Need a car? Don't go to Cronin's Glenway Dodge!
Our first experience with them wasn't that bad. We were referred by my sister and her husband. They had a good experience with them. This was in 10/04. We were sold a 2002 minivan for a *decent* price but the financing was ridiculous. We took it because we had no other choice (or so we thought!)
Our second experience with them in April of this year was very unsatisfactory. We went back because we were *happy* with the first transaction and thought they could give us the same courtesy they extended the first time. This was not quite the case. Management had changed and so had a lot of people's attitudes.
We were able to finance a 2nd car (even though we only have one income in our household...) But we were made to feel like paupers, as if we didn't deserve a 2nd vehicle because our credit isn't perfect and because I stay home with the kids and "don't work". Anyhow, they managed to finance our 2002 Ford Escort somehow LOL.
When we told them we needed to think about it before we made the final decision, you would think we told them the world was going to end...I've never felt so much pressure!!! The sales manager kept coming back with better figures even though we were told he "couldn't do any better for us" and that we were "getting the best deal anyone would give us".
We decided to go ahead with the purchase, and upon delivery (with my 3 toddlers in tow), I double checked that there was suffiicient gas in the vehicle we had just paid over $8K for, because it was low when we test-drove it. I was ASSURED it was fine on gas and handed the keys and shoved out the door. Upon entering the vehicle and turning it on, THE FUEL LIGHT CAME ON! The dealership had already closed and the babies were getting cranky, so we headed straight to a gas station and fueled up (at over $2.25 a gallon at the time...)
TWO DAYS LATER the "check engine" light came on. Luckily, we had a 30-day waranty that the dealership gave us. So we called them, and they told us it was our fault and we must have driven it with little or no fuel. I said that was because it was delivered to us COMPLETELY EMPTY and that THIS WAS THEIR FAULT! They said they could reset some sensor that would make the "check engine" light go back off. I told them that THEY needed to provide us with a loaner vehicle while they "reset the sensor" which took over 24 hours!
In the meantime, I took it to "Auto Zone" to use their free diagnostic hand-held computer to see what the little machine would tell me is wrong with the car. I wrote it down in case the dealership's mechanic tried to pull a fast one on me...
After we got the car back, less than 24 hours later the light came on AGAIN!!!! Took it straight to Auto Zone, and sure enough, it stated the SAME PROBLEM, so the problem was never fixed. I called the dealership's service center and FUMED at them. They had THE NERVE to ask me if I drove it with no fuel again!?!?!? I told them of course not and DEMANDED they fix it right this time. I told them I'd only had the car for 4 days and it had been in the shop for 1 of those days already! Again, I demanded a loaner. This time, they had to send it out to an "authorized Ford mechanic"...I guess they had no idea how to fix it. SO FIVE DAYS LATER, they call to say the car was back. And of course there was no gas in it AGAIN.
Well, guess what? We won't be "dealing" with them again!
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