Dealer not keeping their word

COSilver · January 17, 2005

OK, I've tried working with this dealer (Team Chevrolet) in Colorado Springs, CO, but have gotten nowhere.

I made an "out the door price" deal on my 04 2500HD CC 6.0L which supposedly included all taxes, handling... everything - out the door . Everything was cool. I had my own financing before I went in, and the salesperson, Dennis was a pleasure to work with.

Overall, the usually tooth-removing painful process of buying a new vehicle was actually pretty good... BUT....

A week after we made the deal, the dealer came back and said that an overlooked tax was not included, and so they increased the price by a couple hundred dollars... OK, I said... understandable. Then, when it came time to register my truck, the Motor Vehicle Registration people said they couldn't register as the right taxes had not been paid yet by the dealer. After contacting the dealer, they said that they "forgot" to include the county tax necessary to register the vehicle in the total price of the truck. I told the manager (Hap) that the price quoted to me (and that I paid) was the "Out the Door Price" which should have included everything, and that if any taxes were overlooked, it was their fault and not mine, and that I had already paid an additional tax on top of that, and that it was a shame that all the good work done by their employees was reversed by management not willing to keep their word on an "out the door" price. I had to pay the taxes in order to get my truck registered, but have contacted Team Chevrolet to reimburse me for this amount ($300+, or a set of step bars, if it makes it easier for them), and they have not called me back, even after I told them that I would be interested in a new Duramax in the near future and would like to buy from them due to their employees' apparent dedication to customer service, but that management is reversing all of that good hard work.

The management of Team Chevrolet in Colorado Springs obviously doesn't care.

$300 and integrity is not such a big deal to them I guess, but it is for me.

I will not buy my Duramax from them. Future potential buyers from Team Chevrolet in Colorado Springs... beware of their tactics.

Shawn T · January 18, 2005

OK, I've tried working with this dealer (Team Chevrolet) in Colorado Springs, CO, but have gotten nowhere.

I made an "out the door price" deal on my 04 2500HD CC 6.0L which supposedly included all taxes, handling... everything - out the door . Everything was cool. I had my own financing before I went in, and the salesperson, Dennis was a pleasure to work with.

Overall, the usually tooth-removing painful process of buying a new vehicle was actually pretty good... BUT....

A week after we made the deal, the dealer came back and said that an overlooked tax was not included, and so they increased the price by a couple hundred dollars... OK, I said... understandable. Then, when it came time to register my truck, the Motor Vehicle Registration people said they couldn't register as the right taxes had not been paid yet by the dealer. After contacting the dealer, they said that they "forgot" to include the county tax necessary to register the vehicle in the total price of the truck. I told the manager (Hap) that the price quoted to me (and that I paid) was the "Out the Door Price" which should have included everything, and that if any taxes were overlooked, it was their fault and not mine, and that I had already paid an additional tax on top of that, and that it was a shame that all the good work done by their employees was reversed by management not willing to keep their word on an "out the door" price. I had to pay the taxes in order to get my truck registered, but have contacted Team Chevrolet to reimburse me for this amount ($300+, or a set of step bars, if it makes it easier for them), and they have not called me back, even after I told them that I would be interested in a new Duramax in the near future and would like to buy from them due to their employees' apparent dedication to customer service, but that management is reversing all of that good hard work.

The management of Team Chevrolet in Colorado Springs obviously doesn't care.

$300 and integrity is not such a big deal to them I guess, but it is for me.

I will not buy my Duramax from them. Future potential buyers from Team Chevrolet in Colorado Springs... beware of their tactics.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

COSilver,

I just graduated from CSU-Pueblo and I am currently living back in Utah. I lived down there for four years. When I went to purchase my 03 DMax I tried to deal with Spradley and with Team. They were both egotistical dealerships and I took my business elsewhere. I actually went home to Utah for the weekend and bought my truck at my home dealership. The funny thing was that my girlfriend was the accounting seceretary at Spradely and she also worked alot with Team. They still were jerks. I am glad we can announce this publicly so the rest of the Coloradoans do not make the same mistake.

COSilver · January 18, 2005

I had heard unfavorable things about Spradley, and they were very pushy to get me into something I didn't want - I live in Pueblo West. That is why I went to Team Chevrolet in CO Springs, but it seems they are not much better. One thing though, I got good warranty work from Spradley; they replaced a cracked flex plate/flywheel in one day and were very good about it. I don't know why dealerships are the way they are, I know they want to make money, but now this dealership has lost any profit on a new Duramax for the sake of saving some $350. What really burns me is that they are not keeping their word on their price. What short-sightedness.

Wingnut · January 18, 2005

Go in there, get your salesman, and tell him that the BBB wants notarized copies of the documentation of the deal for your case...And while he's at it, make a second copy for your lawyer.

soccermom · January 18, 2005

Go in there, get your salesman, and tell him that the BBB wants notarized copies of the documentation of the deal for your case...And while he's at it, make a second copy for your lawyer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Exactly. If you have signed documents showing the price you expected and they delivered the vehicle it's a done deal. Ask for the contact info for complaints to GM corporate as well.

jeffbf89 · January 19, 2005

Sorry about your problems, I have never done any business with team, however I have purchased an 03 Silverado EC and a 04 Silverado CC from Spradley and was very pleased with my experience. I am also pleased with the service department. I just graduated from CSUP also.

COSilver · January 20, 2005

Well, the owner of Team Chevrolet e-mailed me (after I forwared this post to them), and he is saying that he will reimburse me for the taxes and has apologized for the mix up in communication, and has offered a free oil change - I e-mailed him a copy of my credit card statement showing where I paid Team Chevrolet the tax amount in question.

I hope this gets resolved now.

Wingnut · January 20, 2005

Sounds good!

I'm glad it's starting to work out for you. Just a shame that it came to this.

COSilver · January 31, 2005

OK, I got the reimbursement check from Team Chevrolet. I'm glad it worked out in the end.

tmf6902 · January 31, 2005

Resolved or not.....if I lived out there and was in the market for a new truck, I wouldn't be buying from there.

Beaux Duke · January 31, 2005

OK, I got the reimbursement check from Team Chevrolet. I'm glad it worked out in the end.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Amazing what a little "free" publicity can do.

COSilver · January 31, 2005

Exactly right... Much Thanks to GM-Trucks.com! I'm sure this post had a lot to do with the outcome.

99silveradoz71 · January 31, 2005

Outstanding

Larry · January 31, 2005

Wow, a thread with local people and even alumni. I am in Pueblo West also and graduated from USC in 1997 (Automotive Industry Management) then moved to Detroit for 5 years and was lucky enough to be relocated back here. The school will always be USC to me. I just can’t get used to the CSUP name.

I am glad it worked out for you Cosilver. Mistakes happen but how they are handled makes a world of difference. It would have been very unlike Team to not make it right for you.

I bought a new 1998 Z71, 2001 HD and our 2002 Tahoe from Spradley. Not that really liked Spradley, I just knew the sales manager very well. After being with Fortino/Spradley since 1976 he left and went to Team. My business followed him when we bought our 2004 Tahoe to replace the 2002 POS Tahoe. For whatever reason he has left Team and went to Ferguson GMC. So I guess my next vehicles will be GMC instead of Chevrolets. Probably a good thing since the front end on the current Chevy trucks do not appeal to me at all. If you ever need a good trustworthy contact at a GMC dealer call Norman Estrada at Ferguson. Great guy.

As far as service, you cannot beat Lindner Chevrolet in Canon City although I have never used Team for service. Spradley has a great service writer, Paul Zamora, but I have never been impressed with the quality of work from the shop.