Chapman Dodge was offering through the Yahoo Autos listing service a 2001 Dodge Durango we were interested in checking out. Unfortunately the listing did not describe whether this vehicle had a third row seat, so my husband called to ask as well as inquire about an issue with negative equity in our existing vehicle.
He spoke with a representative from their Internet Sales Department. My husband gave this person the stock number and based on this information, the representative stated that the Durango did indeed have a third row seat and handling the negative equity would not be a problem.
Later that day, we made the cross town drive to Chapman Dodge on Boulder Highway. We were greeted by Carlos and told him we had called earlier, spoke with someone in their Internet department and were there to see the 2001 Durango they had listed on Yahoo Autos. Carlos left us to look at the vehicle (which had dents, scratches and a very dirty interior roof like a soda can had exploded). It was then we learned that this car did NOT have the third row seating and wasn't in the excellent condition we were told on the phone!
Carlos returned with a man who would not state if he was the person my husband spoke with. We expressed our displeasure of driving 20 miles to see a car we were told had the third row seating and was not in the condition the person represented on the phone. The Internet person apologized for the misstatement, said they could definitely work the numbers to accommodate for the body damage and dirty ceiling and promptly walked away.
Carlos attempted to show us an old GMC Yukon, also very dirty inside with well over 150,000 miles and an outrageous sticker price. I also would have thought that a dealership would have conditioned the car better for resale, as well as remove the tasteless bumper stickers!
Since that did not meet our needs, he pointed in the direction of newer used cars which were out of the price range we discussed, but STILL did not have the required features we were looking for! It was then we were informed that the only way we could handle the negative equity and get the features we wanted was to purchase a brand new Dodge Durango!
At this point my husband asked to speak with a manager. We were still upset at being blatantly lied to on the phone, not only about the third row seating but with being told we could buy used with no problem with our trade. My husband entered the sales floor while I remained behind with my children. After too much time had passed, I began to wonder what was going on, so I entered the sales area myself.
When I located my husband, he was sitting with an astonished look on his face at a table with Carlos and another individual a finance department employee. They were still trying to tell my husband we could not buy used and would HAVE to buy a new car. My husband said he didn't like the 2004 Durangos and didn't want the $500 car payment. So the finance person said well we can put you in a Dodge Neon if you're looking to pay less monthly. Are you kidding me? If we were looking at used Durangos, what would make this person even remotely believe we would consider a Neon? At this point my husband requested to speak with the manager in person. We were told he was not available. My husband then asked for his name, and Carlos replied We just call him manager. At this point, we stood up and walked out, and vow never to return to Chapman Dodge.
Our car search experience is now into the third week. We could absolutely walk into a dealership today and pen a deal, but the deal would favor the dealership, not us, and we refuse to be taken. We've had a multitude of bad experiences, lies, deception and unprofessionalism during our search.
Please check out my other rip off reports on Planet Nissan, Courtesy Kia Isuzu, Gaudin Ford and Towbin Dodge. For a reputable, upstanding dealership, check out (name removed by usacomplaints.com). If you're looking for a quality used car, they have them as well as professional, courteous and non-pressuring sales people (we dealt with Demitrius Earthley a very nice gentleman).
Educated Consumer
Las Vegas, Nevada
U.S.A.
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