Platinum Volkswagen

Worst experience I have ever had doing business. Lets start from the very beginning: I have been a long time customer of Platinum Volkswagen since 2009 when I got my first car. The last vehicle my Lets start from the very beginning: I have been a long time customer of Platinum Volkswagen since 2009 when I got my first car. The last vehicle my family got from Volkswagen was one I co-signed for, a lease that began in 2015 for my brother’s GLI. We had purchased the wheel and tire package through VW. My problems with Platinum Volkswagen began around December 2016. My brother had spent an additional $50 per month on the “Wheel and Tire” coverage, and it took Platinum’s service center 7 weeks to tell us that what was being done will not be covered by the 3rd party coverage leaving my brother with no car for almost two months over the wheels since it was sitting there. Not to mention, he had to pay his lease for those two months he did not have the car just to find out that he could have gone somewhere else 2 months ago to get his wheels done for cheaper. I have been in the car world for years & manage an auto body and collision shop for a living. We would have gotten it repaired elsewhere if we had known it is not something covered by the warranty we pay extra for. They also refused to assist us with finding out what would be covered under this alleged coverage that cost an extra $50 per month. When my brother went to pick up the car, it was not even touched. You can see why we were infuriated. They were extremely rude to both him and my father. The owner got in my dads face and told him that he is not interested in doing business and he called the police to get them removed from the premises. The customer service was extremely poor. He got nothing but a run around. I had called the VW dealership to speak to a manager because I felt we had a long time relationship with them and figured they would want to keep their long time customer. I went in, very relaxed, spoke to the manager, Moses Quiroz. He basically had nothing to say to me. He also said that there was nothing he could do for me, so I told him that it was not a good enough answer and that I would like to speak to the owner of the dealership. The owner (whom I now know as Josh Lever & the same person who was rude to my family) said that he is not interested in speaking to me regarding this matter. When I said I am never going to do business with them again, they told me that it would be best if we part ways. He was not interested in keeping his customer, so I left. As a business owner, and a manager, myself, this was a red flag right there. I did not understand how anybody could treat their customers so poorly especially when we are repeat customers. We let this go. There was nothing we could do as no body wanted to help us, and the dealership was not interested in our business anyway. Let’s fast forward to this year when the lease was ready to get returned. My brother had custom ordered a Subaru ahead of time to ensure it would be here in time for the termination of the GLI’s lease. The Subaru came in a little earlier than we expected and the dealership paid off the remainder of the lease for the GLI to VW. We all know that every car has some wear and tear damage after 3 years & nobody wants to get charged by the leasing company if the car is not up to their standards. So my brother paid to repair all the little nicks and little dents to avoid any damage fees. Since the GLI needed to get repaired and the Subaru was ready for pick up, the dealership transferred the plates from the GLI to the Subaru for him. We opted to pay for a tow for the GLI from the body shop to the dealership for return instead of paying for a rental car while we wait. The vehicle was completed and returned to the Platinum Volkswagen on May 25th, 2018. On June 25th, 2018, I received a letter from Volkswagen stating that the vehicle was never returned. I called the number on the letter said to refer to if the vehicle was already returned. I was confused because the car was returned a month ago. I spoke to a customer service agent who asked me if I had gotten any paperwork from the dealership when the car was returned. I did not. I advised her that the car was towed in by a tow truck company, and that this was not my first lease return and I have never had an issue with a return before. The tow truck driver said that he unloaded the vehicle in their lot and was told to park it in a specific spot. The man who assisted him took the keys and stated that there is no issue and the car will be processed for return immediately. I didn’t think much of it because all my other lease returns have gone smoothly. I never had to worry about it. The woman I spoke to was very nice and said that normally I would have to go to the dealership and take care of this myself, but that she wouldn’t mind calling them for me if I don’t mind waiting on the line. So I waited, patiently. The woman gets back on the phone and says “I’m sorry. Unfortunately, you are not going to like what I have to say.” I said, “Oh no, what happened?” She stated that Platinum Volkswagen told her that the car was dropped off on the street and has been sitting there for the last month with no plates and no keys. I said, “Of course there are no license plates. The plates were transferred to the new car which is why I opted to pay to get the car towed in for return.” She advised that I should go down to the dealership and sort this out so that I don’t keep getting hit with the fees of late termination as the vehicle was officially due on June 1st. In addition, I would get charged for the set of missing keys. She also stated that the license plates are unable to get transferred because they are technically Volkswagen’s. (Side note: I knew this couldn’t be true, but I double checked with the sales woman at Subaru anyway. She confirmed that the plates were transferred. She gave me the dates and effective dates of the registration and insurance, as well.) I asked: “How come they didn’t run the VIN number to see who’s car it was and see why it has been sitting outside their dealership for a month? Didn’t anyone think that there is something wrong with this situation?” They already corroborated the fact that they were fully aware of the vehicle’s presence regardless of where the vehicle was sitting. The lady apologized as she had no answers to any of these questions. I thanked her for her help, then proceeded to get in touch with the tow truck driver who dropped the car off. I asked him to meet me at Platinum Volkswagen, so he can help describe who helped him with the lease return to get this sorted out. Upon arriving at Platinum Volkswagen, I walked to the front, side, and rear of the building when I finally found the car in the back of the dealership on a residential road right on the corner of the entrance to their lot. All 4 doors were locked, but the trunk wasn’t and the keys were in there. Both driver’s side and the passenger side of the vehicle were vandalized, as well as, the left side of the rear bumper, the front bumper, and the windshield. I was upset, but I waited patiently for the tow truck driver to get there and assist me in getting to the bottom of this. As I walked up to the lot, two men approached us. I (calmly) asked if there was a manager I could speak to, and one of the men responded “how can we help?” I pointed to the car and said, “I need to speak to someone about this car.” The guy told me that he is “not interested in dealing with this and that the cops are already on their way because we are trespassing on their property.” Little did I know that this man was Josh Lever, owner of Platinum Volkswagen. My tow truck driver started to explain where he was told to leave the vehicle and about the man who took the keys from him. This is when Josh went insane and started cussing like a lunatic. He said “you are just a tow truck driver, get off my property because you are trespassing too.” The blood rushed so far up my head that I couldn’t help but yell back. I was INFURIATED at the way he refused to offer assistance. I was INFURIATED with the way he was speaking to me. I do not disrespect anybody, and I do not appreciate this type of disrespect whatsoever. I didn’t even get to ask my question or find out what happened. Everything had to go through the police officers as Josh was “not interested” in getting this situation sorted out. They asked me what they could do for me. I said that I needed some sort of form stating that the car is being returned because this is already a closed account on my credit report, so I don’t understand why I am being held responsible for all of this. I requested the video footage from the dealership. I was refused both the paperwork and the video footage. They said I had to take the car out of there, which I had to pay for another tow because the car is not registered. I said that I wanted a report stating everything that is happening because now I am going to have to lay out money for repairs to return this car again otherwise I will be charged from Volkswagen themselves. I was told that there is nothing they can write up for me as there is no act of crime here. How is vandalism not an act of crime? I am confused, but I didn’t question the officers as I know they are only there for my best interest. The next day I went to the 2nd precinct and explained the story. I said I wanted a report stating that I was there and that the car was vandalized on their property. I said that there is no way that a vehicle that is not registered with no plates can sit on a residential road for 1 month without getting any parking tickets, boots, etc. I am not familiar with the laws on this, but something just didn’t sound right. I was sent to small claims court. Unfortunately for me, the repairs to the vehicle were over $7700 (not including any other fees)b and small claims court can only honor up to $5000. I checked with the DMV to see if there were any tickets or issues associated with the vehicle to ensure I would not be held liable for that. They stated there were no parking tickets associated with the car. This was a deliberate act of vandalism in my opinion. What kind of business are they running? I did some digging and apparently I am not the first to have issues with this owner, Josh Lever. He was also associated with fraud in the past which is public information. I would put their dealer’s license in question after all this. As he was walking away, he said “I had to deal with you a year ago lady.” So what that proves to me is that he knew the car? He recognized it? How did he know he “had to deal with me” when he refused to speak to me and said he was not interested in doing business with my family? I did not know his name until I got it from the police officer and had pieced this information together later. Was this done on purpose? For revenge for stating we will agree to do business elsewhere? What happened here? Because all I see is poor business, poor customer service and poor customer relations. All over a warranty and some simple questions. Everything got blown out of proportion instead of helping a long time customer. Josh Lever lied to the police officers and stated the car is not theirs and he has never seen that car. In the mean time, I have “Platinum Volkswagen” written all over the lease agreement and paperwork from 2015. I was refused assistance. I was stuck with a car I had to repair for a second time because I was scared of being stuck with an even heftier bill from VW. I was stuck with not knowing what to do with the car because Volkswagen of North America told me that I have to get a lawyer and that there is nothing they can do for me over the phone. I stated that I hadn’t retained a lawyer and that I would prefer not to pursue that route if I don’t have to. I was asked what I wanted and I said I wanted them to tell me what to do with the car to get it out of my hair. Should I repair it and get compensated? Should I return it damaged and get the bill waived? No one was able to help me after hours of being on the phone and letting it escalate to higher authorities over and over. No attorney wants to take on this case because either way I will be losing money and it is simply not worth it. I am saddened that the police officers were unable to help me as “this is not considered an act of crime.” I am saddened that no lawyer will take this case because “I will be spending more in lawyer fees than what I would get in return even if I do win the case.” So now we are now on July 9th; I have no idea what I am supposed to do. I repaired the car and will be returning it to another dealership tomorrow. With that being said, I will never be getting a Volkswagen again due to this terrible experience with both the dealership and corporate management. These are some serious unfair practices, horrible service, terrible business people. I will never recommend a VW to anyone again just because of this frustration. This has caused me nothing but a few headaches and a lot of money. More

DEALERSHIP With INTEGRITY After buying a new car in 2008 I went to their service shop for an oil change. The owner of the Dealership Josh was there and said hello to me by nam After buying a new car in 2008 I went to their service shop for an oil change. The owner of the Dealership Josh was there and said hello to me by name. Only met him once and I couldn't believe he remembered my name. Platinum VW is a great place to buy a car and their service shop is equally as impressive. Im on my 3rd VW from this dealer. Manny my salesman took his time to explain everything and go over my new car in detail. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.. Honestly would not shop anywhere else for my new VW. Than you Platinum VW More

Fantastic dealership very professional. Everyone at the dealership was very friendly and helpful. Joe helped me pick the perfect car and made this experience outstanding ! I would definetly Everyone at the dealership was very friendly and helpful. Joe helped me pick the perfect car and made this experience outstanding ! I would definetly recommend this dealership top notch service. Thank you Joe for making this experience effortless. More

Professional honest and helpful This is my first purchased car. I have always leased in the past. I was very happy with the service I received. Both josh and joe were very honest an This is my first purchased car. I have always leased in the past. I was very happy with the service I received. Both josh and joe were very honest and knowledgeable More

10 out of 10 I had very good experience with a dealership. Staff was so nice and kind. I got explained very nicely by dealership manager. Thanks for everything. I had very good experience with a dealership. Staff was so nice and kind. I got explained very nicely by dealership manager. Thanks for everything. More

Easy and fair I have leased 3 cars with Platnumn VW. Joe R is a great guy and straight forward. I always leave happy. I highly recommend Platinum VW I have leased 3 cars with Platnumn VW. Joe R is a great guy and straight forward. I always leave happy. I highly recommend Platinum VW More

Friendly and family owned dealer that makes you feel comfor Joe Riccobene, my salesman, talked to me about what I was looking for in my next car and showed me the 3 that I was looking to buy. No pressure and wa Joe Riccobene, my salesman, talked to me about what I was looking for in my next car and showed me the 3 that I was looking to buy. No pressure and was straightforward with me. Walked out and made my decision several hours later. Joe and I completed the transaction over the phone and helped me handle the paperwork. Thank you Joe! More

Excellent Service Experience Fast, efficient routine maintenance service visit including multipoint inspection. Service advisor, John Grossman was knowledgeable and thorough in po Fast, efficient routine maintenance service visit including multipoint inspection. Service advisor, John Grossman was knowledgeable and thorough in pointing out several items that may need to be addressed in the future without any upsell pressure whatsoever. Prices for work performed were competitive and reasonable (I had several service coupons which were honored). Overall, felt very comfortable with this visit and will definitely return to Platinum VW for future service as needed. More

Purchase vehicle Moses not only went out his way to make sure I got the vehicle I wanted but he also hand delivered it to me. This was hands down the most pleasant an Moses not only went out his way to make sure I got the vehicle I wanted but he also hand delivered it to me. This was hands down the most pleasant and positive car buying experience ever. Thank you. I look forward to my next purchase in the future! More

Couldn’t have asked for more Platinum Volkswagen made my lease experience an incredible one. Namely, Adam was beyond helpful and was very patient. He took the time to explain all Platinum Volkswagen made my lease experience an incredible one. Namely, Adam was beyond helpful and was very patient. He took the time to explain all of the details of the car to ensure I was comfortable and happy with my decision. I did not find this dealership to be pushy at all, but very accommodating to all of my needs. He also went very slow through the lease to make sure that I understood and was aware of EVERYTHING that was being agreed to. Overall, I had a fantastic experience with the employees at Platinum and will be sure to refer them to any and all people that are looking to buy or lease a car. They carry more than just VW too, they sell all other brands as well. More