The Car Store, Inc
The Car Store of Tampa Bay Does not stand behind their vehicles

The Car Store of Tampa Bay advertises itself as set apart from other dealers as one who purports to be honest and upstanding; a family-owned and operated business with a personal touch. Their website states that they "strive to treat everyone like family."

And until there is a problem, it's easy to keep that promise. However, when a problem arises, communication ceases to exist. They make promises that phone calls will be returned but not only are calls not returned, but messages aren't even relayed among their own employees.

I'll begin by saying that I understand that no extended warranty was implied nor purchased, but the car had major drivetrain problems that would have been known to the dealer and weren't disclosed to the buyer.

The Car Store of Tampa Bay was told by the 23-year old buyer that the pickup truck was being driven cross-country to Aspen, Colorado, thus the need for a functioning 4-wheel drive vehicle.

After spending $17,500 for a 5-year old truck with almost 87,000 miles, it was just eight days and 517 miles later, when the truck broke down in Cordelle, GA resulting in a tow, and 351 miles after that, another breakdown and tow in Tennessee.

So less than a month and less than 1000 miles after purchase, and after spending $2130 for temporary fixes and another $500 for a new front differential (which was self-installed thereby saving labor fees), The Car Store of Tampa Bay was unresponsive to complaints.

In fact, "Barbara" from the Car Store of Tampa Bay implied that a five-year old vehicle with 87,000 miles should be expected to have problems. She didn't have an answer as to why they were charging top dollar ($17.5K) for a car "expected to have problems."

This is the type of response that gives so many used car dealers the reputation they often have. They claim buyer didn't contact them with concerns, yet when provided proof of communication from buyer but lack of response on their end, they twist the complaint to blame buyer.

We understand that this was a used vehicle and wouldn't be without problems. But at the price of this truck and with less than 1000 miles since purchase, these are not the types of repairs that should have had to be made and a reputable dealer would have expressed concern.

I would not recommend The Car Store of Tampa Bay for your used vehicle purchase. Their "customers are like family" motto only applies when there are no issues.

Company: The Car Store, Inc
Country: USA
State: Florida
City: Seffner
Address: 804 E Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd
Phone: 8136575200
Site: carstoretampabay.com

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