Lokey Volkswagen
reviews and complaints

No doesn't mean no at LoKey. Stop messaging unless you can meet the numbers im looking for, means harass possible customers. Apparently the GM can't be bothered, as I called and the girl answering the phone refused to 1. call him 2. find him 3. do anything other than tell me she could get anyone else but the GM. If I wanted anyone else, I would have asked for anyone else.

This is the THEME at this VW location, they do NOT listen. I am perfectly fine with a dealer not being able to get to a price, that is going to happen. I am not fine with the misleading dealer ad's (get to that in a minute) their + + fees. What I am not fine with is I give you a number and 24 messages later you still can't get the hint. And get aggressive.

I have worked in BDC, worked at dealership in diff capacities and I did not ever see this in any of our locations in Central Florida. Maybe Sonic Automotive just does it better? They don't harass people when they tell them NO.

The Salesman and I started off on a okay foot as I had asked for all of the scratches and scuffs on the car I was interested in. I was told this car was "MINT". Even told there was no scuffs or scratches and to just come in. Nope.. I want to see photos. After asking two more times, I finally get all of these scratches and scuff photos. Now, mind you LOWKEY VW hides a 3000 RECON (Recondition fee) in their fees. So when you see a car listed it's BAIT and SWITCH. At least have the 00s to listed it right up front in font, the same size as everything else.

Now, if you want an idea of what is SUPPOSED to be done see link here acvauctions.com/blog/aut… and a sample here.

**** What's Included in Auto Reconditioning?

As stated above, auto reconditioning services include a variety of mechanical repairs and checkups. Your team inspects and adjusts, as necessary, everything under the hood, inside the interior, and on the body itself. The last step of the process is the detailing itself, which will take all of the hard work you put into updating the car and adds a little sparkle.

All those steps are crucial to establishing trust with your customers. What happens when a used-vehicle buyer brings in the car for the first oil change and discovers that the vehicle needs more than that because the vehicle was not reconditioned properly? Your reputation matters.

Here are some examples of what goes into all the aspects of auto reconditioning:

Body condition: fix dings, paint chips, dents, paint imperfections, and scratches

Engine: belts, fans, spark plugs, cylinders

Maintenance: oil and filter changes

Suspension: ball joints, tie rods, struts

Brakes: inspect and replace pads and rotors, if necessary

Interior: electrical system, heating, and air conditioning

Exterior: lights, exhaust system

*************************************

That is what dealers who are competent do. 3000 is still excessive and worse is that while they are arguing me about the fee, they never even fixed the items on this car. This car has been on the market for 27 days so, there has been plenty of time to get those things resolved. Either way, it was NOT. And no, the excuse of (we will wait till customer gets it, doesn't fly) unless you're ignorant. This is why you get it ready BEFORE hand.

Now, btw. I talked to the sales rep and gave him my numbers. He came back and told me numbers that were a heck of a lot more. I was confused, I thought I was purchasing a different car. This is when they came up with these mysterious numbers, 3000 fees. doc fees of 995. and non tax fees of 494. Now mind you, I ALREADY GAVE the numbers of where I need to be. 7 times. And he kept texting and texting even after I said to STOP. He couldn't meet the numbers so yes, here we are.

Now, the best part is him putting words and my mouth and calling me a liar. I advised that I would have my guy resolve the matter with the paint etc.. although, I should not have to. I never gave a price but later in the conversation he said "I said" that "the paint would be a 20.00 fix." First, I am not that stupid. Second, the fact that he said it needed to just have paint applied and buffed shows he has NO clue wtf he is talking about. Every one of those spots has to be sanded down, paint applied, then buff/wetsand/polish. Anyone with common sense knows this. 20.00 doesn't get any of those fixed correctly but sure we will go with that. If it's that simple, WHY DIDN'T LOKEY do it while charging 3k for recon. The guy my dads dealership uses told me it's roughly 500/600 fix but even then yeah...

These folks are unprofessional, they are taking advantage of people and it's wrong. I highly recommend you find someone else to do business with. Reason this car has been there 27 days since it's such a smoking deal. It's a deal at 16995 when you can work the numbers. It's NOT a deal at all, especially with repairs etc.. you will need to do. And what concerns me is. what repairs actually were done? Hmm?

Mr. Parrott
Sales manager
Lokey Volkswagen

04/19/2016
I found a 2013 Passat with 8, 013 miles loaded, one owner listed at the Internet price of $14, 005, last Thursday (04/14/2016). I telephoned and got Travis on the phone. As the car had just come in, he did not have much information on the car. We set up an appointment to see the car on Saturday morning at 1000 04/16/2016).
I texted him on Saturday at 0953 (04/16/2016), as on Friday I had been diagnosed with Pneumonia & had laryngitis. I explained I would try to get in ASAP, but that being sick, it was not any time soon. Saturday afternoon, (04/16/2016) I loaded up with as much cold medicine as possible and had my husband drive me in, I still had no voice. Travis and I had an appointment for 1530. Apparently Travis had another appointment for 1530 as he passed us off to Marc. Marc took us for a test drive. The car was not exactly what I wanted, however, The price was great & the mileage was great. I put down a deposit and very specifically said I would be in touch on Tuesday (04/19/16).
On Monday (04/18/16) my phone started blowing up as to when was I coming in to buy the car from Travis & Marc. I went back on the Internet to retrieve the VIN# and noticed the car was not listed anymore. Marc texted me the VIN#, the exact mileage and the brand new price of $14, 995. (?) I questioned Marc on the new price and said just come in & we will get it worked out. After more texts, I finally called my husband and told him to go in and get all the paperwork together and I would run over and sign it.
So, I don't know if it is because I am a woman, an inexperienced car buyer, a blond or whatever...By the time Travis & Marc were finished with the paperwork the car was now priced at over $20, 000! If I remember correctly, there was a reconditioning fee, a restocking fee, an inventory fee, a cleaning fee and an I don't know what else fee tacked on. However, since they liked me, they would "discount" the car $4, 000. Than add tax, tag, title. Needless to say, I may be all of the above listed items, but completely stupid is not one of them.
I did not purchase the car.
I have gone back to read over all of your fine print and no-where do I see any of these fees disclosed. This was a less than pleasurable car purchasing experience.
I did send an e-mail to the General Sales Manager on 04/20/16 and have not heard one word.

The old bait and switch trick . . .
The Lokey Volkswagen at 27850 US 19 N Clearwater Fl uses a bait and switch tactic to get prospects into their dealership. I received information in the mail that scratched off and MATCHED for a $2000 win.
I called the phone number and they said yes, I won the $2000. When I arrived they said the scratch off number that matches was not the winner. It was another number on the other side of the promotion. They referred me to fine print on the other side of the promotion the winning match does not guarantee a prize. In other words nobody ever wins any of the prizes EVER except a cheap fishing pole that few if anybody wants or needs.
We are looking for a second car but now have second thoughts about Lokey. It will be interesting to learn the name of the person who wins the $25, 000 or the Flat screen TV. When Lokey sends me that info I will then consider buying a car from them.

They are great until you sign the deal and buy the car. They don't follow through on ANYTHING they say that they will do. I was lied to repeatedly and the General Manager is one of the rudest people I have EVER come into contact with. The customer service here is a joke. I was going to file a formal complaint but with the GM 100% comfortable speaking to me the way he did and no one else was shocked by it, I have no doubt that it comes down from the top so it would be pointless. You would think that they would appreciate referrals in this economy but that is not the case. Definitely don't waste your time or I promise that you will regret it like I do. These guys are the epitome of sleazy used car salesmen!