| RCtennis3811 |
| Just curious, why does everyone hate their Acura dealership experience? My family loves our dealer and they're pretty nice. Why do you all hate them? |
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| Maik |
quote:
Originally posted by RCtennis3811
Just curious, why does everyone hate their Acura dealership experience? My family loves our dealer and they're pretty nice. Why do you all hate them?
In general, because they are staffed with lying cheats who will say whatever they need to say to make a sale.
Actually, while I would say that about the sales staff, the service staff at the dealership I use is professional and seemingly honest. |
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| shootist |
| I like my sales people. They suck up sufficiently for a luxury experience. |
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| eurohazard |
In my own experience, the sales department was good. My particular salesman wasn't particularly knowledgeable in the MDX, but that was easily overlooked.
The service dept has a tendency to bend the truth about what service is required and when. But again, I have told them exactly what I want, and they have performed it well. But my dealership is fully capable of taking extra money from non suspecting customers. |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by Maik
In general, because they are staffed with lying cheats who will say whatever they need to say to make a sale.
Actually, while I would say that about the sales staff, the service staff at the dealership I use is professional and seemingly honest.
That pretty much sums it up exactly for the first dealer I shopped at. Terrible sales, awesome service. The other dealership across town is run much better. May have helped that I used the GSM to purchase but good grief. They're owned by the same giant that owns 28 dealerships here. I don't understand why the philosophies are so different. |
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| cycler15 |
quote:
Originally posted by RCtennis3811
Just curious, why does everyone hate their Acura dealership experience? My family loves our dealer and they're pretty nice. Why do you all hate them?
Everyone doesn't hate their Acura dealership.... it's just that people who have a bad experience will start a thread about it or complain on this board. Most people that have a "satisfactory" experience will not post about it.
It's that very simple rule.... people that have a bad experience will let everyone know about it, but people that have a good experience only tell a few people. |
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| Warzau |
| Just like anything else, be it a food chain, electronics,etc. There are all individually run by different set of people, some are great like the dealer I go to. Some are horrible, like the one I avoided buying from. |
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| Echo2625 |
| My local dealer is excellent! |
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| uboltpb |
I've been thrilled with service from my Acura dealer on my 2004 TL. They've gone overboard to make me happy and charge me a very fair rate.
Discounts for oil changes and a front end alignment. A freebie loaner car every time I go there.
Brand new tires given to me after I put 15K miles on the the first set- PVC 42 Turanzas. Fixing the 2nd gear jet stream recall before I got a recall letter. Fixing the memory seat isssue before I got a recall letter. All these things were proactively taken care of. I had a loose bolt inside the dashboard when I picked up the car and this was taken care of quickly.
The sales guy was pretty good. It's rare to deal with a terrific sales guy. "I have to talk to my manager" line drives me crazy. He's been helpful and is thrilled that we're going to buy an MDX from him soon.
I'm convinced the quality of the dealership depends on the person who owns it.
greg |
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| DaleB |
Buying my car by email, essentially, and faxing info to hold the deal, enabled me to work with the sales mgr. directly. So I never got any crap.
Of course, at the time, available MDXs were a rarity and prices fluctuated like the wind. Finding one locked down to MSRP with no options forced on the buyer, was the key. In this particular case, Acura delivery was off almost 2 weeks, and the dealer threw in cargo cover, wheel locks, and cargo tray as compensation.
I never went back to the same dealer for service because they are too far. But have to admit I have always had good service from 3 different dealerships I have gone too.
I have gone to the local Acura dealer who overcharges (IMHO) for routine service, but always provided a loaner for warranty work that took more than a couple of hours (2 instances).
For routine service I have used the local Honda dealer who is cheaper. Something I would recommend if you don't all your own routine service. |
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| slocko |
the first dealer i bought my 2002 mdx from was horrible.
i wasn't prepared to purchase that night and got ripped for the base carrier and side steps and paid a 1k premium on the 2002 base mdx with navi, even though he had it in stock. then the finance guy took over and stuck it in even harder. even though i had a 5.34 loan with chase for my 2002 odyssey, he raised the rate to 7.5 on the mdx, also with chase.
they never called me to tell my license plates had arrived and my temporary tag actually expired before I called to see what was up with the plates. they had had them all along. i then had to wait an hour for someone to put them on. when i took my mdx in for the transmission recall, they lost my appointment and gave me a legend as a loaner. they then called me in the afternoon to tell me that they didn't get to my vehicle.
i was just plain ignorant back then and wasn't aware that if i would walked away, they probably would have given me the car without the premium and for the same interest rate.
but i got my revenge 2 years later. i decided to go back and see what they had to offer this time and they suprised me with a good lease deal, almost 2k off msrp. after signing the purchase order and credit app, another dealer called me back to follow up and i told them the deal i was getting. they beat it and had the car in stock.
the 2nd dealer may have had a good price, but the dealership exuded cheesiness at every corner. ugly unpaved surfaces. none of the salesguys had computers, and half of them didn't have phones. they took 4 hours to complete the leasing paperwork. they gave me the cheesiest plastic keychains you would expect to be handed at a state fair. i actually complained and they dug up some other keychains that looked nicer in design, but where made out of some cheap metal that gets all scratched up, peels, and tarnishes, with their store name address and phone number with a horrible font.
they were supposed to call me back to have sidesteps installed, and after two weeks of getting no where, i called the service department myself who then tried to tell me that i had bought running boards. i lost it, and told the salesguy that i would be calling Acura to complain if i didn't hear from them in 30 minutes. Within 30 minutes, service department called and said everything was taken care of and to bring it in anytime I wanted.
i actually called up Acura and told them about the keychains and told them the least they could do for me after owning 5 new Honda vehicles, of which two are Acuras, was give me a nice keychain. waiting to see what they are going to send me.
i picked up the car and called the original dealer back and told them they were SOL because I picked up the car already. i told them to refund my deposit and gave them a week. after 2 weeks without seeing a refund, i called and the sales guy tells me that because i signed the purchase order i might not get the deposit back and they had incurred cost, never mind the mdx i was going to buy was from inventory they were going to receive. I politely listened and he told me that he has to speak with his manager and get back me.
On Monday I will call back and if they try to keep my deposit they are going to be in for a surprise. First I will call Acura and lodge a complaint, then I will call my credit card and have them reverse the charge. I love American Express, they know how to treat customers. By the way, the purchase order never said non-refundable deposit and I always give multiple deposits at different dealers and have never had a dealer try to keep my deposit. Not even one.
So for me, my experiences at 2 dealership leave much to be desired. My local Honda dealer has been much better. They are a corporate dealership and have decided to dedicate themselves to customer service. Salesguy kept in contact with me via telephone calls and email, even after I had picked up the Odyssey. Their service department gave me a tripple A discount for service on my MDX, even though I am not a member. I picked up my van and was out of there under an hour. My salesguy even drove my MDX home since I had gone there to pick up the van right after work. |
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| Fireblade6 |
:eek: Holy Crap...that is horrific...Sorry to hear that....
So..now that you have an Odyssey and an MDX...ARe you gonna buy another HOnda product? |
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| slocko |
I love both vehicles. The MDX is my commuting and errand vehicle. It's also my special baby. I drive an hour each way and wanted to be comfortable during that hour. I also wanted a 4 wheel vehicle for the snow, since the Odyssey is not that great in the snow. Didn't want to be stuck at home in case of an emergeny. I also like the high ride of SUVs.
The Odyssey is the family vehicle that my wife uses to take the kids to school and what we use for long trips. It's just a better vehicle for a family of five.
I traded both in at the same time for 2005 Touring models. So I have the same features in both, except the Odyssey doesn't have Handsfreelink, but I put in a bluetooth car kit, so it's almost the same, except for navi integration with handsfree link.
No money or room for a third Honda (can you say RL!!!) in my household :D
I have to say that technology you get at the Honda and Acura pricepoints, have made me a loyal Honda/Acura customer. I don't see myself chaging to Toyota/Lexus anytime soon. |
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| dipersp |
Jones Acura was a PLEASURE to deal with for the sale. Everything was done via fax and email and the Internet sales person (Who is no longer there) was great.
Unfort., they're too far for service. Between Ardmore Acura and Sussman Acura in Jenkintown, I've decided NEVER to buy another Acura product.
I WOULD be interested to find out where Greg gets his service in NJ! |
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| uboltpb |
quote:
Originally posted by dipersp
Jones Acura was a PLEASURE to deal with for the sale. Everything was done via fax and email and the Internet sales person (Who is no longer there) was great.
Unfort., they're too far for service. Between Ardmore Acura and Sussman Acura in Jenkintown, I've decided NEVER to buy another Acura product.
I WOULD be interested to find out where Greg gets his service in NJ!
Bridgewater Acura. Too long of a ride for you. There's an Acura dealer in Princeton and one in Turnersville. I hear many good things about the Turnersville one which is just off the Atlantic City expressway.
greg |
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| BLEXV6 |
quote:
Originally posted by slocko
the first dealer i bought my 2002 mdx from was horrible.
i wasn't prepared to purchase that night and got ripped for the base carrier and side steps and paid a 1k premium on the 2002 base mdx with navi, even though he had it in stock. then the finance guy took over and stuck it in even harder. even though i had a 5.34 loan with chase for my 2002 odyssey, he raised the rate to 7.5 on the mdx, also with chase.
they never called me to tell my license plates had arrived and my temporary tag actually expired before I called to see what was up with the plates. they had had them all along. i then had to wait an hour for someone to put them on. when i took my mdx in for the transmission recall, they lost my appointment and gave me a legend as a loaner. they then called me in the afternoon to tell me that they didn't get to my vehicle.
i was just plain ignorant back then and wasn't aware that if i would walked away, they probably would have given me the car without the premium and for the same interest rate.
but i got my revenge 2 years later. i decided to go back and see what they had to offer this time and they suprised me with a good lease deal, almost 2k off msrp. after signing the purchase order and credit app, another dealer called me back to follow up and i told them the deal i was getting. they beat it and had the car in stock.
the 2nd dealer may have had a good price, but the dealership exuded cheesiness at every corner. ugly unpaved surfaces. none of the salesguys had computers, and half of them didn't have phones. they took 4 hours to complete the leasing paperwork. they gave me the cheesiest plastic keychains you would expect to be handed at a state fair. i actually complained and they dug up some other keychains that looked nicer in design, but where made out of some cheap metal that gets all scratched up, peels, and tarnishes, with their store name address and phone number with a horrible font.
they were supposed to call me back to have sidesteps installed, and after two weeks of getting no where, i called the service department myself who then tried to tell me that i had bought running boards. i lost it, and told the salesguy that i would be calling Acura to complain if i didn't hear from them in 30 minutes. Within 30 minutes, service department called and said everything was taken care of and to bring it in anytime I wanted.
i actually called up Acura and told them about the keychains and told them the least they could do for me after owning 5 new Honda vehicles, of which two are Acuras, was give me a nice keychain. waiting to see what they are going to send me.
i picked up the car and called the original dealer back and told them they were SOL because I picked up the car already. i told them to refund my deposit and gave them a week. after 2 weeks without seeing a refund, i called and the sales guy tells me that because i signed the purchase order i might not get the deposit back and they had incurred cost, never mind the mdx i was going to buy was from inventory they were going to receive. I politely listened and he told me that he has to speak with his manager and get back me.
On Monday I will call back and if they try to keep my deposit they are going to be in for a surprise. First I will call Acura and lodge a complaint, then I will call my credit card and have them reverse the charge. I love American Express, they know how to treat customers. By the way, the purchase order never said non-refundable deposit and I always give multiple deposits at different dealers and have never had a dealer try to keep my deposit. Not even one.
So for me, my experiences at 2 dealership leave much to be desired. My local Honda dealer has been much better. They are a corporate dealership and have decided to dedicate themselves to customer service. Salesguy kept in contact with me via telephone calls and email, even after I had picked up the Odyssey. Their service department gave me a tripple A discount for service on my MDX, even though I am not a member. I picked up my van and was out of there under an hour. My salesguy even drove my MDX home since I had gone there to pick up the van right after work.
If AMEX will reverse the charge, why even bother with all that crap. Just get it reversed and be done with it. |
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| slocko |
| i think merchants get penalized for reversal of charges. probably a pimple for an entity that sells expensive vehicles, but just wanted to give them a chance to show some good faith. |
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| BLEXV6 |
quote:
Originally posted by slocko
i think merchants get penalized for reversal of charges. probably a pimple for an entity that sells expensive vehicles, but just wanted to give them a chance to show some good faith.
If they are dicking you around, who cares! |
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| slocko |
I'm the patient type. I have time. The salesperson is a young guy who just started selling cars 3 months ago so he may think that they are justified and keeping my deposit.
But Monday is the last day. After that, I call American Express. |
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| Echo2625 |
Good luck...
depending upon your local laws the dealer may have every right to keep your deposit and there is nothing AMEX can do about it.
Signing a purchase agreement is legally binding at least in my state. The laws are very clear in this area.
You might have ended up just screwing yourself
:confused: :eek: :8: :32: |
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| slocko |
Did a quick search but could not turn up anything relevant to the situation for New Jersey.
Good thing I have kept the conversation amicable without threatening anything. Patience is a virture :) I'm sure I will be able to persuade them to return it.
Worst case scenario, if I lose the deposit, I still come out ahead. It's a 42 month lease and the difference was like $20-$25 a month.
It will be interesting to see what Acura has to say if I have to call them.
quote:
Originally posted by Echo2625
Good luck...
depending upon your local laws the dealer may have every right to keep your deposit and there is nothing AMEX can do about it.
Signing a purchase agreement is legally binding at least in my state. The laws are very clear in this area.
You might have ended up just screwing yourself
:confused: :eek: :8: :32:
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| dipersp |
quote:
It will be interesting to see what Acura has to say if I have to call them.
The same thing they've told me everytime I call. "We stand behind our dealers, whatever they say goes."
Yeh, always standing BEHIND someone. . . Nice. |
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| slocko |
Well here is an update.
I called and the sales manager came on the line. At first he was nice and said he could give me a credit to use in the service department. I asked him why I simply couldn't get a refund. He began gettting angrier and angrier and began telling me that what I did was unethical and immoral. That I had gone to a dealer 30 miles away when he was in my backyard and that it was disrespectful.
It was very comical. The only thing missing was the Godfather music playing in the background. I calmly explained that I had many bad experiences with dealers including his two years ago and that I didn't take it personally.
He got even angrier and said he had to talk to the GM and proceeded to hang up on me.
Needless to say, I called up Acura to lodge a complaint about his rudeness and the deposit, and they said I should talk to the GM that they didn't get involved in these disputes. They did however call the dealership and the sales manager made his offer again to Acura.
I really don't use their service department, especially after they gave me an old beatup Legend as a loaner and losing my appointment and still not getting to my car.
I also called up Amex to get the charge reversed, so we will see what their investigation yields.
One more thing, this dealer had lo-balled my trade by $3000 and I was pretty close to accepting the trade, so in the grand scheme of things, I am still ahead, not matter what happens.
By the way, the dealer is Ryan's Open Road Acura in New Jersey. |
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| slocko |
Well, I don't know what Amex did, but the dealer has posted my deposit back to my account, despite the rude sales manager emphatically saying he would never do it. Maybe the GM got involved.
Got to love Amex. |
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| diverman |
slocko
Glad to hear you got your deposit back and that the nightmare is over! Good to hear AMEX backed you up as well.
That story is why I have put off buying a new car for many years! I have always thought that buying a car was like going to do battle with the enemy! I was fully prepaired for this when I bought my X but it was the lowest pressure, best car-buying experience I have ever had! I guess I just got lucky. |
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| G. COLTON |
quote:
Originally posted by RCtennis3811
Just curious, why does everyone hate their Acura dealership experience? My family loves our dealer and they're pretty nice. Why do you all hate them?
I do not HATE anything that I can think of. Not a very adult emotion.
I have had very good service from my local Acura dealer. Never had anything but prompt and good service.
G |
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| slocko |
By contrast my experience at Honda was amazing. Laid back and willing to do whatever it too to make me happy. After looking over the leasing paperwork at home I noticed an error. I had switched from 39 months to 36 months but the residual was not adjusted.
Expecting a battle since everything had been signed and agreed on, I was surprised when they just cut me a check for the difference.
It all comes down to management. The Honda dealership had come under new management.
But I do think that Acura should do more to establish a good base line customer service and deal harshly with those that cross it, and rewards those that surpass it.
quote:
Originally posted by diverman
slocko
Glad to hear you got your deposit back and that the nightmare is over! Good to hear AMEX backed you up as well.
That story is why I have put off buying a new car for many years! I have always thought that buying a car was like going to do battle with the enemy! I was fully prepaired for this when I bought my X but it was the lowest pressure, best car-buying experience I have ever had! I guess I just got lucky.
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| Sir P |
Can anyone help with this question?
My MDX malfunctioned last week (maintenance light went on). I drove 20 miles to the dealer where I picked up the car in Jan this year. They said the light problem will take two days to fix (strangely long, but it is a topic for another thread).
I politely asked for a loaner for the time the car is in their shop. I was told no, no loaner for you, we do not have any left. No apology, nothing, they acted like I was abusing their generosity and inappropriately asking too much.
I was leaving the dealership with a bad taste in my mouth. I spent $42K on this car and had to catch a cab to get home.
My question is, can I ask the dealer to reimburse my car service expenses when I go there to pick up my MDX?
Thanks |
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| slocko |
Call Acura and complain!!!!! You should get a loaner. If they didn't have one, they should have scheduled you for another day or they could have called a rental car company and given you a rental. My Honda dealership does that when they run out of loaners.
You do know you don't have to go to that dealer right? I would never go back to a dealership like that.
quote:
Originally posted by Sir P
Can anyone help with this question?
My MDX malfunctioned last week (maintenance light went on). I drove 20 miles to the dealer where I picked up the car in Jan this year. They said the light problem will take two days to fix (strangely long, but it is a topic for another thread).
I politely asked for a loaner for the time the car is in their shop. I was told no, no loaner for you, we do not have any left. No apology, nothing, they acted like I was abusing their generosity and inappropriately asking too much.
I was leaving the dealership with a bad taste in my mouth. I spent $42K on this car and had to catch a cab to get home.
My question is, can I ask the dealer to reimburse my car service expenses when I go there to pick up my MDX?
Thanks
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| Sir P |
quote:
Originally posted by slocko
Call Acura and complain!!!!! You should get a loaner. If they didn't have one, they should have scheduled you for another day or they could have called a rental car company and given you a rental. My Honda dealership does that when they run out of loaners.
You do know you don't have to go to that dealer right? I would never go back to a dealership like that.
It is the worst dealership in Tri state NY. I posted my review here in the dealers review part of the site, look for Paragon Acura. Unfortunatelly it was the closest dealership at the moment, and I did not know how severe the problem was, so chose to go to them to avoid possible complications while driving to a further dealer.
The bad part is they did not even have a shuttle service available. I had to stand there for 15 minutes in the cold wintery morning waiting for a taxi to come by. |
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| G. COLTON |
quote:
Originally posted by slocko
Well here is an update.
I called and the sales manager came on the line. At first he was nice and said he could give me a credit to use in the service department. I asked him why I simply couldn't get a refund. He began gettting angrier and angrier and began telling me that what I did was unethical and immoral. That I had gone to a dealer 30 miles away when he was in my backyard and that it was disrespectful.
It was very comical. The only thing missing was the Godfather music playing in the background. I calmly explained that I had many bad experiences with dealers including his two years ago and that I didn't take it personally.
He got even angrier and said he had to talk to the GM and proceeded to hang up on me.
Needless to say, I called up Acura to lodge a complaint about his rudeness and the deposit, and they said I should talk to the GM that they didn't get involved in these disputes. They did however call the dealership and the sales manager made his offer again to Acura.
I really don't use their service department, especially after they gave me an old beatup Legend as a loaner and losing my appointment and still not getting to my car.
I also called up Amex to get the charge reversed, so we will see what their investigation yields.
One more thing, this dealer had lo-balled my trade by $3000 and I was pretty close to accepting the trade, so in the grand scheme of things, I am still ahead, not matter what happens.
By the way, the dealer is Ryan's Open Road Acura in New Jersey.
I have to agree with the sales manager: what you did was unethical and immoral. However, any good business representative will keep calm and collected. |
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| slocko |
I don't see it that way, but everyone has different ways of seeing things.
Applying the words unethical and immoral to my situation was comical in my opinion.
I guarantee you I can walk in there again to buy another MDX and the guy will be all smiles and teeth. That hyprocisy would seem more immoral to me than me walking out on a deal! |
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| G. COLTON |
quote:
Originally posted by slocko
I don't see it that way, but everyone has different ways of seeing things.
Applying the words unethical and immoral to my situation was comical in my opinion.
I guarantee you I can walk in there again to buy another MDX and the guy will be all smiles and teeth. That hyprocisy would seem more immoral to me than me walking out on a deal!
Unethical and immoral was exactly what you were. You stated that you had signed a contract. A person whose word is meaningless is not a credit to himself or to humanity in general. It used to be that we could make agreements on a handshake. Now it seems that even out signature on a document is worthless. The only thing for which you have a concern is your own self satisfaction. Most people with a conscience would be unable to sleep nights if they make deals such as yours.
Your type of person costs us all out of the pocket.
I would make sure that your boss is not aware of what your word is worth. It is not the quality that many managers are looking for in their employees. |
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| slocko |
Well I am not going to start a flame war here by debating ethics and morality.
Suffice to say that I also find your stance amusing, despite the personal attack.
By the way, I also jay-walk ;) |
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| G. COLTON |
quote:
Originally posted by slocko
Well I am not going to start a flame war here by debating ethics and morality.
Suffice to say that I also find your stance amusing, despite the personal attack.
By the way, I also jay-walk ;)
The worst part of it all is that you are not able to see/admit that what you did is wrong by any standard of decency. If a person cannot depend upon your word, what is it about you that they can depend upon? |
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| slocko |
I'm afraid that we are so far apart in our views that it is neigh impossible for me to comprehend where you are coming from. So much so, that once again I have to say I find it amusing.
I will say this, even if you truly believe what I did falls into the category of immoral and unethical, it still would not give you the right to judge another person.
I do sleep soundly at night and my managers at Enron have no problems with my integrity ;)
To get this back on track, here is a link to another horrible Acura story:
http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/show...15&pagenumber=1
Now that in my opinion is immoral and unethical. Someone could have died. |
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