I am currently in the market for a late model used car. On 4/6/08, I went online to search for Certified Used Hondas, and was directed from the Honda website to the site for Paragon Honda.
On the site, I found several autos that seemed like outstanding deals. Stock numbers were 122669L (2007 Honda Accord) and 122588T (2007 Honda Civic). Pictures looked attractive, and prices were $5000 or so below KBB retail value. While I found the prices almost too good to be true, the site claims they are the #1 Certified Honda Dealer in the US, and that this means greater value pricing for the customer.
At 11:30 AM, I called Paragon to verify that both vehicles were in stock. I gave salesperson Sal H. Both stock numbers, and was told that both vehicles were in stock and available. I explained that I lived 45 minutes away, and would be right over.
When I arrived 45 minutes later, Sal H told me he was too busy to help me and gave me to another salesperson. This new person tried to interest me in older (yet more expensive) Accords. I explained that I was interested in the two cars noted above, and was told that both had been sold at the end of last month and were gone. I then asked for the manager, and was given to Joseph Carusone. Joseph gave me several unbelievable and unclear stories about why the cars were not there (computer problems, sales people do not know what's in inventory, etc.), and then told me he would match the Accord price on a similar auto. I was then shown two Accords that had substantially more mileage and had scratches, dings, dirty interiors, etc., for the same price as the Accord that was "no longer there". I then left the dealership.
When I arrived home, I checked several sites online (BBB, complaint, etc.), and see that many other consumers have complained about this dealer. The BBB also shows that this company has an UNSATISFACTORY rating:
Http://search. Newyork. BBB.org/reports. Aspx? Id=3054&pid=44&page=0&FindStr=paragon honda&SearchBy=company&Address=&City=&Phone1=&Phone2=&Phone3=&MembersOnly=False
While I have a great deal of respect for Honda as a company, these bait-and-switch-type tactics are unacceptable. I was treated dishonestly (and rudely) by this dealership, and believe they are a disgrace to Honda.
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