Ford Groves

[Discouraged Consumer]

I just wanted to talk about my experience with Ford Groves in Cape Girardeau. I went there several weeks ago looking to purchase a new vehicle from them. It was a terrible experience. The first thing they done was offer me virtually nothing for my trade. I went to the dealership knowing what my vehicle was worth. I even brought copies of it's private party and trade-in value. That didn't seem to matter.

I told them what I was looking for in a new car. I wanted something that was fully loaded and I wanted it below MSRP. They could not seem to find a version that was fully loaded at the price I was willing to pay. So they tried to sell me a base model at an incredibly high price.

The damn car wasn't even there. It had to be delivered. I asked them what options the car had and they said is was fairly basic. I asked them if it had a couple specific options and they said it had them. I then asked them for photographs of the car so I could ensure it had the options. They refused and ensured me it did. On top of that they wanted a $500.00 NONREFUNDABLE deposit to cover the delivery of the car.

That means if I decided I did not want the car they would keep the car along with my deposit. That pissed me off even more. I left and went to another dealership. They sold me a fully loaded version for the same price that Ford Groves wanted for the base model. They also gave me thousands more for my trade.

I went back to this dealer to have a part replaced under warranty for the new car I just purchased. The employee was rude and told me that the part was damaged by a person and that it was not a manufacturer defect. He said I would have to pay for the part. I've only had the car for one damn month! I went to another dealership once again. They looked at the part for about 30 seconds and told me that they'd order another and it would be there in two days.

I will NEVER go back to Ford Groves again. This was the final straw. I have informed my entire family about my experience and I will also inform my friends. It is a horrible place to buy or service a vehicle.

[visitor]

What Dealer gave you the good price and service?

[former service advisor]

I know your ticked at Ford Groves. But look at the situation through their eyes. There is no way possible a dealer can stock every car in every color/option combination.All dealers borrow the money to have those cars on the lot. Yes them pay interest on them every month. Its called a floor plan.

What they did was dealer locate the car they thought you wanted at another dealership. More than likely they found it in St. Louis since they are owned my McMahon Ford. Most dealers will swap out the car you want for one they think they can sell. There is cost associated with this, you have to have someone go get it and of course fuel. Dont even think about asking to go get it yourself to save money. The drivers have to be insured by the dealership and paperwork the average consumer can't see. There is no pic on the locater service it does list what options it has and color etc.

As far as the deposit thats not unusual. Build a house and I bet you the builder will want some money up front. Special order parts and they will want money up front.

I was in the car business for years not here. I've heard all the claims we've saved thousands by going elsewhere. 99% of the time there was a reason. Less of a vehicle, totally different model etc etc. But there were times when they have this could be the case.

As far as the service problem. Alot of my years were in the service department. You cannot charge a customer for a part or repairs that are under warranty. Yes some dealers are rude to people that do not buy from them. I never agreed with this policy because on a warranty bill Ford is paying the bill not the customer. Where I worked our policy was the sales people sold the first car to the customer the service department sold the second car to the customer by giving good service.

Warranty does not cover damage. There is a fine line here and some places will cross over that line for a customer. If you would change oil in yor car and not install the filter tight enough and you blew the engine would you expect Ford to replace the engine because of your mistake? If you side swipped something would you expect Ford to repair it? A warranty cover defects in parts and workmanship from the manufacturer.

If you really feel you have been wronged in the service department there is a 1-800 number in the back of you owners manual. Its the customoer service hotline. Call it and explain your service problem. Save your breath they dont care about your problem with sales. That is for service only.

Just as a personal observation if you talk to sales and service people in a calm adult manner you will get a lot further. If you go in mad, cussing with guns a blazing you wont get anywhere.

Sorry so lengthy.

[guest]

I almost bought a second car from Groves in Jackson and would have if it wasn't for the salesman named Joe. What a total ass! Had to practically beg to drive the car (Lincoln) because he assumed we couldn't afford it. The damn thing ran out of gas right outta the parking lot so we put gas in it. He thought it was funny and didn't even offer to pay for the gas. So we got right back in our truck I bought from them two years before and I went and bought a new Harley the next day in Stl. Don't even get me started on Minor's in Cape either. A bunch of stuck up dumb asses as well! I don't see how they ever sell a bike.

[former service advisor]

guest wrote:

I almost bought a second car from Groves in Jackson and would have if it wasn't for the salesman named Joe. What a total ass! Had to practically beg to drive the car (Lincoln) because he assumed we couldn't afford it. The damn thing ran out of gas right outta the parking lot so we put gas in it. He thought it was funny and didn't even offer to pay for the gas. So we got right back in our truck I bought from them two years before and I went and bought a new Harley the next day in Stl. Don't even get me started on Minor's in Cape either. A bunch of stuck up dumb asses as well! I don't see how they ever sell a bike.

If its the Joe I think I'm surprized. He was in the Master's Club which is the highest award Ford gives away to salespeople. There is a fine line between who can buy and who can't. I bet I averaged 2 or 3 people a week coming in saying they were waiting on an insurance or lawsuit settlement coming in just anyday. If I remember my numbers right only about 1 in 10 people are really looking to buy. Sure puts the pressure on when your trying to feed a family. I loved my job there but glad in these days and times I'm out of the car business. I know its tough making a living in any sales job now.

[Discouraged Consumer]

Despite what you say I think there were other reasons for the sales person wanting the deposit. He knew I didn't want that vehicle because it was a base model. So he lied and told me it had the options I required. Then he wanted a $500 non-refundable deposit for the vehicle to be delivered. That way they could trap me into buying the damn car. I actually found the vehicle they were trying to sell me because the dealer I purchased my new vehicle from showed me the very same vehicle. It was not at McMahon Ford either. The car was a complete base model. It had no extra options what so ever. And like I said, they tried to sell it to me for the same damn price I purchased a fully loaded version for at the other dealership.

As far as the part goes, it was not damaged by me. It was damaged before I even purchased the vehicle. The car only had 12 miles on it when I bought it, so it had to have happened in transit or at the factory. The Ford Groves service person pretty much accused me of doing it. Which really pissed me off. I will never step foot on their lot again.

[former service advisor]

We'll I hate to inform you but unless you sign a contract you cannot be "trapped" into buying a car. Even then within a certain time frames you can get out.

Why wasn't the damaged part caught when your dealership checked the vehicle in? Every new vehicle is checked in as soon as it is unloaded from the convoy. Why wasn't it caught when they did the purchase walk thourgh and inspection?

Hey as long as your happy thats all that matters.

[ShowMeGuy]

I went to one of Groves super sale things & was not impressed. I wanted a Taurus SEL & they didn't have and could not find one even close to what I was looking for. Salesman kept trying to sell me a Grand Marquis instead. He kept ranting wanting to know what it would take to make the sale that day.

I already had an appointment to look at a Taurus at another dealer & told him I wanted to look at it before I made my decision. I wanted to know what the total price of the Grand Marquis was & he wouldn't show me - he kept showing me what the monthly payment would be & wanted to to cancel my other appt. as they could find what I was looking for. It was nothing but a high pressure sales pitch.

Visited 2 other local Ford dealers and had friendly salespeople with no pressure whatsoever.

Grove's big pitch was getting the payments where you could afford them - but most people weren't catching it was for 6 to 7 years.

[former service advisor]

I'm willing to bet 90% of the shoppers are payment buyers. Most of them never give any thought to what they are giving for the car. They just know they have an affordable payment. Heck the money isn't made in a new car dealership in selling new cars. It's made in the finance department. I've never seen a "super sale" at any dealership that was worth going to. I bet I can beat their sale price by going the last day of the month. I think since they are owned by McMahon they are trying to sell like they do in the city. It just dont work with country people. I could tell you plenty of horror stories people have told me about shopping in the big city. Their keys thrown on the dealership roof so they can't leave. Salespeople after salespeople hounding them to buy. I hate car shopping now that I've made my living at it. But I'm a better shopper now.

[stickboy]

You WANTED to buy a Taurus? Are you over 55yrs old?

[ShowMeGuy]

stickboy wrote:

You WANTED to buy a Taurus? Are you over 55yrs old?

Yes - WANTED a Taurus & under 55. Had one as a rental car once & liked the way it drove & handled & gets great gas mileage. Was looking for something I could buy without going into debt. Got a great deal - loaded car (leather, etc.)- and 100,000 mile warranty for $ 3,000 less than anything comparable in size. I started out looking at Malibu, Impala & Grand Prix - but couldn't come close in price to what I paid for the Taurus.

There were some more expensive cars I liked - but I refused to go into deep debt with the economic times as they are. I put a considerable number of miles on in a year & it's just a car that I'll have for 4 or 5 years. Say what you will - but I've loved it thus far. Got a friend that owns nearly the same car & has put 200,000 miles on theirs without any major repairs.

PS - I also refuse to go back to a 4 cylinder ever again!

[Discouraged Consumer]

former service advisor wrote:

We'll I hate to inform you but unless you sign a contract you cannot be "trapped" into buying a car. Even then within a certain time frames you can get out.
Why wasn't the damaged part caught when your dealership checked the vehicle in? Every new vehicle is checked in as soon as it is unloaded from the convoy. Why wasn't it caught when they did the purchase walk thourgh and inspection?
Hey as long as your happy thats all that matters.

Yes, I know it was not a binding legal agreement. But if they got the $500 deposit out of me they knew I would be a lot more motivated to buy the car. It was a high pressure sales pitch designed to push me into purchasing a car I did not want. Once they refused to actually show me the car before I put down the deposit I smelled something fishy and walked out on the deal.
I am very educated in sales and the tactics employed by businesses and sales people to execute them. Many of these tactics are very honorable and ethical, but some are not. The tactic used on me was very shady and I did not appreciate being treated as though I did not know how to buy a vehicle.
Also, when a sales person asks you "how much are you willing to pay per mnoth", they are employing a strategy designed to maximize the profit and commission from the sale. I never focus on the monthly payment amount and I refuse to tell the salesman what I'm willing to pay per month. I instead make them focus on the overall price of the vehicle.
You're also right when you say a dealership makes most of its profit from the sales and finance office. This is where they will try to sell you everything from that extended warranty to stain guard for your seats. People just need to remember that extended warranties are usually worthless and they are always refundable after they are pro-rated. The price is also negotiable. Most things the finance guy tries to sell you are over priced and useless. With the exception of GAP insurance.
As far as the part goes, it was in an area which is very hard to see. Initially the part just had a very minor defect, but it progressively worsened over the course of one month. Now it needs replaced.
I have dealt with several dealerships over the past several years. This is my fifth car over the past six years. I trade vehicles very frequently. During my experience, only one other dealership was worse than Ford Groves. A friend of mine went to Ford Groves and purchased a truck from them recently. It was his first newer truck (preowned) and they stuck it to him. He was happy about the deal until I told him how much better he could have done. They stuck him with a 16% interest rate and he could have bought the same truck for thousands less elsewhere. The interest rate was due to his credit, which wasn't the dealerships fault. But the price was ridiculous. He got screwed, I wish he would have brought me with him. But he signed the contract, so it's his mistake. It still angers me though.

[former service advisor]

maximize the profit and commission. Yeah thats how the salesman gets paid. The more profit you make the bigger your comission. I have no problem with a salesman trying to make a fortune off of me. He's just trying to feed his family the same as I try to put in as many hours a week as I can to feed my family. When I buy a vehicle I spend hours upon hours doing research on prices and values. Most people dont. I am a real fan of extended service plans. As long as they are backed by a major company. I have had them from Ford, Chrylser and GE Capital. They have all paid off. Yes the prices are negotiable. There are alot of rip off companies out there and you really need to do your research before purchasing one. I have never worked for a dealership that offered the "paint protection" and "fabric protection." We always referred to them as "snake oil." I would never pay for it. So dont blame the salesman for trying to feed his family. Just be an informed buyer and let him try and make a bigger check on the next guy.

[Discouraged Consumer]

former service advisor wrote:

maximize the profit and commission. Yeah thats how the salesman gets paid. The more profit you make the bigger your comission. I have no problem with a salesman trying to make a fortune off of me. He's just trying to feed his family the same as I try to put in as many hours a week as I can to feed my family. When I buy a vehicle I spend hours upon hours doing research on prices and values. Most people dont. I am a real fan of extended service plans. As long as they are backed by a major company. I have had them from Ford, Chrylser and GE Capital. They have all paid off. Yes the prices are negotiable. There are alot of rip off companies out there and you really need to do your research before purchasing one. I have never worked for a dealership that offered the "paint protection" and "fabric protection." We always referred to them as "snake oil." I would never pay for it. So dont blame the salesman for trying to feed his family. Just be an informed buyer and let him try and make a bigger check on the next guy.

That's cool, I understand that they need to feed their family. And making money is your top priority when doing that. But, the person buying the vehicle is trying to feed their family too. And if that means going to another dealership to get a better deal so they can save money, then that's the best course of action for them. If Ford Groves was more willing to move on their vehicle prices they would ultimately sell more vehicles, thus increasing profits, sales commissions, and customer satifaction. But instead they want to sell fewer vehicles at a higher price and risk losing customers to other dealerships and in the process decreasing the amount of brand loyal customers. You cannot and will not retain customers with this type of sales behavior.

They need to be more willing to decrease prices, and increase customer service and relations. This will retain brand loyal customers and new customers at the same time. The business will have a good reputation and everyone will win.

[Former saleperson]

Let me just say the customers lie way more than any salesperson I ever saw. At the dealership I worked, we were all honest and up front, but almost every customer came in with a HUGE chip on their shoulder and thought every question was geared towards screwing them.

We just needed to sell cars to make a living. Thank God I don't have to put up with your BS anymore.

The guy at groves was just trying to sell you a located vehicle. If it didn't have the options you asked for, they would not have been getting it. You are paranoid. Thank you for supporting other cities dealerships and economies.

[ford fan]

The best place to buy is in Marble Hill Mo.Ask for Tee. Being a woman I bought it myself.Got a good price new tires and cdplayer. They are freindly good people.I love my truck and will buy from again.

[guest]

Tee has been selling to our family since I can remember. I was going to mention him a long time ago but didn't want to get to personal. Seems like the most honest salesman I've met to date. He swapped over to Groves there for a year or so and thats why I got my truck there. Guess it's back to Lutesville for the next.

[Discouraged Consumer]

Former saleperson wrote:

Let me just say the customers lie way more than any salesperson I ever saw. At the dealership I worked, we were all honest and up front, but almost every customer came in with a HUGE chip on their shoulder and thought every question was geared towards screwing them.
We just needed to sell cars to make a living. Thank God I don't have to put up with your BS anymore.
The guy at groves was just trying to sell you a located vehicle. If it didn't have the options you asked for, they would not have been getting it. You are paranoid. Thank you for supporting other cities dealerships and economies.

The guy at Ford Groves was trying to push me into buying something I did not want, PERIOD. I didn't appreciate it. This wasn't the first time I tried to buy a car from Ford Groves. It was the third. Every single time the car or truck was overpriced and the salesman was not willing to move on it. Other dealers were always able to beat them.

And yes, I will support another cities economy if it means I can save some money. I don't have money to just throw away because a business is greedy. It's their fault, not mine.

I don't have a chip on my shoulder when I buy a car. I do extensive research before I buy a vehicle. I know what my trade and the car in which I'm interested in is worth. The dealership I ended up buying from made my buying experience very stress free and quick. They cut the price by over $2000.00 automatically. I didn't even have to ask. I also asked for a certain amount more for the trade and they doubled it without me asking. Even after I was satisfied, I asked for a bit more off the price of the new vehicle. They did it without hesitation. They also replaced the defective part on my car without any questions.

Ford Groves could learn from them.

[Beep Beep]

You should have bought a Toyota!!--- Ha! Ha! LOL guess who!!!

[Beep Beep]

Before everyone starts bashing me about buying Toyota, I want you to know ahead of time I am a Ford Fan--- I once had a 1989 Taurus that was a tank-- that thing was indistructable-- best car I have ever owned, and when I buy another CAR it will be a Taurus, but it will not be new nor from any dealership. You always get the best deal when you buy a few years old and from an individual. Right now I am enjoying my Toyota Tundra.