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Car-Mart review: Car purchaser 29

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4:16 am EDT
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I got a car from CarMart and three weeks later it stopped on me. I have to constantly go back to the dealership because its always something new wrong with it. I have only had it for two months.

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29 comments
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Kristi Neely
Little Rock, US
Aug 29, 2023 10:32 pm EDT

They will not help me get a replacement car title. They said I "lost it" but no proof--- I have the titles from the former owners. So I hve not been able to register the car.

2014 Subaru Outback

VIN 4S4BRBCC9D3321681

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Jamie256
, US
Aug 22, 2023 8:41 am EDT
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I am late on my payment but my wife had to go to hospital bc she is pregnant and now my car won't crank

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Bryan Locke
, US
Jul 15, 2023 9:02 pm EDT
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Got a car, Volkswagen Passat. 2019 and the salesman said there was a turbo. Took to mechanic. No turbo. Also it's been badly badly wrecked. Now Freeon smell from my ac vents. There crooks and need to go out of business.

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Sheyanne
, US
Jun 18, 2023 4:10 pm EDT
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My Insurance company sent a check for the car after someone Totaled it out and I had gap coverage and I keep calling to to when they are supposed to be sending me my portion of the check but no one will answer are telling anything it’s be 3 weeks since the insurance company sent the money and I have no car now

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Detective 101
Vernon tx, US
Jun 18, 2023 7:05 am EDT

03/20/23 a week within buying this car the transmission blew didn’t have the car for a month. Car is only worth $[protected] a transmission repair cost more than the value of the car ! I could go to a different dealership and get a newer car for that! I got scammed! Will never refer this buisness to anyone

Car mart Altus okalahoma

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Mr McDowell
Owensboro Kentucky, US
May 29, 2023 9:36 am EDT
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I went to Car Mart in Owensboro KY on 4/22/23 and the Ford focus blew up the next Saturday! I went back to car Mart again the following Monday and got a Chevy spark! It has major problems but they would not listen to me! Sense I missed Monday for work I didn't work all week so that's another one thousand dollars I lost Plus the down payment

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Nancy Chabot
, US
Dec 22, 2022 2:51 am EST

My car broke down 12-6-22 they won’t tell me what shop has my car say it’s againist policy so no clue

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Michele Jacolyne Brashears
, US
Jul 24, 2022 4:58 pm EDT

Buyer beware Carmart Lebanon,Missouri. 2 lemons and 0 solutions. One 12,000 3 year contract paid off with no running vehicle or lein release and less than 2 months into 2nd vehicle and major overhaul needed from weeks one.

GM is a bully and doesn't handle anything professional. Salesman is out for himself and is a liar. Maintenance manager is always unavailable.

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Michelle Stoude
, US
Aug 21, 2019 9:32 am EDT

Well, I really wished I'd had read this before I decided to go to Car Mart. Previously i purchased a car from them and not any problems. Last September i purchased a car for my daughter, Kia Optima. Two months later i realized I'd made a horrible choice but I had car towed to my home, then towed to Auto Save. Auto Save did fix the "problems". During this time I did not make any car payments. Got car back running perfect...for a few months. Now, it runs hot, need altenator, brakes rotators (which had no screws. Mechanic was surprised i didn't have accident caused by wheels flying off). Its an old car, 2002, but maintenance on anything mechanical would be positive. Or, so I thought. Now this car needs to be out in shop once again and I really don't want to...daughter has already lost her job, no transportation. My grandson goes to Headstart. thankfully it's in walking distance. Question should I let Auto Save once again "work" to fix this problem or try a "shade tree mechanic"? Either way I'M NOT GOING TO PAY NEXT CAR NOTE! I feel this company lied about every concerning this car. On top of all of this i have Multiple Sclerosis and walking, talking, reasoning and feelings in hands and feet are numb and I'm now using a cane. Honestly, I throw my hands up and give them back their car and go about my day. Not like I can drive anymore anyway.

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Jay commander
, US
Jun 13, 2017 6:52 pm EDT

I too is having prpblems on my yruck as well 2006 j÷p commander.. I bought truck on thmarch 23 2017 around May 2017 the motor locked up on it... I had just saved the money for taggs.. It went towards a rental car... They gave me the run around. I ended up spend $1000.00 dollars on a rental.. Got truck back ... Here now on thi 13th day of june the yruck stopped on me @gain... So im with it.. This is all down within the service contract.. My issue is my money for my yaggs.. Plus i have also gotten two ticket ... This is carazy.. Why why why me.. I was suppose to be at work.. However i could not go back.. Why no transportation... [protected] or [protected]... Let me know or have the lawyer call me.. I with it...

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jes1
, US
Aug 22, 2016 8:42 am EDT

Class action law suit anyone. My service contract violated. Corp says nothing they can do take it to another mechanic an pay or have it repossessed. Anyone interested they can't keep taking our money this Is 3rd vehicle from them an will be my last from them...

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Ricky30
, US
Jan 15, 2016 3:09 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I agree with you. This company is shady. The Ponca city ok location sold my ex and I two cars and could not deliver on the titles. I called corp and was promised a phone call back and never got one. A few days latter my ex got her tittle and never got mine. I made a payment and for what ever reason it was returned. I called them and told them I would make it right in a few days. I am now getting calls twice a day being rude and full of threats. My payment might of came back but they never delivered the tittle to me on my car and if they gave it to my ex after I told them not to that is on them. If any one else has a problem please call The Oklahoma car Dealer licensing http://www.dmv.org/ok-oklahoma/buy-sell/car-dealers/dealer-licensing.php they have inspector they have to ans to. I know for not delivering my tittle I asked many time for another car to drive and they made me drive on a expired tag for two weeks. I record all my phone calls with them and you can too if you have a android phone download Automatic call recorder and it will record you calls and if you would like to save them off your phone download drop box very easy to understand. This company is a joke sell you a $3000 car truck or suv for $10, 000 you think you would get great service but the other way around. one day after I got my onvoy the day after I told them I wanted to bring it back check engine light was on and it had no power they promised to fix never did and I asked for another car nothing. I will say this the staff at the Ponca city store was awesome at the time of sale but after the ink dried they changes acted like they did not even want you in there store. I understand the embarrassment on there side cars are cars if they don't know how to fix just say so and give us our money back and move on but cars are cars right. I learned my listen only buy from big dealerships that can back up there cars even my ex suv started knocking and I might not like how she is acting right now but they wont even take care of her told her they could not get her into the shop until feb that is what she told me. I don't see how they sleep at night knowing they are doing this to families. every one please please calling the dealer lic they can be fine as small as $500 can get up to $10, 000 fine and they must be paid in 30 days or they shut them down the BBB is great but only a complaint the real people with real power is the dealer lic and the attorney general.

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abc pissed
Gadsden, US
Oct 29, 2014 5:38 pm EDT

I've had my 2004 trailblazer for a little over a month..They towed it yesterday and promised to fix ALL problems..I told them to let me know what was wrong with it BEFORE any work was done...As all the above complaints they did not know where it was...could be at one of several repair shops they use...BUT..I asked the tow truck driver where he was taking it..So I called the shop before I called CARMART..He said just a oil change and some sensor..Ok..NO ..the transmission was going out..I knew this and they tried to play the DANCE with me..I told Mr.Backyard mechanic ..Finish up and I'll be there in a few to get it..OH NO..he says..I'll get in trouble..So I informed him they told me that they did not know with shade tree mechanic had it ..Anyway I told Mr.Backyard that I will come with some of Gadsdens finest and get MY car...They are just the lein holder..unless you default on your payments they cannot hide your car...I also called th Federal Trade Comm. and filed a complaint ..also Consumer protection, BBB, Chamber of commerce and tomm I have consult with an attorney...Hope this helps..I want to start a website to recruit enough people to file a class action lawsuit..Will post when I start one

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Nancy Chabot
, US
Dec 22, 2022 2:50 am EST
Replying to comment of abc pissed

My car broke down [protected] they won’t tell me where my car is says it’s against policy I just know it’s in Georgia I bought it in alabama but broke down in NC and closest repair shop was Georgia

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ls90265
Malibu, US
May 31, 2023 10:54 am EDT
Replying to comment of abc pissed

Count us in, if you file a class action lawsuit. They are predatory lenders and sell cars they KNOW to have serious mechanical problems.

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over it for real
Owensboro, US
Aug 27, 2014 8:45 am EDT

I am paying on a 2004 chevy trailblazer they have repossed it twice each time it has come back to me with something wrong. I have 2 huge dents in the back end. A broken wind sheild the wiring is all messed up. The radio does not work they have a tracking device in the vehicle. The car dies if you try to use the ac. I Have contacted the DM and nobody calls me back. I found out today that there are recalls on this year of trailblazers. I also checked the blue book value and it books at a little over 2 thousand and they got me owing 10 thousand. I dont know what to do.

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B Free
Decatur, US
Nov 26, 2012 3:23 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

My first purchase from Car Mart of Decatur, AL was back in 2007. Great vehicle, super great GM, if there was a problem he addressed it immediately. Second purchase was a decent vehicle, I even haggled over the price-GM was super about it, saved about $2000. Had one problem with vehicle, fuel pump; called and they replaced it did a pressure check-injector test-everything worked great. Had a 2 day turn around for the work. Later on the vehicle was in a horrible collision, and after the accident report, after my insurance company towed it to a collision center; Car Mart got their folks to go assess the damages plus my insurance company had an assessor and meanwhile my insurance company got me a free rental. When the collision center was done, vehicle was totaled, Car Mart got the check from my insurance company, no problems. So you can see why I go back. I was WRONG.
THIS TIME HOWEVER, the GM is obnoxious, rude, lies, brushes off the customer, and is very unprofessional! I have had the vehicle for less than 3 months. My timing belt broke, and I had my insurance company tow it to the local dealership for a diagnostic. When it came back the SAME DAY that the timing belt was the problem, engine was good, pistons good etc; I called Car Mart. See, a lot of folks don't read the full contract. Here is the deal. READ YOUR CONTRACT! Yes you have the standard 5 mons/5000 miles warranty. That warranty is for things like alternator, clutch, vacuum lines, muffler, headers and gaskets, E brake, gas tank, starter. BUT! You also have a 'service contract' that you are REQUIRED to purchase. It is for the life of the LOAN. So while your paying for the vehicle, your paying every time for the service contract. they don't want you to ever use it, but you have it! It covers BIG STUFF. From axle's to water pumps, even the ENGINE.
So my problem is I have been without my vehicle for 2 weeks now, not because of repairs, the repairs were done by a Master Mechanic at the only Dealership in town, with a warranty on parts and labor for 2 yrs/20, 000 miles. The problem is Car Mart gives you the RUN AROUND about PAYING for the repairs. They do not use 'dealerships' of the make of your vehicle because they say dealerships over charge for parts and labor. NOT TRUE. Dealerships deal with YOUR make of vehicle specifically, their mechanics are certified and higher level than the local grease monkey at a fix it shop, and because they only use dealer parts-specific for your vehicle you have an extra warranty on the parts. Car Mart uses the local grease monkey shops, or cousin Bubba down the road that does 'good enough' work or less than quality work with OEM parts. Sure, OEM parts fit, they work, but they are aftermarket parts just like going to Autozone or Napa to get them yourself. You don't take your vehicle to the Express Oil Change place to replace your engine, or get your brakes and rotors done! Car Mart does that. And when you call Corporate, they give your message to the local DM (district manager) who then calls you to find out what you need. The first time I talked to the DM she was great. Now, she NEVER calls back. I have emailed, I have left messages for Accounts Payable, I have been told 7 different stories from Car Mart concerning the payment and how it is processed, and I have gone through the entire Thanksgiving holidays catching rides for work, bill paying and grocery shopping. I have been lied to, the service dept at the dealership has been told several lies and everyone is tired of the way this is being handled.
Here is the catch. You signed an arbitration agreement when you bought that vehicle. It says you wont sue Car Mart for any reason, you will negotiate and mediate the problem. THERE IS A LOOPHOLE. Always always read everything! If, Car Mart does not uphold or HONOR the service contract, or anything else in the contract, they are in BREACH of the contract and therefore you can and SHOULD sue them for the entire purchase price of the vehicle, plus emotional damages from the headaches they have caused, any extra financial problems that came of their actions, and above ALL things KEEP PAYING your payments! No matter what! While your suing them, YOU keep making payments. Your keeping your end of the bargain, and they are NOT.
Yes, I am contacting an attorney today. I am certainly suing. I am so done with this company. I am NOT driving easy. DO NOT do business with Car Mart of Decatur, AL.

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norris 7
Florence, US
Nov 11, 2012 6:04 pm EST

I bought two cars from carmart in muscleshoals al the price is way too high too start with but with bad credit you do what you have to well I have payed faitfull for 2 years on both of them and the economey went down my job lowered my pay and i was struggling to pay for both off them I ask the gm to refinance them and he was very rude and told me that he needed to look over all my bills and then he would make a decision he said he wanted to see if I could reduce any of my other bills first what an a hole its none of his buisness what my other bills are I told him if he could not help us we would have to give back one of the vechials he said well if you do that I will take you to court take both cars and take your house well he just scewed up cause Im filing bankruptcy on both of them and lets see what kind of smart a@@ comments come out then any thought s on this

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Zoey2
Alma, US
Jun 26, 2012 5:33 pm EDT

CAR MART CORPORATE HEAD QUARTERS PHONE NUMBER IS [protected]. CALL AND LET THEM KNOW ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR COMPANY!

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Mona Edwards
Lufkin, US
Apr 04, 2012 5:12 am EDT

I have had similar experiences with car mart. I purchased a 99 ford explorer from car mart. Before my 3 day I took it back because it would not start. It was sent to a repair shop and I was told they could not find nothing wrong with the vehicle. So I got the vehicle back and the vehicle kept doing the same thing. Within two weeks the vehicle kept doing the same thing. It was towed back to car mart. Car mart agreed to put me in another vehicle. I was satisfied with that since they could not find nothing wrong with the ford explorer. I chose a 01 Grand Jeep Cherokee. At the time of test driving the vehicle I told the salesperson that seem like something was wrong with the transmission. He assured me that the transmission was fine. The vehicle is a 4 wheel drive which will not move if the shift is not in a certain position. The vehicle jerks, stalls, back fires, and stops while i am driving the vehicle. It has been in 3 repair shops and no one can find whats wrong with the vehicle. I have asked for information on the repair shops and the company refuse to give me information to who repairs the vehicle. There is no paper work as to what was done to the vehicle. I took the vehicle to a repair shop of my choice and my repairman found a problem with the vehicle but car mart refuse to let my repairman do the repairs; Car mart picked up the vehicle and supposedly took it to their repairman to fix the problem. When I got the vehicle back the problem was not fixed but the vehicle was running worse than it was before the repairs supposedly was done. I now sit on the side of the road in the vehicle more than I can drive the vehicle on the road.

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sngbrd
tahlequah, US
Oct 21, 2011 5:58 am EDT
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My roommate is currently going through a similar nightmare with this company. Vehicle broke down and left on the side of the road. When returned later the same day to retrieve it, it was gone. She reported it stolen only to discover, a manager from another store saw it and the "carmart" logo on the vehicle and had it towed to the local store, not the one she purchased it at btw. She received no notification and no apology for scaring the hell out of her. When she asked to come get it they told her no it would be repaired there and the repairs would then be tacked onto the remaining balance. Keep in mind... The payments were current at this time. She called everyday to check on the repair progress and was repeatedly told, no news, well let u know. This kept up until it was time for a pmt, then another. All this time she's having to pay for rides from other ppl due to not having her own vehicle. This has gone on for 3 mos now. She has been told now that in order to get her car back shed have to not only catch up all past due pmts (during the time she didn't have the vehicle) and pay a large portion of the repair bill (of which still have not been done to our knowledge, at a shop she didn't choose). Surely there is someone out there somewhere that can help!? Were both single mothers struggling to make it and this company is completely inconsiderate and downright crooked about their business. Someone, anyone, plz help! if u have any suggestions plz contact us at sngbrdanita2002@yahoo.com. Thanks! And good luck to everyone here listing a complaint against this slimeball company!

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bacardi
Morrilton, US
Aug 13, 2011 9:15 am EDT

The manager at carmart in Morrilton Ark told me that I could skip a few payments due to medical necessity and that I could catch it up at tax time (will only owe about 1000 at tax time anyway) and then said that since I only ended up paying 150 for med, I had to split my payment up over the next 4 payments. This is bs because she should have told me that in the beginning. Now I wont have gas money to drive my suv.

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carmartsux101
Oak Grove, US
Mar 15, 2011 3:52 am EDT

Day 1 I bought an 03 Pontiac aztek, trans problems on day 2 so i returned it and they put me in an 03 durango, overheating problems on day 4, so i returned it and got a 2000 ford windstar, so far i have had to put in a power steering pump, water pump, fix the wire going from the fuse box to the positive battery terminal (the van kept stalling and when i asked to have it fixed they said f*!# off and hung up) the wire actually melted to the battery, the windshield wiper motor just went out and there is an oil leak so bad that no one in town will do an oil change on it. this is the hopkinsville, ky location. Kevin the gm is a piece of crap and is getting sued for sexual harassment in the workplace and fraud, tomorrow i am getting a different vehicle from a different company and pulling this one on to the lot and telling the where to stick the keys... you catch my drift

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LEXCUPPLES
Cabot, US
Mar 01, 2011 11:21 pm EST

i bought a 03 durango from car mart in jacksonville ar. the service is lousy and the workers managers and gm are rude and unprofessional my car wheel bearing went out and when i called for an update the next day was told they would let me know when it was done. so i asked for the name of the shop and was told no even when i said i would wait for the work to be done so i knew the work was done at a reliable shop i was told no they said since they were paying they didnt have to tell me and that if it wasn fixed right when i got it back id have to bring it back and they do it again but im a one car house of five i finally got ahold of the gm and he was just as bad acusing me of just tryin to find an arguement. i have checked my car online to fine its been in 21 accidents. how do you run a business this way and why would you not have someone these people could answer too but the way it seems the managers run it like their own personal company and treat customers like trash after they have signed the contract. I signed and picked car up next day to an empty gas tank when i was promised it woud be filled and it took a month to get any gas out of the store and they would only put in 15 dollars. Id like to get ahold of someone on a national level to answer these questions to the pubic so he coud explain why there is no checks in place so people dont have to be treatedthis way. if anyone knows how to contact a ceo or president of the company contact me at lexcupples@GMAIL.COM. I AM GOING TO PURSUE THIS UNTILL SOMEONE IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE

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customer10
Jonesboro, US
Sep 08, 2010 8:51 pm EDT

I have bout 2 vehicles previously before my current vehicle and had no problems. My current one is a Chrysler 300 I've had for almost 6 months. it just went over the "5 month/5500 mile warranty". This weekend my either my head cracked or blew my headgasket while i was out of town. Either way, I called the service manager monday morning and I told them where the car was and to tow it in and fix it or just keep the damn thing. He gave me the normal BS about my warranty just expiring. But i told him I'm broke, and i used my car payment to have it towed to my parents house and that if they dont fix it, that they know where its at and they can keep it. About an hour later the finance guy called me and asked when I was coming to make a payment. I told him "it'll be a long time or until they get it fixed" after I gave him the details. 30 minutes later the service manager called me and said if I can get it to them that they would fix it and waive the deductible. I was shocked. But not surprised. They overinflate the price so much. The car is only worth half of what we're paying. If they kept it and auctioned it off. They'd lost couple of thousand. But if they repaired it, I'd still pay on it and they still make a cpl of grand off it. So it was in their interest to fix it. Simply b/c I haven't paid that much into the car. Now if I've been payin on it for a while, that'd be different. But they could have fixed it and tacked it onto my payments. Now the problem I'm going to have is to stay on their [censor] about getting it fixed instead of dragging it out for weeks.

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true25
, US
Aug 05, 2010 1:57 pm EDT

Oh and by the way i have only had the car for 8 months im so dissapointed. I also refuse to pay for a car that has nothing but problems from the beginning and that should be my problem i dont think so .

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true25
, US
Aug 05, 2010 1:53 pm EDT

I also tusted the carmart people with a beautiful shiny lincoln ls . Since day on i have had problems with this spectacular car. fromt the beginning i had to repalce the radsiator hose which lincoln only sold and was 240$.
needed new ball joints replaced those. new ignition coils. When i asked them to fixs the problems they told me no. I am now having problems with my transmission, my heart is so broken i was so happy when i got it and now its a living nightmare i asked the kacskonville ar location manager about repairs and i still havent got a call yet i need help i dont know what to do. i wish to join the bandwaggon because i dont think its fair to working people who the prey upon to sell a car that simply just doesnt work . its an evil practice but this has gone way too far

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Revel8tion
Russellville, US
Jun 28, 2010 9:17 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I too purchased two vehicles from them in a two month period. Here it is 4 months later and I have had to replace the alternator, transmission, and have the air conditioner parts replaced on the 2000 Pontiac Sunfire. On the 2003 Mercury Sable I have have to replace the transmission and the air conditioner quit working but I can't afford to fix it. They tacked on 700 dollars of these repairs on the Sunfire's note- the problem is I have spent over 4k in 4 months to have the repairs done to these two vehicles. They said that I had a 3 day gaurentee! to just bring them back- when I brought back the Mercury right away they said "ohh it's probably a shift kit is why it shifts hard!" WTF now I'm so far in the hole on these two vehicles I'll never get my money back. Oh, and by the way this is Russellville, Ark I am referring too! So beware. Oh, and don't go to upper management. I have spoken to DM's, customer service at corporate and they all just give you the same song and dance "YOu have three days to bring it back." Well, if I put an additive in the vehicle to mask potential problems don't you think it will for more than three days?! Anyhow I am about to get an attorney because I refuse to allow them to hit my credit when they are supplying a service that is subpar. Anyone wishing to join in on this bandwaggon let me know. My attorney has said that if we can get enough people the company would have no choice but to listen and RECTIFY the problems.

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Kindra Stephens
, US
Feb 07, 2023 5:25 pm EST
Replying to comment of Revel8tion

They still up to the same stuff I would like to join