Prestige Motors - Dealers in Fine Crap.

This morning, I received an email from Prestige Motors. One of those generic sales-type emails companies will send out from time to time. Usually, not a big deal.

But let me tell you a story.

Back in November of 2002, I was looking for a different OTM ("Other Than Miata"). I was currently driving a Cavalier, and needless to say not terribly happy with it. I came across an ad for a Miata for $4990, as well as an ad for a Mazda MX3 Precidia for about $2500, if memory serves me correctly. The Miata had already been sold, but the MX3 was still available. I went down to take it for a test-drive, and the car itself drove ok, but I wasn't sure about the vehicle overall.

To make an offer on the car (I can't remember how much I offered), I was allegedly required to make a $100 deposit to "indicate that I am serious" about purchasing the car. This, of course, was fully refundable if I didn't purchase the car. As it turns out, they declined my offer, and I didn't purchase the car. For some reason, I didn't get my deposit back before I left. I can't for the life of me remember why. Maybe I was intending on making an offer on another vehicle, maybe I was waiting to hear back from them about the MX3... After 4 years, the details have become fuzzy. In any case, I've emailed them back a number of times, with no response whatsoever.

Of course, I've sent a few emails from time to time, all with no response. I haven't really sent anything in a year or two, from what I can recall. Today, I got this email:

Some time ago you contacted our dealership "Prestige Motors" for a car or truck. This is just a friendly reminder of our Annual Fall Clearance going on right now with 10% to 30% discounts.

You can visit www.prestigemotors.ca for all the HOT DEALS!!!

If you looking to obtain financing visit www.prestigemotors.ca/credit or call us toll free at 1-877-257-3500 or in the local Toronto area 416-256-3500.

Best Regards,

Sales & Management

Prestige Motors

So, I decided that today I would send a response, which looked something like this:

Hello there,

Some time ago (in 2002) I placed a $100 deposit to make an offer on a vehicle which I didn’t purchase, and was never reimbursed this money.

I’ve emailed numerous times about this, but since that didn’t help me get this money back, I’m sure emailing now won’t help either.

I’m sure you can also imagine my thoughts when I receive advertising in my inbox from a car dealership that has taken $100 of my money and refuses to make any effort to contact me regarding it.

You can also imagine the number of people I’ve mentioned this to over the years, recommending they NOT do business with your dealership.

And yet, you still send emails to me…?

Strange.