Print the value of index0
Mullinax Ford Ripoff several prices for same vehicle, dishonest when caught North Canton Ohio
My husband and I recently went in to Mullinex Ford of North Canton to look at minivans. We test drove and liked a Ford Windstar.
The price clearly marked on the windshield said $10,800. Upon saying we'd like to talk pricing the salesman said that to cut down on negotiating they would drop the price a immediate $1000. For a used car, a $1000 discount wasn't to bad so we took it. They also agreed to fix a rust spot on the passenger back door, but only after they tried to get us to pay half. They wanted us to pay them $150 to fix a spot that should have been dealt with prior to putting it on the lot. Did all the paperwork and took our new van home for just about $9800.
When we got home I happened to pick up a new copy of the Auto Mart. Was flipping through and came upon Mullinax's pages, and our van was LISTED at $9800. NOT $10,800 as posted on the windshield. So when we were told they were "dropping the price to skip the negotiations" it was really the actual price the van was supposed to be.
We called immediatly and went back in the following business day. Spoke to the used car manager and was told that we "misunderstood, they were in no way in the wrong". Whatever, they dropped the price $500 and we re-did the paper work. We told the manager that if we had known the actual price we would have negotiated and that everyone knows you NEVER pay the asking price for a used vehicle...you haggle. He looked us in the face and said "there is NO chance I would have gone lower anyway" We were given a HUGE speel about how they value thier reputation and all that crap. We made our appt for the fixing of the rust spot and went home.
Later that night I got curious to see if this dealership had a website. I looked it up and sure enough it did. And guess what I found? OUR VAN LISTED FOR $9381!!! Remember now it was $10,800 on the windshield, $9800 in the Auto Mart and now $9381 on the website. It was NOT listed as a website special only listed under preowned inventory. What happened to "there is NO way I would have gone any lower"??? So if your keeping count thats 3, count them 3 different prices for the same vehicle. What kind of business are they running? I know, one where if you walk in off the street, they will LIE LIE LIE to get you to pay the highest price they can. Doesn't matter what the vehicle is listed at in PRINT or ONLINE. And when caught they will point the finger everywhere but where it should be pointing..back at them. Apparently they don't think people will catch that. So if your wanting to buy a vehicle from them you better check the Auto Mart, Online, The paper, your next door neighbor... everywhere.
For credibility I am in posession of the Auto Mart, and I also saved the screen to my computer from the online site. I also have all paperwork.
We are supposed to get the spot fixed soon, and Im scared. Im betting something else goes REALLY wrong... if everything thats happened up till now is a indicator.
Nicole
Canton, Ohio
U.S.A.
12 Updates & Rebuttals
Michael
Barnegat,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
Actually, she has a point
#13Consumer Suggestion
Sat, February 25, 2006
The original poster does have a valid point- when a price is advertised on a specific vehicle (stock or vin number in print) the dealer is obligated to honor that price on the vehicle regardless of the customer asking for it.
Mind you, this will never happen. Someone looking at a 2006 Dodge Magnum and willing to pay $25,000 won't be offered the $24,000 price in the newspaper. But if that customer came back the next day to complain about it, the dealer would have to reduce the price as it was in effect at the time of sale.
Internet advertising is still a new thing to us car dealers (we're dinosaurs). Usually the Sales Manager doesn't have clue one what the Internet Manager is putting for prices on the net... right up to the point something like this happens. From here out you can believe that particular Sales Manager will be asking the Internet dept what the numbers are for the vehicles.
I believe the advertising laws do vary from state to state, but in this I would imagine they're pretty universal. Regardless if this were put in front of a judge or arbitrator, the decision would come down in favor of the consumer.
Michael
Barnegat,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
Actually, she has a point
#13Consumer Suggestion
Sat, February 25, 2006
The original poster does have a valid point- when a price is advertised on a specific vehicle (stock or vin number in print) the dealer is obligated to honor that price on the vehicle regardless of the customer asking for it.
Mind you, this will never happen. Someone looking at a 2006 Dodge Magnum and willing to pay $25,000 won't be offered the $24,000 price in the newspaper. But if that customer came back the next day to complain about it, the dealer would have to reduce the price as it was in effect at the time of sale.
Internet advertising is still a new thing to us car dealers (we're dinosaurs). Usually the Sales Manager doesn't have clue one what the Internet Manager is putting for prices on the net... right up to the point something like this happens. From here out you can believe that particular Sales Manager will be asking the Internet dept what the numbers are for the vehicles.
I believe the advertising laws do vary from state to state, but in this I would imagine they're pretty universal. Regardless if this were put in front of a judge or arbitrator, the decision would come down in favor of the consumer.
Michael
Barnegat,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
Actually, she has a point
#13Consumer Suggestion
Sat, February 25, 2006
The original poster does have a valid point- when a price is advertised on a specific vehicle (stock or vin number in print) the dealer is obligated to honor that price on the vehicle regardless of the customer asking for it.
Mind you, this will never happen. Someone looking at a 2006 Dodge Magnum and willing to pay $25,000 won't be offered the $24,000 price in the newspaper. But if that customer came back the next day to complain about it, the dealer would have to reduce the price as it was in effect at the time of sale.
Internet advertising is still a new thing to us car dealers (we're dinosaurs). Usually the Sales Manager doesn't have clue one what the Internet Manager is putting for prices on the net... right up to the point something like this happens. From here out you can believe that particular Sales Manager will be asking the Internet dept what the numbers are for the vehicles.
I believe the advertising laws do vary from state to state, but in this I would imagine they're pretty universal. Regardless if this were put in front of a judge or arbitrator, the decision would come down in favor of the consumer.
Michael
Barnegat,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
Actually, she has a point
#13Consumer Suggestion
Sat, February 25, 2006
The original poster does have a valid point- when a price is advertised on a specific vehicle (stock or vin number in print) the dealer is obligated to honor that price on the vehicle regardless of the customer asking for it.
Mind you, this will never happen. Someone looking at a 2006 Dodge Magnum and willing to pay $25,000 won't be offered the $24,000 price in the newspaper. But if that customer came back the next day to complain about it, the dealer would have to reduce the price as it was in effect at the time of sale.
Internet advertising is still a new thing to us car dealers (we're dinosaurs). Usually the Sales Manager doesn't have clue one what the Internet Manager is putting for prices on the net... right up to the point something like this happens. From here out you can believe that particular Sales Manager will be asking the Internet dept what the numbers are for the vehicles.
I believe the advertising laws do vary from state to state, but in this I would imagine they're pretty universal. Regardless if this were put in front of a judge or arbitrator, the decision would come down in favor of the consumer.
Dave
Washington,District of Columbia,
U.S.A.
Actually, I'M the one LMAO
#13Consumer Suggestion
Fri, February 24, 2006
It wasn't me who's running around claiming they overpaid. Look, you agreed to the price. You agreed the price was fair. End of story. The dealership isn't under any obligation to make sure you see all the ads. That's your problem.
Your claim has about as much validity as people who get upset when they buy a new car and then find out they didn't get a good deal for whatever reason.
Nicole
Canton,Ohio,
U.S.A.
To answer your question
#13Author of original report
Wed, February 22, 2006
Hey maybe you also can't read LOL. The problem wasnt with the price..it was a good price for the vehicle. The problem was with the fact that they had the same freaking van listed in 3 different places for 3 different prices. The original price of the van was a good deal (The $9800). I just HATE to be lied to about what they are selling that same vehicle for in different places. NO car dealership should have 3 prices for the same vehicle. The van itself was a good deal based on KBB....but the point is that we were LIED to. SEVERAL TIMES. A consumer shouldnt have to check every single paper, every single auto mart and every single online used car listing to make sure the dealership isnt selling the thing for cheaper on there. The price is the price is the price. Or maybe you just didnt read that part LMAO.
Nicole
Canton,Ohio,
U.S.A.
To answer your question
#13Author of original report
Wed, February 22, 2006
Hey maybe you also can't read LOL. The problem wasnt with the price..it was a good price for the vehicle. The problem was with the fact that they had the same freaking van listed in 3 different places for 3 different prices. The original price of the van was a good deal (The $9800). I just HATE to be lied to about what they are selling that same vehicle for in different places. NO car dealership should have 3 prices for the same vehicle. The van itself was a good deal based on KBB....but the point is that we were LIED to. SEVERAL TIMES. A consumer shouldnt have to check every single paper, every single auto mart and every single online used car listing to make sure the dealership isnt selling the thing for cheaper on there. The price is the price is the price. Or maybe you just didnt read that part LMAO.
Nicole
Canton,Ohio,
U.S.A.
To answer your question
#13Author of original report
Wed, February 22, 2006
Hey maybe you also can't read LOL. The problem wasnt with the price..it was a good price for the vehicle. The problem was with the fact that they had the same freaking van listed in 3 different places for 3 different prices. The original price of the van was a good deal (The $9800). I just HATE to be lied to about what they are selling that same vehicle for in different places. NO car dealership should have 3 prices for the same vehicle. The van itself was a good deal based on KBB....but the point is that we were LIED to. SEVERAL TIMES. A consumer shouldnt have to check every single paper, every single auto mart and every single online used car listing to make sure the dealership isnt selling the thing for cheaper on there. The price is the price is the price. Or maybe you just didnt read that part LMAO.
Nicole
Canton,Ohio,
U.S.A.
To answer your question
#13Author of original report
Wed, February 22, 2006
Hey maybe you also can't read LOL. The problem wasnt with the price..it was a good price for the vehicle. The problem was with the fact that they had the same freaking van listed in 3 different places for 3 different prices. The original price of the van was a good deal (The $9800). I just HATE to be lied to about what they are selling that same vehicle for in different places. NO car dealership should have 3 prices for the same vehicle. The van itself was a good deal based on KBB....but the point is that we were LIED to. SEVERAL TIMES. A consumer shouldnt have to check every single paper, every single auto mart and every single online used car listing to make sure the dealership isnt selling the thing for cheaper on there. The price is the price is the price. Or maybe you just didnt read that part LMAO.
Dave
Washington,District of Columbia,
U.S.A.
Do your research BEFORE you buy
#13Consumer Suggestion
Wed, February 22, 2006
Nicole, I do not disagree that car dealers can be shifty characters, but you need to do your pricing research BEFORE you step foot in the dealership. Never "impulse buy" a car. How on earth can you spend that kind of money on something without doing a bit of research? I bet you look around before you buy a TV, a dishwasher, a sofa, etc., so why not with a car, even if it is a used car???? FURTHERMORE, as with all used cars, you should absolutely, positively have it checked out with a THIRD PARTY before you purchase it. Even dealership cars.
It just boggles my mind to read all the stories in this website about people who just wander in and buy a vehicle without doing any research or having the vehicle checked by a third party. People just seemed to get sucked into this process and lose all common sense.
Dave
Washington,District of Columbia,
U.S.A.
Do your research BEFORE you buy
#13Consumer Suggestion
Wed, February 22, 2006
Nicole, I do not disagree that car dealers can be shifty characters, but you need to do your pricing research BEFORE you step foot in the dealership. Never "impulse buy" a car. How on earth can you spend that kind of money on something without doing a bit of research? I bet you look around before you buy a TV, a dishwasher, a sofa, etc., so why not with a car, even if it is a used car???? FURTHERMORE, as with all used cars, you should absolutely, positively have it checked out with a THIRD PARTY before you purchase it. Even dealership cars.
It just boggles my mind to read all the stories in this website about people who just wander in and buy a vehicle without doing any research or having the vehicle checked by a third party. People just seemed to get sucked into this process and lose all common sense.
Dave
Washington,District of Columbia,
U.S.A.
Do your research BEFORE you buy
#13Consumer Suggestion
Wed, February 22, 2006
Nicole, I do not disagree that car dealers can be shifty characters, but you need to do your pricing research BEFORE you step foot in the dealership. Never "impulse buy" a car. How on earth can you spend that kind of money on something without doing a bit of research? I bet you look around before you buy a TV, a dishwasher, a sofa, etc., so why not with a car, even if it is a used car???? FURTHERMORE, as with all used cars, you should absolutely, positively have it checked out with a THIRD PARTY before you purchase it. Even dealership cars.
It just boggles my mind to read all the stories in this website about people who just wander in and buy a vehicle without doing any research or having the vehicle checked by a third party. People just seemed to get sucked into this process and lose all common sense.