Not content to allow College Park Hyundai — of College Park, Maryland — to slink back into the cave from whence it came up with the idea for exorbitantly-priced $1,495 door guards ($8 each in store price), commenter Snabb-SAAB decided to take the fight against stealerships directly to the source with some expert trolling of the online sales team. The following conversation is yet another example of why I love the Jalopnik nation.
Here's his full, and awesome, comment:
Trolling like a pro...
I contacted the dealership's Live Operator concerning this matter. Here is the transcript from our conversation with two different salesman. The first one was getting annoyed, his responses took a long time once I sent him the Jalopnik link, the second one (perhaps some senior guy) was quicker, and even had somewhat of a sarcastic tone right at the very end.
The stuff between brackets are my edits.
....
Operator says: Hello and welcome to College Park Hyundai, home of Auto4Life — an Exclusive & FREE Lifetime Powertrain Service Contract! How can I help you?
Visitor says: Hello, would you care to comment on the $1495 door edge guards? I am interested in putting them on my 2000 Accent. Do they make the car go faster?
Operator says: Let me transfer this chat to an operator who can assist you better
[operator named Mike answers, the auto transcript from their website removed the salesman's name]
Operator says: Let me assist you from here.
Operator says: May I have your first and last name please?
Operator says: I have not received any response from you in a while. At any time if you need to talk to an Agent, simply click on the 'Live Operator' button and someone will be there to assist you.
Visitor says: Hello, would you care to comment on the $1495 door edge guards? I am interested in putting them on my 2000 Accent. Do they make the car go faster?
Operator says: Yes, Are you able to receive my messages?
Visitor says: yes
Operator says: Alright,
Operator says: Would you like me to have one get in touch with you?
Visitor says: Right now?
Operator says: One of our parts advisors will get in touch with you via email or call.
Operator says: May I have your contact number and email address?
Visitor says: I am just wondering if those are available for all Hyundais? If I buy a Veloster can you guys put it in? How much for the Veloster since it has three doors?
Visitor says: I am thinking of buying a Veloster.
Operator says: The best person to assist you with that would be one of our parts advisors.
Visitor says: But isn;t the Veloster a new car? I am talking about this part: [tinyurl.com]
[I trolled him by using a tinyurl to bring him to Jalopnik]
Operator says: You can also call on 301-441-1313 for more information.
Operator says: Yes, I see what you mean.
[oh, you see...]
Operator says: The best person to assist you better with this is one of our parts advisors.
Operator says: If you want I can have one get in touch with you.
Operator says: Are we still connected?
Visitor says: I am just wondering why you guys are charging $1495 for door edge guards that cost $8 at Pepboys.
Visitor says: It's a new car salesman issue, not a parts department issue.
Operator says: Alright, I thought you wanted to install this part on a new Hyundai Veloster.
Visitor says: No, just wondering how much is it on a new Veloster. Are the made of carbon fiber, kevlar, or unobtanium?
Operator says: I'm sorry but I don't have that information with me at the moment.
Operator says: You can call on 301-441-1313 for more information.
Operator says: Is there anything else I can assist you with?
Visitor says: Did you check that link? It shows your guy's price for a 4 door Elantra, I wonder if you will honor that price for a Veloster. [jalopnik.com]
[I sent full link now]
Operator says: Yes, I did.
Operator says: I'm sorry but I cannot provide you any information on that.
Operator says: You will have to call on 301-441-1313 for more information .
Visitor says: You cannot provide me with how much it costs for them on a Veloster?
Operator says: Or I can always have one of our representatives get in touch with you regarding this.
Visitor says: By my calculation if it costs $1495 for a 4 door Elantra then it should cost $1121 for a three door Veloster. I am just trying to fit it into my budget.
Visitor says: Ok, please have them contact me at gt********74@gmail.com
[I used my actual email, name and number below]
Operator says: Let me transfer this conversation to another operator who can help you further.
Visitor says: Ok thanks!
Operator says: Alright.
Operator says: Let me have our representative from the concerned department get back to you as soon as possible.
Operator says: May I have your phone number as well please?
Visitor says: 8**-***-**21
Operator says: Thank you for sharing your contact details with us.
Operator says: May I have your first and last name please?
Visitor says: But do you gusy put them on all new cars, if I buy a new
Veloser they come with the edge guards. I WANT THEM.Visitor says: O***** K******
Operator says: Nice to have you with us.
Operator says: Okay.
Operator says: Let me forward your request right away.
[new Operator named Ben comes in]
Operator says: Is there anything else I can help you with?
Visitor says: Se, I want to buy a new Veloster, and I want to fit it in my budget.
Visitor says: So I am wondering about the price for the edge guards. By my calculation if it costs $1495 for a 4 door Elantra then it should cost $1121 for a three door Veloster. Is that price correct for the Veloster?
Operator says: I do not have any information regarding this, please contact us at: 301-441-1313 for further information.
Visitor says: Did you see the edge guards I mentioned? I want these: [tinyurl.com]
Visitor says: Thank you.
Operator says: Noted, thanks.
Operator says: You are welcome.
Operator says: Is there anything else I can help you with?
Visitor says: Not today thank you.
Operator says: No problem.
Operator says: Thank you for visiting the College Park Hyundai website. Have a great day! At anytime if you need to talk to a greeter, simply click on the Live Operator button and someone will be there to assist you
Visitor says: I hope so, those $1495 door edge guards must be making you guys rich!
Operator says: Thank you :)
Visitor says: I love salesman sarcasm. Have a good day.
Operator says: :)