My wife and I bought a used 2011 Kia Sorento from Thomas Mead at Healey Brothers Chevrolet in Poughkeepsie on June 13, 2013 for $23,237.75. We singed all kinds of paperwork, receipts, DMV registration papers, loan documents, etc; they gave us a temporary registration and we drove it of the lot that day.
On June 18, 5 days later, Kevin from their finance department called me at work to tell me that they couldn't account for all of our deposit and demanded a credit card over the phone. I told him no, but that I would stop by to help them resolve the matter; I was sitting in his office in less than an hour. It was me, Kevin, Andy (the general manager) and Thomas.
We talked for all of about 5 minutes, with each of them, except for Thomas, accusing me of trying to get one over on them, saying that I was steeling and that I could recant my position at anytime without persecution or penalty. They were rude, obnoxious and arrogant. They told me that they could get the money from me if they had to, that they could call the police and that I should do the right thing. told them that I remembered giving the money to Thomas, but they continued badgering me. It was the most uncomfortable car buying experience of my life. So, I promptly stood up and told them where to go. I said I was calling my layer and my wife and then I left.
Later that day Bill Birmington called me, the Healey Brothers Chevrolet manager. At first he was nice, pleasant to talk to and very respectful. He explained that in is 25 years experience that he couldn't recall this ever happening. He said that he was sure that it was us misunderstanding and that we could resolve the matter pleasantly. I told him about my experiences earlier in the day, and asked if we could return the car, because I didn't want to do business with them; he agreed. I also told him that I was waiting for my wife to get out of a meeting so that I could talk to her.
My recollection of the events was that we gave the money to Thomas Mead, but I wanted her to confirm this; my wife's pregnant, we had been in the hospital three days earlier for complications with her pregnancy and were running late for a doctors appointment that day.
I called Bill back about 25 minutes later and told him that my wife confirmed that we hadn't given them $3500, I told him that she even remembered telling me that, but that I didn't. I told him that I was waiting for her to get home from work and tat we would talk about if she wanted to return the car or not.
Bill called me back around 6pm, but this time, he was showing his true colors, just like the rest of them. He was making all kinds of threats, demands, he was obnoxious and rude. I told him that my wife wasn't home from work yet, but that we would talk about returning the car later that evening. Bill then told me that he had recorded our phone conversation, that I had been caught in a lie and that he would be calling the police if he didn't have the money by the next day at noon.
He asked me if I understood everything that he just said, and I said I understand you perfectly.
Here's my closing thought, there are so many car dealers on route 9 in the Poughkeepsie area. If you can avoid buying a car from Healey Brothers Chevrolet in Poughkeepsie, do it. Their not crooks, but they are a bunch of a-holes.
This was the second car we bought from them, but I assure you, it was also our last. We will never do business with them again. read more