I don't normally leave negative reviews, but my experience with Gladstone Automotive has been one…read moreof the most frustrating vehicle purchases I've ever had.
This all started in the middle of June when I began looking for a truck. I knew my credit wasn't perfect, and I also had negative equity in my trade, so I understood financing wouldn't be easy. I decided to give Gladstone Automotive a chance. I met with the sales team, looked at several vehicles, discussed pricing, and explained exactly what I was looking for.
After a few days of going back and forth with the finance department, they found a truck that fit my budget. I was told it had been damaged on their lot by another vehicle in service and needed repairs before I could take delivery. That wasn't a deal breaker. We agreed on the numbers, signed all the paperwork, and I was told the truck would be ready the following week.
The following week came and went without a single update. I had to call them myself, and then I was told it would be ready the week before the Fourth of July. When I called again before heading home for the holiday, they still had no answers. After the holiday, I called again and was told they were still waiting.
At that point I asked to speak with a manager. That's when I found out the truth--the insurance adjuster hadn't even looked at the truck yet. After weeks of being told it would be ready "next week," I learned the repair process hadn't even really started. That was incredibly disappointing and made me feel like I had been misled.
Fast forward to July 20, and I still don't have my truck. It finally came back from the body shop, and I was told it was being cleaned and prepared for delivery. Then I received another call asking if I had declined the bed liner. I hadn't--I paid for the bed liner as part of the purchase. So now the truck has to wait again while that's installed.
Another issue involved the rocker panels. I made it very clear before signing any paperwork that I would not buy the truck unless the damaged rocker panels were repaired. After the truck returned from the body shop, I noticed they still hadn't been addressed, so now it has to go back to the body shop again.
One thing that also bothered me was the vehicle history and pricing. The Carfax report didn't mention that the truck had been involved in an accident, yet I was told it had been damaged on the dealership's lot and required body repairs before delivery. Despite that, there was no adjustment to the purchase price. I expected more transparency and some consideration on the price given the circumstances.
To make matters worse, I'm an Illinois resident, not a Missouri resident. Before signing the paperwork, I specifically told the dealership to make sure my Illinois title, registration, and taxes were included in the paperwork and rolled into the loan. I was assured everything would be handled. I later found out that wasn't done either, which now leaves me responsible for paying my Illinois title fees, registration, license plates, and taxes out of pocket. That's a significant expense that I specifically asked them to account for.
Communication throughout this entire process has been terrible. My salesperson rarely followed up unless I contacted him first. Before signing the paperwork, I repeatedly asked whether the truck came with a second key. Every time I was told he'd find out and get back to me. He never did. I eventually learned that the truck only comes with one key, and I'll have to pay for a second one myself.
I understand delays happen, and I understand that unexpected issues come up. What I don't understand is being given inaccurate information week after week instead of honest updates. Had someone simply been upfront with me from the beginning, this experience would have been much different.
Whether my financing situation played a role or not, I can't say. What I can say is that this has been an extremely disappointing buying experience. Between the poor communication, repeated delays, incomplete repairs, unexpected out-of-pocket costs, and lack of follow-through on multiple promises, this has been anything but a positive experience. Once this deal is finally complete, I will never do business with Gladstone Automotive again, and I cannot recommend them based on my experience.