My experience with Clay Cooley Jeep in Irving was the worst vehicle purchasing experience I've ever…read morehad.
Before visiting the dealership, I negotiated the price and completed the financing application. I told him I was in the middle of a move, needed to turn in the moving truck the next morning. I wanted everything handled beforehand, so I could show up, take the vehicle, and leave.
Instead, we sat there over an hour waiting before anything happened. Our salesperson didn't know where the vehicle was, and couldn't find the keys. Then he found the vehicle, but had the wrong keys. Once he finally located the correct vehicle and keys, it had no fuel. When he brought it up for a test drive, the check engine light was on. He ran inside to get assistance, and they told us it was fine and it's because it was out of gas, and would go off in a little while.
After the test drive, we returned and waited some more. We were eventually taken to the service department, where the finance manager would not provide anything in writing regarding the check engine light. Instead, he told us we could trust him because everyone there knew him. He spent much of the conversation complaining about being at work late.
When we finally reached the finance office two hours later, the finance rep also complained about being there late. She said she had no idea why we had been waiting so long because everything was ready to go when we arrived. She told me all the loan and purchase paperwork would be emailed to me.
After signing, I was told to find someone to install the temporary plates. The place was empty except for one employee at the front desk, playing a game on his phone. We had to get his attention and he never even looked up while helping us. He attempted to install the plates one-handed while still playing the game on his phone. My husband actually offered to hold the phone for him.
He handed me a key and I also asked about the second one. I was told I would have to come back another day because it was locked in a room that only a manager could access. Didn't even consider where I live and that it might not be convenient for me to go back there.
He went inside and locked the door and left us out there. Then, it wouldn't start - the battery was dead. We had to knock on the windows and wave to get the guy's attention to come back out. We decided to leave the truck at the dealership and were told it would be fixed on Monday.
The next day (Sunday), I decided I didn't want a broken brand new vehicle, and I really didn't want to give that place my business. I never took delivery, but even if I had, Clay Cooley has a three day money back guarantee, so I could get out of it.
Monday morning, I texted my salesperson and told him I wanted to cancel the transaction. He asked how I had paid the down payment. I told him it was by credit card and requested written confirmation that the deal had been canceled. He never responded. I also never received any of the loan or purchase paperwork via email (checked spam too).
After hours with no response, I emailed the finance rep. She informed me that the transaction had been canceled but could not provide anything to confirm. She told me the pending refund on my credit card should be good enough and suggested that I call the bank. I didn't even know who the bank was at this point, because I never got the loan paperwork. After asking for it again I finally did, so I figured out who the bank was and called. They had no record of a cancellation but said it could take a few days to appear.
Frustrated, I again requested written confirmation from the finance rep. Instead of providing it, she told me I'd I wasn't happy with her service, I should contact the sales manager. I wanted everything documented in writing, so I asked for the manager's email address - never got a response.
THEN I texted sales manager (Todd) and asked for assistance - crickets. The following day he replied he had a family emergency and would follow up the next day.
At that point I was prepared to just let it go and hope for the best. However, I kept receiving emails requesting proof of insurance for a vehicle, and I was getting emails from SiriusXM that a trial had been activated. Concerned that the cancellation had not actually been processed, I contacted Todd again for help. All I got was "stop texting me."
I was never rude or aggressive, and I contacted employees during normal business hours.
When it comes to dealerships, I do everything in writing, so I have all the emails and texts to back this up.
I knew Clay Cooley had a poor reputation, but they beat the price of a vehicle I found in Houston. So I took a chance, hoping they could at least deliver a running vehicle, and I could get in and out and deal with them as little as possible. Apparently not. Avoid Clay Cooley at all costs!