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Why are Jeep dealers the worst

2933 Views 12 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  SoCalDawg
I’ll start off by saying this is in Northern California. Is it just me or are Jeep dealerships the worst to deal with? I understand that the pandemic and overall hype has caused short inventory, but it shouldn’t be a such a difficult thing to get a $60k vehicle. I’ve had buddies also tell me they’ve experienced the same issue with the Gladiator at other dealers in this area.

One ran my credit and told me after I was approved that the vehicle had over 10k markup over MSRP. There’s no way. Another ran my credit over the phone and told me he would sell it to me, but sold the vehicle while I was 1 hour in to my 2 hour drive to the dealership. It was an absolute nightmare to get the California Rebate that relies on the dealership to file.

I had an easier time buying a Switch Oled and it’s only a $350 item. This was the first time I’ve dealt with Jeep dealerships and I’m taken back by the experience. Is this just a Northern California thing? Anybody else experiencing this?

Other than that I am loving the vehicle and community. Appreciate all of the posts in this forum.
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I think it depends on the specific dealerships since they are independent. Most of them are multi-brand and equally as bad on all their brands.

I've noticed the luxury brands, like Mercedes, Lexus, and BMW tend to be much better. I suspect the manufacturers must have higher standards to be met.

The supply chain shortages, and worker shortages aren't making things any better. It allows them to jack the price, then there are no cars available for service loaners, or techs available to work on the vehicles.
I had a decent experience here in northern Colorado, though it was before all the shortages. No markups or any other nonsense, they got me in quick for the recall series a few weeks ago too.

I don't disagree that some dealers are just awful though.
First Jeep in Attleboro, MA, has to be the absolute worst there is. They lie, they make promises and they are completely disorganized. We’ve had nothing but issues with our 4xe, thankfully, not mechanical. They pass the buck and blame other employees. They don’t return phone calls, come up with excuses for everything, and are completely incompetent. We have a BMW as well as a Hyundai, both of which cost less than an our, 4xe, and both BMW and Hyundai dealers treated us better than First Jeep. Once they finally repair my rear wheel well, that they scratched on a service call back in June and it’s been back five times since, I plan on filing a complaint with Jeep cares as well as the Better Business Bureau.
I’m not far into the process, but my dealership in Kentucky has been good. They honored a price 4% below MSRP, and kept it fixed even when Jeep raised its price during the build process. The vehicle was delivered 8 weeks from order date, and the dealer even took the initiative to cancel a Mopar part (floor mats) and re-order separately to accelerate the build and get me the vehicle faster.

They weren’t perfect about keeping me updated through the build process, but when I called and asked I was able to get status information pretty quickly that turned out to be accurate. And when my Jeep was on the lot, they let me know right away, didn’t try to fool with the price or add any hidden charges, and got me better financing than originally quoted.

I paid a good chunk of money for my 4xe, but can’t really complain about the dealer experience, especially given the current landscape for car buying.
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First Jeep in Attleboro, MA, has to be the absolute worst there is. They lie, they make promises and they are completely disorganized. We’ve had nothing but issues with our 4xe, thankfully, not mechanical. They pass the buck and blame other employees. They don’t return phone calls, come up with excuses for everything, and are completely incompetent. We have a BMW as well as a Hyundai, both of which cost less than an our, 4xe, and both BMW and Hyundai dealers treated us better than First Jeep. Once they finally repair my rear wheel well, that they scratched on a service call back in June and it’s been back five times since, I plan on filing a complaint with Jeep cares as well as the Better Business Bureau.
I know it isn’t close to you, but I use McGovern CJDR in Newton. Bought my 2019 JLU there and just traded that in for my 4xe. Used them for all my services and they have always been top notch. Plus, a few of the Bruins who live in the area go to them for service as well (Saw McAvoy there once).
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I 100% agree with you on dealers!!! I tried going through Bob Johnson dealerships up here in Western NY and if they were my only option I'd never own a Jeep! Dishonest, putting offers in writing and still not honoring them...I wish I could report them to FCA but nobody cares.

Then, I found West Herr in Orchard Park and they were 180 degrees apart. Honest, responsive, A+++ experience! I will always deal with West Herr going forward and I hope the Bob Johnson franchise goes bankrupt like like their integrity.
I bought from Herb Chamber in Danvers, MA. I thought they were great. I ordered in April, they told me 8-12 weeks. Got the car in 10 and a half weeks. I emailed every Monday asking if there was any updates, but if they were annoyed, they didn’t show it. Haven’t been back yet for any service (so can’t speak to that) but the buying experience was pretty easy. Paid MSRP right from the build page on Jeep’s website.
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First Jeep in Attleboro, MA, has to be the absolute worst there is. They lie, they make promises and they are completely disorganized. We’ve had nothing but issues with our 4xe, thankfully, not mechanical. They pass the buck and blame other employees. They don’t return phone calls, come up with excuses for everything, and are completely incompetent. We have a BMW as well as a Hyundai, both of which cost less than an our, 4xe, and both BMW and Hyundai dealers treated us better than First Jeep. Once they finally repair my rear wheel well, that they scratched on a service call back in June and it’s been back five times since, I plan on filing a complaint with Jeep cares as well as the Better Business Bureau.
Planet was no better 10 years ago when we lived in the area. Sorry to hear your 4xe experience has not lived up to the promise. Hopefully still better than an Earnie and the Automatics show...
My dealership is great. Westgate in Raleigh, NC.
I had a good experience at Classic Jeep of South Charlotte in Charlotte, NC. Definitely agree that some dealers are terrible though. I had a much worse experience at a Lexus dealer... I was held hostage for 3 hours while "negotiating" there.
I’ll start off by saying this is in Northern California. Is it just me or are Jeep dealerships the worst to deal with? I understand that the pandemic and overall hype has caused short inventory, but it shouldn’t be a such a difficult thing to get a $60k vehicle. I’ve had buddies also tell me they’ve experienced the same issue with the Gladiator at other dealers in this area.

One ran my credit and told me after I was approved that the vehicle had over 10k markup over MSRP. There’s no way. Another ran my credit over the phone and told me he would sell it to me, but sold the vehicle while I was 1 hour in to my 2 hour drive to the dealership. It was an absolute nightmare to get the California Rebate that relies on the dealership to file.

I had an easier time buying a Switch Oled and it’s only a $350 item. This was the first time I’ve dealt with Jeep dealerships and I’m taken back by the experience. Is this just a Northern California thing? Anybody else experiencing this?

Other than that I am loving the vehicle and community. Appreciate all of the posts in this forum.
I don't think it is regional, there are good and bad everything Dealer's everywhere. The problems arise because of lack of process. (and caring) It is why you always here the same complaints.. Bumping prices, selling cars before you get there, etc... It boils down to couple big things. #1 is Full Disclosure. Dealers should offer to put everything in writing when it comes to numbers and the vehicle of interest by using email or text. When it is in writing, it should be understood and sold as promised. This goes for disclosing every fee plus tax and tags.I am a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram dealer in Eastern NC. Here is a little secret most dealers don't realize. They are so scared to give you a price because you will shop them. They have not figured out that full disclosure works. If the customer is going to shop, that is fine! It is what America was built on. We have been successful just doing things the opposite of what most dealers do. (and profitable) We maintain a 4.8 Google Review rating (out of 5) and don't ask for the reviews, we simply earn them. And there are other stores like us.

If we have a customer call in and they are coming to look at a specific model we hold it for them until a designated time. This agreement is sent to all on the front end of the store by group text. It also has an expiration date and time. It has not failed us yet.. Check our reviews... vann underwood - Google Search,,,


My recommendation to you (next time) is to find a Dealer like us that will order you a Gladiator built to your exact specs at a deal. We currently offer $500 over invoice on that model. We have you sign off on a build sheet and Bill of Sale that is a guaranteed price when your Jeep comes in even if the factory raises the prices during your build. Which they are doing a lot of right now. But with Jeep you are price protected. Have a CA customer that found us on line, read our reviews and place d a order with us on a new 22 Ram 3500. (93K truck) Did $500 over, saved him close to 7K off MSRP.. He said CA Dealer would only do factory order at MSRP, some models over MSRP. So he will fly one way in bout 90 days, we will pick him up at Wilmington NC airport, give him his truck and he road trips back to CA.

Best of luck, Kevin
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Have had same experience in CA. When I buy I’m likely doing via broker or buying out of state snd driving home/shipping.
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