Do Not Buy From Stivers Ford Montgomery, AL. - JTWhiting
I am Internet shopping for a new vehicle and place several inquiries online to dealerships for the particular model I want. I was particularly interested in this one at Stivers, due to its being listed for a discount at nearly $5,000 below MSRP, which is extremely rare for this model.
I receive a call from Jay Johnson, an employee, of Stivers Ford at 11:03am EST on Monday due to a request for more information on a vehicle they have listed on their website. I was informed that the vehicle was going to be kept by the owner of the dealership for his “collection.” While still on the phone Mr. Johnson mentions that the vehicle I was interested in wasn’t that same as the one the owner decided to keep, I asked for photos of the vehicle via text message. I called back to inquire about the pictures at 11:16am EST and Mr. Johnson mentioned being in a meeting and he was “going to take them now” or words to that effect. I finally receive a call back from Mr. Johnson at 12:05pm EST stating that the vehicle listed on their website is in fact the same one the owner decided to keep for his “collection.” Mr. Johnson ensured me they could order another one or have it allocated from another dealership. I reiterated that I was interested in that specific model with all the same options for the same price and he was extremely adamant that it could be acquired and sold at the same price as listed on the Stivers Ford website. I was extremely clear that I would be driving 90 minutes one way to make this deal and was met with total reassurance that having the vehicle in the week was possible.
After the 74 mile journey to Montgomery, AL from Fort Benning, GA I asked the receptionist for Jay Johnson, and she says no one by that name works there (not a good sign). I call Mr. Johnson and he answers as he is walking by and I flag him down. I shake his hand and use the restroom after the drive. I return to Mr. Johnson and he hands me of to a Sales Associate named Marcus Boyd. My first words with Mr. Boyd are that I am excited to get this vehicle and he said “hopefully we can” or words to that effect. I replied that I want definite not maybe and I didn’t drive 90 minutes for “hopefully.” Mr. Boyd stood up and walked away.
I over hear a gentleman, that I end up dealing with more that day, which identified himself as the Floor Manager Erik Stlher. Mr. Stlher said “we can’t get that car” or words to that effect. Since this conversation didn’t involve me I interrupted and asked to be informed why I drove so far and wasted my time after I was affirmed twice it was possible to purchase the vehicle. I mentioned to Mr. Stlher that I would go outside to calm down, seeing this information is the exact opposite of my expectation. I walk back inside and Mr. Stlher says that he “has good news” or words to that effect and that Mr. Eddie Stivers (Owner of Stivers Ford) would sell me his car from his “private collection” for $30,000 over MSRP which is approximately $35,000 above the internet listed price (which I have attached a screenshot of.) I am obviously agitated and mentioned that regardless of owning a dealership and being able to do what he wants, that $99,000ish price tag for a car they had listed for $65,000ish is a dirtbag move. I was reminded this was a sale from his “private collection” and Eddie Stivers was doing me a “favor” offering the vehicle to me because there were only 300 to be produced this year.
This type of behavior is reprehensible and Eddie Stivers doesn’t deserve your business. Capitalism is one thing, but wasting about four hours of a potential customer’s time and then saying “good news” is gouging a customer for $35,000 above MSRP is unprofessional and just plain dirty.
Do Not Buy From Stivers Ford!!!
TL:DR, I was assured I could purchase a car for a price and was met with a “deal” for $35,000 above MSRP, 4 hours of my day and a tank of gas after coming off a 24 hour shift wasted.
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