Champion Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Lansing

Wow how this dealership has changed! I have been a customer at this champion dealership for over 10 years. I brought my daughter, sister, sister in law, nephew and others here, because I was always treated fairly. Well that all changed today. I went in 11/11 to purchase a Jeep Liberty advertised online just under 8k. The car was being serviced at the time so test drive was not an option at this point, but I was able to view it in the service bay. The salesman told me there was a "reconditioning fee" of $1195 that would be added to the price to make it just over $9K. This vehicle was for my son so I told the salesman he would have to test drive it when it was fixed and we could go from there. I put down $500 to hold the vehicle and was told it would probably be Mon 11/17 that the car would be fixed and ready. Friday 11/14 at about 1:30 I was called by the salesman and told again it was probably going to be ready Mon 11/17 or Tues 11/18. He called me back a couple hours later and said the vehicle was done and asked if I could come get it. I could not, so we set a time for Mon 11/17. So this is where everything changes. I came in today, Monday 11/17 with my son, the test drive went fine and we were ready to buy. The salesman gave us a sales sheet for just under 10K (which included $500 off for the deposit I made). I was a bit confused and told him we were willing to do $9K. The salesman practically jumped out of his seat, pointed at the near $10K price and in a raised voice told me I had agreed to pay the now $10500. I told him I wasn't going to be yelled at like I was a child and I would just talk to his manager. It took a bit more talking but he finally went and got him. I told the sales manager I was not willing to pay what I called a "xx" fee otherwise known as "reconditioning fee". This broke down into me telling him that the advertised price should just include this fee, as it was not stated anywhere that it was $1195. He said the $1195 was in the small print (it isn't see screen shot) and that he wasn't discounting this vehicle because "5" other people had tried to buy it this weekend. We discussed my feelings on this "sales technique" for awhile. Finally I was so tired of being lied to, given umpteen excuses, and treated like a child; I told him I would just pay the full price but I was never coming back. That is when the sales manager told me he just wasn't going to sell me the car. (that decision probably had nothing to do with the fact that there were people willing to pay more) I was furious at that point and told him I wanted my deposit back. He walked away and I started going to the back to get my money. I did not go quietly into the night however. Had there been a customer on the sales floor they would have gotten an earful on how underhanded I thought this dealership was. I admit I was loud, I admit I cussed a few times. This is not my normal. It takes a lot to get me angry. When I reached the back where the customers waiting for service and the cashier was located I told the people waiting they should not buy a car from this dealership because they wouldn't honor there own deal. I continued being loud until the salesman said he would get my money. I told him my son and I would wait outside, but I wasn't leaving without my money. During this time there was what I believe was a salesman telling me to leave and that I was an old man and to act like an adult. Apparently acting like an adult means to sit quietly in a corner waiting for the people who were treating you like second class citizens to give you what is yours. Attached is a screen shot of the price of the car with nothing denoting a $1195 fee and their disclaimer which says their is a fee but doesn't say how much. It also doesn't state the "theft guard policy premium transfer" fee is another $299 or $399( I don't remember which). I wasn't told anything about this. If its a transfer fee I should be able to just turn it down.

I do not recommend buying a used car from this dealership. There are hidden fees and what feels like price manipulation, and the staff is unprofessional. I found a 2018 Ford C-MAX with 95,000 miles listed on Carfax for $9,954. Back in June, the same car was listed at $13,289—far above market value. Unsurprisingly, nobody bought it, and the price kept dropping until it reached $9,954. When I first visited, I wasn’t even given the keys. I had to schedule a test drive for the next day. After the test drive, when it came time to talk numbers, I was shocked to see the final price sheet included a $1,100+ “reconditioning fee” and a $300 “theft guard fee.” I’ve personally bought and helped friends buy many cars, and I have never seen these fees at any other dealership. The staff explained that they charge for reconditioning because they service the car before reselling, and for theft guard because they “protect” the vehicle while it’s on the lot. My response: isn’t that just what a dealer is supposed to do? They then claimed other dealers “hide” these fees in the price. That’s laughable. Back in June, when this same car was listed at $13,289, were those fees included? Clearly not. The price a buyer sees should reflect the actual condition of the car. This dealership appears to lure customers in with a low sticker price, then adds hidden fees later—that’s price deception. Don’t point fingers at other dealers; the truth is most reputable dealers are transparent, while you are the one adding hidden charges. They kept insisting that even with the extra fees, the price was still below their so-called $12,800 “market value.” First, their definition of market value is questionable. Second, if the car was listed at $12,954 in August, why didn’t it sell then? It’s absurd. This whole experience was a joke and a waste of two days of my time.

Beware!! Bait and switch! When I tried to get a specific jeep With specific interior color they were friendly and had a jeep that matched and went thru the process with them got the all ok. then suddenly with in less then 48 hours and supposedly vehicle was pulled according to Todd (salesperson) and Jim (manager) it was sold supposedly. Then was offered a different older jeep with more miles different interior color and higher price! Makes sense that the customer would want that right!? Sike! Then was told they already with out permission did a hard inquiry on my credit with out consent on the “ second option”. Even when asked about other jeeps on the lot got excuse after excuse. Left with out vehicle from there needless to say. Seems like there pulling scams to get rid of vehicles they can’t. No bait and switch for me today.