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View Full Version : My experience at Mazda of Toronto



JovianGhost
10-28-2009, 09:15 PM
Fair warning to those with short attention spans: this may be long. :)

Back when I was looking for a new car, MoT was one of the first places I went, considering how close I live to it.

I went in and dealt with Ron Arindell, a very nice fellow. He was very polite and professional, and helped me out in explaining the differences between the GX, GS and GT models.

We then took a spin in the sedan and hatchback, and I must say, I think this is what made me fall in love with the Mazda 3: he offered to drive the car himself first, to show me what it can do, because he tells me a lot of people are afraid to really push the demo cars. I agreed, so off we went.

That's when I knew I wanted a Mazda. He floored it and the car just FLEW... Zoom-Zoom indeed! I couldn't believe how amazingly the car handled in slick conditions (it was raining) and how smooth of a ride it was. When it was my turn to drive, I had an absolute blast. Never before did I have so much fun driving a car! :bana

When we got back, we discussed further options on the car, and discussed the price a little bit. All throughout, Ron was very courteous, kind and professional, and never once did I feel like he was pressuring me, even when I told him outright I had no plans to buy a car that day.

A few days later when I decided the Mazda 3 is for me, I came back to see Ron. Unfortunately it was his day off, so I spoke instead to Rana Khan, one of the managers. Rana was also a very nice guy, and I enjoyed dealing with him.
After wrestling with the price for a good while, we finally came to an agreement, and I had my first new car. Got all the paperwork in order and left very happy.

When I came to pick up the car the following Saturday, Ron was back so we went to inspect the car together. I found that the rear passenger blinker wasn't working, so I pointed this out to him at which point he promptly called one of the service techs over to fix it. Everything else checked out, so he just told me to wait out in the parking lot and he'll bring the car out.

I waited... and waited... and waited... it was around half an hour. I wondered why it took so long to change the bulb/insert the fuse. Finally the car came out, and I verified the blinker was fixed. He explained that fuse was missed during PDI.

As he was transferring the plates from my trade-in to the new car, I mentioned I was a bit disappointed by the lack of Bose audio system (when I first met with him, he had told me the GS model came with the Bose system standard, but I found out after I bought the car and read the manual that this isn't the case.) I asked if there was something he could do about that-- obviously I wasn't expecting him to throw in a free Bose. He offered me some free winter mats, which I accepted. He then told me he would call me later that day to let me know they were in, so I thanked him and took off.

To make an already long story short, I tried to reach him over the next few days, and finally got ahold of him. He told me that he couldn't get the winter mats for me, so instead I would have to speak to the general manager, Rui Martins, who was to call me. I waited and waited and waited, but still no call. Finally I get ahold of him and explain the situation, so he says he'll speak with Ron and call me back.

I never got called back, so I called instead and we set up a meeting, the three of us, to resolve this winter mat issue. So we all sit down and Ron claims that he said he would try to get me mats, but never promised them, but I said that he did. Well, since it's a case of he-said-she-said, Rui offered a compromise-- that we go 50-50 on the winter mats. I told him that I would think about it ($50 for a set of winter mats seems a bit steep, doesn't it?)

So, the long and the short of it, is that I had a very good experience at MoT. I'm a bit miffed about the winter mat situation, and I really wish people would call back when they say they would (I don't think I ever got a single call back, I kept on having to chase them) but overall, I'm quite pleased.

pacmann33
10-29-2009, 12:33 AM
That sucks large!

they would be VERY lucky to satisfy most any customer who was promised something like bose sound...with a completely free set of winter mats. I for one would not accept that, they would have to give me alot of stuff, or cut me a cheque for a lot more than what winter mats cost.

I like MoT, bought my car there but this salesmen screwed up and you deserve compensation. They should not be worrying about still making much or any profit off of this sale, I think they should break even on this deal, and make it right with the customer.

JovianGhost
10-29-2009, 08:02 PM
That sucks large!

they would be VERY lucky to satisfy most any customer who was promised something like bose sound...with a completely free set of winter mats. I for one would not accept that, they would have to give me alot of stuff, or cut me a cheque for a lot more than what winter mats cost.

I like MoT, bought my car there but this salesmen screwed up and you deserve compensation. They should not be worrying about still making much or any profit off of this sale, I think they should break even on this deal, and make it right with the customer.

Whoa, that's a bit harsh.

In their defense, I wasn't really "promised" a Bose-- I was just informed that the Mazda 3 GS came with Bose standard. It was an honest mistake, and I let him know the next time we met.

Yes, it was disappointing to find out there was no Bose, but it's not like I'm going to back out because of that-- it's not a deal breaker for me. Certainly it would have been very nice to have it, but I can live without it. Had they given to me in writing that the car comes with a Bose, then that's a whole other story.

Now if it was something like ABS brakes or A/C or something like that, yes, I would definitely make a big fuss about it.

To be honest, I'm more annoyed at the fact that nobody called me back when they said they would; I had to always call and chase after them. To me, this is important-- customer followup to keep them in the loop. I don't want to have to chase after someone when they are supposed to be getting in touch with me about something which I have to wait for anyways. So if there's anything I would say that needs improvement, it's customer followup.

Other than that, a good experience overall.

pacmann33
10-29-2009, 11:48 PM
It wasn't meant to be harsh, it's just that to me Bose sound would have been a big selling point. I like Mazda of Toronto, a LOT, but they shouldn't have any qualms about throwing in a set of all weather mats lol.

They don't make much on the sale of the vehicle, it would just do them good to make you happy so you come back for service, since you live so close. That is all.

No hate for MoT here, just the salesmen made a mistake. I always have to take some form of fallout at work when I make a mistake....winter mats are not too much to ask for LOL.

I would 100% go back to MoT for another car, and probably will have some service done there, even though I live in Barrie!

JovianGhost
10-30-2009, 09:29 AM
It wasn't meant to be harsh, it's just that to me Bose sound would have been a big selling point. I like Mazda of Toronto, a LOT, but they shouldn't have any qualms about throwing in a set of all weather mats lol.

They don't make much on the sale of the vehicle, it would just do them good to make you happy so you come back for service, since you live so close. That is all.

No hate for MoT here, just the salesmen made a mistake. I always have to take some form of fallout at work when I make a mistake....winter mats are not too much to ask for LOL.

I would 100% go back to MoT for another car, and probably will have some service done there, even though I live in Barrie!

They did make a point in saying that had I paid retail for the car, they would have no problems giving me the mats.
But as it turns out I got a pretty sweet deal on the car, so I would guess that's why they're hesitant in giving anything away.

Zoom Zoom Boy
10-30-2009, 02:11 PM
...I would 100% go back to MoT for another car, and probably will have some service done there, even though I live in Barrie!

You don't like the folks up at Northwood?

Dreamliner
10-31-2009, 03:53 PM
Did Ron make the profit from the sale? If I was Ron, I'd feel unlikely to do a lot for you since you used another salesperson instead of waiting for him to return. I work in sales (non-auto) and when people do things like this I am not very pleased. Loyalty....

JovianGhost
10-31-2009, 06:56 PM
Did Ron make the profit from the sale? If I was Ron, I'd feel unlikely to do a lot for you since you used another salesperson instead of waiting for him to return. I work in sales (non-auto) and when people do things like this I am not very pleased. Loyalty....

No no, Ron definitely got the commission. When I set down with Rana, the person who actually sold me the car, I made sure of that.

pacmann33
11-01-2009, 05:35 PM
You don't like the folks up at Northwood?

I went there with the intention of buying a car that day, and a certain older salesmen...I won't say names here, brought me in, sat me down in his office, I told him what mazda3 I was looking for (gt, 6 speed etc etc) and I asked him for his best price. He then proceeded to chat with a co-worker in the office about unrelated things, printed me off a sheet at FULL POP, and said this is what you'd be looking at. Then I told him "I am going to see Jeff at Mazda of Toronto tomorrow....what can you do on the price?". Then he said, there isn't much room to move on these cars (ugh...it's a 30,000$ car...) and told me to get MoT's best price on paper, THEN go back to him and he'll match it.

At that point I walked out after my sister and brother in law purchased 2 cars from them in the last 2 years, and why would I give HIM a sale when someone else is willing to help me out on the price right away. I was really disappointed.

I will be taking my car there for service, but the sales staff I've met when I was serious were terrible. I had 5000$ to put down on a car that day too.

People like Jeff at MoT deserve every sale they get, guys who pull these stunts do not.

Maybe it was my appearance, being young and all, and alone that made him doubt me or something, or maybe he had an off day. Doesn't matter, Jeff got my sale, cause he deserved it.

Zoom Zoom Boy
11-02-2009, 02:40 PM
I went there with the intention of buying a car that day, and a certain older salesmen...I won't say names here, brought me in, sat me down in his office, I told him what mazda3 I was looking for (gt, 6 speed etc etc) and I asked him for his best price. He then proceeded to chat with a co-worker in the office about unrelated things, printed me off a sheet at FULL POP, and said this is what you'd be looking at. Then I told him "I am going to see Jeff at Mazda of Toronto tomorrow....what can you do on the price?". Then he said, there isn't much room to move on these cars (ugh...it's a 30,000$ car...) and told me to get MoT's best price on paper, THEN go back to him and he'll match it.

At that point I walked out after my sister and brother in law purchased 2 cars from them in the last 2 years, and why would I give HIM a sale when someone else is willing to help me out on the price right away. I was really disappointed.

I will be taking my car there for service, but the sales staff I've met when I was serious were terrible. I had 5000$ to put down on a car that day too.

People like Jeff at MoT deserve every sale they get, guys who pull these stunts do not.

Maybe it was my appearance, being young and all, and alone that made him doubt me or something, or maybe he had an off day. Doesn't matter, Jeff got my sale, cause he deserved it.

Well, considering this, I don't blame you at all...
I was just curious and figured there had to be a reason for you to avoid Northwood since you are located up in Barrie.

I think I know who you dealt with in any case. If it is the same guy, I think he is a nice guy, but it is irritating that he always goes for close to list price first. He did the same to me when I bought my Speed3 from them and this was after having bought the '05 hatch from them and the then GM of the dealership at the time, Tony Van... for about $250.00 over invoice. In the end they had to match the price I had from another dealer and throw in a number of accessories as well, but the original price I received from them was essentially list minus maybe $400.00. The only reason I kept dealing with them at that point is becasue they were the only dealer in Ontario at that time with an 08.5 Black MS3 on the lot, so I was inclined to purchase from them and despite the sales tactics, I actually like the sales guy we purchased it from on a personal level. I deal with sales guys at work all the time, so I know what a good majority of them are like and don't really get too worked up about it... That said, I still don't agree it is a good way to treat repeat clients...

Edit: Which is why I always refer people to Jeff now also. I didn't buy my MS3 from him, but did chat with him on the phone and came away very impressed. No B.S. and very good price from the get go. He just didn't have one on the lot/inventory.

pacmann33
11-03-2009, 01:33 PM
Yeah, usually most any dealer will match prices, but I just try to help out the guys who are willing to help me.

Sorry for the thread jack guys!

As you were! LOL

PCLoadLetter
11-07-2009, 04:54 PM
I found the Bose system wasn't all that better than the stock speakers in the GX/GS. Am I deaf?

Glad to hear you had a good experience, too bad all dealers can't offer this.

Zoom Zoom Boy
11-07-2009, 08:19 PM
I found the Bose system wasn't all that better than the stock speakers in the GX/GS. Am I deaf?

Glad to hear you had a good experience, too bad all dealers can't offer this.

Ya, you're deaf...:chuckle The BOSE isn't the greatest system in the world, but for a stock system, it is pretty damn good and miles better than the GX/GS stereo in terms of sound quality.

JovianGhost
11-08-2009, 07:51 PM
To be honest, I found the stock audio system in the GS (not the Bose) to be pretty good. Much better than the sound systems found in other comparable cars.

koorick
11-17-2009, 11:00 PM
The stock system on my GT isn't too too bad...But the as far as my knowledge goes, the Bose only come with the GT-E package (which is about 3k on top of the GT).....you get the intelligent key and gps along with it.....but I would just upgrade the audio for alot cheaper than 3K

But then I agree....having to go from their original promise of free winter mats to 50/50...that's kinda cheap out on their part for customer satisfaction...