EDIT: Hampstead Pre-Owned has reached out and resolved - holl.william
EDIT: Hampstead Pre-Owned has reached out and resolved the issues I have presented which has left me satisfied
🚨 Caution: Be Wary of Fake Reviews & Shady Practices at Hampstead Pre-Owned
Before trusting the 5-star reviews, consider that many companies pay for positive feedback. AI tools can help detect fake reviews, so be sure to check before making a decision.
Unfortunately, my experience with Hampstead Pre-Owned was far from positive. I went in for a well-priced 2023 Dodge Durango and was invited for a same-day test drive. However, the experience quickly raised red flags.
🚗 Test Drive Issues & Hidden Damage
• The vehicle had no gas, limiting the test drive to just a mile—nowhere near enough to assess its performance, especially at highway speeds.
• During my exterior inspection, I noticed a cracked front bumper—something that wasn’t disclosed in their inspection report.
• The dealership assured me they would fix it, but this should have been disclosed upfront.
💰 Unethical Pricing & Trade-In Tactics
• My 2021 Toyota RAV4 was grossly undervalued despite having a verified trade-in quote from KBB.
• When I was ready to leave, the owner, Anthony, quickly increased his offer multiple times, proving the original offer wasn’t fair.
• This kind of pricing game raises serious concerns about their transparency.
📑 Financing Red Flags
• After agreeing on a trade-in, the financing employee was suddenly removed, and the sales manager took over—something the finance employee said had never happened before.
• The first contract I was given contained major discrepancies:
o A $9,000 markup on the total price.
o An extended warranty quoted at $12/month that was actually $60/month in the final contract.
• When I caught these errors, they brushed it off as an "honest mistake" and claimed they would have corrected it later. That’s not how contracts work.
⚠️ Pushy Sales Tactics & Hidden Fees
• The sales team pushed the extended warranty aggressively, refusing to take "no" for an answer. After seeing other reviews, I now understand why—they likely know their cars aren’t reliable.
• A $1,295 HPO certification fee was charged, supposedly for brakes, oil, wipers, tires, and detailing—yet none of these services were actually performed.
• A $799 dealer processing fee was added on top of the tag/title fee, yet my tag transfer wasn’t even completed properly.
🛠️ Poor Repairs & Lack of Accountability
• When my bumper was finally replaced, I was given a loaner for three days. Upon picking up my car, multiple warning lights were on—something the dealership saw but chose to ignore.
• After waiting two hours, the issue was traced to unplugged bumper sensors—a basic mistake that should never happen at a professional shop.
❌ Final Verdict
After everything I experienced, I cannot recommend Hampstead Pre-Owned. The hidden fees, shady financing practices, and lack of quality control make this dealership one to avoid. If you’re considering buying from them, be extremely cautious and double-check everything before signing.
Attached are photos of the warning lights and proof of the unperformed HPO items. I hope my experience helps others make an informed decision before trusting this dealership.
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