Grace Avery

This has been hands down the worst experience I have ever had at a car dealership. I had general maintenance on my Explorer at Elder Ford and dropped $1,000 in preventative suggestions. Two weeks later, the had at a car dealership. I had general maintenance on my Explorer at Elder Ford and dropped $1,000 in preventative suggestions. Two weeks later, the water pump went bad (built into the engine), and the repairs needed were almost $10,000. I asked the sales department to reach out while I searched for other cars. Grace reached out, and I was very candid about the car's condition. In text, I asked her to quote buying my car. I explicitly asked if there were two numbers—one if I bought from them and one if I just sold it to Elder. She replied in text that there was only one single number that was the same either way. Based on the number Grace gave me, my wife and I found a used Subaru at a dealership in Sarasota and used that figure to calculate our down payment. We drove directly to Elder to complete the sale we discussed. When Grace found out we purchased a vehicle elsewhere, she text me: "So you won't be purchasing a car from us then? Anyhow, I sell cars, so I guess my part is over..." When we arrived to sell the car, we were left waiting for 25 minutes. Ali Syed (Sales Manager) finally came out. He was immediately confrontational, stating they had the right not to buy my car and they wouldn't. We argued that we had texts from Grace, but he said it didn't matter. He raised his voice at my wife and me. When I demanded the General Manager, Ali claimed he wasn't in and refused to get someone else. After another 20 minutes, Geoff Patterson (New Vehicle Director) came out. He was calmer but defended Grace, claiming her text "Let's find you a new car" should have indicated they'd only buy my damaged car if I bought from them. Geoff said the used car director might buy it, promised to check and contact me no later than Monday, took my key fob, and said, "I will be in touch with you Monday." I never heard from him. Monday afternoon, I stopped by to get my tag. Geoff was conveniently "in a meeting" and couldn't speak to me. We found a junk removal service to buy the car. The following Monday, I needed the mileage for a duplicate title. Service didn't have my key; Geoff still had it but was off. It took 45 minutes standing in the lobby for them to track it down. I told them the junkers would pick it up Saturday morning. On Wednesday, I received a call from Jim Hensel (Virtual Product Specialist). He was immediately confrontational, yelling that the car was blocking another customer and threatening to have it towed immediately as an "abandoned vehicle" because the tag was missing. When I asked where it was being moved and who was paying, Jim yelled that he didn't know, cut me off as I offered to come move it, and hung up on me mid-sentence. I drove to Elder Ford immediately. I waited 20 minutes before Ali Syed came out to poorly placate me. Ali claimed Jim meant he would tow it in "3 to 4 days"—completely contradicting Jim's aggressive tone, which my coworker heard clearly over the phone. Jim Hensel never came out to face me. I moved my car out of the way, called a private tow company, and paid to move it to my house because I could no longer trust Elder Ford. Buyer Beware. • Grace is a liar. • Geoff Patterson is a liar. • Ali Syed is confrontational and unprofessional. • Jim Hensel is confrontational, unprofessional, and a coward. I will buy ANY OTHER brand vehicle before I step foot into Elder Ford again. More

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Great experience from the entire Elder Team. Everything went smooth and the Sales and Finance Team worked well together to make the deal happen quickly, I'd recommend anybody to the dealership w Everything went smooth and the Sales and Finance Team worked well together to make the deal happen quickly, I'd recommend anybody to the dealership weathwr they are looking for a new or used car to purchase. More

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Very Friendly dealership. Experience was above what I expected, I drove from 200 miles away. Will definitely buy another vehicle Experience was above what I expected, I drove from 200 miles away. Will definitely buy another vehicle More

by wrightdwj Verified Customer Verified Customer

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Great patience and professionalism He helped us and explained everything She was also very friendly in the test round explained everything She was also very friendly in the test round More

by chry271174 Verified Customer Verified Customer

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Great communication and customer service. This was my second car purchase and the process was seamless. Elder ford really does priority customer satisfaction This was my second car purchase and the process was seamless. Elder ford really does priority customer satisfaction More

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