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Charles Gabus Ford
Des Moines, IA
546 Reviews
Charles Gabus Ford is a family-owned car dealership in Des Moines, IA. The dealership was founded in 1956 by Charles Gabus and has since been providing high-quality vehicles, parts, and services to customers in the Des Moines area.
At Charles Gabus Ford, customer satisfaction is a top priority. The dealership offers a wide selection of new and used Ford vehicles, including trucks and SUVs. Their team of experienced sales professionals is dedicated to helping customers find the vehicle that best fits their needs and budget.
In addition to vehicle sales, Charles Gabus Ford also offers a state-of-the-art service center staffed by certified technicians. The service center is equipped to handle all types of maintenance and repair needs, from oil changes and tire rotations to more complex engine repairs.
At Charles Gabus Ford, the company's mission is to provide customers with a hassle-free, transparent car-buying experience. Their commitment to customer satisfaction has earned them a loyal customer base and a reputation as one of the top car dealerships in Des Moines.
Whether you're in the market for a new or used vehicle or need maintenance or repair services, Charles Gabus Ford is your go-to destination in Des Moines, IA.
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This rating includes all dealership reviews, with more weight given to recent reviews.
Sales Price Transparency
Service Price Transparency
Trade-in Experience
Purchase Time
Finance Experience
Workmanship
Service Time
Service Communication
Hours
Sales/Showroom
Monday 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday Closed
Service
Monday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday Closed
Parts
Monday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday Closed
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Showing 546 reviews
July 22, 2011
Looking for a new or used vehicle? LOOK SOMEWHERE ELSE! My wife and I were recently looking for a car to replace our truck as I had separated from the military and we have a newborn. We went to Charle My wife and I were recently looking for a car to replace our truck as I had separated from the military and we have a newborn. We went to Charles Gabus Ford to test drive the new Focus as it had a high MPG EPA rating. We had found a vehicle on the used lot that we liked more however. When we inquired about a negotiating a price, the salesperson came back with a price and even wrote it down for us, saying that it was good for 24 hours. When we returned that evening to have them appraise the truck for a trade in value they told us the price quoted earlier was no longer good as the manager allegedly "never told the salesperson that price." We decided to sleep on it and come back the next morning. When I returned, the salesperson took me straight to the manager to see if perhaps we could talk it out at which point the manager, John O'Donnell, began yelling at me in front of his employees, claiming that he didn't care what the salesperson told me. I attempted to contact the president of the company, Gene Gabus, but he was on a business trip so I left a voicemail. I never heard back from him so I decided to follow up directly about two weeks later. He was very brief (as is expected from the president of a large organization) however he told me "You and him had a disagreement. I'm used to it." To which I replied, "Sir, he embarrassed me in front of your employees". "He responded with "He didn't think he did" and ended the call with that. My wife and I have since shopped elsewhere and when retelling the story to other dealers, John O'Donnell apparently seems to have a reputation as nothing less than what I encountered with him. Looking for a good car, Ford may be the right choice for you. However, there's another dealer in Ankeny right down the road that will actually treat you with some semblance of dignity. More
by PaulQ
Employees Worked With
John O'Donnell, Peter Greene, Gene Gabus
May 29, 2011
We were very pleased with the promptness that we received from Charles Gabus Ford in response to our online inquiry. Brad called first thing the next morning and spoke with me and we set up a time to meet. W from Charles Gabus Ford in response to our online inquiry. Brad called first thing the next morning and spoke with me and we set up a time to meet. We were able to find exactly the car we wanted: color, options, etc. It was a good experience and we were able to trade. We are very happy with our Ford Edge, and we have recommended this dealership to several people. More
by bill59jan
Employees Worked With
Brad Rodish
May 24, 2011
I've bought two vehicles from them in the past three months. Amazing people to work with. They really care that you are taken care of as a buyer and customer. Very rare to find that in today's world! months. Amazing people to work with. They really care that you are taken care of as a buyer and customer. Very rare to find that in today's world! Pat Crane was just a treat to work with and I have given his name to many of my friends. More
by drwhipple
Employees Worked With
Pat Crane
May 18, 2011
We bought the Ford because of the salesman, reputation of the dealership and service. Since we have had previous experience with Kelly Cornish, it was a natural fit to seek his sales experience. The Edge w the dealership and service. Since we have had previous experience with Kelly Cornish, it was a natural fit to seek his sales experience. The Edge was displayed in an outstanding manner. This is really a nice vehicle. All of the reps for this company are sevice oriented which is a bonus for this dealership. The trade in was excellent so I could not pass it up. In fact, I did not come in to buy-just looking. I told my wife this was an excellent deal. So guess what, we walked away with a great buy!! Thanks. More
by Craig Cochran
Employees Worked With
Kelly Cornish, Kelly Cornish
May 09, 2011
I was in an accident that was not my fault and the other party involved had Progressive Ins. and they have a setup at Gabus so I decided to use Gabus to do the repairs. After leaving my truck there for a fe party involved had Progressive Ins. and they have a setup at Gabus so I decided to use Gabus to do the repairs. After leaving my truck there for a few days they called to say that it was done. So I went in and signed the papers and they pulled up and handed me my keys, I then walk outside to see that they had not replaced the chrome at the bottom of my truck. I walk back inside and mention it and they all look at me dumbfounded and I had to show them where the chrome was missing. They then slip into the back to figure it out and reappear saying that it had in fact been ordered and it would be a few days till it was there and that I was kinda lucky because they had to order a whole new set so I was going to get ALL NEW CHROME, I said "OK, I just wish someone had told me this prior so I didn't assume you were trying to pull one over on me." And I left. Two days later I am pulled over because the my tail lights were out. ON THE CORNER THEY HAD BEEN WORKING ON. So I promptly take it back to them and sure enough they FORGOT to hook them up. I asked them if my chrome was in yet and they said it would still be a few days. TWO WEEKS LATER, I CALL THEM and ask about it. They say yes it is in (BUT NO ONE HAD CALLED TO TELL ME). So again I take it back and they take it back and begin working, then pull it up out front and say it's DONE (again). I then notice that only the one piece of chrome had been replaced and bring it to their attention, they said they wouldn't put the rest of the chrome on because the stuff on it already still looked good, and I say "but I was told they would do it all since you had to order it". T^he man gives me the rest of the chrome but won't install it so it is sitting in the back of my truck now. I WILL RECOMMEND TO ANYONE I KNOW OR MEET TO AVOID THIS BUSINESS. There are plenty of bodyshops within 1 mile of here that will probably not give you this kind of runaround. And as far as a car dealership goes, if their bodyshop is any indication, stay away they're gonna try to screw ya More
by Coking
Employees Worked With
Bodyshop/ Collision center employees
May 05, 2011
My family and I had a great experience trading our vehicle at Gabus Ford. We loved our Flex but are we are very happy with the decision to buy a Fusion. Brad Rodish was very friendly and helpful. We a vehicle at Gabus Ford. We loved our Flex but are we are very happy with the decision to buy a Fusion. Brad Rodish was very friendly and helpful. We are very pleased with the service and treatment we were given by everyone at Gabus Ford. More
by ldw0205
Employees Worked With
Brad Rodish
May 04, 2011
I am a 70 year old woman and have never purchased a car on my own before. I was very apprehensive about doing do. The pastor of my church bought a new Fusion and was very happy with Mr. Fesler @ Charles Ga on my own before. I was very apprehensive about doing do. The pastor of my church bought a new Fusion and was very happy with Mr. Fesler @ Charles Gabus Ford and gave me his name. So I made an appointment with Mr. Fesler who was very patient and kind and answered all my questions without making me feel ignorant. And he gave me time to make decisions with no pressure. In addition, the person who handled the financial aspect was great as was the man who helped me to get acquainted with the car. Upon visiting the service area, those people were kind also. All of the above reasons are factors in why I gave great ratings on all of the above questions. I would highly recommend this dealership. Another factor which made Charles Gabus Ford attractive to me was the fact that oil changes are free for the life of the car. And that means a lot to me. ****** I could find the names of all the people who helped me if I looked in my paperwork. More
by gail2u
Employees Worked With
Wade Fessler, financial person, service person, person who helped me get acquainted with car, Wade Fessler
May 04, 2011
Wade was very helpful in my purchase process and found exactly the car I wanted. I would certainly recommend Wade and Charles Gabus for any new car purchase. They even found an additional $750 rebate fo exactly the car I wanted. I would certainly recommend Wade and Charles Gabus for any new car purchase. They even found an additional $750 rebate for which I qualified due to a Ford website search I performed. More
by bradonhines
Employees Worked With
Wade Fessler
May 04, 2011
I had no service work done, I purchased a 2011 f-150 truck. I thought the price was fair but not great and since I had no service work done I could not rate this item. I am enjoying my new truck but lik truck. I thought the price was fair but not great and since I had no service work done I could not rate this item. I am enjoying my new truck but like everyone else I wish fuel costs would come down. More
by roger severson
Employees Worked With
Brad Rodish
May 04, 2011
We have been a customer of Charles Gabus Ford for 30 or more years. During that time the sales staff that we have worked with has always been very helpful in directing us to the vehicle that best fit our n more years. During that time the sales staff that we have worked with has always been very helpful in directing us to the vehicle that best fit our needs. Greg Gioffredi has worked with us in leasing the 2 or 3 Escapes and purchase of an my Explorer. He does a Great Job for us. The Service Department Staff is second to None. The service staff that we work with is Robert & Bob and they are Great also. Thank You. More
by gehollister
Employees Worked With
Greg Gioffredi
