So in August of 2008 I trade in my 2006 A4 Cab for a new 2009 A4 cab quattro. It was missing some features that my '06 had like homelink and auto headlamps but I figured I'd deal with it. I loved the quicker acceleration, the more responsive steering and the quattro handling of the '09 but really missed the auto headlamps and the homelink. Come to find out that soon after the 2009 introduction, Audi changed the model and billed it as a "special edition". It now includes AT NO EXTRA COST, homelink, bi-xenon auto headlamps, auto dimming mirrors inside and out, rain sensitive wipers, wind deflector, Bose premium sound, 18" wheels and heated front seats. Over $3000 worth of options at no extra cost on the same 2009 model I purchased only a few months earlier. There's also a $2000 customer incentive on it now but I understand the nature of incentives so I can't be really upset about that.

So I write a letter to Audi expressing my dissatisfaction. I explain that I know I screwed up by buying a model without features that I ultimately missed, but I express that I'm also upset that Audi didn't enter the model year with the vehicle equipped as it now is. Let's face it, these weren't minor changes to the price and equipment, it was significant and only a few months after my purchase. So basically I say that I am an unhappy customer and I will consider this experience when I purchase a new car in 2012. I never asked for anything in my letter!

I get a call from a woman named Heather at a few weeks ago. She understands how I feel and SHE ASKS ME "what can Audi do to make you happy". OK.....so I say, offer me some trade assistance so I can get into a vehicle that I'll be more happy with and you'll get a customer for life. After two weeks of keeping in touch with me I get a call from her today telling me that, "Audi, like any other manufacturer reserves the right to make any changes in price or equipment during the model year". "Sorry, there's nothing we can do to help you." Somehow she thinks that I was asking for Audi to deliver me a new car for free. When I tell her that I know that that is totally unreasonable and all I was asking for (since she asked) was assistance toward the trade of a new one, she says, "that's not what I understood". So she calls me back an hour later and says, "we won't help you at all".

I guess I feel like I'm in a Seinfeld episode. Why did they call me and ask what would make me happy if they weren't going to make even the slightest peace offering? They made it worse by asking. I actually was thinking today that I would have felt better if they hadn't called at all and raised my hopes that they were really interested in helping me out in some way. I wrote the letter to just get this off my chest. I wasn't looking for anything until they asked me!

Well, I just wrote this to get this off my chest again. I'm not looking for anything, so if you're reading this, don't get the wrong idea. It is a great car, though a little decontented. I'll continue to relay this experience to anyone who will listen and hope that in 2012 I find a company with more sensitive customer relations to replace my Audi!

 

Your handling by Audi is totally unacceptable. It is unconscionable that a manufacturer would reap the benefits of an early adopter customer paying full price and then eviscerate their loyalty a few months later by giving the same product away for free to subsequent customers.

Audi should be rewarding customers who are first to buy, and at worst should be making amends to customers who are victims of a sudden, significant price change. Apple's iPod pricing fiasco was similar, and that company offered refunds. That is a good brand that knows how to remain a good brand. Audi claims to have or want the same brand loyalty, only it appears it wants to talk the talk without having walking the walk.

This is shameful, in my opinion. $3,000 is no small chunk of change.

 

Thanks for understanding JKR. When I originally wrote, I wasn't looking for anything. Just espressing dissatisfaction about the decision to change it significantly so soon. It really is a great car.

But after they called me (I left no contact information in my letter, just my VIN), it made me think they wanted to keep me as a loyal customer. All I asked for was trade assistance toward a new vehicle. Lets say they offered me a $3000 loyalty certificate toward a new car. It costs them nothing!! They make at least that on every car they sell to the dealers. They roll another car and if I don't use it, at least they made a good will offering. I wouldn't be feeling abused now. It's a win/win for them. And I'd still have to spend more money to get into the new model (which is reasonable) if I chose to do so.

 

If somehow you could prove the dealership didn't have a freaking clue what they were talking about when they made the initial offer (which is very likely based on the info seen across all forums regarding the ineptitude of the service/sale mangers of the 2009's). You have to have written evidence of before/after facts and take it up the ladder. Don't stop with some chick calling you, how do you know who the hell that was? If it's not in writing it's worthless, NEVER FORGET THAT!

 

I have to admit it would totally bug the $h!t out of me to have this happen. Audi did nothing wrong with rolling out a special edition. It was just bad luck that you purchased when you did.
With that being said, as soon as Audi asked you what they could do, they had an obligation to do "something" for you. If it was just to give you an oil change, a car wash, a purchase voucher, a little extra warranty, something??? Something should have been delivered to you or the question should not have been asked.
At this point, you can complain but I doubt it will help. Just be sure to let Audi know what happened and how it will affect your car buying choices in the future.
Good luck and don't let all this keep you from enjoying you new car!!!

 

Thanks for understanding my post, Poppy. I will enjoy "my last Audi" for the next three years! And I will continue to tell my story to anyone who will listen.

 

I understand exactly where you are coming from, but thats what you get. I have a 2009 B8 A4 S Line, its pretty much standard.

4 months later, for the same price, Audi will give you the car with Leather and Alcantara seats, not cloth and leather like mine, phone prep (which normally costs £400), Bluetooth and extra interior lights etc. You now get this as standard on the S Line............. its what you get to be an early adopter. My Sat HD receiver cost £300 last year, its now £49 and cheaper for new customers. Its just crap customer services buy these companies.

The worse thing for me is that I wanted a small engine Avant, but Audi said they were not doing it now they are. I ended up with a 1.8T Saloon 169g/km with high emissions and a few months later they have the same car with a bigger engine, but lower emissions. This is costing me $$$$ a year in company car tax based on the emissions. They saw that I was easy prey and got me to sign, if I did a bit more research or spoke to someone at Audi who knew what deals and enginers were coming, I would have waited to get the Avant with the engine I wanted. Now Im stuck in a 4 year deal paying a small fortune every month on emission tax and it bugs me that I could have a faster, bigger, better higher spec'd Audi for the same price but with less going on tax each month

But, yes I hear you and on your side!

 

I know they have a right to do this, but why is it acceptable? You spend $20 on a DVD at Best Buy and if you find it cheaper elsewhere or it goes on sale for 30 days they honor the lower price. This is a much larger purchase. It's not like they just added Homelink or something like that. They added $3000 worth of options!

I have also never heard of any other manufacturer making significant changes like this so soon after new model introduction. I've been buying cars for 30 years and it's a first.