying for something, it's not exactly one's first thought to check the car over, especially when your parents are shelling out the dough. When you get older and it's your money, things change, and you will gain something positive out of this in the end, regardless of the result.

Granted this system may have the BOSE name, but it's really nothing special. I think the right thing is for Mazda to install the 6 Disc changer, and give you that $150 for service and call it a day. Your parents did afterall pay full sticker, which is something I'd never do, and to me is too much to pay for any car. The fact is that your parents didn't pay for this system, but you thought that they did. Anything you get out of this is a win win situation if you loook at it objectively, so rather then waste more time over this, just be patient and take what's given. That's my advice. Good luck!!

 

[meha11]

I can't believe people are still talking about this. I know what Im going to do about my terrible misleading window sticker- absolutely nothing.

Good luck to you if youre going through all the trouble of trying to get something out of it but there are more important things in life to worry about.

As for those who have not bought the wonderful ms3 with the God awful window sticker, you shouldnt be adding fuel to the fire.

The next threads should just be from the guys letting us know the outcome

Merry Christmas to all and try not to drink and drive.

 

[randyscycle]

As for those who have not bought the wonderful ms3 with the God awful window sticker, you shouldnt be adding fuel to the fire.

Last I checked this is a public forum. Why people post anything and expect not to get a million replies is beyond me. If you don't agree with them, then don't read them. Its that simple. And by the way, you're still talking about this.......

 

[ZoomVT]

fourthmeal has posted quite possibly the only post that is worth reading in this whole thread.
This is about making things right due to a mistake. Period.
Mazda has definitely let me down on the way they are handling that, they made a mistake and they should be making it right. I do understand, that the Sport trim does not come with the bose equipment but they alluded it did on the sticker. A person bought it because of it, then they need to make it right. It is all about whther the person making the claim is being honest.
for example, meha11 has just stated, that he bought the car knowing it didnt have the bose system. He just noticed the sticker was incorrect. He is being honest and knowing he didnt buy the car for that only reason, and knowing that he knew that trim didnt have it, he makes the right decision to not do anything about it. The OP on the other hand, did not know that (at least thats what he is telling us) and so hebought the car expecting what the sticker said. If he honestly believes thats true then he has every right to expect Mazda to make it right to him.

 

[Hughes412]

fourthmeal has posted quite possibly the only post that is worth reading in this whole thread.
This is about making things right due to a mistake. Period.
Mazda has definitely let me down on the way they are handling that, they made a mistake and they should be making it right. I do understand, that the Sport trim does not come with the bose equipment but they alluded it did on the sticker. A person bought it because of it, then they need to make it right. It is all about whther the person making the claim is being honest.
for example, meha11 has just stated, that he bought the car knowing it didnt have the bose system. He just noticed the sticker was incorrect. He is being honest and knowing he didnt buy the car for that only reason, and knowing that he knew that trim didnt have it, he makes the right decision to not do anything about it. The OP on the other hand, did not know that (at least thats what he is telling us) and so hebought the car expecting what the sticker said. If he honestly believes thats true then he has every right to expect Mazda to make it right to him.

Wait wait wait, That's what we've been saying this whole time. But people just don't get it!

 

[fourthmeal]

fourthmeal has posted quite possibly the only post that is worth reading in this whole thread.
This is about making things right due to a mistake. Period.
Mazda has definitely let me down on the way they are handling that, they made a mistake and they should be making it right. I do understand, that the Sport trim does not come with the bose equipment but they alluded it did on the sticker. A person bought it because of it, then they need to make it right. It is all about whther the person making the claim is being honest.
for example, meha11 has just stated, that he bought the car knowing it didnt have the bose system. He just noticed the sticker was incorrect. He is being honest and knowing he didnt buy the car for that only reason, and knowing that he knew that trim didnt have it, he makes the right decision to not do anything about it. The OP on the other hand, did not know that (at least thats what he is telling us) and so hebought the car expecting what the sticker said. If he honestly believes thats true then he has every right to expect Mazda to make it right to him.

Thanks, bud! (usa)

 

[Togan]

My attorney has suggested that we sue mazda and the dealer, We're also going to the Better Business Bureau on the complaint to both mazda and the dealer.

Clearly Mazda does not want to admit their fault and they are going to pay for it.
(enguard)

(first)

KICK THEIR ASS!! i fully support ur cause i think ur 200% right, thats in business law called "fradulent misrepresentation" misleading encouragement to sell the product.. and mazda is trying to keep u happy with 500$ thats just simply bs if u ask me, i say sue them and get what u paid for in the first place..

 

[Mazda5wannabe]

Recently I bought a guitar for my younger son. No big purchase, just a $520 Ibanez electric, nothing too fancy. The tag said it came with a hard case. Cool I thought. Since both my sons take music lessons at the same place we get a 10% discount, so I didn't bother haggling on the price of the guitar. The clerk, who I am on first name basis with, asked if I wanted to buy a case, and I pointed out that the tag clearly said hard case provided. He said that was a mistake, but he wanted to make sure so he went and got the owner of the store (who I am also on a first name basis) who explained that the previous year Ibanez was giving away plastic hard cases with that model and that it was a mistake. I could see the gears whirring behind his eyes as he added up the three previous guitars, keyboard, hard and soft cases, music books, drum machine, sundry strings etc. that I've purchased, and the lessons both my sons have each week, and with hardly a break in his words said "but we'll honour what the tag shows" and handed me a $80 hard case. He took a bath on the guitar, between the student discount, and the hard case. He ended up buying my loyalty, which is no bad thing, and he'll get his money back in the long run. He knows it. I know it. The clerk knows it. Yesterday I handed the owner's son (who runs the music school) a cheque for $400 for the next 3 months lessons in advance. I work in the printing industry, and the music school is putting on a concert, so I told the guy I would print up 300 complimentary posters for the show, so they got their money back already. I repaid them for being loyal to ME. Will I buy instruments elsewhere? Possibly. I've already bought a piano and one guitar at another store, so I don't buy everything there, just what I want, but will I recommend them? ABSOLUTELY.

That is what Mazda should do, plain and simple, just honour the tag, or it's equivalent value. If I was the dealer I would have said we can't supply that system, but here is a similar one and some free servicing as good will. Hiding behind error disclaimers is cheap ass stuff.

I agree that our society has become overly litigious and frankly feel that you should be able to negotiate a deal where you can be made happy without resorting to lawsuits, and Mazda (and the dealer), should step up to the plate and make a serious attempt at making good. Eventually you'll buy another car, and it's in their best interest to make sure it's a Mazda.

 

[mazdadude]

That is what Mazda should do, plain and simple, just honour the tag, or it's equivalent value. If I was the dealer I would have said we can't supply that system, but here is a similar one and some free servicing as good will. Hiding behind error disclaimers is cheap ass stuff.

I agree that our society has become overly litigious and frankly feel that you should be able to negotiate a deal where you can be made happy without resorting to lawsuits, and Mazda (and the dealer), should step up to the plate and make a serious attempt at making good. Eventually you'll buy another car, and it's in their best interest to make sure it's a Mazda.

As I have been a customer service rep. for many companies, that is a good example and I agree 100%.

For my logic, aside from an obvious typo such as 2263 hp engine, 66 speaker Bose system, 28" Wheels, etc,; a Window sticker should specify all of the equipment specific to that car, as equipped, and sold to the consumer, regardless if Std Equipment or an Option. I do not care if it is a turbo, a Bose CD Player, leather seating surfaces, A/C, or a lighted ashtray. If it is listed on the sticker, it should be on the car, period.

If the manufacturer is not held to certain standards of truth and accuracy, then protection for the consumer is out the window.

Errors do occur from time to time, and sometimes they can cost the company money, but that is part of the cost of doing business. Everyone makes mistakes, it is how we correct the mistakes that defines us.

 

[AKYellow]

As for those who have not bought the wonderful ms3 with the God awful window sticker, you shouldnt be adding fuel to the fire.

Just adding the fuel to the fire(since i own a p5 and this IS an open fourm). You did the right thing talking to your lawyer.

 

[II-Savy]

As I have been a customer service rep. for many companies, that is a good example and I agree 100%.

For my logic, aside from an obvious typo such as 2263 hp engine, 66 speaker Bose system, 28" Wheels, etc,; a Window sticker should specify all of the equipment specific to that car, as equipped, and sold to the consumer, regardless if Std Equipment or an Option. I do not care if it is a turbo, a Bose CD Player, leather seating surfaces, A/C, or a lighted ashtray. If it is listed on the sticker, it should be on the car, period.

If the manufacturer is not held to certain standards of truth and accuracy, then protection for the consumer is out the window.

Errors do occur from time to time, and sometimes they can cost the company money, but that is part of the cost of doing business. Everyone makes mistakes, it is how we correct the mistakes that defines us.

This says it all. Perfectly said!

 

[GDorris]

Actually, Mazda seem to like to take care of its customers. I just got off the phone with a Mazda USA rep, who is in the process of contacting the dealer to have a CD changer upgrade installed in my MS3 Sport due to the mistake on the window sticker. He is also kicking in $120 in gift certificates. I had earlier written them a letter explaining the problem. Other than perfection, what more could anyone want from a manufacturer under the circumstances? I feel the need to start a new thread to highlight good customer service from Mazda given the negative tone of this thread.

 

[iracemine]

Perhaps so.
I was really quite impressed with this guy. He was very polite and all about helping us, VS. the manager of the mazda dealership who was all about himself. The manager from the mazda dealer really gave off that "too cool for school" impression.

sounds like dealers like to screw us not mazda.

 

[ZoomVT]

we are definitely not throwing s*** at mazda... yet. But we would like to see some action from them trying to keep their customers happy. GDorris I am glad to hear they are trying to do the right thing, and i think that is all we can ask from them.
It is not the mistakes you make, but how you handle them after that matters.

 

[APEXistud]

Well, I got to page 10 before I stopped reading. I'm well aware of the situation now and I'm glad the guy got things staightened out. But, what I find it funny that one person mentioned that a car purchase is the second most expensive thing a person will buy. That said, wouldn't it be common sense to research any major purchase before signing on the dotted line.

Here's what really gets me, the Mazda website clearly states what options come on the Sport and GT models. Because of this he would probably have no case in court. Most importantly he didn't pay for the Bose Audio equipment, yet some of you feel that he is entitled for something he didn't pay for. What a bunch of bologne. I can see a case if he paid the extra $1715 for the GT model, but he did not pay for it so therefore he does not get it. I wouldn't consider not getting something you didn't even pay for a rip off or scam. My final question.....Would the $1715 be worth the possible headaches and all of the time you will lose by sitting around waiting for it to go to court? If your answer is yes, then you have way too much free time on your hands.

 

[elderlycoffee]

But thats just the deal I DID PAY FOR IT!
It was listed as STANDARD equipment. Meaning that it is included in the price of the car.

 

[vindication]

hey, I dont feel like looking through all the bulls*** posts to find my answer, what was the outcome of this or is it still pending?