
Bob Caldwell Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM
Columbus, OH
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We purchased a base model 2wd jeep cherokee 3 years ago and just returned it in December to Bob Caldwell. My first feedback (not the main point of this) is that in the lead up to the date of return we had and just returned it in December to Bob Caldwell. My first feedback (not the main point of this) is that in the lead up to the date of return we had emails from SOOOO many people offering to help us with our return. When we would reach out to arrange the return and respond to those mails, each person would learn we were just doing a lease turn in, we were not interested in buying/leasing a new car, then they would ghost us - - I mean no further email, no return call. The main reason for my review is this: We did arrange to return the car eventually to Dino Westerfield and to his credit he got us in and out quickly on the day. However during the return as he was going through his checklist he asked us where our second key fob was. We did not remember receiving two key fobs but he assured us everyone gets two when they get a new car, we believed him. So we asked him *IMPORTANT* "ok so since this key fob is MIA, should we turn this in now, or should we come back when we find the second key fob?" His answer was that we should not worry about it and just complete the process now; that if we contact the Chrysler Finance number that they would tell us where to mail the key fob in. So we went home, we found our original folder with the jeep paperwork and sure enough there was the key fob. We then called and were on hold for more than an hour with Chrysler finance (when you consider re-routes, transfers, and disconnections from their phone system). When we finally got through to a human we relayed the story to them and asked for a mailing address. However they informed us Bob Caldwell should never have represented that we could send the key fob directly to them. That is not and has never been an acceptable process. Later in that week we finally received an official letter from Chrysler finance. We were charged over $560 to turn in the car. In that sum it seems we were charged $150 for the missing key fob. For the record these key fobs have a cost (not price), a cost of $15-20 or less according to google and amazon. Wrapping up the review of Bob Caldwell I will depart from the facts (above) and get into my opinion of what happened. My opinion is that the lease return process for the dealership is a lost leader in terms of their effort unless they are getting you to buy something else. I get that and don't begrudge that they would feel that way. But in the long run treating folks equally whether they are buying from you, or ending a 3 year transaction from when you bought from them before, at least in my view. I feel that Dino probably was motivated to get us to just complete the process and get out of there so he could sell cars. Maybe this car was going to get turned around, cleaned up, and put into their inventory and so they just wanted a 'quick turn'. Since I sell for a living, believe it or not I don't begrudge the *feeling* of getting a non buyer in and out. I really do get that. Its just that in the midst of that process a salesman should not hurt the family he is dealing with. A thoughtless and careless reply of 'just contact Chrysler' was a kiss off meant to get us out of there. As for Jeep, because of Chrysler finance treatment here at the end, I have to say its the last Jeep I'll ever own - - not because the car was bad. In fact I had hoped to have that little 2wd Cherokee be our first family foray into jeeps and my hope was to get a Wrangler or Gladiator when my kids are up and out. But the way we were treated financially at the lease end by Chrysler finance was also very shabby. A lease is based on the purchase price of the car compared to what they can guess it might be worth three years down the road (residual value) with certain wear and tear and very importantly mileage you put on the car. Considering this: DEBITS: In terms of debits to whatever Chrysler though they were making from the transaction, we had normal wear/tear/scratches to the vehicle which we were charged for (fair enough). There was a missing key fob which has a true cost of a couple dozen dollars to them, but for which we were 'fined' $150 which I want to make clear is the full retail sales price of that key fob. CREDITS: In terms of credits to their financial relationship with us we turned in a car way under the expected mileage which makes it a tiny bit more valuable and easy to sell or auction. The car does not at all come with a spare tire when its new, not even a 'donut', and yet we turned it in with a 30,000 mile life new tire on a full size OEM wheel. They also charged us more money "lease return/termination fee" which you know, might as well just be stated as "extra margin" going back into the original transaction. Its really no different than the old days when dealers would trick you into the extended warranty package or Ziebart.... just a way to raise margin. We are such reasonable people and we are also very loyal to brands and dealers. Its so unfortunate that in their rush to get us in and out, Bob Caldwell misled us and ended up costing our family about $150 in needless charges. doubt even that the dealership got that money! That original sin if you want to look at it in that way has then by implication given us a horrible taste about Chrysler Finance who could have heard our story about the turn in statements that were made by Dino and helped us out. As we write a $562 check to Chrysler (key fob + lease term fee + reasonable wear/tear charges) it just burns me up that the dealership did us like this. It seems to me that you the reader should have in mind 'buyer beware' with this dealership and just know that if you are buying something from them it will be like peaches and cream, but if you end a lease and don't buy a second thing from them they will do you wrong as they have done us here. More
We drove 4 1/2 hours to get our car from Bob Caldwell and couldn’t have been more pleased. Everything went super smooth from start to finish and everyone we worked with was very kind and helpful! I would def couldn’t have been more pleased. Everything went super smooth from start to finish and everyone we worked with was very kind and helpful! I would definitely buy from there again! More
This dealership is built on a house of lies. They did nothing they commited too. The only bright spot was the final advisor. He seemed to care. It took 2.5 days to get my car. Unacceptable. I will not b nothing they commited too. The only bright spot was the final advisor. He seemed to care. It took 2.5 days to get my car. Unacceptable. I will not be back. More