mb1

I've seen a few threads and have known folks that were unhappy with Hendricks so I wasn't sure what to expect. I went to Hendricks today on Satellite Rd here in Atlanta. I noticed that one car had Competition seats so I asked if someone could help me. They have two "Corvette Specialists" but they were both busy. I asked if someone could just unlock the yellow one so I could sit down in the car. The nice receptionist said no but said it was stupid but she'd let them know I was waiting. After more than 30 minutes waiting in the showroom, a specialist finally came out. I asked if they had one I could drive and was told no, not too surprising I guess since so many are buying without driving one. Then I asked about what it would require to order one. He replied that they required a $5,000 NON REFUNDABLE deposit and said that 3 people had backed out and they kept the deposit and sold all three cars within TWO HOURS. I'm not sure why he thought that story would get me excited about doing business with them. He was hanging his hat on the fact that the buyers signed a "piece of paper" so it was basically the buyers fault. As if making $5k+ on each car wasn't enough. All in all, just another poor experience. And they wonder why forum dealers get so much business. They can get away with that now while the demand is so high, later this kind of interaction with prospective buyers will not work well. I would recommend buyers look elsewhere than a Rick Hendricks store.

TX Navy Vet

That sucks....
I was at a local Chevy dealer where I have mine ordered from...
They just got 2 in yesterday and both are available at MSRP.
PM me if you want more info.

astrotx

Wow, that is pretty bad. When I called them it was hard to get a hold of their "specialist" and the price was MSRP. There are plenty of dealers offering discounts (especially on order cars), so I never called them back. And "Non-Refundable" is a non-starter.

Sorry it was such a bad experience, but the beauty of Chevrolet is that there are a ton of dealers--so shop with your pocket book.

Let us know where you end up.

LIE2ME

I have heard many stories like this before about Hendricks. To bad, I live in South Carolina and would have potentially given them my business. Not now, and from all I have heard, not ever...

Glen e

It all comes down to the general manager and the tone he imparts to his operation. We have seen some very good Hendrick experiences here in past posts....all the chains are this way. A shame this one went this way.

musclecar6

Unfortunately, that is the business model at many dealers. Sophisticated vette buyers like many on here, just go to the top forum dealers and have a pleasant experience. I don't even bother to ask to sit in their floor models or test drive till at least the second year of production.

LIE2ME

amen.

Racerdj

I had a wonderful experience at Hendrick in Buford GA which is NE of Atlanta. I could not have suggested anything they could have done better. Sorry for your experience.

mb1

This one had comp seats so I didnt think sitting in a seat was too much to ask. Its not a Ferrari. And even if it was, sitting in a car wouldnt hurt the dealer. This was just pitiful customer service.

Racerdj

When touring the plant (Late October), there was a convertible in an area where an engineer was working on the drivers side molding and the car had comp seats. I asked(tour guide) whether I could just sit in them and was denied.

MHFontaine

Same here. My sister and I both ordered our cars from the Buford store. Had a great experience...and like most, only did a $1,000 deposit.

mb1

The good news is I finally got to sit in the comp seats....so now I can order elsewhere.

MHFontaine

As I think about it more, they did ask for a $5,000 deposit. I said, "you're not getting a $5,000 deposit from me..." I then named about 4 or 5 forum vendors where I could order my car for $1,000 deposit or less, AND still get the car at MSRP and said I would go elsewhere...

Like I said, I got my car at the Buford location and had a great experience. I'll buy from there again.

vetteship

It's a Chevy, C'mon Hendrickx- The non refundable deposit policy would have made me blow a head gasket. Do they not know there are other dealers, I mean they can't be that arrogant, can they ?

astrotx

Plenty of other good places to spend your money.

KenHorse

Hendricks NEVER returned a single phone call of mine, NEVER returned a single email of mine and even ignored PMs made through the forums (even after SPECIFICALLY telling me to PM them).

Sorry, I ain't impressed.....

CaptRat

They're telling you upfront that it's a nonrefundable deposit. So it's not like they're cheating you. If you're a committed buyer that shouldn't be a problem. If you're worried about how long it will take or other factors that might cause you to back out of the deal, then negotiate. If they're unwilling to negotiate, then pass 'em up for another dealer.... or rethink how much you really want the car.

JMHO

mb1

Yep, I agree. I really wanted to share my experience to help others that might be considering buying in Ga. I wonder if this is what Rick had in mind or if he would care.

A friend had one ordered then when it came time to be delivered, they jacked up the agreed upon price. He got an apology call from Rick personally but did nothing to change the terms of the deal.

Thanks for the seat time, I'll be going to a forum dealer.

cbboarder

I bought mine from Autonation on Mansell. Ordered, paid MSRP and received in 7 weeks. I'd give them a call.

ENCT

I put down a $5000.00 deposit that is refundable until the car is accepted by GM, up until then I can go elsewhere and get a full refund. I am kinda stuck with this dealer because they did a courtesy sale/pre trade on my 14 GT500 so I could get the tax break. Hopefully I get my order accepted by Feb. 1st as I would like to see the car April 1st.
Eric