Hey Joe,
My name is Eric Konopka. I've recently had an issue with a vehicle that I'd bought from Preston Motors. My neighbor recommended I talk to you about possibly getting the word out about the poor service that I've received since I bought the vehicle. In short, there's a feature that is defective in the vehicle that I hadn't found out about until a couple of days after I had taken it home. When I inquired with my sales person about having it repaired, he assured me that it wouldn't be a problem. However, once I took it to be repaired, I was told that it needs a $400 part and that they were not going to fix it unless I paid for it. This defective feature (unknown to them or not at the time) was never disclosed to me prior to the sale. As with most people, had I known about it, it would have played a large part in my decision to purchase the vehicle. My argument with them is that the vehicle was sold under the premise that everything worked fine, but the sales manager that I spoke with is telling me that everything is tested prior to being sold and that it worked fine then, but clearly it doesn't.
Now I'm not sure what all you could/would be willing to do, but I hope that maybe this would be a story that you'd be interested in running. I will be up front and admit that I am looking for this to assist in my gain, as I am still battling with them to repair the defective feature. They've had my car for over a week now (since Wednesday 4/21), and the only communication I've received from them was the message on 4/21 stating that my car was done and ready for pick-up. I have called in two times to inquire on the status of the situation. The first time (4/21) which was when I was told about their view of the repair and "the battle" had started, I was told that I'd receive a call back the following day, but I hadn't heard anything. The second time (4/27), I was directed a manager whom I was told was at his desk, however he never picked up. I left him a voicemail asking him to call me back as soon as he could, but I also have yet to hear anything back from that request. So now, not only am I screwed over, but I'm also being ignored.
Thanks for your time,
Eric Konopka
We dare ya compare! Dash right Daddy! LOL
ReplyDeleteDid you buy used, or new? That would make a considerable difference.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe him. He probably just has buyers remorse. I have heard nothing but the best about that place... that being said I have not bought a vehicle from them.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter if he bought a brand new car or a $4995 car. If it was new it is covered under the manufacturers warranty, if it was used it has a 90 day warranty supplied by the dealer. People want to know why no one wants to buy on the shore....this is the reason. Absolutely ZERO customer service. I know because I was a customer service manager for several dealerships. They would rather loose a customer than do the right thing if it means loosing money.
ReplyDeletePeople still shop at Nordstrom's even in this economy because they always stand behind their product. If auto dealers want to survive in this economy where more and more people are choosing to fix their cars rather than buy new ones they need to ramp up their customer service in the service areas to hang onto every customer they have.
eric suck it up and take care of your own problems i bought 6 new cars at preston over 20 years and had best service ever i will keep going back even when i see a complainer like you
ReplyDeleteIt does make a difference 9:53. If he bought new, there is a legitimate complaint. If he bought used, the validity of the complaint would have to be based on the warranty (if any) that comes with the vehicle. I'd like to know what this "defective" part is. We certainly don't have all of the right info to stand by this guy or to throw Preston under the bus. This isn't necessarily a customer service issue. While I have never done business with Preston, they are obviously doing something right. The customer is NOT always right. You have to draw the line somewhere.
ReplyDeleteIf you want great service I suggest Price Buick Pontiac in Salisbury. I took my vehicle in for service recently and a problem developed that was an accident and they called me right away to let me know it happened and took the steps to fix the problem (which was not cheap) and did it in a very quick manner, all while keeping me informed. I have heard good and bad about Preston but no 1st hand experience with them.
ReplyDeleteRichard
I don't see where it says there was a 90 day warranty. Lots of Preston's, which one? And what is the problem? Let's not smear some local business without some detail. Joe can't give you your money back, call Dave Wilson every day until it is settled. And then let us know how it turned out.
ReplyDeleteI bought a new ranger from them in 1994 and had a problem with the transmission. They couldn't fix it and jerked me around untill I finally called Ford motor company and complained. (No internet or email in those days, they had a 800 number for complaints) Ford sent me to another dealer and it was repaired. Aparently there was a technical service bulletin and it was a quick fix. 16 years and 2 trucks later and I'm still ticked off. Do what I did and never go back.
ReplyDeleteBought 3 new cars from Preston, but never again. Bought last one from Preston Mazda in 2005. Nine months pregnant with 3rd child. Did not want any special treatment, but the manager at Preston Mazda flat out lied and caused a lot of problems. I was told one thing, but luckily I paid attention to the paper work because they were attempting to get me to sign a contract for different terms then discussed. Several examples of poor customer service, but I am done with them. They are not as great as they make themslves out to be, and it did not matter how high I went up the ladder or that I was a 3rd time customer. Nobody cared. Hope things are going well for them because they obviously were not concerned with me being a return customer.
ReplyDeleteI,ve been hearing bad things about them lately. I quess it's true. They better clean up their act before they ruin their reputation and lose alot of business !!
ReplyDeletePreston,the biggest sponsor of Channel 16 news.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they need to lose the "frog" gimmick and just stick to good service.
He Bought Used , No Extended Warranty . Ha Ha Ha
ReplyDeleteEric,
ReplyDeleteWe are sorry that you had an issue with Preston and I want to ensure you I will fix the problem. We pride ourselves in customer service and I want to make sure all our customers are happy. We are in the middle of a cornfield so we want everyone to be happy when they come and buy a car from us. We are going to fix this problem for you at no cost and I agree we should have fixed it day one. I want everyone to know that we are a family run organization and support this community in every chance we can get. For that matter if anyone has a concern, question, or are interested in a vehicle call me directly 410-829-0034.
Thanks,
David Wilson Jr.
Vice President
Preston Automotive Group
The warrantee on any used car is 1000 miles or thirty days wich ever comes first...And that covers major parts like the drivetrain..Dont know exactly what the issue was but Im sure that you were offered an extended plan...That would have taken care of any problum!!
ReplyDeleteI too have had a terrible time with Preston. I attempted to call Dave Wilson Sr. several times but to no avail, he never returned my messages. Between my husband and I, we have purchased 3 vehicles from them, 2 used, 1 new. Both times we purchased used vehicles, we had nothing but problems. And the manager we had at the time was very rude. My husband is currently looking for another vehicle and I wouldn't go to Preston again even if they offered to pay us pots of gold for our business.
ReplyDeleteI have dealt with the same issue but it was with the Car Store in Salisbury. I bought yes a used car which still has factory warranty & I purchased the extended warranty as well. The day after buying the car 3 issues came about. I was told the same thing, everything is checked before you leave. The bad part is that neither warranty will cover the issues so now I am stuck with it. The manager of the Car Store pretty much told me they are now my issues not his.
ReplyDeleteDitto on The Car Store. I had a problem with my ac the day I drove my truck off the lot. They talked me into a expensive extended warranty which I purchased that was supposed to cover basically everything. I had the truck back in immediately to fix things that should never have passed inspection. They were unable to fix the AC and said they would fix it under the warranty. Well guess what, the warranty that was supposed to cover "everything" doesn't cover the problem and it is going to cost me $1500 to fix it. I have called the manager numerous times, and he never returned my calls. Finally he said he would investigate it and get back to me. Haven't heard from him yet.
ReplyDeleteI have bought 6 cars from Preston and members of my family have bought 8 others. We have had nothing but good experiences from them.
ReplyDeleteIf you do some background on the Preston automotive group, you will find that they are nothing more than a bunch of gangsters from Philadelphia.
ReplyDeleteThey don't give a crap about the customers, they only care about the money!
As the neighbor mentioned by Eric, I'm glad to see that they stepped up to the plate and are fixing it at no cost to him. Up until the the comment from Dave Wilson, Jr., the customer service was inexcusable. I'm sure that others will now rethink (in a positive light) purchasing a vehicle from them since the issue is being resolved. Way to go, Eric and Mr. Wilson!
ReplyDeleteWay To Go Dave Jr. Put Your Number out There For Everybody . Who Cant Tell You A Man trying To Make The Customer #1
ReplyDeleteWe Love Our New Mazda we Bought There. You were The cheapest Guys Around.
I can guarantee this is a used car. Used car warantees cover engine and drive train issues, unless the car is sold "as is." Unless the troubled part is a part of the engine or drive train, and remedy by the dealer would be a result of their goodwill.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Preston's wonderful service and piece of crap cars. We bought a truck from there and our engine blew. They tried to not cover it even though it was covered in the warranty. After 2 months of trying to talk to someone about why they wouldn't cover it even though it was clearly covered then threatening them with a lawsuit they changed their minds and fixed it. Will NEVER deal with them again. Lesson learned.
ReplyDelete