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Friday, February 13, 2015

Shady Hertrich Strikes Again

I purchased a used 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe from Hertrich's Frederick Ford of Seaford on 6/28/14 and have been having major vehicle issues, as well as unbelievably terrible customer service since that day. I am a Maryland resident, so upon purchasing I requested that they Maryland inspect my vehicle since they are a Delaware dealer. I purchased on a Saturday and the salesman advised me that they would need to have the Tahoe inspect first of the week and they would deliver it to me upon a successfully passed inspection. I never received a phone call, so I called my salesmen Tuesday(6/31/14) to follow up. He stated that the Tahoe was inspected in Maryland and just needed the windshield replaced to pass and that they were going to replace it and would deliver it Wednesday (7/1/14). This concerned me, so I asked for a copy of the inspection report from my salesman, and he told me he would deliver the inspection report when he delivered my vehicle. On Wednesday (7/1/14), my salesman delivered the Tahoe, which I was told by him in person that it successfully passed Maryland inspection and we were just waiting on the MVA paper work process to receive my Tag and Title. I received no inspection report, like promised, and I inquired where it was, and he said he would talk to the service department and send it to me. As I drove the Tahoe for the first time since it had been delivered, there was clearly something wrong with the steering. I reported this to the salesman and he said they would check the alignment. I was told the alignment was checked by their service department and showed no issues, which was surprising to me because the way it drove.

The vehicle continued to have issues and I still hadn't received the inspection report. I called the salesmen multiple times with no success, which led me to call the sales manager. I told him my issues and everything that happened since 6/28/14 and he said to not deal with my salesman, I would deal directly with him. I requested the inspection report from the sales manager and he had told me at that time, due to the July 4th holiday "it was hectic and I was just a victim of circumstance". He told me he would have to contact the service manager to get the inspection report. After a couple days, I received no phone calls. I contacted him again and he told me the service manager was out due to family illness and I would have to wait to receive the report.

After a few weeks passed, I still did not receive the inspection report, so I contacted the service manager and he told me my vehicle had never been inspected. The service manger told me he would have to come and pick my vehicle back up for inspection. This was extremely concerning because I was driving a non-inspected vehicle around for over two months and was lied to. I expressed this concern to the sales manager and he blew me off, stating again it was reasoning due to the holiday and service manager's family illness. I expressed that I did no longer want the vehicle anymore, and he told me they already received the check from the bank and there was no possible way for me to return the vehicle.

My vehicle was picked up and taken in for inspection. I requested a loaner vehicle that was comparable to my Tahoe, and I received a small car. I was unable to drive it, because I need to carry large tools for work, so it sat in my driveway which was extremely inconvenient because I could not use it. My vehicle was returned, still with no inspection paperwork. After realizing this, I called the sales manager again. He advised me that they were not allowed to give them out, after telling me for months that he would get it to me.

The vehicle has continued to have alignment issues, so we took it to a local shop to have the alignment checked out. The mechanic said the tires were so wore out due to the alignment, that we would need new tires before alignment. That was concerning, because they had low mileage on them when we purchased the vehicle. In addition, the crank sensor, power brake booster, battery, axle seal and bearings all need to be repaired or replaced.

Just recently, I took the vehicle to the Hertrich dealership in Dover, DE for warranty work which was diagnosed on a previous visit and they would need to order the parts. I was told the parts were ordered and I would need to drop the vehicle off for repair when they came in. I scheduled the repair after they told me the parts came in, and when I went there with my vehicle to drop it off, they told me the parts were never ordered and they had no report of the last diagnostic. They had to redo the diagnostic report, which told them the same diagnosis before. So they had to order the parts. While it was in there, they also told me that the brake booster needed to be replaced and I would have to have it replaced and was leaking profusely and was unable to drive. This was not covered under warranty. This turned a 5 hour job into a 2 day job, which would have been fine if I was given a loaner vehicle or even communicated this, but I was not. I had to call the service manager multiple times, and did not receive a call back. I finally was able to get in touch with the sales department and they told me my car was ready to be picked up, this was after the service center was closed.

70 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMG, what a nightmare. I still would not want the vehicle and I would keep pushing until they did something about it. You need to get a hold of sixty minutes and have them do a story on this place.

Anonymous said...

Two things here. DE is screwed up when it comes to DMV paper flow so I would advise MD residents to never buy a used car in DE.
Also, HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO TELL YOU NEVER PAY FOR A CAR UNTIL YOU ARE SATISFIED.
The only honest new car dealer in the area is in Berlin and I heard they just got sold.

Anonymous said...

All car dealers in Delaware try to make excuses until the 30 day warranty runs out , this applies to MD residents.(used cars)

Anonymous said...

I just bought 2 cars from them and i had no problems. I also live in md.

Anonymous said...

First I went to Volkswagen, who never bothered to return my call, because I wanted a car he did not have and he was too lazy to get if for me.

Then I got screwed around by Pittsville who was trying to sell me a car they did not have, and was not expected in for over 2 months. Sherwood - don't bother unless your goal is to simply be lied to

Then I went to Frederick to buy a new Ford. The salesman as such a jerk I walked out.

I ventured out to Porters in Newark DE. Drove home with a new car.

Every car person I dealt with here on the shore was a liar. It is that plain and simple.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like sales follow-up on an 8-9 year old vehicle isn't on the top of their priority list. Got it off the lot. Job done.

zt09 said...

I had an issue with them a few years back on a 2006 Explorer. The 4 wheel drive was engaging automatically and I figured it had something to do with electrical. They never seemed to care from day one. Bottom line is it was brought back to them at least 6 times and they always told me they 'fixed it' and it always was the same. I luckily sold it with the issue to a person that was aware of the problem and didn't lose to much on it. Never again from any Hertrich dealer.

Anonymous said...

Lemon law.

Anonymous said...

Hertich is an embarrassment. Their KC and the Sunshine Band themed commercial (click, click. click for Hertich) has been playing going on 2 years as they either have no advertising money or creativity. Salesman down in Pocomoke never called back with a "final figure for a new Taurus. Who would ever lose a sale that way. Yeah, stay in Maryland alright but stay away from Hertich. PLEASE don't get me started on Pohanka. That is another thread for another day.

Anonymous said...

All car salespeople are liars! Their positions should be eliminated. Cars would be cheaper and no hard feelings of being lied to and being given the run around would have to be experienced.

Anonymous said...

If you are buying used then welcome to the jungle. Buying used is buying someone else's problem.

Anonymous said...

All car salespeople are not liars. Some people actually grew up learning good morals and work ethics

Anonymous said...

Joe has always spoken highly of Pohanka and because of that I have purchased two vehicles there in pass 4 years.

Anonymous said...

i bought a 2008 escape from them in pocomoke and had nothing but problem the first year.i told them it was shock.they beat me own to lair it wasnt,it was .they another part went up and they tried to charge me.first 6 months was shocks.i coulnt even drive car when i sign papers.i also told there and ended up with a flat.the tire was fine when i went there.never again will i buy from them.it was suppose to delaware inspection,they did maryland.so i had to take it though delaware

Anonymous said...

I only deal with Dave Messick at Messick's Auto Sales. He has been in business for many years and he is very honest.

JoeAlbero said...

This whole thing is a shame.

Here's what I can say.

In the past, whenever we had heard of someone not having a good experience at Pohanka, Sandy Fitzgerald immediately responded and fixed each and every customers concerns. So much so, she even replaced vehicles if it was necessary.

Cars/Trucks are not perfect, especially used vehicles. Good dealers will stand behind ANY vehicle, (new or used). 99% of the time the vehicles are perfectly fine. However, there's always that 1% and it's a shame some Dealers don't just bite the bullet and either fix the problem or simply replace the vehicle all together.

However, Dealers have these incentives and taking a vehicle back can really hurt the managers bonus packages. So they BS you and hope you just go away.

Every single Car Dealer is going to have bad vehicles. Just get to know the Dealers reputation. If you hear they fight customers, DON'T PURCHASE FROM THEM, EVER. Pohanka, (as far as I know) does take care of their customers.

Anonymous said...

Great, the comment section just turned into a commercial for Pohanka. I deal with every, and I mean every dealership on the shore. They all have stories like this. All businesses have customers you cant satisfy also.

Anonymous said...

I worked at Hertrick and trust me they are crooks from top to bottom

Anonymous said...

You won't see an article like this on WBOC. They're too afraid they'd lose advertising revenue.

JoeAlbero said...

WHOOPS! I meant to say earlier, whenever someone had a BAD experience at Pohanka, Sandy Fitzgerald immediately fixed it. Sorry folks, I've been at this since 3:30 this morning.

Anonymous said...

I've bought my last car from Pohanka. They are not much for dealing. You'll pay much less at any other place. They are very arrogant and it's almost a take it or leave it offer.

JoeAlbero said...

8:38, Interesting! So you went to Pohanka, didn't like their attitude, BOUGHT THE CAR and are now suggesting that anyone can pay less elsewhere, BUT YOU WERE AN ALLEGED SUCKER?

Yeah, I'm buying your comment, NOT.

Anonymous said...

We have purchased several vehicles from Fredrick Ford. Never have experienced anythings closely remote to what this guy has been through. Best advice. ...next time buy a FORD bahaha :)

Anonymous said...

Let me take a guess Albero, you've owned a chain of upscale car dealerships.

JoeAlbero said...

8:43, LOL, no. However, I do have around 15 cars, (at the moment) 2 Harley's and a Motor Coach. I've owned a LOT of other vehicles in my day.

Anonymous said...

Yes, the folks at Hertrich are rats. In 1995 or 1996, they were almost successful in defrauding my elderly parents out of about $1K. I got involved and once they knew their scheme was uncovered, they refunded the money to my parents. When confronted and exposed of their scheme in their showroom, they put on a "dog & pony" show of pretending to fire the salesman and his manager. We learned a couple weeks later no one was actually fired.

So now, almost 20 years later, apparently nothing has changed. They're still a dishonest business to deal with.

Anonymous said...

FOR USED CARS - you ALWAYS gotta get a carfax - even for the piece of mind

Anonymous said...

My father in law took his chevy lumna in for warranty work and was told because he didn't buy it there, they were not going to help him. They were very rude!

Anonymous said...

Hertrich has Always had a bad reputation. Just say NO to Hertrich...

Scott said...

I have have purchased my last two vehicles from Gary Pusey's in Fruitland. Each experience has been great and was treated fairly and with respect. I even had my oldest son attend their driving school. I also had good service from Price Buick, but haven't been back to them, because I can no long afford to purchase a new car or truck at today's prices. My dad used to be a car salesman, and he recommended them to me as far as back in the eighty's. If you find someone you can trust, it's worth staying with them.

Anonymous said...

they don't call them stealerships for no reason

Anonymous said...

I went to look at a vehicle with this place. I test drove it (I think they let me have it for the day - it's been a few years now) so I took it to my mechanic to inspect. They said the vehicle was fine but the tires were shot and within months I'd be paying a grand for new tires. So when I went back I said, I'd like the car but only with 4 new tires. The sales manager said, there's nothing wrong with those tires! LOL yeah okay...I left without purchasing the vehicle. After all these nightmare stories I've heard, I'm glad I didn't. My family members have had great luck at Garey Pusey's as well, and my sister most recently had a good experience at Preston. I think I'll look at either of those places when I'm in the market for a vehicle.

Anonymous said...

I will never deal with them again!! The one thing that DID work was I assured them that I would call them EVERY SINGLE DAY until my problem was resolved and then I followed up and DID CALL. It was not long before they got things straight. Once burnt.... never return. You can believe that you didn't have a problems with a salesman.... you have just experienced the level of honesty of the dealership. They know who they hire and what is going on.... Fool me once ...shame on you....fool me twice... shame on me. Squeaky hinge people.

Anonymous said...

I also had a great experience with him. He treated me right. Gave me a warranty and fixed my jeep. No problems.

Anonymous said...

My son has a Neison, purchased at Pohanka new a few years ago. He replaced the radiator but it needed air in the system extracted. He called and they said no problem it would cost $100.00. His wife took it out there. The man came out and said it needed heater coil and other items and it would cost $1100.00 to repair. What happened to $100.00 to extract the air from the system? They were charged $100.00 plus and never did what we ask for. Extract the air from the system. My son knew what he needed. She just left after paying the "bill". A couple of days later he gets a phone call asking if he would like to trade his vehicle for a new one. Hell No! Took it to SOS Old OC Road he will clear the lines. We are disappointed with this ordeal. I thought we could trust them?

Anonymous said...

Not sure Pohanka has a Neison dealership.

Anonymous said...

used cars = no lemon law coverage

Lemon law applies to new cars only.

Used cars are "Buyer Beware", any lawyer will tell you that. And that 30 day warranty on a used car isn't worth the paper it is written on. Any lawyer will also tell you that.
You BUY a used car from anyone, you are stuck with it. Your only remedy is to get rid of it and screw someone else the same way you were screwed. Remember, no one sells or trades in a used car because they were happy with it. If they were, they would still be driving it. But as long as there is a market for used cars, there will be a shyster to sell them to the unsuspecting.

Anonymous said...

The Car Store is just as bad. Had a horrific experience with the minivan I purchased. Salesmen & Manager are a bunch of devious actors. They act like you're their best friend before you purchase a vehicle, and then act like you're their worst enemy after you purchase the vehicle and contact them about a problem with the vehicle.

Anonymous said...

The first car I ever bought was at Gary Pusey's. I had just gotten my first job after graduation, so money was real tight for me. I bought a used blue chevy Nova. I loved that little blue boxy car. I thought I had a caddy! The business treated me right, the car was great, and had it until some man ran a red light and broad-sided my car and totaled it.
I've also had great service with Preston Ford in Preston. Nice people.

Anonymous said...

I don't deal with these local dealers. I got screwed over by Sherwood on a simple alternator replacement and now I drive to Annapolis to buy a vehicle.

Anonymous said...

Preston is the place to go.

Anonymous said...

When near a Hertrich dealership, RUN the other way as fast as you can. You will be treated like royalty before you purchase a vehicle, but be treated like someone with an infectious disease afterward.

Anonymous said...

Frederick Ford is actually the only dealership I have not had problems with. I can't say that same about Pittsville Ford and Pohanka.

Anonymous said...

We went in there about 20 years ago to purchase a vehicle. No one even approached us to see what they could do for us. We have never been back. I'm thinking we were very fortunate after reading all of these comments.

Anonymous said...

After buying my used Nissan, they only gave me one remote key,so I needed another one for my wife. I checked online and the remote is only 20 but must be programmed at the dealership. I called Pohanka to see about doing this, and they told me it was a 200 dollar charge regardless of whether I bought it on line or there at the dealership. I ended up having to to there. The charged me 240. 40 for the labor that took less than 10 minutes to do!!!! That's I only go to a dealership for anything as a last resort! It's a frigging Remote control!!!!

Anonymous said...

A lot of victims commented here.Probably life long victims who have always been taken advantage of;vulnerable adults who cannot defend themselves, making everyone around them rich while getting poorer and poorer.Thank you for posting this.

Anonymous said...

The lemon law only applies to new vehicles. If you have an issue with a used vehicle, it is call a buy back.

Anonymous said...

I hate when people post bad info.

The lemon law DOES apply to used cars if:
(Even if you are not the original owner, the Lemon Law might apply to your vehicle if the original owner purchased it less than 18 months ago.)

ALSO - if the used car comes with a warranty and they do not fix it you can sue them for breach of contract / warranty.

Geesh... every hear of google??? Learn to use it before you give out bad advice.

Anonymous said...

Frederick Ford is Hertrich, as in Fred Hertrich.

Anonymous said...

I don't understand how people fall for this crap time and time again.

Your power exists before the sale is made. Once your signature is on the paper, you only have WRITTEN guarantees and WRITTEN laws to protect yourself.

If salesman promises to make tomorrow's sky green to make the deal right, tell them you'll sign the papers tomorrow under a green sky!

IF YOUR GUT TELLS YOU SOMETHING IS WRONG, WALK AWAY!

IF SOMEBODY MAKES A PROMISE AND YOU WANT TO BELIEVE THEM, MAKE THEM PUT IT IN WRITING ON THE SALES DOCUMENT.

IF YOU WANT A CONCESSION (like a repair) MAKE THEM DO THE REPAIR AND PROVE IT BEFORE YOU GIVE YOUR SIGNATURE.

I've only bought a few cars, but I've never been screwed over. Yes, people have tried. Some deals I just leaned on them and played hardball because there was flexibility. But more often than not, I've just walked away because I knew it was a bad deal.

STICK UP FOR YOURSELVES, PEOPLE! YOU GET PLAYED FOR A SUCKER BECAUSE YOU LET YOURSELF BE A SUCKER!

Is it right? No, it's not. But that's how a lot of the world gets ahead. Don't be somebody that helps them.

Anonymous said...

I think you need to learn how to purchase and select a proper vehicle. Im not saying that they are the most reliable people; however, if there was doubt you take the vehicle back and file a report. Wheels being bald are easy to see.

Anonymous said...

Mayor Joe, you have to admit the the "Upscale Car Lot" was pretty funny.
Why do you own 15 vehicles? This I do not understand. But then again I do not have that kind of money laying around. Hope you have a nice weekend.

Anonymous said...

Love the people at Pittsville Ford. Van Salter is great! So are people in service department.

Anonymous said...

Those programed keys. This is what we do. Lock the programed one in the car. Cut regular keys and you and your wife can get into the car get the programed key and GO.

Anonymous said...

I also went to Northern Delaware to buy a car. The shtick that they play is:
If they do not have the car and have to bring it in you have to BUY it before you see or drive it.
Their next claim is .. if there is something wrong they will cancel the sale.
So... I searched the inventory of all the specified dealerships in a 50 mile radius and found the car I wanted. Drove there and bought it.
My motto - screw you and your stupid games.
They actually had the audacity to say: What if my driver gets in an accident and damages the car, it should not be our problem. We will fix it and then give it to you. Really - that's what the idiot said to me. They want the consumer to assume the liability.

I have a friend that worked for Subaru and his quote was "it's the only business that you can suck at and still make money"

No commission for you.

Signed - not buying your stupid lies.

Chris said...

I guess that's how they pissed off a 60 year old man a few years back so bad that he shot their Windows out right? I made the mistake of buying from them at Honda and because of my age and gender I was treated like a street racer when my clutch went out at 2500 miles and then had numerous transmission problems that were a known problem for my model car and I got nothing but problems. I sued them and won. I'm glad you had a good experience but I would never deal with pohanka ever again no matter what. The day I got my car some idiot in the detail department buffed my black car while dirty and put spider webs(swirl marks) all in the paint, Sandy came out and looked at it and started blaming everyone possible, never offered a new car, paint job, or even so much as an apology! I had already signed papers for the car so I was kinda stuck with it. Again I'm glad you had a good experience Joe but I would never even take a test drive at that dealership again. Poor service and experience all the way around

Anonymous said...

Purchased 3 cars in the last 10 years from Pohanka. Never one issue, from the sale to warranty work. Some people just can be pleased.

Lorraine Truitt said...

Call the Wicomico County Attorney General's Office and ask what can be done.

Anonymous said...

6:51 how funny its always the consumers fault. you sound like the typical car sale person.
6:03 yea Van Salter is nice, but the salesman I dealt with was a liar.
Pohanka.. gave me a take it or leave it offer. I got a better deal elsewhere.
Sherwood, they were the worst, awful people - Dude named Sheffield, I don't know how that guy sleeps at night. Awful awful bunch of people in their Chrysler/Jeep area.

Yea some people can't be pleased, especially when you are lying to them and ripping them off, passing the buck and treating them like idiots, when clearly there is a problem with the vehicle that you are too stupid to figure out how to fix.

Anonymous said...

My experience... went to look one day during a sales event about 20 years ago... the sales guy asked to look at our car for trade in value... they then "LOST" my keys for 3 hours... any way they had so called bank reps on site... we saw a jeep comanche pickup we liked and figured we'd try to get it... another hour later sitting with the "Bank Rep" and the salesman, we the the - congratulation on your first new car speech... well it was about that same time my keys were found so we drove the new truck home... 6 weeks later we get a phone call... it appears you financing didn't go through you need to bring in a co-signer right away... we had already made 2 payments to the bank.. i said we have no one to co-sign we had an approved loan when we left and that payments had already been made... the dealership then said they were going to contact the police and report the truck stolen... these guys are POS material for sure... any way we called the police and made them give us back our old car in return for their 2 month old new truck with almost 6,000 miles on it... glad to see they are still up to their same sleazy tricks... still waiting for karma to bend them over and give them what they deserve.

Anonymous said...

Pohang a Honda is great

Anonymous said...

My first car i bought was from Cavanaugh Ford in salisbury, a nive shiny mercury bobcat, made my down payment and filled out some papers, went back home, got a call the next day congratulating me and telling me to come to the dealership to get my vehicle... used my last dollar to take a cab to the dealership, went to the sales managers office were i was handed a stack of papers... sign here, here and here, then was given the keys to my new car... i was walked out to the lot and shown my new car... yep a 4 door white plymouth volare... i said WTF is this ? this isn't the blue mercury bobcat i put my money down on... the dealer said well this is what you qualified to buy and this is what you just signed the papers for, so too bad it's yours... so i drove it home and that is were it sat for 3 months until they repo'd it... Yep my first taste of the real world... liars and thieves

Anonymous said...

"Bigger" at Preston Ford is the greatest, he bent over backwards to help us, our family has bought 7 new vehicles from him over the years and will keep going back.

Anonymous said...

Folks, Sherwood isn't much better. Took my 2005 expedition there to have a valve spring replace. Repair a ford engine at at Ford eager, they should have the right tools to fix it you would think. WRONG! The jack wagons called me when they were done and told me they needed to get a tool made to fix my car. I had to pay for the tool. REALLY??? Told them the only way I was paying for their tool was if I got to keep it. Sherwood? More like Sherwon't...

Don't get me started on Frederick Ford. Mark Malone is a lying sack of what my dog leaves in the yard.

Anonymous said...

If Mark is Mack's brother, it runs in the family.

What good is the Wicomico Co States Attorney for a DE purchase?

Anonymous said...

I had the same issue at Preston only they programmed my online remote for free and then paid me back for the purchase of the remote. The service manager said, "You should always get two keys/remotes. We will take care of this." Preston is the best for a reason!

Anonymous said...

Letter to Better Business Bureau. I did that about 20 years ago. Within 3 days Fred Hertrich called and made arrangements to fix my problem.

Anonymous said...

Stay on point here people. Frederick Ford. Remember? Yes....Frederick Ford is a joke. I bought a mustang from them 6 years ago that had no owners manual. I wanted pan owners manual and they told me that they would provide me with one in a few days. Such a small request....right? But a promise is a promise. When they didn't make good on it after several calls I decided never to go back there again. ....-and I never did. I go to Pittsville ford or Pohanka....only.

Anonymous said...

I have had good luck buying vehicles from private sellers. Most of them was single owner vehicles with 50 or 60k. Carfax report provided and drove them took them and put up on a lift to ck and then purchased.Done my last 3 vehicles that way you have to search a while but its worth it. the first one i done this way was 29 years ago and still drive it daily. Avoid the STEALERSHIPS AT ALL COST. With the web and a few honest good local independent mechanics [like rics auto clinic] you can aviod all the headaches the people on here have had.

Anonymous said...

We stopped buying from Pohanka quite a few years ago. Prices are high, trade-in prices are low, and the service department isn't very good either. BAD attitudes are prevalent once the negotiations start. I totally agree with the earlier post, I'm just sorry to hear he/she actually bought something from them. Never had work done in their body shop that didn't have to be re-done. Pitiful.