Dishonest or Totally Incompetent Mercedes Benz Dealer or - EporscheE
Dishonest or Totally Incompetent Mercedes Benz Dealer or maybe Both. I tried to purchase a nice Mercedes SL550 from April Ballard last month, May of 2025. She told me that I needed to place an immediate $5000 down payment to secure the car as other people were also looking at it. I agreed and gave them my Credit Card to run the $5000 down payment, also my drivers license, and Insurance Card to lock up the deal.
She asked if I would be paying Cash or Financing, I said most likely Financing as I could get a low interest rate with my 800 plus credit score. She then said that she could offer a better rate with only a soft pull on verifying my credit score and assured me that this would not show on my credit report, so I agreed. Then came back to me with my credit score of 837 but then said the Car being 12 years old they could not offer a better or matching rate then my local source. I agreed to pay Cash and asked for bank wiring instructions.
I then got a signed proposal from their sales manager Kurt Moyer who added a $1995.00 fee for their Auto Butler add-on services which I declined after a brief heated discussion with him as April had told me it was optional on my part. I then have a signed off purchase agreement document from sales Manager Kurt Moyer stating the agreed amount ( I paid full asking price), plus all dealer fees with balance due after my $5000 down payment.
I asked April for bank wiring instruction so we can get everything done so I can make arrangements to fly into Lubbock to pick up the car or arrange transportation to have it shipped home to Utah. She said the Finance Manager was backed up and they would be sent soon, as I wanted to get to the Bank to get the wire transfer out.
5 hours later I get a call from their finance manager Jerry Cotrell I believe is his name telling me they had sold the car to someone else. He was very rude and called me "Petty" for complaining. I told him he had run a hard Pull on my Credit Report that stays on for 2 years without my authorization and wanted it removed. He stated he would look into it and could not believe I was so upset.
All the people I worked with April, Kurt, and Jerry told me it was the the General Manager Josh Stevens decision to sell the car out from underneath me, my assumption since I wasn't buying their $2000 Auto Butler services and Financing with them, they decided to sell it to someone else that would, even after I have a signed Purchase quote and gave them a down payment and all my personal information to complete the sale.
Bottom Line, 1. They agreed in writing to sell me the car at their listing Price 2. They took my Credit Card for a $5000 down payment. 3. They ran a Hard Pull on my Credit without my permission. 4. They have my drivers license and Insurance information, 6. I now have a 2 year Credit Inquiry on my Credit Report. 7. They sold the car out from underneath me and called me Petty for complaining.
I would expect more from a Mercedes Benz Dealership. You would think Mercedes Benz would have higher expectations of their dealers. I know I do. Buyer be Very Aware when dealing with Mercedes Benz of Lubbock even if you have it in writing. I have proof of all paperwork and documentation.
Regards,
Teddy P.
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