Stay away from BMW Northwest

[phil.harlow]

Apologies if this is not the right place for this, I just wanted to share my experience so that hopefully others won't have to go through the same.

"Learn from my mistake:

M*** at BMW Northwest is the *absolute* LAST person you want helping you with a Euro Delivery. (or any sale for that matter) And that sentiment extends to the sales managers after having dealt with them as well.

Preface:
In June of 2017 I purchased a new 2018 M3 for Euro Delivery in September '17. Having purchased 4 BMWs in the past 5 years, this was my first Euro Delivery, so I anticipated some learning curve, but fully expected a competent sales person to help me through the process. But this will likely be my last BMW, and certainly my last from BMW Northwest.

Short version:
After I had booked my Euro Delivery date, flight, and hotel reservations, M*** from BMW Northwest *RAISED* my monthly payment, knowing I would be out thousands on flight and hotels if I were to back out. They leveraged their position to take advantage of me and price the car exorbitantly higher than quotes I got from other dealers for the same exact car. M*** was also completely incapable of meeting specific dates and left the management of the Euro Delivery deadlines solely on my shoulders. He was rude, short, and overall was the worst buying experience I've ever had.

Longer version:
In June, after shopping around for rates, M*** from BMW Northwest had agreed to my terms on the sale, but stated that because the 2018 paperwork wasn't out yet, we would have to wait to get final numbers. He assured me that everything was fine and he would uphold his commitment. He notified me that I was approved for my Euro Delivery pickup day, and said I could book flights at any time, but again, didn't have sales numbers.

Finally, weeks before I was to leave, he got the sales numbers, and guess what, he added more than $300/mo to the price. I said there must be a mistake, as those numbers are not even close to correct. M*** plainly stated they had room to negotiate, braggadociously stated how much profit they would be making on the car, but deliberately refused to make any accommodations for me, knowing that I had already booked my flights and hotels. He said I could either take the deal or not get the Euro Delivery.

Having booked the trip and being excited to go with my girlfriend on our first European trip, I asked him to make any concession he could on his end to make the deal more palatable. He didn't respond to me and instead just mailed the the paperwork, and guess what, the price went up AGAIN. After running the numbers we would be at a bigger loss canceling the trip, and fearing retaliation from M*** for any more deliberation, we decided to take the car, and then share with others the horror of dealing with M*** at BMW Northwest.

Past the price gouging, M*** at BMW Northwest had to be reminded at every step of the way, twice almost missing deadlines for paperwork, needing to overnight me papers to sign to just barely get things in under the deadline. If I hadn't had done all the legwork, my Euro trip would've fallen through.

I waited months to post this review to give BMW Northwest, and BMW North America a chance to make the situation right. After leaving a 1-star review for BMW Northwest, they said all they would offer me was a free detailing. Yes, after being gouged thousands, they offered one detailing. BMW North America said they would be reducing BMW Northwest's allocation numbers based on other negative feedback they had received, but could not help me on this sale.


Learn from my mistake: DO NOT GO THROUGH BMW NORTHWEST. I've had great service at BMW Bellevue and BMW Seattle in the past, and while this is likely my last BMW ever because of this, if you are considering a BMW call Ahren Hartzel at BMW Bellevue (425-243-5201), or Michael Brown at BMW Seattle (206-829-5004)

For a luxury car brand, this is the absolute worst way to get and keep customers. And I want YOU reading this to know, so you can hopefully avoid this horrible experience.
I truly hope no one else would ever have to go through this with them. I wish others luck, but at this point, you have been warned.

BMW Bellevue - (425) 243-5201
BMW Seattle - (206) 829-5004"

[boi222]

Originally Posted by phil.harlow

Apologies if this is not the right place for this, I just wanted to share my experience so that hopefully others won't have to go through the same.

"Learn from my mistake:

M*** at BMW Northwest is the *absolute* LAST person you want helping you with a Euro Delivery. (or any sale for that matter) And that sentiment extends to the sales managers after having dealt with them as well.

Preface:
In June of 2017 I purchased a new 2018 M3 for Euro Delivery in September '17. Having purchased 4 BMWs in the past 5 years, this was my first Euro Delivery, so I anticipated some learning curve, but fully expected a competent sales person to help me through the process. But this will likely be my last BMW, and certainly my last from BMW Northwest.

Short version:
After I had booked my Euro Delivery date, flight, and hotel reservations, M*** from BMW Northwest *RAISED* my monthly payment, knowing I would be out thousands on flight and hotels if I were to back out. They leveraged their position to take advantage of me and price the car exorbitantly higher than quotes I got from other dealers for the same exact car. M*** was also completely incapable of meeting specific dates and left the management of the Euro Delivery deadlines solely on my shoulders. He was rude, short, and overall was the worst buying experience I've ever had.

Longer version:
In June, after shopping around for rates, M*** from BMW Northwest had agreed to my terms on the sale, but stated that because the 2018 paperwork wasn't out yet, we would have to wait to get final numbers. He assured me that everything was fine and he would uphold his commitment. He notified me that I was approved for my Euro Delivery pickup day, and said I could book flights at any time, but again, didn't have sales numbers.

Finally, weeks before I was to leave, he got the sales numbers, and guess what, he added more than $300/mo to the price. I said there must be a mistake, as those numbers are not even close to correct. M*** plainly stated they had room to negotiate, braggadociously stated how much profit they would be making on the car, but deliberately refused to make any accommodations for me, knowing that I had already booked my flights and hotels. He said I could either take the deal or not get the Euro Delivery.

Having booked the trip and being excited to go with my girlfriend on our first European trip, I asked him to make any concession he could on his end to make the deal more palatable. He didn't respond to me and instead just mailed the the paperwork, and guess what, the price went up AGAIN. After running the numbers we would be at a bigger loss canceling the trip, and fearing retaliation from M*** for any more deliberation, we decided to take the car, and then share with others the horror of dealing with M*** at BMW Northwest.

Past the price gouging, M*** at BMW Northwest had to be reminded at every step of the way, twice almost missing deadlines for paperwork, needing to overnight me papers to sign to just barely get things in under the deadline. If I hadn't had done all the legwork, my Euro trip would've fallen through.

I waited months to post this review to give BMW Northwest, and BMW North America a chance to make the situation right. After leaving a 1-star review for BMW Northwest, they said all they would offer me was a free detailing. Yes, after being gouged thousands, they offered one detailing. BMW North America said they would be reducing BMW Northwest's allocation numbers based on other negative feedback they had received, but could not help me on this sale.


Learn from my mistake: DO NOT GO THROUGH BMW NORTHWEST. I've had great service at BMW Bellevue and BMW Seattle in the past, and while this is likely my last BMW ever because of this, if you are considering a BMW call Ahren Hartzel at BMW Bellevue (425-243-5201), or Michael Brown at BMW Seattle (206-829-5004)

For a luxury car brand, this is the absolute worst way to get and keep customers. And I want YOU reading this to know, so you can hopefully avoid this horrible experience.
I truly hope no one else would ever have to go through this with them. I wish others luck, but at this point, you have been warned.

BMW Bellevue - (425) 243-5201
BMW Seattle - (206) 829-5004"

If he added $300 more to your monthly payment ... that is over 10k over 36 months ... I would never have taken that offer ... you can rent whatever exotic car you want in Europe with that money

[phil.harlow]

Originally Posted by boi222

If he added $300 more to your monthly payment ... that is over 10k over 36 months ... I would never have taken that offer ... you can rent whatever exotic car you want in Europe with that money

It was not an inexpensive trip, and in hindsight I'd do a lot of things different, but remember this was all 3 weeks prior to leaving.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

this enrages me to read

[boi222]

Originally Posted by phil.harlow

It was not an inexpensive trip, and in hindsight I'd do a lot of things different, but remember this was all 3 weeks prior to leaving.

Yep. I know ED trips can be pricey ... but I would have just rejected the offer, still gone to Europe and just rented a similar bmw .. it's not the same as your own car... but I would never just throw over 10k to the dealer ..

What the dealership did is wrong but at the same time , you should never have accepted it.

Hopefully this bad press will help prevent others from falling into the same trap.

[einscot]

while unfortunate, stories like this reinforce the notion that you don't accept anything at face value from a sales associate. i'm surprised, even though you had already booked the tickets, that you were agreeing to buy a car without any pricing figures signed for on dealership letterhead - that seems like a very big negative.

[phil.harlow]

Originally Posted by einscot

while unfortunate, stories like this reinforce the notion that you don't accept anything at face value from a sales associate. i'm surprised, even though you had already booked the tickets, that you were agreeing to buy a car without any pricing figures signed for on dealership letterhead - that seems like a very big negative.

I had not agreed to anything monetary until signing the paperwork. It was my decision given the options, and albeit a poor one, not the worst of my life. Buying a 2018 in July of 2017 did mean the rate numbers weren't out yet, and they took advantage of that. Of course I would do things different in hindsight but whats done is done, so I am sharing for others to be wary of.

[aerostar]

No reason to black out his name. It's a customer review of what happened.

It's not like what he does to you is proprietary or confidential. That's what things like yelp are for anyway.

[phil.harlow]

Originally Posted by aerostar

No reason to black out his name. It's a customer review of what happened.

It's not like what he does to you is proprietary or confidential. That's what things like yelp are for anyway.

True, was just trying to be "respectful". Hint: his name rhymes with bark.

[Thescout13]

What a shithead (your CA not you). This is why I always recommend getting any numbers in writing. For me, as the MY18 numbers were not out yet, I had my CA (manager at the dealer) agree in writing to X over ED invoice and base fees and taxes. When the prices came out, the numbers were easy to calculate and we had no issues. Luckily my guy wanted or continued and repeat business. Sorry you had to go through this experience.

[Jaymax85]

TBH this is a classic example of why you get it in writing always always. That's why I'm blessed to have F85Matt as my CA, as trust worthy as they come.

[Jaymax85]

Originally Posted by phil.harlow

True, was just trying to be "respectful". Hint: his name rhymes with bark.

He lost any respect when he inflated the lease 300 bucks

[HPIA4v2]

Terribly sorry to hear.
But that's why buyer need to check and double-check the numbers, make sure nothing amiss. Or bounce it off here, others can dissect the numbers , like the saying two eyes are better than one.

You may want to copy the detail deals here, just to be fair.

No offense, I've seen CA make mistake on numbers; and I couldn't insist on his mistake to be my gain, again just saying.

[F85Matt]

Originally Posted by HELLOimJ

TBH this is a classic example of why you get it in writing always always. That's why I'm blessed to have F85Matt as my CA, as trust worthy as they come.

[phil.harlow]

Originally Posted by Thescout13

What a shithead (your CA not you). This is why I always recommend getting any numbers in writing. For me, as the MY18 numbers were not out yet, I had my CA (manager at the dealer) agree in writing to X over ED invoice and base fees and taxes. When the prices came out, the numbers were easy to calculate and we had no issues. Luckily my guy wanted or continued and repeat business. Sorry you had to go through this experience.

Thanks Thescout13. I'm definitely responsible for not getting things in writing ahead of time. It's an expensive lesson for me, and one I won't soon forget!

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by phil.harlow

Thanks Thescout13. I'm definitely responsible for not getting things in writing ahead of time. It's an expensive lesson for me, and one I won't soon forget!

I hope you don't. I remember when I was first burned when buying a car, and man when I found out I was ashamed and angry. From that point on I would never let it happen to me again.

[Zayzel]

RIP M**** @ BMW Northwest.

R.
I.
P.

[jasnh]

Originally Posted by Zayzel

RIP M**** @ BMW Northwest.

R.
I.
P.

Based on the OPs’ story, lets hope so

[jjrandorin]

Since OP did not post full name of the person they were dealing with, and I have no skin in the game, I figured I would do a quick google search for BMW of northwest and look for someone whose name rhymes with "bark" whose name starts with a "M".

So, I would imagine this is the person we are looking for, copied from their website.

Mark Rauschert-Internet Manager
Internet Sales

So, OP I did this, not you

[GERMAN M3]

OP, have you written a review on their website, and spoken to the Owner of the dealership? Just wondering what he would say knowing that they treated you this way.

[phil.harlow]

Originally Posted by jjrandorin

Since OP did not post full name of the person they were dealing with, and I have no skin in the game, I figured I would do a quick google search for BMW of northwest and look for someone whose name rhymes with "bark" whose name starts with a "M".

So, I would imagine this is the person we are looking for, copied from their website.

Mark Rauschert-Internet Manager
Internet Sales

So, OP I did this, not you

I mean, I can neither confirm nor deny this information haha

[phil.harlow]

Originally Posted by GERMAN M3

OP, have you written a review on their website, and spoken to the Owner of the dealership? Just wondering what he would say knowing that they treated you this way.

Their website's review page would never load for me, in 3 browsers, so I did not see a way for me to post a review.
I have not spoken to the owner. I was pretty isolated when asking to talk to managers, and quickly got a "we did nothing wrong" response from the higher ups, and given the attitude I got from the sales managers, I would imagine that he is either aware, or couldn't care less. However, I would certainly be open to discussing with the owner, but am unsure how I would contact him. And at this point I'd probably need to use a fake name just to get through.