UNBELIEVABLY AWFUL (attempt at) PURCHASE EXPERIENCE! I have price alerts for [loads of specific criteria] for a full-size SUV I’ve been searching for, on and off for well over a year. After a price drop triggered my Autotrader alerts, I quickly called and spoke with a sales associate to purchase the vehicle (2015 GMC Yukon XL Denali). I verified THIS SPECIFIC vehicle’s VIN specs, pictures & details on SIX different websites (CarGurus, Edmunds, and 3 different “Parks Auto Group” sites.)
Sales rep (Hunter) took my call (within minutes of the alert), and after a verbal agreement for full-price, he agreed to remove the “for sale” sign, and said we’d finish paperwork in the morning (just closed minutes earlier; Thurs). I told him I’ve had multiple people break promises to me in the past over similar vehicles (including being in transit with cash for pick up, multiple times) and told him how upset I’d be if other offers were taken or the vehicle was sold, after my full price offer was taken.
I continued to follow purchasing procedures, as I have countless times in the past: (financing approval from Cap1/Chase, add to insurance, schedule DMV appt; booked for weeks out, etc). That evening (still seeing the vehicle advertised on multiple partnering sites) I made an inquiry online and received communication from another sales rep (Priscilla) who said “the vehicle is still available”. I replied to both her and Hunter, reiterating that I already made a full-price agreement to purchase.
Fast forward to day 2: I get a call back from Hunter saying “Apologies, my manager said we actually can’t ‘hold’ the vehicle for you (while waiting for financing, pickup, etc). To this I stated: “No problem! I can pay it cash, in-full!“. Then I’m told “Actually, the vehicle was priced wrong and can’t be sold.” BULL CRAP!! I asked to speak with the manager giving that info (lot Mgr; Steve) who went on to tell me “it also hasn’t been through our inspection/service center yet.” WTH?! WHY IS IT LISTED ON 6 SITES?
Not letting up, I’m promised a call back from a later that day (Fri) with findings and a price. I received an SMS text message at 6PM EST from GSM (Cedrick) saying a personal matter came up, and he’d call out to me tomorrow. I was displeased at this, but still agreed to wait (more). I sent a detailed message response to Cedrick proposing scheduled times, but after not getting anything set in stone, simply coordinated a time window for me calling back (Sat @ 6PM EST).
The 48-hour wait for the call from Cedrick (the Service Manager of the Buick/GMC office) was a HUGE WASTE OF TIME. After asking his findings, he stated simply “I don’t know what you’re wanting - I just know what I can sell the car for…“. He gave only excuses to my (multiple) mentions over-promise / under-delivery. (NOTE: He never stated a price on the call; not once!). He then goes on to repeatedly bellow: “READ THE T&C’S ON OUR WEBSITE!” before stating “No need to call me back; AMERICAN DREAM!” and HUNG UP THE PHONE ON ME! (This is a Service Mgr?!)
I called back to another one of (the 6) Parks Auto Group dealerships, voiced my need for an escalation, and requested an email for an administrator. I was provided with 2 emails, and was told they were top-level officials. I cc’d them an 8-paragraph play-by-play of the four representatives, sent 2 LIVE screen/voiceover captures of the sites on Loom video recordings, and requested AGAIN to purchase the vehicle for full-price. This was EOD Saturday.
I received no responses later Saturday, and offices are closed Sundays. However, it did show the video recordings were watched; so at least someone is monitoring (although not acknowledging). Since this wasn’t resolved, it flowed into Monday morning. The call back was from Kevin, the GM of the location with the vehicle in question; also the immediate supervisor to Cedrick (prior). Kevin was more professional, and said he’d follow later in the day, following an inspection and assessment of the vehicle.
Within a few hours, I received some photos from Kevin (of light cosmetic damage on a front fender) for disclosure - I affirmed the damage was minimal/not a concern (I’d happily take it un-fixed). Kevin followed up a couple hours later and stated - “So, the vehicle didn’t pass our inspection, isn’t worth it to us to repair/resell, and we’re not willing to sell it through the dealership w/a guarantee.” To this my response was “FINE. I have a DEALER’S LICENSE and will purchase it AS-IS, IN CASH!“. Kevin plainly refused.
(Keep in mind I’m 96+ hours into this project):
I’m now escalated to the COO of the Parks Auto Group - Larry Phelps. Larry was certainly the most professional Official I spoke to, and I told him from the start that ‘I was gracious for his time, and apologized it had to reach him’. We both reiterated 30 minutes of talking points, and Larry promised an answer/price before end of day. GREAT!
Larry promptly reached out to me later with his findings/offer in compromise, which was as follows: “ OK Ryan, so the ACV (actual cash value) of this SUV is ~$28K. That stated, it didn’t pass our inspection, and we aren’t interested in repairing/recertifying it. Our cash offer (using my dealers license) would be $26,800.00”. Goes on to iterate: “It simply doesn’t make sense for us to sell it to you (for less), when it can sell for more (undisclosed of problems) at auction”. [Isn’t that - SO ETHICALLY S#!++Y - after all this NONSENSE?!]
What a LOAD OF BULL$#!+. ! (One of my business mentors is an nationally acclaimed industry sales training Professional - and after reading/listening/reviewing to my points (jointly), he advised me to SUE THEM! Epic - I wish I had the time). Here’s the bottom-line about Parks Auto Group, out of the Carolina’s:
BAIT & SWITCH - FALSE ADVERTISING!!! Listed price is “haven’t cleared inspections, can’t be held, don’t take deposits, price isn’t correct…” TOTAL FRIGGIN’ JOKE!! 5 reps made 20+ excuses, countless apologies, gate-guarded by three STUPERvisors , and wasted over 4.5 hours in total, over a five day period. ZERO ACCOUNTABILITY - DIRTY ROTTEN $$$ TACTICS!!
Robert
Irvine,#2Consumer Comment
Wed, April 07, 2021
Oh yes, the Typical "Oh you must work for them". Well sorry to burst your bubble but I am just a member of the public and do not work for them or any dealer. I'm not even in the same state. Just like you can post a report, this site allows the PUBLIC to post comments on the reports to ask for clarification when things don't really make sense. As for how I found your report..again if you look at the top of this site it has a link called "Latest Reports", and yours just happen to pop up near the top.
You never did answer the question of why this was so different than the other cases where everyone seemed to screw you over the last year. It seems like you would have been more of a claim with the person who pulled out of the deal when you were en route with the money than a person over a few phone conversations. When from your own posts it seems as if you may have been the one trying to string them along and making things difficult.
Your "Trainer" is also an interesting situation. For someone who says they are not a true dealer, it seems odd that one of your mentors would be an Industry(Dealer?) Sales training professional that just happens to be on the payroll of this dealer.
Now with someone who apparently has a lot of business interests and 10+ cars you must have at least one attorney on your payroll. It would be very interesting to see what they said when you gave them the details.
Ryan
Clearwater,#3Author of original report
Tue, April 06, 2021
Robert, I’m so thankful you took the time to quickly file a rebuttal to this complaint. It’s quite amazing how are you guys are able to respond SAME DAY to a complaint on here, but are happy to let it drag out multiple days, while variety of excuses and damage control efforts are concocted, while others wait. Moving on to answer your accusations: Truly - Only after the past two (outrageous) incidents happening and sharing with others - I decided it privy to seek guidance/assistance, after it was (coincidentally) publicly offered to an inner circle of friends. The "industry professional" in question is FACTUALLY a consulting/training company owner, who was RETAINED BY YOUR AUTO GROUP, recorded in the ledger with Larry Phelps (COO) name on it! Larry said he recalled on the phone - CANT MAKE IT UP!!!
Moving onto your presumption about the dealers license; it’s not for that at all. It’s just a tool that makes sense to have when you own 10+ cars, and various businesses with shared assets. Historically, we purchase vehicles with a 4-year aftermarket warranty (one of several add-on options inquired about during my purchase attempts). We promptly sell them at that expiration of 4 yrs; capping our maintenance at around $500/annually. Strategic business practices - you guys probably wouldn’t follow… You are correct that they posted screenshots Showcase nothing more than [missing tooling for proper business communication], and [lack of professionalism from staff]. What would be definitive and binding would be : Subpoenaed evidence of verbal Contracts stated by phone, and print/digital media captured from multiple Internet sites.
GOOD THING I have ALL of that as well, AND I am certain that type of stuff DOES hold up in a court of law.  As stated in the original proclamation, my goal wasn’t to waste time suing people; albeit the advice from the most powerful people I know. However, after receiving this snide response and you guys feeling so matter of factly - LEGGO! You’ll have paperwork in the next week! Wrong bear to poke.
Robert
Irvine,#4Consumer Comment
Tue, April 06, 2021
So did your "Industry Professional" Friend also tell you to sue all of the other people who reneged on their deals over the last year? Especially the one who did it while you were en route with cash in hand? Since you are a dealer (You have a Dealers's License) do you also make it common practice to sue someone if they come to you to buy a car and they change their mind?
Nothing in the messages you posted indicates any sort of binding contract. In fact, the only thing they seemed to show is that basically, you kept pushing him to talk to you, and then started to blow him off making him work around your schedule.
Why are you so willing to pay full price and not only that but buy it "As-Is"? If you are going to turn around and sell it aren't you doing your customer a disservice by possibly selling them a truck(that you have to sell over "value" to make any profit) with huge issues? If you aren't going to resell it then why bring up that you have a dealer's license?
Seems like you are leaving a few things out.