Car Salesmen aren't the only salesmen that have dodgy tactics.

"Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell." (oppisitelock)
09/24/2014 at 13:27 • Filed to: bullshit

I reserved a new laptop online today and went in store to pick it up. I've done this before for smaller items and I simply read out my reservation number, paid and then left.

Not this time. I was read off a list of "discounts" and extras and insurance policies and what not. I told them I wasn't interested and they went to get my laptop from the stock room.

This is when they told me the only unit they had in stock already had their care package pre-installed and would cost Ł45 extra. I looked into their stock room and around 75% of the computers and laptops had a sticker indicating this package was installed, presumably to pull the same thing on as many as possible. None of them were listed as having these extras on the website when you make your reservation. Reminiscent of the mandatory paint protection packages and such you often hear about in dishonest dealers.

This package included a low rent 32gb flash drive with Windows 8 recovery files installed and nothing else. You can buy a similar flash drive for under Ł10 and the OS allows you to make it into a recovery drive yourself in around 30 minutes. Certainly not worth Ł45.

So I tell him I wont pay a penny more than what I was promised when I ordered. This triggered a 25 minute run around among supervisors and managers "seeing what he could do for me." After I threatened to leave twice (I actually would've if the price wasn't so good) they eventually left in the extras for free and that was that. Or so I thought.

It turned out they also gave me a "free" month of insurance, which requires me to go to the bank and cancel the standing order after that month to stop them charging me for more bullshit. I had given up arguing at that point and thought getting a free flash drive wasn't so bad, so I went home. I wont be buying from that store again unless they have outstanding prices on something I need. The last time I bought a laptop it took less than ten minutes, this took well over an hour.

Note to all dodgy salesmen, don't try to play me, I don't like it. Neither do most buyers.

Edit:I had to reshare this because for some reason when I pressed post 10 minutes ago it posted it to oppo 4 pages down because it posted it to the time I first started drafting it, not when I saved it as public. TL DR: Kinja'd

DISCUSSION (19)

Nerd-Vol > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/24/2014 at 18:11

I'm a car salesperson. I'm really nice and honest! Please sign this document without asking any questions plz.

Nibbles > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/24/2014 at 18:11

Wow, that's bad.

Racescort666 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/24/2014 at 18:12

Shitty shady sales folk. Would it have helped to bring in a screen shot of the advertised price online?

Also, re: kinja'd. I've started to double check my posts. If you save it, for whatever reason it doesn't update the time.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Racescort666
09/24/2014 at 18:16

I doubt it, I had a printout of the model number of the laptop, confirmation they had stock and my details when I went in.

I'll have to do that in future, usually I type out a post all in one go and post it straight away so I've never noticed.

Racescort666 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/24/2014 at 18:26

I don't know if stores in the UK (I assume UK because you mention prices in Ł) price match their competitors but most places in the US will price match active sales. If you have a printed ad or you're able to look it up on your phone, most of the major retailers will price match the same product. Some will even price match online retailers like Amazon and Newegg.

I would say printing an advertisement for a good deal is worth your while because you could hypothetical get the same price from another retailer with less hassle.

dogisbadob > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/24/2014 at 18:28

Kinja'd!!!

I love this pic

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Racescort666
09/24/2014 at 18:31

I think there are some retailers who offer price match (although with laptops it's awkward to find the exact same model since specs vary) but once I'd rode down to the store I just wanted to get the thing and leave. In the end it worked out okay, provided this standing order doesn't come out before I cancel it.

Tapas > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/24/2014 at 18:31

I'll be honest. I don't like middle men, unless I want the service they provide.

What worse is people expect you to pay for services you don't want. Example - Oh, car dealerships need to make money too. They have an overhead and children, blah blah blah.

My point is dealerships and even some shops are no longer a necessity.

If I want service, I can pay for it by purchasing a product at the shop.

If I don't want to pay for service, that should be an hassle-free option.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Tapas
09/24/2014 at 18:37

I like shops because I get to try before I buy. I spent about 20 minutes on this laptop trying out as much as I could before I committed to buy. So I'm happy to pay slightly more on products for that service but I'm not happy about them attempting to swindle me or offer nonsense I don't want. A quick run through of extras is fine but pushing them on people sucks.

E92M3 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/24/2014 at 18:45

You do NOT sign me up for free crap I have to cancel before it automatically renews and I get charged. This would of sent me out of the store. Comcast just did this with their printed channel guide. I should not have to call you in 30 days to avoid being charged $8 a month for something I never wanted in the first place.

If it was a simple call it wouldn't be so bad but they try their best to keep you subscribed. Including making you feel cheap. "Sir it's only $8 a month", "That's like 1 lunch" "We're talking 25 cents a day" That's the worst sales tatic IMO. If anything provide it free the first month and make me call if I want to continue. I suppose there's a large percentage of the population that forgets to call, or doesn't even look at their bill to see the additional charge.

Tapas > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/24/2014 at 18:47

Agreed!

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > E92M3
09/24/2014 at 18:49

I hate it too, they'd worn me down in the store so I just allowed it so I could leave. Wishing I made more of a fuss now. I think they allow you to just cancel the standing order without contacting them though so it shouldn't take long to put right.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/24/2014 at 18:51

I knew a store that was notorious for doing this with Xbox's and PS3's.

They'd unbox them, plug them in, run the automated updates, and then charge $30 for the effort.

At least a recovery disk is somewhat useful for the computer illiterate.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
09/24/2014 at 18:57

I'm happy that I managed to get it free in the end I suppose, saved 7 or 8 pounds on a flash drive, although I spent longer in the store than it would take me to make my own recovery drive.

You say a recovery disk is useful for the computer illiterate but to be honest the kind of person who pays Ł45 for one is the sort of person who pays a repairman when something goes wrong.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/24/2014 at 19:09

yeah, I was thinking about the tech who's job is much easier if there's a recovery disk.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
09/24/2014 at 19:21

Ah fair enough.

Conan > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/24/2014 at 19:45

Similar experience here. My "delivery in 2 weeks" laptop was backordered for 4 months... I cancelled.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Conan
09/24/2014 at 19:48

That's pretty bad, I had to buy in a store since I started uni the same day my old laptop started to give in.

Conan > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/24/2014 at 19:52

Yeah, people can be trapped by them. I used to work in a campus store but we got paid by the college to treat people good.