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Strickland's Automart Stratford
Stratford, ON
363 Reviews
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363 Reviews of Strickland's Automart Stratford
October 24, 2015
Scam artists - Told lies to not return promised deposit. I visited Stricklands to view a Ford Escape on behalf of my girlfriend. Met with Wyatt Bowman who allowed me take it for a test drive. After the test I visited Stricklands to view a Ford Escape on behalf of my girlfriend. Met with Wyatt Bowman who allowed me take it for a test drive. After the test drive I spoke with him about what I was doing there and what I was looking for. My impression was that he was not too knowledgeable but was willing to help (at first). Since it was never me purchasing the car I told him nothing would be done that day. He requested that I leave a deposit ($250) for the car and my girlfriend could come look at the vehicle later that week and sign if she liked it. To be honest, we were more or less just inquiring but he asked that we do so. Unfortunately, there was a change of plans and we couldn’t proceed with the car from Stricklands. We still arrived on the scheduled date to let them know we did not want the car and to retrieve the deposit. Wyatt had no sympathy and turned very unprofessional. Looked for pity saying he will get in trouble if we don't purchase it. (Hey Wyatt, sorry but I am not spending $30k so you can “not get in trouble”). He would not listen to anything we said. We even brought up that Oakridge Ford in London price beat them on the same vehicle with added features. Therefore, even if we wanted a car it would not be their car. They went to search the Oakridge Ford Escape and claimed that the vehicle didn't exist at Oakridge. At that point I lost respect. Do not assume we are fabricating a story because Oakridge hadn't updated their website. That will NOT get a sale from me. From what I understand the vehicle had just arrived and was understandably not on their website yet. We desperately just wanted our deposit and to leave as our next stop was the hospital as my girlfriend had to get looked at so we were beginning to get aggravated. Nothing was getting accomplished with Wyatt. We stood at the front of the sales office in awkward silence over and over trying to explain we did not want to vehicle. He ignored every last thing we said and kept complaining. Wyatt then went to speak to his manager for the 3rd time as he was incapable of doing anything else. The manager Greg came over and confirmed I would get the deposit right away. Although he was respectful, he said that I would have to come back for a cheque for the deposit. Stating that an accountant had to issue the cheque and it had to be signed by the owner. My red flags went off right away and I just didn't want to deal with him any more. I made the deposit with a credit card so the situation did not need an accountant, the owner, and a cheque. Does Stricklands think all their customers are idiots? If I left a deposit with a credit card, I get it back on the credit card. No need for an accountant or the owner. I decided to try and play their game so the next day I called both Wyatt and Greg ~9 times to confirm the cheque was available. To my surprise I was ignored even though I was told both were working. I am pretty certain they were screening and ignoring them. Wyatt later TEXTED asking what we wanted so we let him know we wanted to know if the cheque was ready. No response. The next day we planned to drive to Stricklands to get the deposit back. We finally got through to someone on the phone before arriving, Blake, who confirmed a cheque was not needed - only the credit card. Best part was that we finally received a response text from Wyatt saying the “accountant” was “on vacation” and that we would have to wait a few more days for the cheque. What a load of bs…Blake, the only knowledgeable one it seems, already confirmed a cheque was not needed. As agents of Strickland both Wyatt and Greg were fabricating a story while trying to withhold MY money that was already guaranteed to be returned to me by them. We arrive at Stricklands and our good friend Wyatt was the first one at the door. He reminds me that the “accountant” is gone. I tell him to get a manager right away because we don’t need an accountant. He tells me to wait but I follow him to the office. I overhear the manager just outright say, “What? Just refund it on the credit card….” AWESOME. So they were making up the cheque part. So now to get the refund, OH WAIT. They destroyed my record so Wyatt couldn’t even find the paperwork. I would love to see how the “accountant” would issue a cheque with no paperwork. Waited for Blake to give Wyatt the necessary information to issue a refund via credit card. He proceeded to refund me in front of his bosses, which allowed me to ask about the “accountant”. Utter confusion was their response as neither of them knew what I was talking about. Super unprofessional. Lying to someone over $250 when I even said we would come back when we sold our car. Great way to keep business! Also fairly brave for Wyatt to TEXT these lies even though he knew what profession I was in (law). So good job Stricklands, way to push away a young lawyer and nurse from the area who will be sure to tell all our colleagues and friends about the hideous, disrespectful, childish treatment we received there. And I would advise you to ensure your employees are not engaging in any illegal activities such as, you know, misrepresenting certain facts to a consumer about the refund they are owed; have to appreciate the misrepresentation being done through text messages though, bravo. We do have certain laws under the Consumer Protection Act to prohibit that activity by the way. And for what it's worth, I saw people on here stating Stricklands does a 1-key scam. I, too, was only offered 1 key for the Ford Escape. More
by ScamArtistStrickland
Employees Worked With
Wyatt, Greg, Blake
September 14, 2015
Amazing car buying experience! I loved shopping for a new car at Stricklands! We tried dealing with a couple of new car dealerships but realized their cars weren't in our price rang I loved shopping for a new car at Stricklands! We tried dealing with a couple of new car dealerships but realized their cars weren't in our price range. I contacted Stricklands through email and Ron Bell contacted me first thing the next morning. Within a couple of days we were at the Stratford dealership looking at gently used cars within our price range. Ron had chosen several vehicles for us to look at and test drive and kept us within our modest budget. By the time the visit was done, we had to decide between 2 vehicles! I loved the entire experience... the positive, fun energy in the office, the no hassle price points and the prize wheel and gong hit when you buy a car. Such a fun, positive buying experience.. will definitely deal with them again! More
by Happygirl
Employees Worked With
Ron Bell, Ron Bell
August 24, 2015
The all in pricing is not observed here!! Went here to look at buying a used vehicle. After spending time looking a various vans we narrowed down one and was surprised that an extra fee of ov Went here to look at buying a used vehicle. After spending time looking a various vans we narrowed down one and was surprised that an extra fee of over $300 would be added to the cost for a 160 point inspection??? Pricing on the windshield did not reference this added inspection, even though the salesman did mention this. I did not need it since I would have taken this to be checked out independently by my own mechanic. Needles to say we walked out and bought from another dealer that included the inspection (180point) and had no other hidden expenses. And the initial price was less for the same vehicle!! What dealer charges extra for inspection?? Is that not done when they price the used vehicle in the first place. That's how they come up with a price?? More
by Bella123
Employees Worked With
Damian
August 12, 2015
Return Customer We bought a 2012 Edge here last year and were extremely satisfied. We came back today to buy an older used vehicle for my husband to go to and from wo We bought a 2012 Edge here last year and were extremely satisfied. We came back today to buy an older used vehicle for my husband to go to and from work...we had a good cash limit for an older used vehicle and offered a good amount on a 2008 cobalt..lump sum..out the door etest and certified...they said they would need 500 up front to etest and cert which was fine with us but turned down our offer saying they had "too much money into the car"...really?? You just told us u needed to certify and etest it yet..you told us you got in on a trade in...we told you exactly what we could do...cash...and that is the response...in addition to this you suggested a little red beater car sitting in your lot with a flat tire?? Insulting!! We just spent over 21 000 dollars with you last year and have cash on hand for an older 2008 used vehicle in the USED section of your lot and you point me to a car with a flat tire?? Needless to say we are now the proud owners of a 2007 Impala in impeccable shape from a RESPECTED dealer who took our offer for 1000 dollars less than we offered you...you lost our business today not just as a customer but a RETURNING customer...we no longer will recommend you as we had been to friends and family!! More
by unhappy return customer
Employees Worked With
Wyatt Bowman
May 29, 2015
Poor Management = Irresponsible practices Despite having connected with a salesperson and confirming that 2 vehicles that we wanted to test out were on the lot, they were no-where to be found. Despite having connected with a salesperson and confirming that 2 vehicles that we wanted to test out were on the lot, they were no-where to be found. An additional vehicle in our price range was also strangely missing. I saw with my own eyes that all 3 vehicles were in the computer as being in the Stratford location. An hour was wasted at the dealership while staff went on searches for the missing keys/vans. Not to mention the wasted hour driving there and back. When given the opportunity to discuss the situation with Management instead of taking ownership for the problem and discussing how they would take steps to ensure it wouldn't happen again they blamed the salesperson I had connected with and claimed he had misled us on purpose to up-sell us. This dealership claims honesty and hassle-free transactions, this was NONE of those things. They did offer to reimburse us for our gas, however we had to ask again for that reimbursement after one of the vehicles we were looking for was 'found' at the Toyota dealership, but again, was not actually there. The one good thing was Stan Olech, who tried his hardest to find us something that would work for us and was entirely apologetic for all of the issues. Avoid this dealership, Management does not seem interested in fixing their internal issues. More
by ShannonL
Employees Worked With
Stan Olech
May 11, 2015
Would NOT recommend - falsely advertise vehicles as having navigation systems when they don't (don't even bother changing ad after they have been made aware of the "mista - falsely advertise vehicles as having navigation systems when they don't (don't even bother changing ad after they have been made aware of the "mistake") - do not maintain cars while at dealership or do pre-purchase inspections - would not feel confident purchasing any vehicle from this dealership More
by author
Employees Worked With
n/a
May 04, 2015
Recently bought a 2014 Malibu at Stricklands Enjoyed the service I received from Damian Riley. Always prompt to answer any questions I had. Only thing I found frustrating was every time I found a Enjoyed the service I received from Damian Riley. Always prompt to answer any questions I had. Only thing I found frustrating was every time I found a vehicle on the website , it was already sold. I found the prices at Strickland's were very competitive . More
by cjfarrell
Employees Worked With
Damian Riley
April 09, 2015
Not satisfied at all I bought a used vechicle at Stricklands in Stratford less then a year ago. 2 days after my purchase the check engine light came on. I called the deale I bought a used vechicle at Stricklands in Stratford less then a year ago. 2 days after my purchase the check engine light came on. I called the dealership and explained the situation and they told me to bring in the car and they would fix the problem for me. I brought the vechicle in on 2 different occasions and both times I left the engine light was still on. I now have to try and find a mechanic to fix the problem because I have to have an etest done next month. When I bought it I was hoping to have a reliable used vehicle. More
by Not a satisfied customer
April 09, 2015
Don't buy your car here I recently purchased a 2013 vehicle at Strickland's. Within 10 days of having the car, I've had to replace the turbo charge system and transmission. T I recently purchased a 2013 vehicle at Strickland's. Within 10 days of having the car, I've had to replace the turbo charge system and transmission. The oil had a leak, right turn signal on the mirror had to be replaced, and one of the tires had air leaks in it. I've been called the dealership for 3 days and no one has been returning my phone calls. What a horrible experience! More
by Dan
November 10, 2014
just say no I just purchased a car Strickland's with the almost exactly the same outcome as shuff. This key thing must be their favourite scam. I also had sales I just purchased a car Strickland's with the almost exactly the same outcome as shuff. This key thing must be their favourite scam. I also had salesman Steve. Spun the wheel and got.......nothing, pretty sure they forgot. If I hadn't really wanted this car I would not have bought a car here. Will let everyone I know about my experience as they don't seemed to concerned. More
by keekeewee
Employees Worked With
Steve
