Audi Clearwater

My worst ever car buying experience at crown audi, don't be fooled by the high ratings given. Honestly, I don't believe that reviews anymore. It might be paid for by crown audi or done by their own employee be fooled by the high ratings given. Honestly, I don't believe that reviews anymore. It might be paid for by crown audi or done by their own employees. I drove 4 hours to their showroom which I didn't mind since the Audi Q7 that they had was looking good on the web so it was worth the trip. I was greeted by Curt Kelley, he was nice, inviting and explained the features on Audi Q7. My wife and I noticed certain scratches on either side of the back doors that required touch up/buffing also I noticed that the brake rotor plate was rusted on all the 4 wheels,I brought it to Curt's attention and I was told that it was normal which I didn't buy since this was just 3 year old luxury SUV. Then we went on a test drive, Curt was kind and patient explaining the features and going through them. I noticed that the brake was slow to respond and the reason I brought it up was because I did my research before deciding what I'm going to buy and the common concern was that the brake pads wear very fast since this is a heavy SUV, so all I was asking was to look at the brake pads on this SUV and see if it needs to be replaced, but i was told that this was the way audi brake works and that I had to get used to it. It was sorcastic but I didn't find it funny. Also my wife found that there were 2 plugs missing on the rear weather control console and Curt agreed that he can order that for us. We decided to buy the Audi and started the paperwork, In the meantime we brought in my first car (not my only car) for a trade-in, I had email from Curt stating that I could get anywhere from $1300 - $1500 and I confirmed that on KBB also. It was for a 97 Honda Accord (133K miles) and it was between good & fair condition, since I drove 4 hours in that car and in florida weather with AC ON, it had to be in a good condition. The car runs smooth and I have no problems with that car and the only reason I had to trade in was we already have 2 cars and were getting another one and don't have anybody else to drive the third one. So, they came back and told me that they can pay $600 (yes, $600) for it. STRIKE 1. Again, sorcastic comment that we(crown audi) usually don't deal with those type of cars, that they would have to auction it off. Again, I didn't find it funny since they didn't know that I have another BMW530 in my garage but I let it go. Moving on.... I asked them again to look into the scratches and see if they can buff it, I was told that it needed a paint job and buffing won't help and the brake rotors were fine. So, I asked to give me some discount on the car ($500) to make the car price even but I was told that it was absolutely the final price. I asked Curt to go and ask his manager that if he could get us some discount but he didn't go and instead told me that he already knew what his manager was going to say. STRIKE 2. I was still ok that we wanted that car so I asked him to continue with the paperwork. I had pre-approved loan and my credit score has been excellent and got a great rate on the loan. I was going to put more money as down payment even though I didn't had to, I was getting excellent rates from my credit card (0% APR for 18 months) and nobody can beat that. So, I called my credit card company to make sure everything was ok on their end and they gave thumbs up for the transaction. Now, here I am in the finance dept and in comes Paul Lundy, the most arrogant person I have come across in my entire life so far. He practically didn't have to do any work since I got the approval already just had to process the tag and title and put the balance of the money on my loan and other on my credit card. He started showing me all the typical salesman thing.... other options like key warranty, carpet extended warranty, leather extended warranty, road side assistance (why the hell I need that when I have AAA) etc. adding almost $5000 extra to the tag and when I declined he started giving me advice.... with kids you should take this and that, when I still declined I could see his eyes rolling. I started signing the papers and there were bunch of them and then comes the last blow.... when I took out my credit card he told me that it was our company policy not to exceed $5000 on credit card for each transaction.... what? an audi showroom where they are selling cars in the upwards of $75000 don't take credit card more than $5000. Nobody told me about this corporate policy before they made me sign the papers and I checked on their website later, I didn't see that policy written anywhere. He was telling me that it was corporate policy and I can understand that but he was very arrogant and insisted that some dealers have as low as $2500... sure you might be talking about cheap car dealers. When i told him that I bought another car that I put in almost the same amount on my card and he replies that he was in the business for many years and he knows it all.... ok guy. STRIKE 3 and you are out. The deal was cancelled and I asked him for all the papers that I have signed to be shredded in front of me and he told me that he is not there take your money and he didn't do anything. I walked out the door furious, spend almost a day after this with no results. I was serious about buying this car not just going there to have a look at it. I went to see Tony Ricciardulli (New sales car manager) to report the arrogant behavior of his co-worker and he looked at me and raised his eyebrows (as if not believing what I just said). I explained him all of this above and he just kept on saying sorry it's a company policy and can't do anything.... He mentioned to me that he can give me an overnight fedex envelope and I can send him a check when I reach back home and they'll create 2 contracts.... I didn't want to do that since I was getting a better deal with my credit card. They are dirt cheap.... and liars, all it comes down to the charge for the credit card transactions.... they didn't give me any discount on the car, low trade-in price and then this. I'll take my business somewhere else. What a joke... I just noticed they reduce the price on the car by $100 today..... LIARS, SHARKS... BEWARE OF THIS DEALERSHIP....YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!! More

I had just purchased a nearly "new" Audi S5 from another dealer and originally was shopping for some accessories. There were some questions I had about Audi Care (prepay service package-hope t from another dealer and originally was shopping for some accessories. There were some questions I had about Audi Care (prepay service package-hope that I have it right). At any rate, I was not looking forward to meeting with the "business manager" at the dealership to get answers to my questions...frankly I expected a long-winded and persistent sales pitch filled with double talk. NOT. Paul is a straight shooter who really knows his product and people. Bottom line: I purchased Audi Care on the spot and resolved to drive the ~40 miles extra to Crown Audi for my future service needs. I highly recommend Paul and his team. Oh, I worked with Bob in parts -- that will be another (excellent) review! -Herb. More