- Report: #1152805
Complaint Review: Smith Company Motor Cars - Charleston West Virginia
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Smith Company Motor Cars
5 Dudley Farms Lane Charleston, 25309 West Virginia, USA
Phone:
888-707-1189
Web:
www.smithcars.com
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Smith Company Motor Cars Mike Smith Expensive Hidden Damage Charleston West Virginia
It took three weeks to buy a 2011 Chrysler 200 hardtop convertible from them. First the salesman (Josh) wouldn't get back to me. I had communicated through text messages but he said he lost my number. Finally transferred to Mr. Mike Smith who assured me he sold cars the old fashioned way.
I live out of state so he offered to meet me halfway. I was amazed and agreed. Then he said it would cost me $600 and the delivery driver would give me the papers to sign and they would notarize them later. Red flag! I said to forget it I would drive there. He assured me the car was in great condition, was a local trade in and had no problems. I arranged to meet him, drove over 300 miles, then was told Mr. Smith was not there that day. Stephen filled in and we do not complain about him.
We have a huge complaint about the condition of the car. I can now see why he wanted to meet me to pawn this car off on me in the dark. The inside of the wheel was bent and had to be replaced, a part needed to align the wheel needs to be replaced, the hardtop convertible leaks and has to be taken to a body shop, $500 worth of parts will fix the convertible top, which are not covered by warranty.
Also the sale was delayed because two recall items had to be fixed first, which were not fixed, so they sold a car with active recalls that were not taken care of. I was also told he ordered a second key and an owner's manual, which is still not here two months later. When I emailed him to ask if he really ordered them he will not answer my emails.
I did not know doing business the old fashioned way meant he would cheat and lie to me. My only recourse is to warn others not to trust them.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
SaraR
Tennessee,Promises, promises
#2Author of original report
Sat, June 07, 2014
Obviously when buying a used car minor repairs are anticipated; however, I only buy used cars from dealers because there is the expectation that they have examined the car to ensure it is roadworthy. The car was priced less than many others, which led me to drive that far and the damage to it was not visible in a normal test drive. With only 18,000 miles and a clean Carfax report, I wrongly trusted that Smith Motor Company was a reputable dealership when he told me the car was in great condition.
Inept salesmen are also expected, so once I was transferred to Mr. Smith I hoped I was dealing with a more responsible person. Regardless, the complaint I made against him, unethical (and illegal) business practices such as planning to notarize paperwork that a person signed while in another state prompted me to drive there to take care of the paperwork the right way.
Also making arrangements to meet a customer when he knew he would not be there (he was at a conference/convention type gathering) did work out for me because Stephen was a really nice salesman that took over. Additionally, Mr. Smith delayed my purchase because recalls needed to be taken care of, understandable, but they were not fixed.
Also we were told he had already ordered the owner's manual and key, that have not been sent. What prompted me to write this report, though, was that when I tried to ask him about the manual and key he does not reply to my email. Bad business practices all around, and as I stated, my only recourse is to tell others to beware.
Jim
Florida,One Simple, Quick Question
#3Consumer Comment
Sat, June 07, 2014
To borrow a phrase from you, "RED FLAG". OK, you had some reservations about this deal right from the start. On top of that, you very clearly said they were stringing you along at first and not treating you right. So my question is: Why did you move forward with this purchase? Since you agreed to buy this car without being able to fully check out, how is THAT FACT the dealer's problem? You agreed to it!!!
