Complaint Review: Mac Churchill Acura - Fort Worth Texas

My family was in the used car business before I was born.  I was raised around used car dealer and thought I had seen it all until walking into this place. 

My son had been dealing with a salesman, Nik for a couple of weeks prior to going into the dealership.  He was up front and honest about his credit issues, had provided his credit app and had picked out the vehicle he was to purchase.  According to Nik, everything was okay and he just had to come in and sign the paperwork.  I went with him since we were going to attempt to trade in my truck.  Immediately upon getting to the dealership, Nik handed us off to another salesman because he was so "busy" and had several deals already going on.  He handed us over to a sleaze bag.   I had him pegged about 2 second after shaking his hand.  I knew the type (remember I grew up around these people). 

They took the keys to the trade-in, went and drove it and came back and said they could only give us $3k (so low ball, but whatever).  So no trade in.  Then he refuses to even let my son look at the truck he came to purchase but brings another truck, the same make and model (with less options) than the one we were trying to trade in, just 2 years newer, but with the same high mileage.  The whole point was to get a better truck, not a different version.  Then he informs us this magical truck that is basically the same as ours costs $22k (remember our trade in was only worth $3k). So I get on KBB and top value for the truck is $18k with about half the mileage and the better options package.   Suggested retail in the condition they had was no more than $16k.  When I point this out he got a little irritated with me but "went back to the manager".  Remember, we don't even want this truck and my son repeated asked to see the truck he was there for. 

Salesman comes back and miraculously the price drops to $18k and he tells us that they are "in too deep" to the other truck and can't get the price low enough so it has to be this one.  I ask for the keys to my truck back.  He ignores me.  Starts repeatedly asking me to co-sign which we have both adamantly told him is NOT going to happen.  Been there done that - big problem.  He then proceeds to ask my son, in front of me, why I won't co-sign for him when I did for my other son (the trade-in I brought).  Seriously, right in front of me. 

So proceeds the back and forth with the "I have to talk to my manager" I asked for the key to my truck back multiple times, continue to get ignored.  They bring around another truck that has just been traded in and is completely trashed on the interior.  Since my son works in the oilfield that's not his biggest concern.  He (ridiculously) decides he'll buy it and since its not ready they ask him for a depoist.  (during one of the back and forth's with the manager they actually have my son give them his debit card to "prove" that he serious about putting a down payment down). 

By this time we have our first salesman Nick back because after being kept there for 4 hours and denied getting my keys back, I stood up and told them if I didn't get them back I was calling the police.  Magically they appeared along with Nick. 

Nick rides with my son to the ATM to get $500 cash (yes apparently this was necessary so we didn't leave without them getting the money even though he signed no purchase documents).  There is a list of fixes to be done to the truck so a couple of days go by before its ready which Nick repeated, in front of me the first time, assued us with absolutely be taken care of before it was delivered). 

Son goes in when they call and say its ready and they immediately tell him that the bank is now requiring a co-signer.  Talked his friend into co-signing (both idiots - they should have walked away).  Sign loan paperwork which they refuse to provide him with a copy of (they mail it supposedly).  This was July 2nd. 

Flash forward to July 23 when they call the co-signer and tell him they need more paperwork from him, which he supplies.  Come Monday, they are telling my son he needs to bring the truck back b/c the bank turned down the loan, however, my son has already gotten his letter from the finance company saying his loan was approved.  He calls the bank, they say the loan is funded and his first payment is due on Aug. 6.  He tells Nick, Nick says bring truck and paperwork from bank and they will "talk". 

Its 26 days after the purchase and they still haven't provided copies of anything that was signed except a purchase order.  No loan docs.  Loan company is going to fax them to us and is very upset they weren't already provided.  They have told my son that there is nothing further needed and they see no reason to return the truck.  In the meantime, Nick is calling and telling my son that they are "sending a wrecker to get the truck and he will not get his $2500 down payment back".  He refused to let my son talk to anyone at the dealership over the phone. 

From everything we can determine, if they take the truck back it will be considered a "repo" and go against his credit.  In 40+ years of dealing with some of the most crooked dealers, including a few "tote the notes", I have never seen anything like this.  I highly recommend you stay away from this dealer at all costs.  

From the bait and switch tactics with the vehicles, the pressure for more money down and co-signers, to the total lack of respect from the 2nd salesman and frankly, the feeling of being held against my will, I will be making sure to put the word out there that this dealership is to be avoided.  I used to have some respect for Mac Churchill, but if this is the way he is letting his dealerships be run now, that's lost.