RE: Beware of VRC and VRE

[JustaxPHX@aol.com]

> I now have the opportunity to explain, over the next few months, that there
are cars called "quattros" and nothing else
> to every single member of the dealership's staff.

It's almost two years ago to the day when I last set foot on the premises of
the one-and-only Audi dealer who serves the greater Phoenix metropolitan area
(incredibly, despite being the eighth largest metropolitan area in the U.S.,
with a total population approaching two million, there is only one Audi dealer
in Phoenix!).

I had recently purchased my Ur-Q and after making my way to the parts counter,
after winding my way around the racks full of silk-screened T-shirts,
embroidered Polo shirts and stylish leather jackets, I told the guy who was
standing behind the counter that I needed an oil filter the turbo on my
Quattro.

	"Uh, are you sure?  Quattros don't have turbos."

	"Yes, they do.  They also have two oil filters and I need the smaller one."

	"I don't think so but I'll look it up for you ... what year is it?"

	"1985."

	"Yes, I was right ... see? (spinning the fiche reader around so he can show
it to me)"

	"Uh, that fiche is for the 4000 quattro and I have the Coupe."

	"Oh, I'm sorry ... here's the right one.   See?"

	"This fiche is for the FWD Coupe.  Mine is a Quattro and it also has a
turbo."

	"And it was made in 1985?"

	"Yes ... by Audi.  See?  It's the red one parked over there."

	"That's an Audi?  Wow ... I've never seen one of those before.  Of course,
I've only been working here for two years..."

Gee ... who'd have guessed?   As it turned out, they didn't have one in stock
-- "I guess there isn't too much demand for them," he explained somewhat
haughtily -- and that was enough to cause me to lose my cool.  I asked for his
manager and then explained, with more than a tinge of annoyance/anger in my
voice, that I owned five Audis and not once during the past three years did
they ever have a part that I needed in stock.  I also explained that according
to my sources, he was charging 10% over MSRP for parts, which was outrageous
enough by itself but especially so when the parts had to be ordered.

He explained that they used a computer tracking system to determine which
parts to carry in stock and two weeks ago, he threw away $40k worth of parts
because they hadn't sold within the past 24 months.  I pointed out that they
can't sell a part if it's not in stock so their system struck me as rather
flawed and he countered by explaining that it keeps track of requests as well
and if they're asked for a part more than four times in six months, he'll
consider stocking it.

"But if I already know that you're not going to have it in stock, what's the
point of asking you for it?  Especially since you charge over list for parts
and I can buy them at 25-35% off list by mailorder?  The only reason I ever
try to buy parts from you is for the convenience of having it today and not
next week, and if you're simply going to order it for me, why should I pay you
extra for the privilege?"

He offered me a preferred-customer discount of 20% on all future parts orders
but I ended up gave him the finger and left ... not one of my better days, I'm
afraid, but appropriate to my level of frustration.  I wrote a letter to the
general manager about my experience and sent a copy of it to Audi; the GM
never responded and Audi sent me a form letter thanking me for bringing this
to their attention but also explaining that each dealer was an independent
contractor and was free to set their prices as they saw fit and stock whatever
parts they choose.

Frankly, when I think back on this, I find it hard to believe I'm still
driving an Audi ... I must really *love* these cars, eh?

JG