Complaint Review: Jim's Auto Sales (Fontana)

I was recently looking to purchase a used Jeep. After looking for a couple of weeks, I had identified a couple at Jims Auto Sales in Fontana, including a Jeep that was advertised for $6,995.00. I reached out and called them, to verify the cost and availability of a specfic Jeep specified, which it was still available, in addition to a couple of others the salesman I spoke with indicated they were around the same price. In addition, the same evening, again I contacted Jim's Auto Sales to verify how late they were open that evening, which we could not get there, so we opted to consider the next day. In the meantime, I read thru several of the vehicles posted on their website, including the CarFax's available.

The following day, I printed out the add, which we had initially noticed on Craigslist, to take with us. After arrival, I asked to see the specific Jeep model. I asked at that time again, how much was the vehicle, since it was not stated on the vehicle. The Salesperson indicated it was $16,995 - NOT the $6,995 that was posted on the Craigslist site (that I had called and verified twice the day before), that I had printed out.

The salesperson acted surprised, then made the statement in front of my son and I, that we would be obligated to give you that price, if that's what was listed. I had my son return to our vehicle, retrieve the copy we had made, which he did and returned approximately 5 minutes later.

The Salesman reviewed the document and indicated they would honor the listed price and would go and get the keys so we could review the interior of the vehicle as well as test drive and review the operational condition of the vehicle. At this moment, I anticipated when he returned, that his Sales Manager would return with him, acknowledge the significance of the error, but offer to still make a fair deal that would still benefit both parties and I might have considered that, however, that is NOT what took place.

After about 10-12 minutes, the Salesman returned, we unlocked the vehicle, I sat in the driver seat, my son got in the pasenger seat, we inserted the key and turned the vehicle on. After about 2 minutes, with the vehicle running, I requested to review the engine compartment with the Salesperson. Again, anticipating that a Sales Manager or even Owner might be coming out any moment.

As we lifted the hood, while the vehicle was running, we were listening for any suspected conditions, at which time another bald salesman, approximate late 20's, early 30's walked up and applied a 'SOLD' yellow tag on the windshield of the vehicle and indicated to the acting salesman working with us - quote "I just took a credit card payment for this vehicle, it's sold to a guy in Texas".

The salesperson we were working with, actually appeared a bit stunned - HOWEVER, I knew exactly what had just happened and it was a simple "no brainer", "Bait and Switch" tactic by another salesperson indicating the vehicle was sold, it immediately cancelled out any considerations I would have been making on the vehicle, given the salesperson indicated he would 'honor' the contract. My son turned around and walked off. The salesman that applied the 'SOLD' tag, turned and walked away also. After a moment, I turned away from the Salesperson we had been working with, who was now putting the hood down, and I told him - "That was a very smooth move, well played" in an effort to protect their interest and not loose any further dollars, for a full blown add misprint. I started to walk toward the exit, when the salesperson that had applied the SOLD tag, was standing near the entrance and replied "Was there another Jeep we could show you, we have several others", I turned to him and responded with, "Are you kidding? That was real smooth, you guys knew you made a mistake, and you took an out of town, out of state credit card order for the same price, over a cash sale"? The Salesman added, it was a guy that called from Texas and gave us a credit card order for the Jeep, which I said - no there wasnt, then he had the gall to state, would you like to see and talk to him, which I replied - No, I will leave my comments on your reviews, since it's obvious the other formal reviews I have read to date appear to be pretty accurate, as to which he replied in a very anger monotone "whatever".

As we drove away, with my son and I a little beweildered to what had just taken place, but I well aware of the moment, looked over to my son and asked him to go to the Craigslist website on his smart phone and see if the same vehicle comes up again in about 30-45 minutes. Truth be told, they would no better by now to do one of two things:  1) Take that specific vehicle off now, it was sold, correct? They took a credit card payment? That's what they said?....or 2) It would be relisted, same vehicle and descriptions, for $ 16,995.00.

Low and behold, approximately 30 minutes later - the same vehicle, same description, same year, same color, was now listed for sale again, for....$16,995.00.  

Bottom Line: I figured there was an error, but they showed a full neglect of integrity, by far the worse I have ever seen from a Dealership, in an effort to explain themselves, apologize for the error and maybe work to make a deal that benefited both parties. I hope this alerts anyone else in the immediate, near and foreseen future to shop elsewhere, where the hope a small amount of integrity is still visible and possible these days.

***Do NOT shop at Jim's Auto Sales in Fontana***Integrity is NOT a part of their vocabulary***