Sarasota Ford

Dishonest Tactics On 1/31/18, I contacted CARSTEN RUEFFER at Sarasota Ford to inquire about a 2018 F150 Black Platinum. I was already speaking with several dealerships On 1/31/18, I contacted CARSTEN RUEFFER at Sarasota Ford to inquire about a 2018 F150 Black Platinum. I was already speaking with several dealerships and was able to negotiate a price with several of them however none of them would let me sign for the vehicle or put down a down payment because the vehicles that matched my criteria were located at the Bradenton & Tampa dealerships. Therefore, my decision on which dealership to proceed with would end up being the dealership that could actually get the vehicle I was looking for. Carsten seemed to be able to secure the exact vehicle I was looking for so I stopped by on 2/12/18 to see the vehicle after filling out their credit application online. When I arrived at the dealership, I was surprised to find out the vehicle was not there. Carsten assured me that it was only a matter of physically transferring the vehicle from Tampa to their dealership. With that said, I proceeded with signing for the paperwork for the specific truck that we discussed and agreed on. When I met with the finance dept., I told them that I was uncomfortable giving them a down payment that day because the vehicle was not there, but they assured me I had to give them a down payment that day. I proceeded to give them $7,457 for the down payment and fees for a vehicle with a VIN# ending in A57669. I also added the truck to my car insurance for a vehicle ending in A57669. At this point, the truck was on my insurance and I had paid the 1st months payment + fees + down payment = $7457. The next day (Friday), I received an email from the Ford Dealership in Bonita Springs that said a vehicle just arrived on their lot that matched my criteria. They sent me the window sticker in an email and to my surprise, it was the EXACT truck I just had signed for the day before (VIN Ending in A57669) at the Sarasota dealership. This was infuriating because I didn’t understand how Sarasota Ford allowed me to sign all of paperwork, give them $7,457, and add it to my insurance when that actual truck wasn’t even there’s to sell. It was clear they used this truck to secure my down payment and my signature. I called CARSTEN who put me on speaker phone with his manager BRIAN SNYDER and they assured me the vehicle would be at their dealership for me to pick up. I kept asking them if it would be the exact vehicle I signed for and they would not answer the question. Later that day, BRIAN SNYDER said he issued me a refund of $7457. I asked them when the funds would clear because I planned on using that money for a different vehicle and they said I had to call my Credit Card company. When I told them I wanted a check so I didn’t have to wait for the funds to clear, they told me they did all they could do. I called my credit card company (Wells Fargo) and they said they didn’t see a refund initiated. After telling them what had happened, they said the best thing to do would be to put in a claim with the fraud department which I went ahead and did on 2/10/18. **As of today (2/12/18), the refund has not been processed and the funds are NOT back in my account. The manager, BRIAN SNYDER will not answer my actual calls and instead will only send me text messages. I called their Customer Relations manager at 941-296-6896 and left a message but have not received a call back. I contacted BRIAN SNYDER today prior to posting this review to see if he had any comments on it or wanted to review and he did not contact me back** More

Fleet sales are top notch Rusty Jardin did an excellent job getting me the right vehicle for my project and on time. The customer service was excellent and I will buy again fro Rusty Jardin did an excellent job getting me the right vehicle for my project and on time. The customer service was excellent and I will buy again from him. More

Great customer service Purchased a work van and not only did I get a great deal, but I felt like family! Rusty Jardin the fleet guy took care of me and even arraigned for th Purchased a work van and not only did I get a great deal, but I felt like family! Rusty Jardin the fleet guy took care of me and even arraigned for the delivery of my van out of state. I will be going to him for all my future purchases. More

Great Experience!! Best experience in purchasing a vehicle. Randy’s personality and attitude is what convinced us to purchase the truck with Sarasota Ford. Randy is a gr Best experience in purchasing a vehicle. Randy’s personality and attitude is what convinced us to purchase the truck with Sarasota Ford. Randy is a great salesman. i would highly recommend purchasing a vehicle from Sarasota Ford. More

Car buying experience Our salesman was Carsten Rueffer. We made the whole expierence of buying a used car very relaxing. No pressure to buy. He answered all our questions Our salesman was Carsten Rueffer. We made the whole expierence of buying a used car very relaxing. No pressure to buy. He answered all our questions More

Car buying experience Our salesman wad Carsten Rueffer. He was very helpful when looking at the used car lot. He was very informational and kind. I would recommend him. Gre Our salesman wad Carsten Rueffer. He was very helpful when looking at the used car lot. He was very informational and kind. I would recommend him. Great guy! More

Car buying experience Carsten Rueffer is a great car salesman. He is funny and knows his stuff. He was very helpful and took his time with us. Great job Carsten Carsten Rueffer is a great car salesman. He is funny and knows his stuff. He was very helpful and took his time with us. Great job Carsten More

Today Dave Betencourt was very knowledgeable on the truck we were looking at. Gave us additional information we had no idea about. Would recommend highly h Dave Betencourt was very knowledgeable on the truck we were looking at. Gave us additional information we had no idea about. Would recommend highly his assistance purchasing a new vehicle More

Best experience One of my best dealership experiences I have ever had. I worked Al. He was incredibly professional and very up front with me. I was honestly shocked a One of my best dealership experiences I have ever had. I worked Al. He was incredibly professional and very up front with me. I was honestly shocked at how quick and painless the entire process actually was! More

Surprised We traveled over an hour passing many dealerships on the way and it was well worth it. Al was honest and great to work with - I never thought I would We traveled over an hour passing many dealerships on the way and it was well worth it. Al was honest and great to work with - I never thought I would say that about a car sales representative. We have purchased many cars but have never had such a positive car buying experience. Thank you Al - you have certainly made us return customers! More