Page 7 of Mr. Perfect
“Mr. Franklin, with all due respect, I find your mannerism rude. If you’d like to speak to me, you can call my assistant at the dealership and make an appointment.”
“I’ve tried. Five times, to be exact. That was after speaking to every manager in the place from the service department to the general manager. I’m going to have my say right now and give you a chance to do the right thing.”
Cameron quirked a blond brow, crossed his arms over his chest, and chuckled. It wasn’t a humorous sound, but a dismissive one. “Are you threatening me?”
“Does the truth scare you?” Felix countered.
Spencer heaved a sigh as he glanced at his watch. “You have five minutes, Mr. Franklin. Not a second more.”
“Great. I only need two,” Felix replied. “I bought a brand-new Ford Fusion from your dealership four years ago. It was my first new car, so of course, I bought one with all the bells and whistles as well as the extra protection plans your dealership offered me. I made sure I had gap insurance, so I wouldn’t get screwed over if I totaled my car. I also bought an extended warranty to provide bumper-to-bumper protection against mechanical malfunctions once the factory warranty expired. Are you familiar with those programs?”
Spencer hitched his chin higher. “Of course.”
“The transmission went out on my Fusion three months ago, and I’ve tried every conceivable way to get your dealership to honor the extended warranty they sold me. All I’ve received is the runaround, including from you.”
“Mr. Franklin, I assure you, I wasn’t made aware of your attempts to speak to me.”
Felix chuckled, mimicking Spencer’s dismissive tone. “You’d have me believe your personal assistant failed to give you the message on five occasions?”
“Veronica screens my messages, and yes, that includes her making judgment calls about which ones to give me, and which ones to delegate to someone else in the dealership.”
Felix couldn’t argue with the logic. If he owned several dealerships, he’d need someone to run interference for him. Spencer had to receive dozens of calls each day that would be best handled by someone in sales or service. “Mr. Spencer, I can appreciate the need for your assistant to screen your calls. However, I provided her with detailed information each time I requested an audience with The Auto King.” Spencer scowled at his reference.Good.“I told her about the service department refusing to replace the transmission because theyclaimedI hadn’t met the maintenance schedule recommended in the owner’s manual.”
It was utter bullshit. Where most people buy a new car on a whim, Felix thought about it for two weeks before he pulled the trigger. Even though the payment was well within his budget, he couldn’t shake his fear that he was heading for financial doom by having both a mortgage and a car payment.
“Well, there you go,” Cameron said dismissively, reaching for the car door handle.
“Not so fast, sir,” Felix said firmly. “I did follow the maintenance schedule, and all services were performed at your dealership, but by some twist of unlucky fate, the records are no longer in your system.”
“We did upgrade our computer systems last year, and we lost some of the records. It’s regrettable and unfortunate,” Spencer said.
“It is for some, but not me. I’ve saved every single receipt from your dealership, including those colorful printouts they gave me that explained exactly what they serviced and checked during my visits. I got out my nifty owner’s manual and looked at the service recommendations. I met every single one of them. I am no longer willing to play games with your dealership, Mr. Spencer. I met the terms of the warranty contract, and I expect you to meet yours.”
Felix didn’t tell Spencer he’d received an email from Molly Gregg, a customer who’d had a similar experience with The Auto King when she tried to file a gap insurance claim after totaling her car. He also didn’t share with Spencer the woman had done a little digging and discovered that the company issuing gap policies, Indemnity Gap Protection Plans, was owned by the same parent company that extended the warranties, Platinum Auto Protection.
Molly initially took her concerns to Felix’s nemesis, but Jude hadn’t been interested in pursuing her claims. Felix sure as hell was. Not only did he have a personal stake in the outcome, but Felix believed the extended warranties and gap policies were nothing more than scams. It wasn’t illegal or unethical for The Camelot Corporation to offer both services to dealerships, but Felix found little information about them on the internet. While the companies were licensed in the state to operate a business, their websites were generic and unprofessional. Felix had found a consumer website that encouraged their members to share experiences that would either encourage or discourage others from using service providers. There was no shortage of people claiming The Auto King screwed them over. Where there was smoke, there was fire.
Spencer pasted that phony smile on his face again. “Mr. Franklin, it sounds like your frustrations are justified, and I do apologize that my dealership has let you down. We do value each of our customers and want them to return when they shop for their next car. We’ve gotten off on the wrong foot here this afternoon, and I take full responsibility for it. I truly am late for a meeting, but I would appreciate the opportunity to make things right with you. Would you consider meeting me at the dealership around four this afternoon?”
Felix was surprised by the man’s swift turnaround, but he wasn’t fooled by it. Felix pasted a phony smile on his face too and bro slugged The Auto King. “Absolutely. I appreciate it. I’ll bring my file of service records with me.”
“You do that,” Spencer said, sounding like he was fighting off a grimace.
Felix smiled genuinely at the man as he stepped back. “I won’t keep you another second. See you soon, Mr. Spencer.”
The Auto King nodded, then opened his car door, slipping inside without another word.
Felix felt triumphant as he watched Spencer drive away. He would get his transmission fixedandfigure out what the snake was hiding.
“Felix.”
His good mood evaporated as he turned to face Jude, who was barreling toward Felix with a purposeful stride that matched the determined expression on his face. Felix’s first instinct was to run, but he wouldn’t give Jude the satisfaction.
“Why did you ignore me inside?” Jude asked when he stopped in front of Felix. “I know damn well you heard me call your name. I saw the way your body stiffened.”
“Which time? Inside the meeting hall or just now in the parking lot?” Felix quipped. “You broke the rule, either way.”
“Felix. Felix. Felix,” Jude replied snidely. “It was a stupid rule, and one I never agreed to, anyway. Why did you ignore me to chase Cameron Spencer down in the parking lot?”