Complaint Review: Allen Samuels Auto Group

Allen Samuels Dodge runs misleading and false ads both on the radio and in the newspaper. The last 2 weeks in a row they have run an ad in the Sunday paper that expired the Saturday before it was posted, therefore negating any so-called sale they were having. The ad on their website tonight expired last week- why not remove it if the sale is over?

They advertised TODAY (5/27/07) that they had new 2006 Dodge Caravans on the lot for $11,888. When you call to verify, their Sales Rep, Sarah, confirms that they have 1 2006 at that price, and 1 2007 at $12,888. In addition, they have 5 other 2006 priced between that and $15k and that they also have 4 2007 Caravans around the same price range. She states that there is absolutely no problem with securing one of these vehicles as this is a Memorial Day sale running throughout the weekend.

I arrived at the lot around an hour later, and they have two small rows of caravans. I asked if they had any others, and am assured by a sales rep that this is all that they have on the lot. There are around 18 or so, and both rows are full. (not one vehicle missing)

I asked the sales rep which ones are a part of the special, and he has no idea. He goes inside the office a total of 6 times, back and forth with this "sarah" who is suddenly unavailable, and then supposedly checking the computer and with the sales manager, and cannot seem to determine which if any vehicles on the lot are a part of this sale.

Finally, he brings out the "guy who wrote the ad" Rob Tharp to "explain things to me". This guy had a condescending attitude from the moment he came over. He was happy to explain to me that "I misunderstood" Sarah - oh, I misunderstood the ad he has running on all the local radio stations, too. They run whichever ad they feel like - not that anyone there at the dealership could control the fact that the ad they are running as a Memorial Day sale actually expired on 5/20/07, the week before...

I asked him over and over to see any of the vehicles that Sarah had mentioned to me over the phone. During this time, someone went out to the lot, and moved one of the Caravans around to the back of the building. He outright refused to show me anything that he would make that sort of price on, and told me that I was "too ignorant to know a good price if he gave me one."

I repeated to him several times this conversation with his sales rep, Sarah, and the fact that they were supposed to have multiple vehicles in this price range, (they had supposedly sold the 2006 Caravan at $11,888) but couldn't find any of the ones that Sarah had an hour before. Rob admitted that he had not sold any of these vehicles today, but that he just didn't intend to make me such a deal. After seeing my insistence on viewing one of the vehicles HE PERSONALLY wrote an advertisement about, he offered to bring up a wrecked vehicle (these were all supposed to be NEW, mind you) for me to purchase for $15,000.

After tolerating at least 20 minutes of his put-downs and insults, I said to my mother, "I don't have to..." and before I could say more, he brushes past me, and says, "I was wondering how long it was going to take to get rid of you. I didn't want to sell to you anyway, and it's about time you said that."

All of these from a car dealer that hasn't appraised my trade in, hasn't seen my credit, hasn't even taken an application on me, and has no idea of my strength as a customer. He simply brushes me off because I ask him to honor the ad that he is running all over radio, and in the Ft. Worth Star Telegram.

When I went to drive away, the vehicle that was in the front slot is parked on the back of that building....as if they had just sold one...

I asked over and over, if the price is not what Sarah quoted, then what is it? Rob refused to give me any sort of a price whatsoever on any vehicle on his lot. He wanted to argue and name-call, being very derogatory to me as a customer and very condescending, yet never once did he try to sale a vehicle or really do business. He wouldn't even let me know what price he WAS selling a car for - asking me to agree to a payment for a vehicle without even knowing what sales price, what interest rate, etc. they were offering.

Beware of this dealership - no one could keep their story straight, they gave me every excuse in the world for their false advertising, and they won't treat you fairly. See all Allen Samuels reports here on Ripoff Reports, and check the BBB and you'll see for yourself what their reputation is...don't do business with these shady characters or you'll be sorry!

Dyan
Allen, Texas
U.S.A.