Palm Springs Motors Auto Body

My vehicle had the passenger air bag recalled and took it to the dealership to have it changed. The new one they placed became really sticky on the dashboard area and I believe it might be because the dashboard was made from lower quality material. The driver side dashboard is the original and it does not have that issue; just the one they replaced to install the new airbag.

I purchased a 2001 Lexus LS430 from Palm Springs Ford in the amount of $5,200.85. I had a pre approved check in the amount of $5,654.95 from Navy federal credit union. The company owes me the difference of $454.10. I’ve contacted Billy Hayes the finance manager and promised to have my check in the mail over a month ago. I’ve called many times and left many messages and have yet to receive a call or my refund check.

Disgusting. I got out of the service after 3 years and one deployment to Afghanistan. I was in desperate need of a car and didn't know much about cars to begin with. I had joined when I was 19 with no license and was immediately deployed and didn't have chance to obtain my license until I prior to getting out after being injury in the line of duty. At the time of purchasing my vehicle my credit score was 650. Not great, but not terrible. Adrian a salesperson at Palm Springs Motors told me that the cheapest model they had was the Mazda 3 2018 and lied to me saying that the reason they were selling it $7,000 over the MSRP price was because the paint was special which ended up being normal 41W. Jet Black Mica. If this isn't bad enough I didn't get my registration with my plates in the mail and when I came in to ask for my registration they I could hear 7 of them laughing about how I was sold car for $25,000 and like I was an it while I could hear them the entire time. Once they noticed I was listening they became silent and one of them asked if I needed help. When I told them I needed registration they continiously pestered me about how it should've been sent in the mail when I told them multiple times that I didn't have it. This type of business behavior is disgusting. I felt so very uncomfortable in a position being only black man there and a group of white guys in collars shirts laughing at a poor sucker like me because I was naive. I hope this business comes to understand the meaning of human compassion instead of greed.

This complaint is multi-layered:

1. My grandson and I took a Leased Mazda 3 to the Service Department to have the odometer checked because we felt that the odometer reading was WAY OVER what was expected after 42 months--106,000 miles.
2. While this was supposedly being checked, we went to speak to someone to explore options for financing the vehicle for purchase. We were told that there was no way we could finance the vehicle because no lender would finance it since we were upside down on the balance owed versus the actual value of the car, because excessive mileage. We were told that our only option was to buy a new vehicle, pay $3,000 down, or pay the $10,000+ to cover the overage on the mileage. The salesman said "surely I could come up with $3,000! You must have some money in a retirement account.
3. The sales person 'just happened' to have a Ford Fiesta that he said he could offer a $3,000 rebate on. The sticker price was supposedly $19,000.00 and included a 5 year/100,000 mile warranty (actually charged us $2,495 ADDITIONAL). He also claimed that we would get 40 miles per gallon (sticker says EPA estimate 27 City/37 Hwy) and that insurance would be much cheaper than on the Mazda (Proved to be $200 more per month!)
4. After 4 HOURS of sitting in the dealership, we ended up getting the Fiesta. We were exhausted and flipped through the signing process at record speed. It wasn't until a few days later that I reviewed the paperwork I had cosigned. That $19,000 car turned in to a $30,000+ car! There was absolutely NO $3,000 REBATE shown on the documents and several additional fees--activating the already existing security system ($795.00 to flip a switch), $2595.00 for Ford Maintenance, and $2495.00 for FORD ESP--extended service program?). This was AFTER a credit for $7,000 trade-ins.
5. The final straw? The Mazda 3 was featured in an ad as "soon to arrive", 2015 Mazda 3 with 36,500 original miles with the IDENTICAL Vehicle Identification Number as the car we turned in

On July 8, 2018 I paid $1,295 to Palm Springs Motors Ford in good faith, for services never provided by Palm Spring Motors Ford after multiple attempts by me requesting the service over a 3 month period. Palm Springs Motors Ford was supposed to facilitate and schedule an auto alarm install with KARR Security Systems within 1 week of purchasing my vehicle on 7/8/18 and my paying $1,295 for the alarm install.

On August 27, 2018 I sent a text to Allen Landon, my sales rep at Palm Springs Motors Ford to let him know that it's been well over a month and I have not received a call, text, or email from him, Palm Springs Motors Ford, or KARR security systems to schedule my alarm installation that I had paid for on July 8, 2018. Allen's reply to my text on August 27, 2018 was, "on it." Allen sent another text that same afternoon stating that I should expect to hear from a service advisor named Leslie Abelon from KARR security systems (I assume)], if she has not already reached out to me. He apologized for the delay in getting this done and said that they will make it as easy as possible for me.

On October 8, 2018 I sent another text to Allen telling him that another month has gone by with no call, text or email from Leslie Abelon and that I have zero confidence in KARR security system to install my alarm system and to handle my account for monitoring my account if I something were to happen. I told Allen I would like a refund of the monies I paid 3 months ago. Allen replied, "Enough egg on my face to make the world's biggest omelet! I'm going to have the company contact you today and arrange an install which only takes about 20 -30 minutes at your selected location - home, office etc. Absolutely not our finest hour and I will make sure all powers that be are informed and rectify the disconnect between sales and service. I would also like you to know I take full responsibility as I should have followed up with you to be sure the job was complete. If you would allow me to take care of it in this manner today I would be happy to and if you prefer the refund I will be in later this morning and can arrange for that as well. Please let me know what you prefer." I replied, "Thank you Allen, but as I said...I have no confidence in that company and would prefer I be issued a refund when you get in later today. Thanks for taking care of this for me. ***" Allen replied, “will do”

At 11:02 a.m. that same morning Allen sent a text asking me to call him. I called Allen at 12:40 p.m.. Allen said that he spoke to his manager who said this is not something that can be refunded, and to bring the car in today to have the alarm installed. I reminded him that after 3 months of no contact from KARR security to have my car alarm installed, I have NO confidence in this company's ability to safely handle my account. Allen said that KARR is a reputable company and that the miscommunication is on his part. I told Allen that I do not care who refunds me my $1,295 (Ford or KARR), but I want a refund. Allen said he will let his manager know of my feelings on this right away. I told him to let me know as soon as possible.

Later that same day, I received a call from *** Magdaleno from Palm Springs Motors Ford at 2:27 p.m. saying their records indicated Karr reached out to me twice with no return call. I told *** that his records has to be wrong because I received no call, voicemail, nor text from anyone at KARR security system company to schedule my alarm install since purchasing the car on 7/8/18. I told *** that Allen also admitted that he should have followed up with me on my first request for someone to get in touch with me to get the alarm installed, and on his text to me, he agreed to refund my $1,295. *** said that Allen is on top of it now and to bring the car in this afternoon. I told *** that I requested from Allen a refund because I have zero faith in this company to handle my account on any possible future claim if it’s taken 3 months to get someone to schedule the initial install, and that Allen said he will arrange the refund when he gets into the dealership later today. *** said again that Allen is on top of it, and to bring the car in. I said I am in Santa Monica, and would like my $1,295 refunded. *** said that refunding my money is impossible. I said I will then need to take further action on this. He said ok, goodbye and he hung up.