- Report: #381776
Complaint Review: Advantage Chevrolet - Hodgkins Illinois
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Advantage Chevrolet
9510 West Joliet Road Hodgkins, 60525 Illinois, U.S.A.
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708-352-2400
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Advantage Chevrolet - Jim Galbraith - Jason Roberts - Jessica Hermosillo - Desmond Roberts - Victor Aguilar - Steve Nunez Used Car Hodgkins Illinois
The following has been copied from my Chicago BBB report:
--Me-- The e-mail quote I had received from Jim Galbraith was $13,972 on June 4th. When I spoke to him over the phone the next day he said that was his mistake, but he would honor the price. We agreed that I would come to the dealership that saturday and come pick up the car (I am from Indianapolis). I asked him if I needed to leave a deposit, and he said, "That won't be necessary, if you say you will be in saturday to pick it up, I'll take your word for it." I called back the next day to the dealership to get details on how to get to the dealership on saturday and spoke to another salesperson (Jessica) who at the time told me the car in question was actually still "available". I promptly told her that it should not be available because I was to come in saturday to pick it up. She was unaware of that, and at that time I had demanded to leave a deposit. She quoted me the price of $14,572 at that time, and I had promptly corrected her stating that Jim Galbraith had quoted me at $13,972 and she accepted the fact. A bit later I was going to leave my deposit, they wanted $1500 but I could not come up with that at this time without switching some monies around so I had offered to leave $500 deposit and after some discussions with his supervisor, Victor Aguilar did return and take my payment information. Victor later called me with the confirmation and receipt information.
The next day I had called the dealership back to see about getting a pickup from O'Hare airport because none of my friends or family were available to drive me on saturday. I had spoke to Victor at this time and he said arrangements would be made just give him the flight information. Ultimately, on saturday, I had made it to the dealership and we looked at the car and took it for a drive. Everything seemed fine at that time as everyone involved in this deal refered to this vehicle as "clean" and that it had "nothing at all wrong with it". When we were finished outside the paperwork began to come in and I was to fill it all out. I was told even though I brought my own money, that "by law" I was required to fill out a credit application. So I filled out a credit application and more paperwork came. I asked at this time where was the bill of sale to make sure that I got my price and no "extras" were put on there. Victor brought the rest of the paperwork to me and it showed the price of $14,572. I immediately turned it away showing him the e-mail offer that I had received and accepted. Victor went to his supervisor Steve Nunez and returned to me stating that they could not honor this price (the reason eludes me at this time). I then called Jim Galbraith (who I find out does not operate out of this store) and tell him the deal I am getting right now and how I am not happy with it. He told me to put Steve Nunez on the phone and I told him that I was calling from my mobile and I don't know where this Steve Nunez is, perhaps you can call him right now in his office. At this time Victor returns with Steve Nunez and I am told that they can no longer sell this car at that price and that I was recorded through several phone conversations accepting the price of $14,572. I had asked to hear these recordings, as I only recall correcting Jessica's mistake on our first conversation. These were not made available to me.
Soon after this, Jason Roberts comes by (I believe he is over Steve Nunez) and talks to me regarding the $600 markup stating again that the price I was quoted was only good for that day. I was not happy and at this point I am here for about 3 hours already. I told everyone within earshot from me that I guess I will just take the deal because I can't very well walk 200 miles home and they had me over a barrel. I said that I felt stuck and there was nothing I could do but pay the extra money. Ultimately I filled out the rest of the paperwork and paid what I had left and left back for Indianapolis with my car. I will begin a new complaint for what I found defective since
--I, Jason Roberts General Sales Manager, personally spoke with Mr. Robert Wilson regarding the adjustment that was made to the price. What I explained to Robert was we had to do additional repairs to the vehicle. The costs of those repairs were approxiamately $600 and we proceeded to update our website with the adjusted sale price, reflecting the additional expense. I explained to Robert that I would be more than happy to show him what services were performed to the vehicle, which we proceeded to do, and said that if he was not satisfied with the adjusted price we would understand if he did not want to continue through with the purchase. His response, when I proposed this to him was "I have been looking for this particular make and model for quite some time and even with your new pricing you are between $1600 - $1800 less than my local dealers." Mr. Wilson, at that point, made the decision to purchase the vehicle, therefore we consider the transaction final.--
--Me-- I was handed a paper immediately before leaving the dealership with some numbers typed on it (referring to some costs) with vague itemization. And written on this paper (in marker) was 4 items including brake adjustment, detailing, oil change, and paint touch up. The vehicle pictured in the ad, and as described by my original contact Jim Galbraith was like new, without any dings or scratches. I saw several pictures of this car before I committed to the purchase. The car presented was obviously not in need of any body work or touch up paint at all so we can conclude that the vehicle with the advertised VIN at the agreed upon price was in fact in great shape at the time we did agree on the price (possibly after you did your so called work on it). I would ask if there was such a change in the money you had in this vehicle, why would you advertise at agreed upon price? You told me that the car was on special and the day I received the quote was the last day of that price (nobody seemed to mention this before I arrived at your dealership). You, Jason Roberts, are perhaps the best fast-talker I have ever encountered. While I admit that I have been looking for this type of vehicle for a while, I think also in that very same breath, that you all had me "over the barrel" and that you can go ahead and charge me what you want because I was in fact stuck there now.
Let's review:
1. Brake adjustment at 4500 miles are under warrantee.
2. Oil Changes are at most 35.00 parts and labor
3. Your detailing consisted of some armor all in the interior of the vehicle and possibly a car wash
4. Any body repair/painting was performed before you placed the ad on cars.com (unless this was actually another car in which case I suppose we can call this case a bait and switch)
I am positive we can recall that ad and have it as evidence in this case, as I know that I have kept all documentation pertaining to it. Including my quote from Jim Galbraith (a signed e-mail is considered a binding contract in your state and many others).
Jason Roberts, if the $600 is not remitted to me at this time, I believe we should just head into arbitration (I have the kind of time needed just to make a point so people know how crooked your dealership can be). You need to understand that not everyone in the general population are idiots and some of us actually know more about your business than you. Shame on Advantage Chevrolet for taking "Advantage" of an out-of-towner.
--Jason Roberts--
Mr. Robert Wilson emailed Jim Galbraith on June 3, 2007 with an interest in the 2007 Honda Fit. Jim Galbraith replied to Mr. Wilson on June 4th with pricing of $13,972 and information regarding the vehicle and making an appointment. The vehicle's price was adjusted on June 5th. The price was adjusted due to additional expenses the vehicle needed. Mr. Wilson then called on June 7th and spoke to Jessica Hermosillo with questions about directions. Ms. Hermosillo gave him direction along with the new price of $14,572. Mr. Wilson later called to ask for a ride from the airport to the dealership to make the purchase. Mr. Wilson came in and purchased the vehicle on June 8, 2007. He was told about the adjustment to the price of the vehicle and was offered to see the repairs made to the vehicle. He was also informed that both Jim Galbraith and Jessica Hermosillo are not at liberty to accept any offers in regards to pricing. The final purchase price is solely up to the sales manager. Mr. Robert Wilson understood this and continued with the purchase of the 2007 Honda Fit. Based on the facts, Mr. Wilson's purchase is final. All purchases made at Advantage Chevrolet are in good faith. Sincerely, Jason Roberts General Sales Manager--
--Me-- Basically, Jason Roberts names himself judge, jury, and executioner. He may be the sales manager of that company, but that does not mean that he is correct in his dealings. If it is Advantage Chevrolet's policy to bilk people out of $600 at a time, then fine, I submit to their policy, I guess its buyer beware. But indeed, if that is their policy, I would expect the BBB of Chicago to out them to the public. Please either have this case escalated, or make a decision in these regards. Thank you, Robert Wilson.
In the end, I wound up with a car which was not as clean as the report I was handed, this car had been in a collision and some windows and mirrors did not function. I took this car to my local Honda shop and they stated they could not warrantee this car because it had been in a collision and they showed me the internal damage.
When I notified Advantage Chevrolet of this problem, they told me that they did not know it had been in a collision (I cannot prove that the repairs were made there, but they didn't hesitate to tell me that they did a paintjob on the car because of it)
It's been over a year, the car is still running (thankfully) but the taste in my mouth is still bitter because of all this situation with shady dealers. The BBB report basically ended with them telling me to go to arbitration (which initially I would have but I got a new job) so on that end I could not follow through.
Robert
Indianapolis, Indiana
U.S.A.
--Me-- The e-mail quote I had received from Jim Galbraith was $13,972 on June 4th. When I spoke to him over the phone the next day he said that was his mistake, but he would honor the price. We agreed that I would come to the dealership that saturday and come pick up the car (I am from Indianapolis). I asked him if I needed to leave a deposit, and he said, "That won't be necessary, if you say you will be in saturday to pick it up, I'll take your word for it." I called back the next day to the dealership to get details on how to get to the dealership on saturday and spoke to another salesperson (Jessica) who at the time told me the car in question was actually still "available". I promptly told her that it should not be available because I was to come in saturday to pick it up. She was unaware of that, and at that time I had demanded to leave a deposit. She quoted me the price of $14,572 at that time, and I had promptly corrected her stating that Jim Galbraith had quoted me at $13,972 and she accepted the fact. A bit later I was going to leave my deposit, they wanted $1500 but I could not come up with that at this time without switching some monies around so I had offered to leave $500 deposit and after some discussions with his supervisor, Victor Aguilar did return and take my payment information. Victor later called me with the confirmation and receipt information.
The next day I had called the dealership back to see about getting a pickup from O'Hare airport because none of my friends or family were available to drive me on saturday. I had spoke to Victor at this time and he said arrangements would be made just give him the flight information. Ultimately, on saturday, I had made it to the dealership and we looked at the car and took it for a drive. Everything seemed fine at that time as everyone involved in this deal refered to this vehicle as "clean" and that it had "nothing at all wrong with it". When we were finished outside the paperwork began to come in and I was to fill it all out. I was told even though I brought my own money, that "by law" I was required to fill out a credit application. So I filled out a credit application and more paperwork came. I asked at this time where was the bill of sale to make sure that I got my price and no "extras" were put on there. Victor brought the rest of the paperwork to me and it showed the price of $14,572. I immediately turned it away showing him the e-mail offer that I had received and accepted. Victor went to his supervisor Steve Nunez and returned to me stating that they could not honor this price (the reason eludes me at this time). I then called Jim Galbraith (who I find out does not operate out of this store) and tell him the deal I am getting right now and how I am not happy with it. He told me to put Steve Nunez on the phone and I told him that I was calling from my mobile and I don't know where this Steve Nunez is, perhaps you can call him right now in his office. At this time Victor returns with Steve Nunez and I am told that they can no longer sell this car at that price and that I was recorded through several phone conversations accepting the price of $14,572. I had asked to hear these recordings, as I only recall correcting Jessica's mistake on our first conversation. These were not made available to me.
Soon after this, Jason Roberts comes by (I believe he is over Steve Nunez) and talks to me regarding the $600 markup stating again that the price I was quoted was only good for that day. I was not happy and at this point I am here for about 3 hours already. I told everyone within earshot from me that I guess I will just take the deal because I can't very well walk 200 miles home and they had me over a barrel. I said that I felt stuck and there was nothing I could do but pay the extra money. Ultimately I filled out the rest of the paperwork and paid what I had left and left back for Indianapolis with my car. I will begin a new complaint for what I found defective since
--I, Jason Roberts General Sales Manager, personally spoke with Mr. Robert Wilson regarding the adjustment that was made to the price. What I explained to Robert was we had to do additional repairs to the vehicle. The costs of those repairs were approxiamately $600 and we proceeded to update our website with the adjusted sale price, reflecting the additional expense. I explained to Robert that I would be more than happy to show him what services were performed to the vehicle, which we proceeded to do, and said that if he was not satisfied with the adjusted price we would understand if he did not want to continue through with the purchase. His response, when I proposed this to him was "I have been looking for this particular make and model for quite some time and even with your new pricing you are between $1600 - $1800 less than my local dealers." Mr. Wilson, at that point, made the decision to purchase the vehicle, therefore we consider the transaction final.--
--Me-- I was handed a paper immediately before leaving the dealership with some numbers typed on it (referring to some costs) with vague itemization. And written on this paper (in marker) was 4 items including brake adjustment, detailing, oil change, and paint touch up. The vehicle pictured in the ad, and as described by my original contact Jim Galbraith was like new, without any dings or scratches. I saw several pictures of this car before I committed to the purchase. The car presented was obviously not in need of any body work or touch up paint at all so we can conclude that the vehicle with the advertised VIN at the agreed upon price was in fact in great shape at the time we did agree on the price (possibly after you did your so called work on it). I would ask if there was such a change in the money you had in this vehicle, why would you advertise at agreed upon price? You told me that the car was on special and the day I received the quote was the last day of that price (nobody seemed to mention this before I arrived at your dealership). You, Jason Roberts, are perhaps the best fast-talker I have ever encountered. While I admit that I have been looking for this type of vehicle for a while, I think also in that very same breath, that you all had me "over the barrel" and that you can go ahead and charge me what you want because I was in fact stuck there now.
Let's review:
1. Brake adjustment at 4500 miles are under warrantee.
2. Oil Changes are at most 35.00 parts and labor
3. Your detailing consisted of some armor all in the interior of the vehicle and possibly a car wash
4. Any body repair/painting was performed before you placed the ad on cars.com (unless this was actually another car in which case I suppose we can call this case a bait and switch)
I am positive we can recall that ad and have it as evidence in this case, as I know that I have kept all documentation pertaining to it. Including my quote from Jim Galbraith (a signed e-mail is considered a binding contract in your state and many others).
Jason Roberts, if the $600 is not remitted to me at this time, I believe we should just head into arbitration (I have the kind of time needed just to make a point so people know how crooked your dealership can be). You need to understand that not everyone in the general population are idiots and some of us actually know more about your business than you. Shame on Advantage Chevrolet for taking "Advantage" of an out-of-towner.
--Jason Roberts--
Mr. Robert Wilson emailed Jim Galbraith on June 3, 2007 with an interest in the 2007 Honda Fit. Jim Galbraith replied to Mr. Wilson on June 4th with pricing of $13,972 and information regarding the vehicle and making an appointment. The vehicle's price was adjusted on June 5th. The price was adjusted due to additional expenses the vehicle needed. Mr. Wilson then called on June 7th and spoke to Jessica Hermosillo with questions about directions. Ms. Hermosillo gave him direction along with the new price of $14,572. Mr. Wilson later called to ask for a ride from the airport to the dealership to make the purchase. Mr. Wilson came in and purchased the vehicle on June 8, 2007. He was told about the adjustment to the price of the vehicle and was offered to see the repairs made to the vehicle. He was also informed that both Jim Galbraith and Jessica Hermosillo are not at liberty to accept any offers in regards to pricing. The final purchase price is solely up to the sales manager. Mr. Robert Wilson understood this and continued with the purchase of the 2007 Honda Fit. Based on the facts, Mr. Wilson's purchase is final. All purchases made at Advantage Chevrolet are in good faith. Sincerely, Jason Roberts General Sales Manager--
--Me-- Basically, Jason Roberts names himself judge, jury, and executioner. He may be the sales manager of that company, but that does not mean that he is correct in his dealings. If it is Advantage Chevrolet's policy to bilk people out of $600 at a time, then fine, I submit to their policy, I guess its buyer beware. But indeed, if that is their policy, I would expect the BBB of Chicago to out them to the public. Please either have this case escalated, or make a decision in these regards. Thank you, Robert Wilson.
In the end, I wound up with a car which was not as clean as the report I was handed, this car had been in a collision and some windows and mirrors did not function. I took this car to my local Honda shop and they stated they could not warrantee this car because it had been in a collision and they showed me the internal damage.
When I notified Advantage Chevrolet of this problem, they told me that they did not know it had been in a collision (I cannot prove that the repairs were made there, but they didn't hesitate to tell me that they did a paintjob on the car because of it)
It's been over a year, the car is still running (thankfully) but the taste in my mouth is still bitter because of all this situation with shady dealers. The BBB report basically ended with them telling me to go to arbitration (which initially I would have but I got a new job) so on that end I could not follow through.
Robert
Indianapolis, Indiana
U.S.A.
