My 17-year old daughter was carjacked at gunpoint on May 27. Her beloved 2002 car was recovered a day and a half later, stripped and completely vandalized. There was little doubt that our insurance would be totaling the car and that our daughter would be needing a replacement.
Soon after this incident, we visited Galeana Chrysler-Jeep-Kia in Columbia, S.C., to see what they had in inventory. We were interested in the 2004 Jeep Liberty. There we found a few possibilities. I explained the situation to our salesman and also included the fact that we could not make any purchase until the disposition of my daughter's car regarding insurance was known. I was cordial, but also explained that I was an informed car buyer and that I was not there to play games. I further explained that when I was ready to make a purchase, I was not willing to pay over invoice for the car. Any rebates would be subtracted from invoice. My salesman told me that that would be no problem and that Galeana would offer me the best deal around and beat any other dealer's offer by $400 on a comparable vehicle. We left the dealership with the understanding that we would be back once the matter of our insurance claim was resolved.
During the course of the next week and a half, our salesman kept in daily contact. Finally, on June 9th, I received word that my daughter's vehicle was being totaled. My wife and daughter were out of town that day, so I made a trip back to Galeana alone to again look at their inventory. I selected a black 2004 Jeep Liberty that I was confident that my daughter would be interested in. I met with my salesman, who at first assumed that I was ready to make the purchase. I explained that I would not make a final purchase until my daughter had seen the vehicle, but that she would be back in town tomorrow and we could complete the deal the next afternoon. I again explained that I would not pay more than invoice for the vehicle, and then the rebates would have to be subtracted from that.
I also explained that I was very much interested in doing this deal as a Plus lease because I wanted the lowest payments possible. A short time into our discussion, I asked to see the invoice of the vehicle, which was later provided to me by Galeana's sales manager. The vehicle that I was interested in purchasing had an invoice $20,383. MSRP on the vehicle was $21,260. Next, I was quoted some possible lease payments. Everything up to that point was acceptable. My sales man and I shook hand and I left with the understanding that I would return the following day to complete the transaction.
On the afternoon of June 10th, I returned to Galeana with my wife and daughter. After a short test drive, my wife and I filled out a credit application for Chrysler Financial. We were given no indications at this point that anything in the deal that was discussed the prior day had changed. A short time later after turning in the credit apps, we were presented with a buyer's order.instead of showing the vehicle selling at invoice price minus rebates, it had the full MSRP minus rebates, plus two additional fees ($179 pin stripe, and $99 documentation fee) that were never mentioned. I objected to signing the agreement until it was corrected to the amounts agreed upon the prior day.
Our salesman left us alone while he went to talk again with his sales manager. Moments later, he came back into the office all glum and informed us that the deal could not be done. No explanation, no nothing. I was exasperated that they had the gall to do this. Furthermore, they had taken credit applications under false pretenses. I had no intention of spending more time renegotiating something that had already been done the prior day, so me and my family abruptly left.
When you call Galeana on the phone, their ad slogan states that they are a five-star dealership, they are better, and they will prove it. Yeah Right! If anything, they have proved how much of a no-star dealership they are. Galeana's sales practices show a lack of integrity. Most people expect this type of slimeball business practice from shady car dealers.
Well, I am here to tell you, that is what Galeana is - shady.instead of being honest and upfront with their customers, they use deception to try to get you to buy. If you aren't smart enough to figure it out, you'll be sorry - perhaps hundreds or thousands of dollars sorry. It would apprear that they would rather have customers that they can screw and "take for a ride", not offer a great deal.
My advice - Stay away from Galeana Chrysler-Jeep-Kia in Columbia, S.C.! You'll save yourself some time and probably a lot of your hard earned cash. There are other reputable dealers out there that can offer you a great deal and who would welcome the opportunity to earn your business.
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