Joe Heidt Motors

Mixed review TL;DR: Don’t fall for flim-flam. Inspect all the numbers and line-items. Do your own math. Read everything carefully. In other words, do your due dili TL;DR: Don’t fall for flim-flam. Inspect all the numbers and line-items. Do your own math. Read everything carefully. In other words, do your due diligence. And, whereas nice, the service department does not inspire confidence. My first sales associate was sheisty, the second one (Richard) was much better. Whereas I am extremely happy with my new car (2018 GTI SE), I did not have the best car-buying experience. I initially came to Joe Heidt for service on my old GTI. Four months after $1800 in repairs I found myself needing an entire engine replacement with only 86,000 miles on the original engine. No responsibility for the engine break-down was assumed by the service department, even though when I’d brought it in initially, I asked them for a once-over and tune-up (in addition to other specific work it needed) and they informed me I needed a new valve cover gasket. I agreed to have them replace it. After the subsequent piston-ring failure, and being informed that I would need to replace the entire engine, I was advised to contact VW North America to see if they could do anything for me. They offered me a $750 voucher towards a new car...I guess it’s something. Especially if it would be next to impossible to legally prove malpractice on the part of the service department... Faced with potentially a $4000 repair (on a 15 year old car), I decided to look into replacing the car entirely. I went to 5 other dealers and test-drove 4 other makes and models. My car needs are very specific because of my line of work and there are not many cars in the segment (hatchback) that suit my needs and are not SUV/crossovers (which, as a class, are a rip-off and inefficient). When I’d first made the determination that I was going to consider buying a new car, I started at Joe Heidt—figuring I’d look at a straight replacement, new GTI for old GTI. Also thinking they might be inclined to give me a good trade-in value for my old GTI, seeing as how they may have been at least partly responsible for blowing it up in the first place... The service manager referred me to the sales floor (I would soon learn that communication between these two departments was not very good at all), and one of the salesmen called me up. Out of the gate, he presumed to call me by a nickname that only my big brother and a few very close old friends ever used. And he used it in every sentence—I guess that was some sales “style” or strategy. When I told him that only my big brother and childhood friends ever called me that, he apologized...and then proceeded to keep calling me it. Honestly, Idgaf really if someone I know uses the diminutive, but I *do* care if someone I don’t know, and who is trying to sell me a $30,000 car doesn’t listen to me. I still made the trip down to the dealership (about 40 mins away) to take a look at what they had on the lot—mind, I hadn’t yet decided, just was considering. When I arrived, the salesman had already drafted up paperwork and immediately asked me to fill out the financing application. I HADN’T EVEN LOOKED AT A SINGLE CAR YET. When, out on the lot, I remarked that I felt like white cars were harder to keep looking clean, or that they showed dirt more readily, he confidently stated that in fact it was to the contrary and that it had been “scientifically proven” so. He pretty much lost me as a customer right there. Total bs-er. From there, I spent the following week or so comparison shopping. Half of the other dealerships I went to I had a much nicer customer service experience. The other half were meh. I will say, however, that JH’s service department are very cool about their loaner vehicles. They put me in a brand-spankin-new Beetle convertible during this whole process, and didn’t bother me. After driving a bunch of different cars (and finding a couple lower-priced alternatives I could live with and be happy with), I wanted to actually test drive the new GTI just to make sure before making my decision. And so I wound up back at JH—this time (after being made to wait despite having an appointment—which I didn’t actually mind really, places get busy, and they were apologetic) I was paired up with a different sales associate, who was generally much more agreeable to me. But when it came time to do numbers, there was the old “I’ll have to go run this by my manager” routine. And then, instead of discussing the sale price, they would slip into the “how much the monthly payment would be” flim-flam—filling the page with different numbers at different APRs/terms, with different downpayments—not budging on the big number... And then there is another running it by the manager. And more abstract numbers. You get the drift. I’m not a dummy and I can make my own calculations. This sales method is 100% designed to hoodwink the customer. I did not appreciate it. Ultimately, with the voucher (that VW of NA *so generously* gave me) and another $500 over the initial offer tacked on to the trade-in value of my old GTI, we got the price of the car down to pretty close to what I said I was willing to pay. And, again, the sales associate I wound up with (Richard) was very helpful and accommodating (regardless of their film-flammy sales method—which I must note, was also employed by the first salesman, and I would assume is a dealership-wide method). Also, know that after you come to your number for the car, when you go into the finance office to work out the loan agreement, they will spend another 15-20 minutes trying to sell you a bunch of other insurance and care packages that they will tack on to the price of the car and roll into your loan payment. It’s of course up to you whether or not you take any of them, but just know that they will continue to attempt to extract as much money from you as possible. More

Out to rip you off First of all they refused to warranty work blaming it on the oil i was using via my local mechanic who had done all the oil changes on the previous 2 First of all they refused to warranty work blaming it on the oil i was using via my local mechanic who had done all the oil changes on the previous 2 VW's, then they tried to add no a warranty service so they could make more cash While there i spoke with a manager and 1 adviser, another advisor made a rude comment and yes i called him an xxx as he should not of budded in. They all got very defensive after me calling my mechanic, who laughed and said tipical dealer excuses. All this while my car is under the VW Certified warranty Stay away they are looking for ways the screw you More

Amazing experience Everyone fears the car buying experience! This dealership breaks the mold ! Out salesperson Victoria Maratene was perfect ..... I went in to the d Everyone fears the car buying experience! This dealership breaks the mold ! Out salesperson Victoria Maratene was perfect ..... I went in to the dealership with my elderly parents that were no longer able to get in and out of my present car. Victoria was attentive to their needs as well as knowledgeable about the car we were looking at ! The negotiation process was very comfortable with the manager coming to the table to talk ‘ numbers ‘ with everyone. This was very reassuring. Victoria helped make this big buy simple and stress free ! More

Customer Service Two Thumbs UP! This was my first VW experience. For a whole year and a half, I was researching for a vehicle that will best fit my needs for myself and my son whil This was my first VW experience. For a whole year and a half, I was researching for a vehicle that will best fit my needs for myself and my son while on the road. Safety is priority. From the moment of inquiry over the internet (Carfax) to visiting the dealership it was customer service at its best. Robert, my salesman, was prompt and professional all the way to both my grandfather and I! He was efficient in getting solutions with my concerns and questions. He and the team had great integrity in their work. Highlight: Robert and the team helped me get my car delivered; safe and sound when I wasn't able to transport it myself. Thank you so much for your patience, time and efforts for my first VW Jetta! More

Will never go to any other VW I have been a VW customer for 13 years. Love the car, love the brand and love the service. Joe Heidt has always been a dealership I can rely on and tu I have been a VW customer for 13 years. Love the car, love the brand and love the service. Joe Heidt has always been a dealership I can rely on and turn to for all my VW needs. The manager Scott, has been there for me since my very first VW purchase and assisted in guiding me into a vehicle that was the perfect fit. Herman, my salesman, was very knowledgeable about the car I chose and showed me all the ins and outs. At the end of the day, I left with a car that I’m very happy to drive and call mine. It was a great experience from start to finish. More

Great Experience! I had an amazing experience at this dealership. Herman was so helpful, answered all of my questions, worked with us to get a great price on a VW Atlas I had an amazing experience at this dealership. Herman was so helpful, answered all of my questions, worked with us to get a great price on a VW Atlas. We love the car, loved the dealership, and loved the salesman! More

Purchased VW passat Great experience. Richard was great salesman. The whole experience was pleasant. I would definitely recommend this salesman and this dealership to oth Great experience. Richard was great salesman. The whole experience was pleasant. I would definitely recommend this salesman and this dealership to others and shop here in the future. More

Company hides problems with car The company has no ethics and decided to misinform me about a vehicle that had problems. they had no problems committing fraud and telling me that th The company has no ethics and decided to misinform me about a vehicle that had problems. they had no problems committing fraud and telling me that the car was checked and was in perfect working condition. very dishonest and would be very weary of doing business with them More

Herman was so excellent we bought 2 cars!!!! W the models and has worked with VW for a long time. We bought an Atlas and a Passat on the same day. Herman was never over aggressive he allowed us W the models and has worked with VW for a long time. We bought an Atlas and a Passat on the same day. Herman was never over aggressive he allowed us space to make our decision yet stayed attentive to everything we needed. He spent so much time during delivery and explained both cars top to bottom. He followed up after purchase and we are forever grateful.... THANK YOU HERMAN!!!! See you in a few years.... More

Class Act Leased car from Herman Gulbenkian. Very experienced, class act. Comfortable showroom, great atmosphere, with professional salesmen. Got a better pric Leased car from Herman Gulbenkian. Very experienced, class act. Comfortable showroom, great atmosphere, with professional salesmen. Got a better price and no run-around like from VW down the street. Definitely returning to Herman for next lease. and referring him to everyone. More