ComplaintsforFindlay Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram

• Initial Complaint

  07/29/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I attempted to purchase a vehicle from this dealership but inquiring about said vehicle on their website. I was later contacted by *** ***** salesman from the dealership, who setup a time for me to test drive the truck. After the test drive I was told they had already run my credit and needed $1,000 cash for the down payment. Agreeing to the terms, we both decided that that coming Friday I would take the day off from work and with the money. I contacted *** two separate times over the next couple days verifying that I was approved and what he told me was true. He kept reassuring me, it was. I explained that I had a ride setup for that Friday and I would have my children and took the day off to get the deal done. Again, I was reassured it was happening. Come Friday I walked in with the down payment and *** told me they couldn’t do the deal. I asked why and he explained it was from having an open account ********* ( co-signed for my wife’s van) which I explained on day one. After once again I explained that, he stated I never told him that and he never had my credit report as he does not have access to that and it wasn’t his fault bc he “doesn’t pay my bills”. It was shortly after this statement the conversation between him and I became abrasive on his part and I was made out to be a liar and was wrong. I turned to walk out as he continued to verbal degrade me in the middle of the dealership. I left. This salesman and dealership has wasted my time, my money and did so all to degrade me I front of other customers. The manager was aware of this entire situation (supposedly). They did run my credit that day and I know have more hard Inquiries for nothing but to be degraded.

  Business response

  07/29/2024

  We are sorry this customer had a less than great experience. The customer did fill out a credit application and we did get an approval for him.  The lender stipulated that he must trade in his current vehicle as it had a remaining balance on it.  Because he was trading in his vehicle, our finance department  assumed that was the  vehicle vehicle the lender was requiring to be traded. This was not the case, the customer was trading in a vehicle.  However, the vehicle the lender required to be traded in and paid off was not the vehicle he was trading. This was an honest mistake of miscommunication from the lender to our finance department, from our finance department to the salesperson and from the salesperson the the customer.  Our salespeople do not wish to waste anyone's time, including their own.  Had the lender, our finance department and salesperson been clear on what vehicle needed to be traded in, we certainly would have communicated that to the customer.  We will use this as an example of how to improve communication on loan approvals in the future.  Again, we apologize for the inconvenience.

  Customer response

  07/30/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  **** **********

• Initial Complaint

  05/13/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I was sold a vehicle with problems not reported to Carfax. From day one of getting the vehicle I had issues and tried to contact the salesmen about my issues and they ignored me. I didn't receive a email or call about it and when you call the dealership everyone is magically busy. I have other means of transport so I waited until I had extra money to get it looked at and there are multiple expensive fixes that the Findlay service department chose not to report to carfax which led to me buying a faulty vehicle.

  Business response

  05/13/2024

  Without more detail on the issues the customer is having, it is difficult to respond. For a sales related issue please email our used  car manager ************************. If you have a Service issue, please email ***********************

• Initial Complaint

  02/02/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I was looking for a 2020 Kia Cadenza Limited in white color to buy on the internet. I could only find one in black advertised at Findlay dealership in Ohio. See attached internet advertisement. I decided to buy it and had to go through their financing. I live in Fort Worth TX. Rented a car to drive the 1100 miles to pick up. Since it was a Saturday after 3PM returning rental was a big headache. Once I completed purchase I drove the 1100 miles home. When I began registration for TX and ran the VIN, I found out it wasn’t a Limited model but a Technology model, which I did not want. I had opportunity to buy a Technology model in white locally saving me from having to travel 2200 miles round trip and getting black color car. I emailed Keaton, salesman, on 2/1/24 and again today 2/2/24 with no response. I would appreciate BBB assistance for an amenable resolution of Findlay’s false advertisement resulting in me purchasing wrong model car they advertised they have for sale.

  Business response

  02/05/2024

  Attached is a copy the manufactures original Sticker stating that it is a Limited and all the options that make it a limited. If you have any other questions, please let us know.

   

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  11/13/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I reached out to this dealer regarding a vehicle they had on their lot. After negotiating trade-in value and sales price, I agreed to complete a credit application for myself and co-borrower. The dealership sent my credit to 4 different lenders and secured an approval, gave me my rate and payment amount. We then set a time for the next morning to pick up the vehicle. 6 hours later, the sales rep called me and said the vehicle was just sold by another sales rep. I asked for the sales manager ***** to call me. ***** insisted this is normal practice and all vehicles are first come first serve, refusing to acknowledge the poor experience after sending my credit app to various banks, obtaining approval and verbal agreement between myself and the sales rep to take delivery the next morning. This is deceptive and inexcusable business practice.

  Business response

  11/13/2023

  We understand and appreciate the customers frustration. It is unfortunate this vehicle was sold before the customer could come to look at it and potentially complete the deal. 

  
  We are one of the regions largest used vehicle retailers.  We go to great lengths to stock the most desirable vehicles and price them to be the very best deals in the region.  This business model is great for those looking for the very best deal on the regions best selling vehicles.  However, when multiple people, dealing with multiple salespeople are looking at the same vehicle at the same time, someone is likely to end up frustrated. 

  
  We choose not to hold vehicles because we believe this to be the fairest and best solution for our customers, salespeople and dealership.  By holding a vehicle, in situations like this, we would have to refuse to sell it to someone that is here and ready to buy it in lieu of someone that hasnt seen or driven the vehicle.  

  I am not doubting the customer intended on buying the vehicle.  However,we have had many people come in with the intent to buy, yet dont not buy for whatever reason.

  Although we are constantly monitoring our polices, with the way we price our vehicles, situations like these are seemingly unavoidable. 

  In regards to the credit report, please have the customer contact our Finance Director ( **** ***** ************ Kfaber@drive Findlay.com) , as he will be glad t assist the customer. 

• Initial Complaint

  06/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I purchased the vehicle on June 5th Mercedes 2008 GL Used . The dealership would only accept CASH for the car no checks or credit card payment. I didn't think anything of it since we wanted to purchase the car. I went to my bank got a cashiers check and provided it for them. After the paperwork was done they informed me that it would take about 2 weeks for the title to be expedited since I needed it because I am sending this car to Europe. I contact the dealership yesterday since I haven't seen my title in my mailbox yet....once speaking to a supervisor yesterday June 20th I was informed that the lean on the CAR was not cleared and that they send in payment to the bank of the previous owner on May 30th but the payment hasn't cleared yet form the bank. SO I asked her if they sold us a CAR that the lean still hasn't been paid of by the dealership and sold it to me and I played CASH for it. SHE SAID YES (title CLERK) and they can do that under OHIO LAW it protects them for 45 days. I said you have ahead this car for a month and you wanted my money so you can pay off the lean and now you don't have a title for me to send to Michigan so I can have this title transferred. She kept saying that the OHIO law protects the dealership I asked her what Law protects me as a consumer...and she didn't have an answer.

  Business response

  07/05/2023

  Sorry for the late response. I must have missed the notification. Customer is now in possession of the  title. By the way, we paid off the vehicle before the customer purchased the vehicle.   The bank took plenty of time sending us the lien release. We can not transfer the title without that lien release.. We are happy the issue is now resolved.

  Customer response

  07/05/2023

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  **** *****

• Initial Complaint

  01/17/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased a 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan from this dealership on July 22, 2022 in the amount of $11, 428.50. We paid for it with an insurance check in the amount of $9,200 and paid the remaining amount in cash. The $9,200 check was from an accident from a previous vehicle that we had unfortunately just paid off. I took it for a test drive and everything seemed great. I was in a time crunch to purchase a new vehicle due to waiting on our car insurance provider ( at that time) to issue us a check. I have to physically be at work so time was of the essence. I was made aware that the car would be sold as is with no dealer warranty and that per Ohio law, once I take possession, the transaction is complete and final. As far as what the dealership offered me, that was nothing. The nature of the dispute is- less than two weeks after purchase, the engine seized (while I was driving it) and I broke down on the side of the road. Also, I noticed that between speeds of 60-70 MPH, the whole car would shake. I then called the dealership to let them know what they had sold me, and that obviously quality control was nonexistent. One of the managers told me that the as is warranty means as is and that there's was nothing they would do for me. They won't accept my calls any longer. I ended up having to pay $7,800 to replace the engine and just recently had an estimate for the shaking between 60-70 mph was determined to ht the Final Drive Unit, which would need to be replaced totaling $6,877.64. I understand that I bought a vehicle as is. What I don't understand, is how a supposed larger branded dealership can get away with selling and overpriced vehicle that is basically a lemon. There is no way that they inspected it before it was sold. We've already put more money in that what it's worth and we can't afford the next repair; not to mention, it makes absolutely no sense to put that kind money in a car that's not even valued what we've already spent.

  Business response

  01/18/2023

  We strive to be as transparent as possible with all transactions.  As the customer stated, we explained to her that she was buying the vehicle 100% As-Is with no dealer waranty. She was offered, and declined, a vehicle service contract. That was unfortunate as vehicle service contracts are designed to cover the cost of repairs in situations just like this. We will gladly make her an agressive cash offer on the vehicle or take it in as a trade-In, if she prefers a different vehicle. If she is interested, please have her contact **** ***** at ************

  Customer response

  01/19/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
   the amount of trade or cash offer was not specified.  I will only accept a vehicle valued at $18,800, of which $11,000 is the amount I paid in cash at the dealership, plus $7,800 which is the cost of the engine I had to replace less than two weeks after purchasing.  Not to mention the other quote for the final drive unit, from ****** *******.  Two repairs that each exceed what the vehicle is worth. Also, to be told that I should have purchased the extended warranty does not give you the right to sell me an unsafe and complete unreliable vehicle. This car should not have been sold to anyone with the amount of repairs required, from any dealership with integrity and hood business ethics. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* ******

  Business response

  01/20/2023

  As stated by the customer in the original complaint she fully understood that she was buying he vehicle 100% as-Is from the dealer. She signs multible documents stating that fact. If she does not want to contact us to get a cash offer or trade in amount, as we offered to do in my previous response, unfortunatly, there is nothing more we can do for her.

  Customer response

  01/20/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  I was unethically sold a an unsafe and non-inspected vehicle with over $15,000 worth of repairs and the dealership refuses to make this right.   I cannot drive this vehicle due to unsafe.  BUYER BEWARE: do not buy from these people, they are not honest.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* ******

• Initial Complaint

  11/23/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On August 22, 2022 I visited this car dealer to look at a car to purchase. I already had financing prior to walking in and I made it clear to the salesperson ****** ******* Somehow the dealer obtain a credit report (hard inquiry) even though we did not draw up any paperwork or close the sale on a vehicle that required any reason to run a credit report. The dealer will not return my email messages. I want this hard inquiry removed from my report. I expect the dealer to take care of this.

  Business response

  11/23/2022

  To run a credit report, we need  name, address, date of birth and a social security number.  We have no benefit of running a credit report other than to assist in financing.

  However, we will gladly send ********** a request to remove this inquiry.  The customer can also go to transunion.com and ask for the inquiry to be removed.

  Go to **************, then "Customer Support ", then "Self Service", then "dispute credit report" and ask for the inquiry to be removed. It's a free service.

  Customer response

  11/23/2022

   
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I'll wait until the dealer contacts the credit reporting agencies and the inquiry is removed.

   

  Further, there was never a request or a suggestion to "assist in financing" . You would only "assist in financing" if a sale was closed on an automobile. The next step would be to assist in financing. There was no sale. Therefore, no need to assist in financing. You have your sales process backwards. 
  
  
  
  ****** ******

• Initial Complaint

  08/11/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  07/21/2022 I purchased a 2015 Ford Explorer. I have driven it approximately 300 miles and a sensor alarm came up on the dash I took it to my local mechanic where he had nothing but bad news for me. The drive shaft, transfer case, and bearings were all bad. A problem that occurred before I purchased so on the test drive I thought how it drove was normal, no sounds or anything. Now I am looking at $4000 in repairs not counting labor. The dealer has ignored me and been no help.

  Business response

  09/06/2022

  The customer purchased a very recent traded-in vehicle. It was sold 100% As-Is.  The vehicle had not been inspected, serviced or detailed. Attached are the documents signed by the customer clearly stating  the vehicle was sold 100% As-Is. Since we record our deliveries, we also reviewed the delivery video of this vehicle.  The video further reinforces the customer was buying the vehicle 100% As-Is. On the video, the manager clearly reiterated we had not serviced the vehicle and that because we had not serviced the vehicle, we could not even offer a service contract on that vehicle.

  We went much further than required to be fully transparent on this transaction. Therefore we offer no further solutions for this customer.

  Customer response

  09/07/2022

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  As I completely understand that the vehicle was sold as is, it is unacceptable that you do not take any ownership for the situation that occurred. To have someone trust in you paying $18,000 for a car and turn around 3 weeks later and spend $3000 on repairs. This should be a learning opportunity for you to never again sell cars that have not been looked over. I just wanted some sort of remorse from the dealership. Wether it be free oil change/service, partial payment on the $3000. But I have gotten nothing but then putting all the blame on me. This is both parties fault. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* ******

  Business response

  09/08/2022

  Again, we went above and beyond both verbally and contractually to be very transparent and clear that :

  1. We had not serviced the vehicle

  2. The vehicle was be sold 100% As-Is (No Warranty)

  Knowing this, the customer decided to move forward with the purchase and then signed multiple documents reinforcing the fact that the vehicle was being sold 100% AS-IS and the dealership was not responsible for any cost of repairs. (Those documents were supplied in the previous response.)  

  If the customer wants to look at trading in this vehicle on a different vehicle, we will be glad to assist. We have many new vehicles and late model used vehicles with the balance of the manufactures warranty still in effect.

   

  Customer response

  09/08/2022

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  The dealership is just stating the same things over and over again. 

  I have said above I realize what documents were signed. But if you look at all of the reviews on Findlay Chrysler on the BBB, ******, ********, and anywhere else you can leave a review you will see that this dealership sells **** cars as-is many many times. Learn your **** lesson and inspect cars before you sell them. You’re ripping off a 23 year old girl. Who is just trying to make a living while you just sit there and do nothing. 

   

  I will be in tomorrow to chat, and let everyone there know to not by a car from you. See you tomorrow. 

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* ******

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩