I am writing to you regarding a negative experience I had with one of your dealerships. I visited Compass Dodge/Chrysler in Orange, NJ yesterday because of an ad I saw in the Auto Shopper here in NJ. It stated that there was a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica with 43K miles on it, leather interior and power package for only $6995. The picture in the ad showed a car in perfect condition. I called the dealership a few times and waited on hold for several minutes each time. After the 4th call I finally got in touch with a salesman, Jean. I was unable to understand him because he had a heavy accent, but I understood him enough to know that the car was still in stock. Being a working man with 3 children and not much money I thought this would be an ideal investment for my family. Orange NJ is not known to be the safest, nicest, or cleanest areas in NJ. I decided to give it a shot anyway. Orange is also know to be 75% African American and 13% Caucasian.. I assure you this information is relevant to the story.
I arrived at the dealership and they seemed to be busy. I decided to look at the models on the floor with my 4 year old. I waited, waited, waited, and waited. Nobody said one word to me. I tried to approach several people and I was ignored, truly like I was invisible. Anyway, I decided to wait some more. About 20 - 30 minutes after I had been waiting 2 African American gentlemen walked in the showroom. These 2 gentlemen were acknowledged immediately. No waiting, no walking around, no being ignored by sales staff, but helped IMMEDIATELY! I walked up and interrupted their conversation with an employee and said I have been here for at least 20 minutes and nobody said a word to me. His reply was ridiculous, I don't even know who you are. Of course he doesn't know who I am! He completely ignored me! This is completely UNACCEPTABLE! I was ignored because I am white. If I were African American, I would have been helped sooner.
Regardless of being ignored I decided to lose my turn in line and look at the cars on the lot anyway. My son and I walked around the lot and found the car in the ad. This car was horrible. There was no front bumper, no rear bumper; the passenger front door was damaged as was the front passenger quarter panel. How can it be okay to depict a car in good condition and sell a car that should be in a junk yard? I was extremely upset with this situation. I live 70 miles from the dealership and my time with my family is valuable! I wasted time, gas, and felt racially discriminated against. I am truly embarrassed.
No number of apologies are acceptable in this situation. There is nothing that can be done for me to feel like I was even treated like a human being. I would be more than happy to speak to you about this event. You may call me on my cell phone or at home in the evenings.
Compass Dodge/Chrysler Reviews
This is the letter I wrote Dodge,
I am writing to you regarding a negative experience I had with one of your dealerships. I visited Compass Dodge/Chrysler in Orange, NJ yesterday because of an ad I saw in the Auto Shopper here in NJ. It stated that there was a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica with 43K miles on it, leather interior and power package for only $6995. The picture in the ad showed a car in perfect condition. I called the dealership a few times and waited on hold for several minutes each time. After the 4th call I finally got in touch with a salesman, Jean. I was unable to understand him because he had a heavy accent, but I understood him enough to know that the car was still in stock. Being a working man with 3 children and not much money I thought this would be an ideal investment for my family. Orange NJ is not known to be the safest, nicest, or cleanest areas in NJ. I decided to give it a shot anyway. Orange is also know to be 75% African American and 13% Caucasian.. I assure you this information is relevant to the story.
I arrived at the dealership and they seemed to be busy. I decided to look at the models on the floor with my 4 year old. I waited, waited, waited, and waited. Nobody said one word to me. I tried to approach several people and I was ignored, truly like I was invisible. Anyway, I decided to wait some more. About 20 - 30 minutes after I had been waiting 2 African American gentlemen walked in the showroom. These 2 gentlemen were acknowledged immediately. No waiting, no walking around, no being ignored by sales staff, but helped IMMEDIATELY! I walked up and interrupted their conversation with an employee and said I have been here for at least 20 minutes and nobody said a word to me. His reply was ridiculous, I don't even know who you are. Of course he doesn't know who I am! He completely ignored me! This is completely UNACCEPTABLE! I was ignored because I am white. If I were African American, I would have been helped sooner.
Regardless of being ignored I decided to lose my turn in line and look at the cars on the lot anyway. My son and I walked around the lot and found the car in the ad. This car was horrible. There was no front bumper, no rear bumper; the passenger front door was damaged as was the front passenger quarter panel. How can it be okay to depict a car in good condition and sell a car that should be in a junk yard? I was extremely upset with this situation. I live 70 miles from the dealership and my time with my family is valuable! I wasted time, gas, and felt racially discriminated against. I am truly embarrassed.
No number of apologies are acceptable in this situation. There is nothing that can be done for me to feel like I was even treated like a human being. I would be more than happy to speak to you about this event. You may call me on my cell phone or at home in the evenings.
Dominic
Tamiment, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.