Statement from Husker BMW - the other side of the story

[Jeff Kershner]

Tre, you offer no value to this site. If you read our first posting and comments, you would see that we were staying neutral and not taking positions. It's obvious that you do nothing more then look for opportunities to pounce on people.

I have removed your others comments in the past because you have done nothing more then ridicule others, including myself.

We would all love to know who you really are since you hide behind your alias. I'm thinking you are in the business and maybe even a vendor and could risk a lot if your front yourself.

At the end of the day, it really doesn't matter but I appreciate that you place so much importance on dealerrefresh that you are compelled to spend your time here.

Jeff

 

[Ryan]

While it would be nice to assume that Husker automotive group is doing the right thing, many dealerships have a bad reputation when it comes to sales. It is a high turnover industry with regard to managers and sales people.

I have worked at automotive dealerships in almost every department, and at numerous marques of vehicles. The way Husker automotive is spinning the issue is exactly what I would expect.

Unfortunately, the time is already upon us where individuals and corporations do not take responsibility for their actions. An employee of BMW of Lincoln posted an Ebay add for the wrong amount, and didn't bother to retract it. I don't think he did it by accident. It makes perfect sense. A highly coveted car up for a low starting bid with no reserve. These cars commonly have a waiting list, and go for more than sticker, which is another reason why dealerships are not trusted. Unfortunately, the car was not highly visible on Ebay because the internet sales guy posted it in the wrong section. So, the entire thing backfired on him, and thus the car was sold for a low price to Mr. Tanisaka.

Even if that was not the story, a guy won an Ebay auction for $60,000. The more the dealership resists selling the vehicle for the price listed, the more negative press the dealership will receive. The business mentality of the dealership doesn't fly real well with the public, who commonly make emotional purchases regarding automotive.

High end automotive customers are also treated differently. When I worked at Porche/Lambo/Lotus if a customer was debating on a vehicle around dinnertime, it was common practice to reserve a table at a resteraunt so the person could go out to dinner on our dollar and think about it. So, flying the guy out to pick up his new car does not exactly ring bells.

This automotive group makes millions, and possibly as a conglomerate, in the billions. Loosing 8-10k on a car purchase is nothing. The best thing they could have done was say yes to begin with, eat the cost, and be done with it. THAT would have been the right thing to do. This isn't rocket science, its selling cars and keeping people happy. One angry high end customer can have a huge negative impact on sales.

The dealership chose the route that is typically seen in automotive. Unfortunately, this didn't work out the way they thought it would. Attempting to post different views of the story, and make themselves look better is just not the way to go about this. The public wants someones head on a plate. Give it to them. The more Husker fights this, the worse it will get.

The worst part is now the attorney for Mr. Tanisaka is having to post that the dealership is now upset for using copywrited material on the forums. Again, this is not the way to make this situation any better. Terms get thrown around like "epic thread," and "thread of the year" only get perpetuated when the dealership tries to lash back.

There are two sides to this story. Unfortunately, not many are interested in the side that includes the dealership.

 

[Alex Snyder (blog)]

Before anyone reads the rest of this post, please don't take this as me supporting either side of the story. This is just what I think may have happened at Husker.

the Husker BMW Internet Manager listed the M3 on eBay hoping to find a buyer outside his local area. He accidentally listed it in the wrong part of eBay - that ISM might not have been too familiar with eBay. Mr. Tanisaka became the winning bidder just before Easter weekend (March 20th). The ISM tried to cover things up from his GM, so he worked with a salesmanager. In the meantime, the GM probably took some extra time off to spend the weekend with his family, or he was busy trying to make other business happen. If he knew about it before the weekend, he probably brushed it off as a problem to take care of on Monday (the 24th). Between the 20th and the 24th the ISM and salesmanager did everything they could to either get Mr. Tanisaka to bump up in price or to stall him. Because perception is king, Mr. Tanisaka's perception led him to believe the dealership was trying to weasel out of the deal, so he posted the story on the M3 forum (evening of the 21st). The story spread quick while dealership personnel were working on selling more cars over the weekend or enjoying time with the family. People, from all over, became outraged and began to threaten people at Husker BMW - the mess turned into what we have here now.

Now that I've heard Husker's side of the story I can see how this happened. I can honestly say I don't agree with how they initially handled things, but it sounds like they're trying to do the right thing now; while keeping with regular business practices. I can also understand where Mr. Tanisaka came from, and think he was right to do what he did.

 

[Aimsmith]

Seems this is an obvious mistake by the dealer. There is nothing to gain by doing this intentionally unless the ISM initiated it without anyones knowledge.

What is the Ebay policy here? Who knows the legal issues? Please comment. Would like to learn more....

Rand Smyth

 

[Brian in Etown]

Don't think the legal issues really matter, I am quite sure if they wanted to they could win a legal battle and keep the car. I think it has more to do with the bad press and not fulfilling their commitment in the eyes of the consumer.

 

[Lao Shi]

I wonder how the events would have unfolded without the exposure on line?

Regardless as it is a mute point as it did go online. I believe it was a positive note and this type of action will have positive impacts on the industry. The consumers (some may abuse the process) will have more influence on the buying process and policing the industry.

 

[CS]

I found this story late, but it hasn't been handled well by anyone.

Neutral this, neutral that. Censoring content you have previously published isn't a neutral move, that's a retraction of a previous statement. Besides, if this was a muckraking video I want to see it : )

Now, with the dealership's rebuttal, they have violated the privacy of this potential buyer by discussing where he does his banking with the whole world. If customer was to take legal action this web page could be evidence.

If the dealership f*cked up they should continue to own up to their mistake instead of trying to lay out a new argument against the customer because of his financing options.

1. customer tries to buy car
2. customer is laughed at
3. customer seeks advice from other consumers
4. seller insults customer for emotionally describing how he was offended

Everyone loses.

 

[Alex Snyder (blog)]

CS -

The video named someone and ridiculed him. Although it was posted on DR to show how far things can go, it also broke site rules. I think the retraction note says it all. If you want to see it so bad, I'm sure you know how to use Google or YouTube

I've been watching this whole thing for a while. The customer posted the whole scenario on the M3 forums. He even posted his approval check with his name on it. The dealership wasn't posting any of the customer's information he hadn't already done himself.

Mr. Tanisaka got his car, and things have settled down. I'd just view it as a what-not-to-do thing at this point.

 

[BJST]

I wouldnt want that car after all this... that beamer is probably cursed now, and he'll come out every couple of weeks to find it leaking oil on the driveway, etc. I guess I'm superstitious.

 

[BMW Seller]

Husker BMW is not to be congratulated for its public relations work. It has now posted on its website, and elsewhere, that it "honors all contracts" -- so it admits this was a contract with the buyer -- and that the buyer's "bet" on e-bay lead to the winning price. So now e-bay is a place where gamblers go.

And it has patted itself on the back with a totally false description of what went on, claiming the customer "knew" there was a "mistake" on e-bay (he asserts the opposite), and that Husker went the extra mile to make him happy. That's not spin. That's lying.

Also, Husker had an attorney not associated with VTAIG write a letter threatening the buyer and everyone posting on the 'Web with a defamation lawsuit.

It's been amateur hour all the way, bringing disgrace to dealers everywhere.

At every step the dealer did something wrong or stupid. It let this go on too long. It should have unconditionally agreed to the sale. It should not have started to brag about how it honors "all contracts."

Somebody needs to set the record straight as you guys want to spin this, too, and in doing so you make it harder, not easier, for good dealers to learn from this cacaphony of mistakes, lies and frauds.