Wow! If only I had seen these reports I would have spared myself the experience I had with this dealership. Although I fortunately did not get ripped off, and I did not have to buy plane tickets, I can definitely see the possibility that others did by the experience I had. I have to say that I agree that the photos and lack of what I and obviously others would call important information can seem misleading. I have been shopping online for a truck online for about 2 months now, and have to say that it seemed nearly every truck posted on NTTS's website looked near flawless.
That was not the case when I arrived to look at a truck I had picked out, nor for the other I considered making an offer on. Thank you to all that post experiences like these - good or bad to reserve our right of freedom of speech and the right as consumer to express our opinions. Below is the unique experience I had at this dealership in which had prompted the research to see if I was crazy or not.
It seems that I am not... To the dear Gentleman that is a fine veteran who has graciously served for our countries freedom I say, thank you very much for your dedication. It is because of people like you that we all have the freedom to express our experiences and opinions. Also, to the person that came in with their child having a stained shirt. You were definitely not singled out being there are others that have had some comparable experiences including my own.
So my wife, my son, and I drive over an hour in traffic on a weekday after work to look at a truck that I was interested in possibly purchasing from this dealer. I was pre-financed and was about 98% sure I was going to buy a truck that day.in all fairness we did show up about 30 min before close time, and it appeared that most everyone had gone home for the day. I realized this when I walked into the unlocked office and it was a ghost town.
Upon looking at the truck I was most interested in, a gentleman walked right past my family and I, looked right at us, and did not say hello, wave, or even act like he cared we were there. I figured - surely this must just be a service guy, and a sales guy should show up soon. Didn't happen. I walked back towards the office after I look at the truck and the same guy that had walked by us previously was walking back out. I had to stop him to ask if he could help me find someone to look at the truck.
Low and behold this was the lone sales guy! He haste fully hands me the keys I requested for the truck I was there to look at (BTW he didn't even know it was on his own website) and did not offer once to let me test drive it nor did he make himself present to answer any questions I might have had.in addition, the truck wasn't in near as good shape as the pictures portrayed being there was some significant dents and body damage not pointed out in the article or pictures.
Therefore, as I went back inside the office I say "by the way my name is XXXX", gave a brief apology for coming in near their closing time, and then I requested keys for a few other trucks on their lot. He hands me the keys and this time he stays in his office. Not once, not twice, but four trucks I looked at with no presence from the sales guy for any information. As I realize that this guy was starting to obviously be in a hurry to close for the day, I find a truck that I was willing to begin some negotiations on.
I walk in to ask the guy what kind of deal he could make me on the truck and he tells me they are priced to sell, they have only had it for 1 day (as if that was a significant reason for being reluctant to make a deal), but he could maybe budge a little. I give him an offer which was about $900 less than their asking price being that there was also damage to this vehicle, dents, bumper pulled out in front where tow hook was completely gone, and the power back glass got stuck halfway while trying to operate.
He asks me if I am already financed in which I respond yes, and he says he has to call the owner. The owner replies $400 short of my offer and nothing less because they put rims on the truck. Therefore I shake the salesmens hand and tell him to have a nice evening. The guy shakes my hand and to add insult to injury lets me walk out without even asking me for any contact information what so ever!? In summary the experience was a complete waste of time, and reflected the worst customer service I had ever seen while attempting to purchase a vehicle.
When I say that, I have experience in purchasing a lot of vehicles! I am not a person who usually puts comments in a suggestion box, nor am I usually the person that feels the need to write a complaint about every bad experience I have. This is actually my first time ever. However, I feel that this needs to be posted for buyers to be aware of what I experienced and to be aware of the possibilities that this might happen in the event they attempt to buy from this dealer.
Now that I expressed the issues I had with my experience, I would like to add a few suggestions to the dealership in the event they read this report. I want repeat the statement I had previously made that I have purchased or have helped others purchase a lot of vehicles. I am neither a dealer nor an expert, therefore these are just my opinions based off of more pleasurable buying experiences I have had with other dealerships. First, In most any line of work the close time you advertise should be close time.
Of course the notice of a holiday or a sudden power outage is understandable. Your place was a ghost town at least 30 min before close in which I could not say how long it had been that way before I arrived. Secondly, friendly sales staff. I will be honest and say that the sales guy I worked with was not a jerk, however he was not very helpful what so ever. I personally agree with a statement I read in a rebuttal that it is annoying to have a sales person follow you in every step of looking at purchasing a vehicle.
However, I do expect someone to at least say hi to my family and I in the event they just happen to be walking by, and if they know they are the only salesman on the clock. Thirdly I would suggest more descriptive data on the information you provide to customers about any significant damage or imperfections that you yourself would like to know if you were buying a vehicle. Extra pictures with someone actually pointing the imperfections out shows integrity and honesty to potential buyers.
I have done this myself multiple times selling my old vehicles and it keeps people from wasting unnecessary time expecting something that isn't what it says/looks like it is. Obviously I am not the only person that has brought this issue to the table, so I don't feel it is a bad suggestion. Fourthly I would also note in your ads that your prices are either slightly negotiable or not. Consumers know dealerships normally negotiate the prices they pay for vehicles when they are traded in, but in a auction you pay what you are willing to pay. Same goes for consumers when purchasing vehicles from dealers. You either haggle or not.
Let the customer know that you do not haggle please. Lastly, I am still in awe of the fact that no attempt to exchange contact information was attempted. My experience in this case that I rank as the worst I have ever had, but it was not confrontational by any means. Why not give a card, or ask for a contact name/number from your potential customer? Now a days you almost can't do any business transaction without providing a name, email address, zip code, etc. Just my opinions and food for thought from a former potential customer...
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