Mr. Rogers Neighborhood

About 4 months ago I purchased a new '07 Dodge 3500 4x4 with the 6.7 liter diesel. I use it regularly to run my business. The msrp for this "gem" was about $41,000.00. I bought it from Sherwood Chrysler in Salisbury the owner of which is Bruce Rogers.

I must admit that it pulls harder than any other pick-up I've ever owned - bar none. After just a few days of use the "check engine" light went on. No biggie .I took it back and they reset the light saying it was an issue with the computer program and that it shouldn't happen again. But it did. I took it back a second time and a sensor was replaced. Then it happened again and the tech said he thought it was the computer module and tried to order a new one. Chrysler refused to send the new one without trying several things on a "flow chart" first. After several times of returning to the service department, I filed a registered letter with Chrysler under the lemon law. The problem continued. I spoke to Mr. Rogers who stated that the service department had ordered new parts for the turbocharger and that he would help me anyway that he could to resolve this issue. The entire turbo system had been replaced and I had been to the shop for not less than 12 times. Each time I was unable to use my truck and my business paid a price.

During that time Mr. Rogers had gotten rid of the Sales mgr. who sold me the truck for reasons unknown to me. Then the gen. mgr. of the entire group, Van Sulter, left and went to I.G. Burton in Seaford. The Service Mgr., Larry, was asked to resign. None of this was a result of my truck, but a sales person advised me that things are being run so poorly there that many people have lost respect for the Owner, Mr. Rogers. It's important to note that I have purchased close to $250,000.00 worth of vehicles from that dealership in the past 3 years or so. The manager with whom I was accustomed to dealing was Van. He has never been less than accommodating and he has even given his own program vehicle to me to use when one of mine was in for repair.

Back to my truck. After the turbo was replaced, I had no problems for about 3 whole weeks which was nothing short of miraculous for me at that point. I thought that finally my truck was the way it was supposed to be. Then it happened again. The check engine light! Sooooo.....I took it back.....again. This time I was told it was an EGR sensor but that replacing the censore wouldn't fix the problem. The problem was really in the computer program but the new svc. mgr., Ray, advised me that Chrysler was working on a new version of the program and it should be ready in March or April. NOT ACCEPTABLE. I had been informing them that I wanted Chrysler to buy back the truck or provide me with a new one. No Dice. Chrysler was working on it. Yeah right!

Mr. Rogers never attempted to help with that portion of the promise he made.

Now it gets really good! This past Thursday I stopped at the store to fill my tank. I put $106.00 in the tank and went to start my truck and.....nothing. No click. No hum. Nothing. I called Sherwood and spoke to Ray. Ray gave me an 800 number to call for a tow truck. Far be it from them to make the arrangements for me..not Sherwood. After being disconnected by Chrysler Roadside Assistance twice, they finally arranged for a two truck which came 1 hour later. Ray called me back and gave me the good news. They had my new truck waiting for me when I got there with the tow truck. All I had to do was go in the front door and tell them who I was and they would take care of it. Finally, light at the end of the tunnel. WRONG.

When I arrived, I did exactly as I was told. I was met at the door by a female sales person who had no Idea what I was talking about. I then spoke with an extremely smug manager who stated that it was his understanding that I was trading my truck in on another. Can you imagine after 4 months the equity I'd lose? I started to get frustrated. I explained what was said to me and the mgr. stated that there was no way he could do that. I then stated....just give me a truck o take home tonight and we can work it out when the svc. mgr. comes in tomorrow. The mgr said....we don't loan vehicles. At this point I had All I could take. I told him he'd better wake Rogers ass up and do something. The back of my truck was full of material to install a new bathroom and I couldn't leave it there. All of a sudden they produced a truck. The next day I spoke with Ray who stated that I was exactly right and he had been told by the sales mgr. exactly what he told me....to come get a new truck. But for now, they reset the problem part but couldn't get a replacement because the warehouse was backordered for 21 of them. Think this sensor is a problem? He told me I could take my truck back and try it and that it could fail again.....no telling when. No telling when the new part was coming in.

If I hadn't been so set on the Dodge, I would have gone back to Pittsville motors because they have the best customer service I've ever seen. I had a decision to make. How much money would I have to spend on an Attorney to force Chrysler to honor their obligation under the lemon law? How much more time would I be willing to lose with a truck constantly in for service. I came to the conclusion that it would cost less in the long run to trade the new truck with 11,000 miles for a used duallie with 30,000 miles.

I would like to thank Sherwood...for nothing. Mr. Rogers couldn't care less about his customers or customer service. It seems he also couldn't care less for his employees. I would urge everyone considering the purchase of an automobile to avoid Sherwood like a plague. Once you sign one the dotted line in Mr. Rogers' neighborhood, the honeymoon is over, and the protection given under the lemon law is virtually non-existent. As for Chrysler products? Ask the people who work there. I had 11,000 miles on that truck and it had been in the shop about 15 times for basically the same thing. Junk....plain and simple. Just think......Those assembly line workers hourly rate and benefit package is valued at $79.00 per hour to produce junk. And they want MORE!

Bruce Rogers it will be a cold day in hell before I spend another penny in your neighborhood.