I will start this off by saying this is less of a review, more so a telling of events. Everything stated is 100% true and factual.
After losing my car to a total loss accident at the beginning of March, (the beginning of Covid-19) I was without a vehicle for sometime. Due to the fact that I suddenly had low income due to the virus, and find myself in the poor credit bracket (look away Yelp friends), I didn't think I had many options. I searched and searched and kept seeing a slough of cars from this dealer. All seemingly fit my criteria and price range. Admittedly, I did read the less than stellar reviews, but did notice that they work with many credit situations so I sent an inquiry about a vehicle. I received a call fairly quickly and arranged an "appointment" due to the low occupancy levels of the situation at hand.
During this whole process, I kept reminding the dealer of my credit situation. They didn't seem to be thrown off, and kept going. I test drove a car (2014 Honda CRV with 76,000 miles).
Keep in mind, they don't take you on any highways, or anywhere where you will go over 45 MPH. I liked the car enough and reminded the dealer once again of my situation, and he assured me they would be able to get me in the car for the payments I needed. I decided to purchase the car and they worked on the paperwork. I once again reminded the finance manager of my situation, they assured me it would happen. I signed my paperwork, payed my $3000 dollar down payment, and came back Monday to get the car.
The car ended up having several problems right off the lot, I can't fit them all here as it will go over the text limit.
However, at the two week mark I received a call from the credit union that Sign it Drive it made my deal with. I needed to complete an over the phone interview, to see if I was still eligible for the loan. After the phone interview, due to a financial oversight, the credit union wanted me to either get a co-signer or return the car back to the dealership. I thought about getting a co-signer, as I did not want to be without a car, and once again searching with my credit situation. However, ultimately this was the way out of a very bad deal.
Up to this point, I was still quite neutral with the dealership, they seemed to be quite shocked themselves that the credit union didn't work out, and they were losing money themselves.
Finally the finance manager came in, and stated that due to a crack in the grill that was "not there before I took the car" they would only be refunding me 2,700$. He stated it would cost 300$ in parts, and made it seem like they were doing me a favor by eating cost and labor. I was in absolute disbelief, as I knew that crack in the grill was there upon purchase (it was a cosmetic issue that did not bother me). He stated that it was in none of their photos, and that I must have done it. At no point did he show me their photos or offer to show them. The vehicle was no longer listed on their website (duh I bought it). So no photos were listed online. HOWEVER, because I sent screenshots of the car straight from the website to my insurance company, I still had the photos. The crack is clearly visible, and obvious, as it took off a portion of the chrome. (Photos attached-with sign it's drive it logos visible)
I showed these photos to the finance manger and he said he would show my photos to the manager (did not take my phone). He returned and sheepishly said they would return my full down payment. Now friends, do you think they honestly didn't notice that large crack in their photos, or do you think they were trying to shake a little change out of my pockets for taking their car on a free joy ride for two weeks. I'll let you decide.
Bottom line here is- they get two stars because I'm sure not every car here has problems. I met a return customer in the lobby when I was returning the vehicle. They are a very high volume dealer, and because of this I honestly believe the salesmen are unaware of what cars have what problems. All the salesmen are very very young, and I'm sure this is just a stepping stone along the way, and are just going along with what they are trained to do. I can't fault them for making a living, but at some point you have to look within and ask your self if your ok with being complacent with business tactics like this.
I'm not telling you not to come here. If your in a rough spot, and desperate for a car, odds are they will get you into one. However, ask if you can get it looked at by a trusted outside mechanic. Know that this isn't your only option for a car though. Finally after 3 months, and this deal on my record I'm in a brand new 2020 car, with payments far less than they were going to be on my car from here. read more