An Audi Dealer Scammed Me Out Of A 2025 Q5 Sportback, Then Switched Me To A Completely Different Car, So, I Immediately Left and Bought A Mercedes

Jenna says she was deceived by and lied to by an Audi dealer's salesperson. Here is her story, along with a warning for all new car buyers. 

Not all Audi dealers use deceptive sales tactics, but this Audi salesperson lost a sale and a good customer because he wasn't honest. Jenna (@jennabhee) says in her TikTok video that she ordered a 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback back in March. 

Jenna's shock was evident as she recounted, "This is how I got scammed out of my Audi. When I pulled up to the dealer, it was a completely different car than I had ordered. So, I told the salesman that this wasn't the car that I ordered. He says, 'Well, they have changed a few things.' I said, changed a few things? This is an SUV, I ordered the Q5 Sportback."

Does the Audi salesman think Jenna is really that gullible? Here's Jenna's story from the beginning.

On Jenna's first trip to the Audi dealer, the salesperson, whom she calls Billy, told her that the exact car she wanted would be arriving in one month. April was when the new shipment was going to come.

Jenna was thrilled at the prospect of owning her dream car. 

So, Jenna was informed of the price for the 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback, which she agreed to. She also wanted the Black Optic Package, which the salesman said she could get for that price. 

Jenna says, "I ordered the 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback with the Black Optic Package, and Billy told me it was coming into the dealership in April. I was patient and willing to wait. I said, No problem." 

"So, I called the Audi dealer in April to follow up, and Billy told me my car was in. Great, I'll be right in, I told him."

"So, when I get to the Audi dealer, Billy tells me I have your car. Let's take a look. So, he shows me an SUV that's not even close to the Q5 Sportback I ordered. I was in disbelief. How could he think I would fall for this?"

So, I was trying to be nice and told him, Maybe I'll wait until my Black Optic Sportback comes in. Because this car is nothing like the car I want."

"He says, 'Well, the Black Optic Package is not being released until August.' I dropped to the floor and said, You just wasted my time. You knew they weren't releasing the Black Optic Package until August, but you said on the phone, 'We have your car, it's rolling in this weekend.'"

"That is pitiful. You are just trying to make a sale today. You could have told me my Black Optic wouldn't be in until August. You told me it would be April, and now you are trying to sell me a completely different car. That is beyond messed up."

"So then he says, 'Well, I thought you would like this car."

"At this point, I'm holding my head in disbelief because my windows won't roll down; the car I'm driving is on its last legs. It shakes when I press the gas pedal. And you are wasting my time trying to sell me a car I don't want."

"I could have been looking at other places for a car. I could have another car in these two months you've had me waiting. Now, I don't mind waiting for the car I wanted, but this is not right. He knew this was not the car I ordered."

"The SUV he was trying to sell me was not sporty at all. It was nothing like the Sportback that I wanted. It wasn't even the color I wanted. It was horrible."

"I said, Billy, why would you do that to me? Then he tells me, 'I tell you what. Let's go put you in a new Audi A5. It's a more girly car. You don't need the Sportback.'"

Jenna can't believe what she just heard.

"I looked at him and said, What the (expletive), how are you going to tell me what kind of a car I should be in? How can I forget that you tried to sell me a completely different car and trust you now?"

"I don't appreciate the way you lied to me. I feel played with. You wasted months of my time trying to sell me a model that I didn't even want in a color that wasn't available until later this year. This was unprofessional, and if I were to rate you right now if Audi calls me, I would give you a zero score. That's how unacceptable this is." 

"What makes you think that I would ever do business with you and buy a car from you now?"

"So, I walked out and told my mom, and she was livid. I told my stepdad what had happened, and he couldn't believe it."

What Did Jenna Do Next?

"The next morning, I got up, went into the Mercedes-Benz dealer, and looked at one car that I liked, the first car I got into. I test-drove one car and bought it: a new 2025 Mercedes C 300."

The experience at the Mercedes-Benz dealer was a stark contrast to her ordeal at the Audi dealer, and she was impressed by the salesperson's professionalism and honesty.

Jenna learned a valuable lesson.

"The moral of the story is, this is my experience with this Audi salesperson, and I accept the lesson I learned."

What would you do?

Jenna had a few options. She could have gone to Billy's Sales Manager and complained about the terrible service, and then asked that he be disciplined or fired. However, it could be that this is a common practice at this dealer. We don't know.

Jenna could have filed a complaint with the National Automobile Dealers Association. Either way, it would not have resolved her issue of being lied to. 

She could also file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. A negative report can have an impact on a business.

Jenna likely did not know, but Audi USA has a USA Customer Support designed to report misconduct by an Audi employee. She could report Billy online at Audi Customer Support or call 800-822-2834. 

However, Jenna did what most dissatisfied customers do. They leave and buy from someone else. Jenna will get significant mileage from her TikTok and social media exposure. Even though she does not explicitly name the Audi dealer, she makes sure the dealer's name is visible in her video clip; she will also likely advise everyone she knows not to go to this Audi dealer. 

How About You?

Have you had a negative experience with an Audi dealer or another car brand? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out my BMW and Mercedes-Benz dealer story: I Walked Into a Mercedes and BMW Dealer, Waited 45 Minutes and No One Helped Me, I Own an AMG C63 and a 540i, So, Luxury Dealers, Count Your Days

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Jenna