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Return to the Dark Ages

I can�t believe these guys still exist

For those who thought last weeks Baghdad Bob article painted an unfair picture of the way dealers treat customers, you�ll love this story about how some managers still operate according to ancient standards.

Last week, one of the most customer friendly franchises in history gave way to new ownership and a new team of managers. The deal was finalized early in the morning and the departing GSM was told that the official exchange would take place at 11:00am.

Not only did the new managers arrive 2 hours late, they asked the departing manager if he would be okay with closing the store because they had other things to do. And he was no longer even on the payroll!

But that�s just the start of their old world actions. Here are a few more:

Within the first 30 minutes, both managers parked themselves right outside the front door, donned their dark glasses and lit up cigarettes in full view of all the customers and staff. This is not to criticize smoking. But both wearing dark glasses and smoking are considered to be opposed to the Manufacturer�s 'Brand Critical Standards'. And it�s just bad practice in today�s dealership environment.
After receiving their packages of new shirts with the brand logos, one of the managers walked up to the receptionist (who he didn�t even know), dropped his shirts on the desk and said, 'Darlin�, would you mind taking these shirts home and ironing them for me?'

If managers are willing to treat their personnel like this, and still think that huddling in the front of the store for 'jokin� and smokin' is an acceptable practice in today�s progressive dealerships, then we�ve still got a long way to go!

Have you experienced behaviors like this? Tell us your story by posting your comments here: