Complaint Review: Orange Park Dodge - Orange Park Florida

I went in to this dealership to look at a new car and do a test drive.  The salesman was nice and helpful but when the test drive was over I went in to let them give me some quotes. 

The salesman gave way to a guy named "Joe" who appeared as the classic shifty salesman we all know about.  They wanted to look at my truck as a trade, but I had someone with me who stayed at the dealership while I was gone, and as soon as I was out of the lot on the test drive, they started skulking around my truck, looking inside and outside of it. I didn't mention it at the time but they asked for my keys so they could get the mileage.  After this, Joe returned but did not have my keys.  I asked for them and indicated I was leaving for awhile and would be back to get his quote, or he could call me with it.  They ignored the key question and implored me to give them just a minute to work up my quote.  I told the salesman I was leaving for awhile and he said I had to tell that to Joe because "they won't let me let anyone leave the dealership." 

Several minutes later Joe returned with a piece of paper that had some numbers on it.  It had a large price circled with "+ tax, tag, fees, and payoff" written under it.  I quickly did the math and realized the offer wasn't so good.  They would not list the amount for the trade, their fees, or the sale price of the car after rebates.  I thanked them for their time and got up to leave, but Joe began crying about all his wasted time and what was wrong with deal and all that crap.  I ignored him and again stated I was leaving while walking to the door.  Joe followed along spouting all the reasons I needed to just sign the deal.  The salesman I originally dealt with remained standing well off to the side and had a look on his face that communicated he was sorry that I was being treated like that.  I had momentarily forgot about my keys and walked outside.  I then realized they still had my keys and when I looked inside the dealership, I saw Joe and another guy standing at the tower desk in the lobby, looking at me and smiling... and waiting.

When I went back in Joe immediately said, "We threw your keys on the roof. So you have to buy a new car."  I simply asked for my keys again and I noticed the other guy, who introduced himself as the General Manager, holding my keys in his hand.  He should not even have had them, so I knew it was a set up and a high pressure sales tactic.  The GM then wanted to know what he could do to get me in that car today.  I ignored his juvenile posturing and asked for my keys, which he ignored while continuing to ask me to sit down and talk to him.

At this point my temper began to cook off and I said, "I have nothing to talk about, give me my keys now" in a voice that left no room for argument.  The GM immediately handed over my keys but then came out from behind his desk and started following me out of the dealership.  I continued walking to my vehicle and he followed me all the way, while yelling at me to stop and talk to him.  When I reached my truck, I turned around, squared off, and asked him if he was going to let me leave.  He held up the paperwork and ripped it in half while saying "sure" and glaring hate at me.  The whole time this was occurring, Joe and all the other salesman I could see were just walking around acting like this was an everyday occurrence.

I left and will not return, but I have learned from a salesman at the dealership the reasons behind the treatment I received.  He told me he was appalled by the treatment of customers at that dealership and that they have a rule that no customers can leave unless several people including Joe and the GM have each had a crack at wearing the customers down.  

I have since received 2 calls from the dealership including one from the GM in question.  I had to tell them repeatedly not to contact me anymore.  We will see if they honor it or continue to harrass me because I didn't want their car.  I would not send my worst enemy into this dealership to talk to these people, they are that bad. 

I have since found out that Joe and several others are former employees of Westside Dodge in Jacksonville, a dealership that went out of business.  It had a bad reputation for high pressure sales and dishonest staff and it looks like they migrated to Orange Park Dodge.  Avoid them at all costs...