Some of you know here (past Posts) that I'm looking to buy a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8. Have been looking for a while now, used, with low miles, history, etc. I've looked over a few, tested driven fewer and end up mostly............. disapointed
I expanded my search to the entire country decided to stick with major dealers for obvious reasons. I am a picky guy anyway, but I wanted a specific color combo plus all the above and I 'buy' based on the seller's vibe. Finally found what appeared to be "The One" at a NC Carmax location recently. I called, salesperson answers (woman) say that I'm in Va. close to DC. That I'm looking for a "Cream Puff.
I tell her before we get going that I'm in the business, BMW/Porsche Technician and an enthusist. That I expect this Jeep based on pictures, discription and carfax to be at LEAST 9 out of 10 on a 1-10 scale. She says she hears me loud and clear and is taking notes of conversation.
I could pay $250 transfer fee to get it to the Carmax nearest me (non refundable). I agree only on the condition that she personaly inspects the vehicle, test drive and give me tire measurements. THAT if it did not meet my criteria, no hard feelings, transfer, I would just move on. She reports back to @1 hour later - says it's a 9.5
I order the transfer and tell her based on her report as a Carmax representative I'm pulling the trigger on the fee. She then has a sales guy call my from my local CM who tells me he will be my contact /sales guy. I tell new guy please keep me posted as to when it arrives and gave him the same speech about who am and my expectations.
First week goes by, week end passes nothing. I email guy about status - 2 more days go by. I call........my guy is not working today. I ask Joe Blow sales guy to check to see if my $30K silver Jeep ever made it?? He said wait a minute..................yes it arrived two days ago, passed state and emissions and is ready for you to pick up!!
So make an appointment for this past sat afternoon. It's raining in the morning. I call again to confirm and asked if he would pull it inside to let it dry so I could inspect it. Get there on time. Guys meets me, ask where trhe Jeep is? He said "Oh - outside......I've been so busy with other customers that I have'nt had time...
Me "Really......that busy huh"? we go out in the rain, get in. Wife is in co-pilot, me in the back. He starts it, we get moving 10 ft. wife says "What's that Light on the dash?"
Me I look over "TPMS" he turns the wipers on and the drivers blade rubber is litertaly
completely apart smearing the drivers view. I tap the sales guy on the shoulder and said "REALLY?" ...... are you kidding"?
Guy apologizes.....wife gets in the drivers seat and we start down the road. Suddenly the exhaust note becomes an issue......we have driven a few, this one drones at 40mph like a big block chevy in a '32 Ford, no way can it be stock. Sure enough......................we stop, I get out in the rain and look under the rear, someone has installed aftermarket rear straight exhaust.
After the test drive we bring it in the service lane out of the weather and give it a once over. Sales guy promissed to have someone dry it off so we could look at the paint, body. Comes back about 3 mins later with a squeegee and hands it to me!!
Ok.....ok... so I wipe it down and start inspecting. It's missing the rear cargo cover in side. I look at the sales guy again. pissed.
I tell him lets go back to his office I want to talk to the sales manager. SM comes in and straight away starts making excuses. I tell him if I buy it I want the OE exhaust installed. He refuses. Says that passed Va inspection. I said no it shouldn't - your guy completely missed the wipers. I say I know what's required because I'm a state inspector (show him my license). Not bugding.
I have them fetch the Store Genral manager. Start the entire story agian. He offers to refund the transfer fee, nothing else. I said I don't want the fee refunded, I want the $30k Silver Jeep SRT-8 sitting outside in the condition I was told multiple times it was supposed to be in.
We walked, got our fee refunded. Once home I obtained the email address of most every top exec in Carmax. Sent them each a copy of this story with my email and personal cell. Have heard nothing as of today
