Scott Evans Dodge Carollton, GA... AKA Steaming Pile of Bull$#!+

[EndorphinRush]

It was one of those places where when you walk out you pat yourself on the back for not going over the counter and beating the bloke to a bloody pulp. By far the worst I have ever been treated as a customer and am now seriously considering selling my poor cali and going back to my truck just so I never have to deal with Dodge again. I live in Carrollton Ga the only Dodge dealership for some time around here is Scott Evans Dodge. I brought my cali there to get some work done on it. There is a paint run on the door and I had a few TSB's that needed to be done as well. When I get to the dealership I'm told I have to wait for the Service Manager because he's the only one who can make a call on the paint run. After an hour of waiting he finally comes out looks at the paint run and tells me "It looks like someone has tried to touch this up, but regardless I'm not touching that you have to take it back to your original dealership" This was not an option seeing as how I've moved. I tried explaining it to old Humpty Dumpty here who seemed to be staring at the clouds that if he would actually LOOK at the paint run that he would see clear coat covering this and that was 100% factory defect. No use. So I gave that up and decided to go to another dealership for that. Grrrr.

But, there are still the TSB's! I told the guy what was wrong with my car and what the TSB's said blah blah blah. The guy came right out and said he had no clue what I was talking about and he had never heard of these. Now at this point if I say my blood pressure was rising it would be a vast under statement, my blood pressure was now competing in the race to space. However thanks to the good chaps here at CaliberForumz I was able to print these TSB's out and bring them with me. So I walked back to the back of my car pulled them out and handed them to him. Humpty Dumpty's face turned bright red and wouldn't speak to me anymore. He told me to go make an appointment. So I did for 9AM the following week for my day off, and handed the service clerk the paperwork told him what I was going to get done and blah blah blah.


So the following week I showed up 9AM and turned me cali over to them. They told me they would give me a call when they were finished. So I had a friend drop by pick me up and waited around for the call. 5:30 came and went so I headed back down to the dealership to find out whats going on ( maybe they lost my number? ) When I come in the guy tells me the only thing they could get done was reprogram the engine. Apparently the weeks notice of what I was needing to be fixed was not enough because the parts were never ordered so I was going to have to come back again next week. Oh and also in this whole ordeal they told me it would be 80 bucks to turn off those damn driving lights! Fine what ever, made another appointment for the next week. Upon getting in the car I find grease, on my floor mats on the stearing wheel door handle and on my kick plates. WTF!!!!

The following week I bring it in bright and early again. Same crap different pot. Friend comes and picks me up. This time we make periodic stop ins to check on the status of my car. The car finally makes it in the shop 30mins before closing time. This is when the heat starts. At this point my blood pressures orbiting the moon, I wait and see what there going to do. Finally the mechanic comes out and tells me they don't have enough time to get to it today. JUPITER HERE I COME! I don't even bother saying anything else to guy, it's not his fault. So I go and see the clerk, and come to realize why they have that plexi glass window between us. The argument begins and I keep my cool with him, it wasn't until Humpty Dumpty comes out from his office that I couldn't take it any more. I was told by the service manager that because I didn't purchase the vehicle there that I was not a priority, and each day he would service vehicles that were bought from Scott Evans before he would even look at mine. Wow was the only thing that came to mind. Well that and his head being pulled through the little peep hole where you talk. He continued to say I would have to schedule another day to get this worked on. Mad does not begin to explain how I felt. In those few sentences Mr Humpty Dumpty spoke he told me several things. I was not a valued customer, my 16 grand means nothing to Dodge and they simply do not care to actually represent Dodge with any kind of respect. Livid. Rage. Fury. I had to get out of there I grabbed my keys off the counter ripped my TSB's from that stupid clip board and left. I got in my car and got the hell out of there.


I got a letter in the mail the other day from Scott Evans "Thank you for your Patronage your business means a lot to us" It has taken me several weeks to calm down and actually be able to talk about this. So I wanted to know what you guys think I should do about this dealership? I know theres a number I can call for Daimler Chrysler, but I wanted to see what others would do?


P.S. Anyone wanna buy a cali? lol

[Prop1]

Complain. These morons are giving Dodge a bad name. It shouldn't matter where you bought the car, they're a Dodge dealer. Did it ever occur to them that if you had a good experience the next car you bought would be from them? Stupid is, as stupid does.:rolleyes:

[oybnrml]

Were you happy with your salesman/dealership where you bought it? Possibly call them and explain the trouble you're having since you've moved out of their area. Maybe a dealer to dealer call might help because your anger makes not only Scott Evans Dodge in Carrollton GA look bad, but it IS a reflection on Dodge dealers in general. Especially if people can't hope to have good service if they move. (Some people move more often than they buy or lease new cars.)

Just by posting this on ForumZ, they have already lost more in reputation than any advertising can hope to buy!

[Prop1]

I found this on the internet. Apparently Mr. Evans doesn't treat his employees very well either: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/176/ripoff0176939.htm

[oybnrml]

Well, at least endorphinrush doesn't have to "apologize" for what he's written. I'm sure the bile was just burning the back of Scott's throat as he was writing that! (and Lana is probably the bosses niece!)

[EndorphinRush]

haha, thanks for the support guys! I'm going to follow through with this. Went to school with his kid, always wondered how he was driving a new car every month until I found out who his dad was. I don't think he's ever registered one vehicle. Always gets a new one before he has to. But i never paid him that much attention so no proof on that :shakehead: Thanks for the article Prop1!

[Quiet Lunatic]

Sorry to hear about the problems you are having with that dealership.

I also bought my caliber at another dealership from where I get it serviced. Here is a post I made a few weeks ago. Take the time to read it and you will see its not Dodge, its that crappy dealership you went too... I would call the number that you posted and tell Chrysler about it. If they are a low volume dealership they may threaten to pull their franchising lic. They are laying the smack down on dealerships right now.

http://caliberforumz.com/showthread.php?t=4430&highlight=love+dealer

[lildogg171717]

I found this on the internet. Apparently Mr. Evans doesn't treat his employees very well either: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/176/ripoff0176939.htm


ROFL....nice one. Word of mouth will eventually put them out of business unless they change their ways

[lildogg171717]

...but I wanted to see what others would do?


I would definately write DCX. No doubt. I would never return to that dealership. I assume by your join date that you bought your Cali b4 the lifetime warranty. Did you buy the extended warranty? If not, You really only have to deal with Dodge service till your 3 yr/36000 is over. Then just go to a local mechanic that you know/trust. If u did buy the extended warranty and they are the only dealership in reasonable driving distance, then maybe you should get a refund (prorated of course) and just plan on using your local mechanic when problems/maintenance arise. After 3 yrs, you got a good idea of whether or not you've gotten a "lemon" thats gonna suck ya dry, not always though.

[jake0526]

I wish I could tell you that Chrysler is going to jump all over your problem and help you solve it with the dealer.

But when I emailed them my post from last week I got a letter basically saying "gee that's a shame you had a problem but since we don't own the dealership we really won't be helping you."

Now I know why they sold out to a company named after the three headed dog that guards the gates of hell.

You can go in but you can't come out.

I encourage you to give it a try though. Who knows you may have better luck than I did.

[EndorphinRush]

I was sitting at home a couple of days ago and received a letter from that damn dealership again, and in that letter they say " our goal is to provide our customers with 100% satisfaction" in response... I filed my complaint with Dodge. I received this today and thought I would share

"Dear James:

Thank you for contacting the Chrysler Customer Assistance Center
regarding your 2007 Dodge Caliber.

We regret your dissatisfaction with the service that you received at the
dealership and appreciate the time and effort you took to bring this
matter to my attention.

In response to your email regarding the dealership service, we would
like to inform you that we realize that our reputation depends in part
on the quality of service provided by our dealers. Because dealerships
are independently owned businesses, they are responsible for addressing
concerns directly related to their sales and service activities, as well
as their personnel. Although we do not have the authority to resolve
concerns related to dealer workmanship, service scheduling, or repair
pricing, you may want to pursue the matter directly with dealership
management for further resolution.

Information received from customers such as you enables better
evaluation of dealers' service activities. Your complaint will be
retained in the dealer's file.

If you have any further questions, please contact the Customer
Assistance Center at 800-992-1997.

Thanks again for your email.

Sincerely,

Paula Godwin
Customer Service Representative
Chrysler Customer Assistance Center"


The care from Dodge is overwhelming. I hope their nominated for an Emmy this year, I'm sure they'll take it home...

:rolleyes:

[JOJOCHINTO]

that letter wasnt of much assistance at all... better re-name the center.

[Prop1]

That's your basic form letter. You'd do better to file a formal complaint with the BBB, and state attorney general. It won't help much more, but the more the merrier.:p

[JohnG]

It was one of those places where when you walk out you pat yourself on the back for not going over the counter and beating the bloke to a bloody pulp. By far the worst I have ever been treated as a customer and am now seriously considering selling my poor cali and going back to my truck just so I never have to deal with Dodge again. I live in Carrollton Ga the only Dodge dealership for some time around here is Scott Evans Dodge. I brought my cali there to get some work done on it. There is a paint run on the door and I had a few TSB's that needed to be done as well. When I get to the dealership I'm told I have to wait for the Service Manager because he's the only one who can make a call on the paint run. After an hour of waiting he finally comes out looks at the paint run and tells me "It looks like someone has tried to touch this up, but regardless I'm not touching that you have to take it back to your original dealership" This was not an option seeing as how I've moved. I tried explaining it to old Humpty Dumpty here who seemed to be staring at the clouds that if he would actually LOOK at the paint run that he would see clear coat covering this and that was 100% factory defect. No use. So I gave that up and decided to go to another dealership for that. Grrrr.

But, there are still the TSB's! I told the guy what was wrong with my car and what the TSB's said blah blah blah. The guy came right out and said he had no clue what I was talking about and he had never heard of these. Now at this point if I say my blood pressure was rising it would be a vast under statement, my blood pressure was now competing in the race to space. However thanks to the good chaps here at CaliberForumz I was able to print these TSB's out and bring them with me. So I walked back to the back of my car pulled them out and handed them to him. Humpty Dumpty's face turned bright red and wouldn't speak to me anymore. He told me to go make an appointment. So I did for 9AM the following week for my day off, and handed the service clerk the paperwork told him what I was going to get done and blah blah blah.


So the following week I showed up 9AM and turned me cali over to them. They told me they would give me a call when they were finished. So I had a friend drop by pick me up and waited around for the call. 5:30 came and went so I headed back down to the dealership to find out whats going on ( maybe they lost my number? ) When I come in the guy tells me the only thing they could get done was reprogram the engine. Apparently the weeks notice of what I was needing to be fixed was not enough because the parts were never ordered so I was going to have to come back again next week. Oh and also in this whole ordeal they told me it would be 80 bucks to turn off those damn driving lights! Fine what ever, made another appointment for the next week. Upon getting in the car I find grease, on my floor mats on the stearing wheel door handle and on my kick plates. WTF!!!!

The following week I bring it in bright and early again. Same crap different pot. Friend comes and picks me up. This time we make periodic stop ins to check on the status of my car. The car finally makes it in the shop 30mins before closing time. This is when the heat starts. At this point my blood pressures orbiting the moon, I wait and see what there going to do. Finally the mechanic comes out and tells me they don't have enough time to get to it today. JUPITER HERE I COME! I don't even bother saying anything else to guy, it's not his fault. So I go and see the clerk, and come to realize why they have that plexi glass window between us. The argument begins and I keep my cool with him, it wasn't until Humpty Dumpty comes out from his office that I couldn't take it any more. I was told by the service manager that because I didn't purchase the vehicle there that I was not a priority, and each day he would service vehicles that were bought from Scott Evans before he would even look at mine. Wow was the only thing that came to mind. Well that and his head being pulled through the little peep hole where you talk. He continued to say I would have to schedule another day to get this worked on. Mad does not begin to explain how I felt. In those few sentences Mr Humpty Dumpty spoke he told me several things. I was not a valued customer, my 16 grand means nothing to Dodge and they simply do not care to actually represent Dodge with any kind of respect. Livid. Rage. Fury. I had to get out of there I grabbed my keys off the counter ripped my TSB's from that stupid clip board and left. I got in my car and got the hell out of there.


I got a letter in the mail the other day from Scott Evans "Thank you for your Patronage your business means a lot to us" It has taken me several weeks to calm down and actually be able to talk about this. So I wanted to know what you guys think I should do about this dealership? I know theres a number I can call for Daimler Chrysler, but I wanted to see what others would do?


P.S. Anyone wanna buy a cali? lol

When dealing with people like this, you want to:

1) Be able to say everything that you want to say once, as you may not get a second chance, and

2) Know what you want and be able to come away from the whole ordeal satisfied.

DO NOT call anyone (unless it's DC to get information about where to send your complaint). You don't want to lose your temper because people don't hear you when you shout.

You need to get all of the names and dates, and edit them into your description above. Get a pic of that messed up paint, reference and enclose it. Mail this to DC (registered) with CC's to the manager of the dealership, your State's Secretary of State, and Better Business Bureau. If you had any witnesses (the buddy that drove you?) include his name too.

I would expect a lot of activity starting to happen. No idea how the dealership will respond, though. They could push Humpty Dumpty off the wall, or he may even change his tune. No knowing for sure.

I think this would give you the most satisfaction for the buck.

[Fyrstorm]

Yet another dealership that treats customers (and this time employees) like a commodity. Sorry to hear your troubles, I pretty much got the same letter when I complained to head office.

After the Caliber I won't step foot into another chrysler product because of the troubles, and the lack of assistance from head office. In my case I had to use the Ontario Motor Vehicle Council to get a settlement, which is one step before going to court. The dealership actually tried to short change me on that settlement when I went to get it, by around $500 if I remember right.

Keep making noise, check to see if there is any consumer protection organizations in your area and keep making noise. I even got on TV with my problem, not literally :p Phoned in to a car help program that is broadcast and rebroadcast across the country.

Who knows if that helped, but I got something out of it. Not what I wanted but enough to ease the pain in the derriere that it had become.

[EndorphinRush]

Thank for the tips everyone! The actual email I sent in to the Customer Assistance had names listed in them. I remember grabbing the guys biz card off the counter before dipping. I liked the ideas here, sounds like a lot of you guys have experience with this. It's sad though because I really like the caliber and even thought about trading in for the SRT4. To be honest though it hardly seems worth it after the " customer service " Dodge has. Whats going to happen miles down the line when the car starts to need REAL repairs. I shudder at the thought. I'll keep you guys posted. D.A. here I come!

[xcanuk]

Good dealers/service is hard to come by, you figure Dodge would take a stronger approach with them, Good Car + Bad dealer = less sales and a consumer that won't be buying their product again.
I had a somewhat similar issue with trying to buy my Caliber from a local dealership, luckily we have several dealerships around and it just meant a few miles more to make my purchase. I did take the time to write Dodge about my experience, never heard anything from them.

[Rodentman]

I used to do a lot of trading, buying and selling of jewelry and watches-expensive stuff. We're talking ebay, forums, sending and receiving thousands of $ from strangers. After awhile, we got to know each other, and trust some, not others. The saying was "buy the seller, not the watch." You wanna send $4-$5k and get a fake Rolex? I don't.

In all honesty, part of my decision to buy a Caliber, and the Neon, Caravan and Ram before that was to deal with Dodge of Burnsville MN where I have always been treated fairly, or the svc mgr will make it right. That, for me, sells the product.

I looked briefly at a Chevy HHR but the dealer was a total turn off so I lost interest in the vehicle.

I didn't bother looking at the imports because I generally don't like the cookie cutter rounded appearance of them, and the dealers are owned by giant multi-dealer establishments. The Dodge dealer is a one dealer org.

I know this may not seem like a logical way to buy a car, but man, if I can't get reliable service and a ride to work, what good is the car?