Michael Lam

The Good, the Bad and the Downright Ugly. The Good: During my visit at Bill Dodge Auto group, I had the pleasure of speaking with two polite employees: Lucas (sales) and Cari, both were very pleasant to work with. The Bad: This dealership lists cars for sale that aren’t ready to be sold. I was told by the General Manager, Patrick, that only 23 of the 114 cars on their lot are ready to be sold and ALL of them are listed for sale. They also remove inspection stickers from the cars so you can’t take them on a proper test drive. When I see a nice Tacoma listed online, low miles and a new frame, I know it won’t last long. So I’m right on the phone inquiring and ready to drive 2 hours south to buy this truck cash, if it’s mechanically sound. Only to be told that I can’t, because they haven’t inspected it. I offered Patrick a deposit that would be contingent on a pre-purchase inspection and a proper test drive. Patrick said “We don’t take deposits”. The best he could do was hold the truck 8-10:30a the next day (Saturday) if it wasn’t already sold, to allow me time to drive down. So I call first thing the next day and I spoke with Lucas, confirmed the truck was available, asked a few questions and left to go see the truck. The Downright ugly: Ryan. I believe Ryan is the sales manager. My phone rings at 10:33a on Saturday with Ryan asking in an aggressive tone: “you coming down to look at this truck or what?!” Meanwhile, I’m less than 5 minutes away, on my 2 hour commute. I opted to ask for Lucas when I arrived. After a parking lot test drive, I found both the check engine and traction control lights were on, 4WD low didn’t work and something funny going on with the steering. They agreed to fix these issues before I buy the truck. I attempted to offer $800 less than the sticker price, with no doc fees when discussing with Lucas. He said he needs to ask - then Ryan comes charging over, yelling at me in the lobby, yes, yelling: “YOU CAME ALL THE WAY DOWN HERE TO NEGOTIATE? YOU TOLD PATRICK YOU WERE PAYING THE FULL PRICE, CASH!” I explained that no figures were discussed with Patrick, only that I had cash to buy. Ryan went on yelling at me: “YOU GOT 5 MINUTES TO MAKE A DECISION! I JUST TURNED DOWN SOME GUY AND HIS WIFE, WHO WANTED THE TRUCK AS IS AND THEY WERE PISSED. SO YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES TO DECIDE IF YOU’LL BUY IT (at full price) OR I’M CALLING THEM!!”- At this point, I’m telling Ryan that’s enough, that I can deal with my sales person, Lucas, and that he can go away (while pointing back to where he came from) Ryan continues yelling at me: “NOBODY TELLS ME WHERE TO GO!” And continues yelling at me. I’m sorry, but if I conducted myself like this at the bank that employs me and another employee or customer made it known that my actions were not appreciated, and I kept being inappropriate, I’d likely be fired for harassment! Fast forward: I agreed to full price, only to be told they need a deposit (Huh? Patrick told me you don’t take deposits?) and the truck won’t be ready in 6 days to purchase, when I need it. No deal. Finally, a note to the owner: Save your shallow apology. I find it unlikely that you don’t know who Ryan is and how he operates. You employ him, so therefore you condone this type of behavior. I don’t care how many cars he’s sold with his high pressure sales tactics. He’s absolutely inappropriate and it’s just uncalled for. Shame on you for employing such an embarrassment, and frankly a liability to your company!

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