I was in the market for a used car this past April, and despite the inane commercials from DriveTime, I decided to look into getting a car from them. I went to the website, found the car of my dreams (or so I thought) and decided to visit this location.
The website suggested that I pre-qualify for a car with DriveTime. I submitted the necessary information, and immediately received two emails stating that I was approved for a car with DriveTime worth $35,000. I was ecstatic, as the car I wanted was less than $15K.
I then received an email from a staff member of the Lombard Drive Time location, stating that I should call them to set up an appointment. So I called right away and told the salesman the exact car that I wanted to see (my dream car was located at a different location than the Lombard location). The salesman pushed me to make an appointment, totally disregarding my request for the car at the other location. So I went ahead and made an appointment with him for later in the week, but still asked him how I was going to be able to see the car I wanted if I would be meeting him in Lombard yet the car was in Schaumburg? He informed me that "he would work something out". That didn't sound very convincing to me, but being that I was at work, I let it go.
Later that evening, I received an email from a totally different staff member at the Lombard location asking to set up an appointment. I thought it was rather odd, especially as I had already made an appointment. Not long after that, I received a phone call from yet another staff member at the Lombard location asking to set up an appointment. I informed them that I had set up an appointment and that they should really learn to discuss these things with each other.
The day before my appointment, I called DriveTime and asked to speak to the salesman I had an appointment with. I asked him if he was going to have someone drive the car I was interested in from the Schaumburg location over to the Lombard location in time for my appointment. He told me, "Well, we have to see what you get approved for first. Then we'll talk about cars. But you can feel free to take a look around our lot and see if you like anything here." I couldn't believe it. I told him that I had already given my information via DriveTime's website and was told via email that I had been pre-approved. I told him that I felt that he was pretty much saying anything to get me to come to the Lombard location and waste my time. I understand that buying a car requires financing, etc. but what was the point of being "preapproved" if it doesn't really count for anything? And why have me waste my time looking at cars at the Lombard lot if the car I want is only at the Schaumburg location? I told the salesman to cancel my appointment and that I would not be doing business with DriveTime.
Not even 12 hours later, I kept receiving phone calls from DriveTime. I let the calls go to voicemail. Each message was a different salesman/saleswoman trying to set up an appointment with me! I couldn't believe it Finally, around 5:30pm, I received a 1-888 call. I answered it, and it was supposedly the Corporate office of DriveTime (at least, that's what the woman on the other end of the line said). She stated that she wanted to know how my car buying experience was with DriveTime. I couldn't believe it! So I started to tell her how unhappy I was with my experience, and after the third sentence, she angrily interrupted me and said, "So did you buy a car or not?!" I was floored. I told her, "Hell no, and I'll make sure no one I know buys a car with DriveTime either!"
I kid you not, I received another email and phone call from a staff member at DriveTime requesting an appointment with me. I replied to the email informing them to cease and desist with their unprofessional and gonzo sales tactics. That was the only way to get them to stop emailing me and calling me 50-11 times a day.
Now I cringe every time I see one of their stupid commercials, thinking of my horrible experience with them. If you enjoy wasting your time and being tortured by ringing phones nonstop and excessive emails, feel free to contact DriveTime. I'm sure they'll appreciate the business, because they damn sure won't be getting it from me. read more
