The Frederick Motor Company

I bought a vehicle from The Frederick Motor Company (FMC) a few months ago. Unfortunately the experience reinforced the stereotype that the vast majority of dealers are unethical, to put it politely. The a few months ago. Unfortunately the experience reinforced the stereotype that the vast majority of dealers are unethical, to put it politely. There were three primary issues: 1) On the day I submitted my order, the salesperson insisted, several times, that if there were any MSRP increases before the delivery date, I would have to pay them. S/he went on to say "they are usually small". Ford offers "Automatic Price Protection" for all retail orders, and has for years. Any MSRP increases only apply to new orders, submitted after the date of the increase -- they do not apply retroactively, to existing orders (which is as it should be). The salesperson had years of experience, so it is highly unlikely they were not aware of the price protection program. That begs the question, why lie about it? A cynical person might conclude that there is a way for the dealership and/or salesperson to pocket the price protection rebate from Ford, if the customer is unaware it exits. As for the size of the MSRP increases -- on the vehicle I ordered, there were at least 2 price increases, totaling $2,600, prior to delivery. Hardly 'small'. Around the same time, the MSRP on other Ford models jumped by up to $5,000 in one shot! It's easy to see why the salesperson might pretend price protection does not exist -- the rebate would be a nice "bonus" if the customer doesn't know better. Of course it would also be fraud. 2) I was also told that labor is not included in the price of dealer installed accessories. That was false, and also attempted fraud. The labor charges would have been hundreds of dollars extra. 3) My vehicle, like many/most Fords, qualified for the $1,000 'order credit'. That's a Ford incentive to encourage buyers to place orders (rather than buy off the lot), knowing the delays can be months long. It was never mentioned at any time up through delivery -- I had to bring it up. Both the salesperson and another seasoned employee insisted that my vehicle did not qualify for the $1,000 credit. I had to search online and find a Ford webpage confirming that the credit did indeed apply. Then, after I'd found the page, neither of them even bothered to look at it! It was as if they knew all along that my vehicle qualified, and once I found the proof they knew their scam was up. Again, a cynical person might suspect that there is a way for the dealer and/or salesperson to keep that $1,000 credit if they can convince the customer it doesn't apply (or the customer is unaware of it). More attempted fraud -- and '3 strikes'. I have intentionally not mentioned names because a) my intent is to warn potential FMC customers, not get employees in trouble, and b) I cannot be absolutely, 100%, 'beyond the shadow of a doubt' sure that they were aware of: price protection; the potential size of MSRP increases; the fact that labor is included in the price of dealer installed options; and the $1,000 order credit being applicable to my purchase. That said, it is next to impossible to believe that 2 car sales professionals, with decades of experience between them, were completely ignorant of all of the above. I'm all but certain they knew full well what they were doing, but there is a vanishingly small chance that it was ignorance and/or incompetence on their part. Either way though, the result is the same -- a buyer at FMC may end up paying WAY more than they should. I had purchased a car from FMC years ago and that was a positive experience. The negative reviews I read prior to going there this time were almost exclusively for the service dept -- sales seemed OK -- so I went in with my guard down. I was not expecting their multiple attempts to rip me off. It was the complete opposite of my previous experience. In fairness, the reviews of the Ford dealers in Hagerstown and Mount Airy were even more negative. So there's a good chance the buying experience at either of them would have been just as bad, if not worse -- but needless to say, that does not excuse the behavior of the FMC employees. Sadly, buying a car is usually still an adversarial transaction. Most dealers see potential buyers as marks/suckers to be lied to and taken advantage of. Direct-to-consumer auto sales cannot come soon enough. In the meantime, buyer beware! More

BAD SERVICE I was there last 11/17/2018 for routine maintenance (oil change, tire rotation, etc.) Per multipoint report, battery performance was good but I just I was there last 11/17/2018 for routine maintenance (oil change, tire rotation, etc.) Per multipoint report, battery performance was good but I just recently (1/3/2019) found out that there's a corrosion build up in the positive terminal. That did not build up overnight or the previous months. Most likely it had been there for a while. I wonder why the technician did not spotted that? He should see it if he really tested the battery. I ended up paying $100 for towing my Flex. Now I have second thoughts about their multipoint report. This is a VERY BAD service!!! More

Non-Exsistent Customer Service I bought a Super Duty, needed to purchase an additional key (with remote start). I called the dealership and verified price of the key, price to cut, I bought a Super Duty, needed to purchase an additional key (with remote start). I called the dealership and verified price of the key, price to cut, and that they had them in stock. Got all the information, asked what to bring, everything to make sure it was smooth. Awesome, I will be there today. Called before driving 2 hours to get to the dealership. Was advised by two different people, parts was open until 7pm. Called at 6:50pm to advise I was close but traffic put me behind schedule, I would be there 5 after. No answer in parts, closed when I arrived. Called the next day to verify the time parts and service would be open, 7pm again. This time I left work earlier than normal to give an hour lead time. Get there and they didn't have the keys in stock (never do according to the parts person, after being advised they keep the specific key I need in stock). I bought a standard key and take it to Service to have it coded - after waiting for 5 minutes while the service person was shuffling papers - I was advised service techs leave at 6pm (it's now 6:30). I asked how much coding the key is - price quoted over the phone was $65, price quoted in person was $115. Quite a jump. I wouldn't have driven the two hours, as it wasn't worth the trip. Instead of trying to fix the issue at hand, the service person was more interested in who told me it would be $65. I should also add, FMC wouldn't sell me the key without coding "because it's required and you can't do it yourself" eventhough Ford has directions for coding online, on their website for owners. Sadly, this was not my first encounter with Frederick Motor Company, but thankfully it will be my last. Our business stopped buying parts from them for these same reasons and we went to Hagerstown Ford instead. Customer service is top notch there, and service is excellent. All around horrible experience at Frederick Motor Company. More

let down sang a big song about getting me out of my focus but they ducked around with my credit then told me I need more down and my wife to co sign . I told h sang a big song about getting me out of my focus but they ducked around with my credit then told me I need more down and my wife to co sign . I told him that will never happen and they kept pushing so I left More

Upon my arrival one week ago at the Frederick Ford Motor Company I was ready to buy a new Ford. After entering the showroom I was never greeted or even acknowledged. I pretty much had to beg to get some hel Company I was ready to buy a new Ford. After entering the showroom I was never greeted or even acknowledged. I pretty much had to beg to get some help. Eventually a semi quasi so called salesman who was not polite or helpful made a pathetic attempt at offering assistance. When I told him that I was interested in a Ford Focus wagon he said this... "Ford has never made a Focus Wagon, there is not a single Focus wagon in existence on the planet earth. Of course this is a false statement they did make Focus wagons from 2002-2007. I then told the salesman that I did not specifically need a wagon and that a hatchback might suffice. But instead of showing me a hatchback or any car for that matter he just wanted to argue with me further about the fact that Ford never made a Focus wagon. I became frustrated after this because no progress was being made and his attitude was disregarding and arrogant. As I made my way to the exit door I mentioned to another salesman that I was interested in buying a new car but that I could not seem to get any help. He ignored me completely after throwing me an evil dirty look. Then I said to him "I came to buy a car and I guess that is not going to happen so...Good Bye!" He then turned to me and said: "Bye Bye Now" in a very sarcastic antagonizing manner and he was laughing at me right in my face. Finally I left the dealership completely humiliated vowing to never return, and as I made my way to the parking lot this salesman continued to laugh at me from the showroom window and heckle me with no mercy until I was in my car and pulling out of the parking lot. These people embarrassed me in public and humiliated me beyond belief and they seemed to get a big kick out of this at my expense. After I departed I called the dealership to express my dissatisfaction to J Skora the sales manager on duty. My complaint fell upon deaf ears and there was no apology, no resolve, and no invitation to come back and try again. Nothing was offered other than another stiff dose of arrogance and a total and complete disregard for the customer. I was still not happy and very hurt by the way they treated me so I sent an email to the Owner and every manager in the store once again expressing my outrage over the barbaric unprofessional service that I received. This was a week ago and I have not received a single email back out of the 12 emails I sent, and certainly not the apology that I deserve. I would like to warn others about this horrible disgusting dealership that is infested with toxic employees who are arrogant, disregarding, and downright abusive towards well meaning customers. I have never been so humiliated in my entire life nor have I ever been treated in such an evil and disrespectful manner. Warning! Stay away from this place unless you wish to be abused these are horrible nasty people with a long running legacy of treating their customers in a sick and savage manner. More

I bought my car from this dealership, and my salesman, Rick Kleinota, could not have been more helpful. However, I have had absolutely horrible experiences dealing with the service department, and I will Rick Kleinota, could not have been more helpful. However, I have had absolutely horrible experiences dealing with the service department, and I will not be returning for any more service work. The service department is the absolute WORST with keeping records of their customers' issues and helping them work through problems. I had a simple problem (loose weatherproofing strip on one of my doors) that they failed to fix on my first trip in to deal with it, and when I called to tell them that their quick fix of double-sided tape (seriously!) didn't work, they didn't even have the part ready for my appointment, which I made far in advance AND made a point to explain to the service advisor who handled scheduling my appointment that I was coming back in to have fixed once and for all. I was told after waiting over an hour for my oil change and what I thought would be my weatherproofing strip replacement that the strip would have to be special ordered, EVEN THOUGH I traveled an hour and a half AFTER scheduling the special appointment to get it fixed. It's also worth noting that on the various occasions when I have taken my car in for routine maintenance and oil changes, I've heard service advisors on the phone apologizing countless times for "dropping the ball". It appears this is the norm for The Frederick Motor Company. And, fair warning, their service advisors are NOT in any way, shape or form prepared to deal with frustrated customers. The service advisor in question the day I thought I was getting my repair done, was nothing less than condescending and belittling to me the entire time, which did absolutely nothing but fuel my frustration at the entire situation. I was so rattled by the experience that I emailed the service manager when I got home, but I never received a response. Apparently, quality customer service is a non-factor at this organization. I guess they figure once they have your money, they don't have to work for your business. In any event, I have decided to take my business elsewhere. This company will never get another dime from me. I recommend this place only for people who are prepared to have their problems not addressed properly and who enjoy being disparaged by their car dealerships. More

I went to the Frederick Motor Company first in my car search because my girlfriend had a great experience there, and because we really liked the salesman, Rick, that we'd worked with. Rick spent time wit search because my girlfriend had a great experience there, and because we really liked the salesman, Rick, that we'd worked with. Rick spent time with me the first day, test drove a few cars. He was great. I decided not to go with any of the cars he'd talked to me about, but I did, after some time, see a car on the lot I wanted - a 2012 slightly used Focus. Rick worked a great deal for me (I really couldn't recommend him highly enough, if he worked for a different dealership). He got me the exact deal I wanted, until it came to the financing. Their finance guy, Ron Musgrove, is the worst. We'd worked with him previously as well, and he'd tried to talk a bunch of nonsense to my girlfriend when she bought her car. Well, he takes my credit app (I have so-so credit, but I had a co-signer), runs to the back and leaves me sitting for 40-45 minutes. Eventually, he comes back and tells me he submitted my app to Capital One and cant use my co-signer (as he alread co-signed a loan with them, though its literally the only item on his credit). He got me approved, however, at 19% with an over $400 a month payment. I tell him I absolutely can't do that, and he should maybe shop it around. He opens my file and tells me the milage of my current car i'm trying to trade (214,000 miles) and with the distance I drive to work, I should probably jump at their offer so i'm not stranded along side the road...I got up and immediately left. Its a classic example of a dealership working for themselves and the kickback from the financier as opposed to working for me. My girlfriend and I could've easily been LIFELONG customers of this dealership if they'd taken care of me. Now, however, i'll never set foot inside the dealership again for sales or service (and i'll be byuing a Ford AND working in Frederick soon), and she will also now never buy from them or service her car there. Just an absolutely terrible experience, and I'd go out of my way to recommend no one ever shop there. They do not value relationships, and do not value their customers in the slightest. More