Opinions on dealership experience - getting weird vibes

[u/Icy-Entrepreneur-943]

I am in the market for a used SUV, looking for something reliable and spacious that won't break the bank. I found something at a dealership near me that peaked my interest, went in on Monday at lunch hour - car was being certified and had the tires off, so we could not test drive, no worries, we booked an appointment for the following day at 5:00 pm to drive the car. We show up for our 5:00 pm appointment and the car salesman after 20 minutes of waiting informs us that the mechanic left and the power steering had been maybe unhooked/ there was a code popping up for the power steering. Backstory, my current car ($2,000 beater has no power steering and that's why i'm upgrading). He tried to tell us its because they took the wheels off and that will "reset" the power steering so that it doesn't work - I find this fishy. I work in law in a very professional office and I find the lack of professionalism to be honestly surprising - why was the car not confirmed to be ready prior to my appointment, nor was I informed prior to coming in for my appointment - and maybe that's me being ridiculous but idk. The salesman were also hating on the service department, basically shitting on them to us, which I find also weird.

We rebooked our appointment for today, but I am getting weird vibes from this dealership, and not sure if this is a red flag. For backstory I am a young (28) year old female, but brought my boyfriend with me (he knows the sales manager).

Just wanting some thoughts on this situation - I really hate dealing with salesman and I just need something reliable and cannot afford to be messing around with a lemon.

Thanks!

[u/DavefromCA]

I’ve been on both sides of sales and service. You are in law? You’ve never been around an incompetent lawyer? Well I’m here to tell you, there are incompetent mechanics, and hearing sales people shit on them confirms it. You did not experience a pattern of behavior, there is only one issue, the power steering issue. At this point you are overblowing this. Can you elaborate on “lack of professionalism?” Sounds like the situation is out of the sales professionals hands.

Why was the car not confirmed to be ready? Again, incompetence on the service side, they didn’t proactively tell the sales department what was going on.

Not sure what relevance this has: “I’m a female but brought my boyfriend who knows the sales manager”

If you are so upset from one mistake, move onto the next dealer.

Just curious, what kind of car is this?

[u/IAmIntractable → u/DavefromCA]

I don’t think this person is over blowing it. I think your final statement is the correct one. Clearly, this dealership is incompetent and their service people are as well. Move onto a different dealership. Don’t reward incompetence or unprofessionalism.

[u/DavefromCA → u/IAmIntractable]

Again, it was one issue, not a pattern, "this dealership is incompetent and their service people are as well. " I do not agree with this at all