Complaint Review: Cal Worthington Ford

On 4/13/02 I bought a certified used vehicle, a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 truck. I also at that time purchased the extended warranty. My first warranty repair occurred 3 days later when it was discovered that my rotors had deep grooves and my brake pads worn beyond safe recommendations. If the safety inspection that they said was done was actually done this would have been discovered.



The service advisor, Cynthia agreed with me. In the fourteen months I have had this "certified used vehicle" I have had over $13,000.00 worth of warranty work done. During this time it has been discovered that work that was suppose to be done was not done but was billed to warranty company. The parts put on were not Mopar parts as was requested and stated in the warranty that they would be used. Some of the bloopers they have done include installing an oil pan gasket and putting the oil pan heater back up with permatex which melted and subsequently they had to install a new one which they DUCT TAPED on!!!!! A transfer case gasket was installed (permatex) where no gasket is suppose to be.

After over 20 visits to the repair shop in my frustration I went to Cal Worthington Ford to see what they would give me on a trade-in as my vehicle is too unreliable and spends more time in repair then being utilized. In Alaska you need a reliable vehicle especially if you live outside of Anchorage. The saleman Dale got my vehicle appraised at $11,000.00 for trade-in. The next day I talked with Ina the customer care representative. (customer care is the furthest thing on her agenda) She says that they do not guarantee used vehicles. She said she would allow me to trade it in and she would give me a "good deal." Her good deal included giving me a trade-in value of $10,000 for the same vehicle that less than 24 hours earlier was worth $11,000 trade-in value.

When we notified her of our earlier appraisal she quickly back stepped and made excuses. I vote to throw Cal Worthington out of Alaska. I may be stuck with this "certified used car" but I do not want to see other hard-working people get ripped-off by such bottom-feeders. I worked very hard to save the $11,000.00 down payment and make my monthly payments in a timely manner. Many times when I make my payment my truck is sitting in Cal Worthington's repair shop.

I am tired of big business raping the hard-working little guy who just wants to see some honesty and integrity and pride in workmanship.

I am writing this to seek help in what I can do and to warn you that Cal Worthington Ford is not the place to buy a vehicle no matter how many sales gimmicks he runs or how many cute little animals he choses to use in his add. The animal he is with definetly has more integrity and honesty.


HEED THE WARNING: "DON'T GO SEE CAL, DON'T GO SEE CAL"

Jeff
Willow, Alaska
U.S.A.