Disch Car Sales of Franklin

My buying experience was ok, but the rest has been less than positive.


1. It was promised to me at the time of purchase that an owner's manual for the car was ordered. A week or so later received a text from the salesman saying that he hadn't received it yet. I've had the car 3 months now. Still no owner's manual.


2. Before I purchased the car, I took it for a test drive. The test drive went great until I took a corner and the rear end shuddered. The car is AWD, thus concerned about the transfer case. I told the salesman if they got that issue resolved that I would buy the car. I was told the problem had been taken care of - just a matter of an "oil change" for the AWD. I came back and took the car for another test drive and bought the car.


Now, the first time I took it for the drive, they came to me. I live in Branford but work in Farmington, so they met me in Glastonbury with the car for the test drive. When I took it for the second drive, it was on the day I was going to buy it, so I just drove it around the dealership. No issues. By the time I got it home, it started doing the shuddering again. Figured maybe give it a couple days for the oil to work its way into the gearing. Still didn't work. I drive ~100 miles a day just commuting to/from work. I took the car to my mechanic (who I've had since ~2005) who just took it for a quick test drive and confirmed that it either needed an "oil change" for the AWD, or there was a bigger issue with the transfer case.


When the salesman had texted me notifying me that they had not yet received the owner's manual for the car, I notified him that the issue still existed for the shuddering. NO RESPONSE.


About a week ago I had emailed Ellis about both issues, and have gotten NO RESPONSE.


Mind you, when I tried to negotiate the price of the vehicle, they made me feel as though they were doing me a favor with the price it was at already. They had the car on their lot for almost a year (it shows how long it's been listed online), so who was doing who the favor?


I literally feel as though this dealership just wanted this inventory off their lot worse than a bad rash and do not want to follow up with the concerns or issues of mine. Shame, too, because I tend to buy a lot of cars between myself and my 2 adult daughters. Oh, and my 5 siblings, and all of their children.

I can't even begin to explain how wonderful the two men I dealt with, through my experience were. Arthur and Ellis you made car shopping - which for many, can be extremely difficult and nerve wracking - so extremely effortless! This isn't my first vehicle I've purchased but it is the first time with this dealership, and is now the only place I will get my vehicles from and will recommend them to everyone I know! It is undoubtedly the first place I've had an incredibly honest, loyal, speedy process with! I will frequent them for my car services because I know my new purchase is in completely great hands! Thanks so much for making me not dread car shopping! Best of luck to you and your business! My only regret is not coming to you sooner!! I'll be back for sure!

If I could choose no stars, I would. I've already written a very lengthy diatribe about this place on Google. All I can say is buyer beware. If you buy a vehicle from them, make sure you buy the best extended warranty possible. Even then it may not be enough.

My Google review:

My buying experience was ok, but the rest has been less than positive.
1. It was promised to me at the time of purchase that an owner's manual for the car was ordered. A week or so later received a text from the salesman saying that he hadn't received it yet. I've had the car 3 months now. Still no owner's manual.
2. Before I purchased the car, I took it for a test drive. The test drive went great until I took a corner and the rear end shuddered. The car is AWD, thus concerned about the transfer case. I told the salesman if they got that issue resolved that I would buy the car. I was told the problem had been taken care of - just a matter of an "oil change" for the AWD. I came back and took the car for another test drive and bought the car.
Now, the first time I took it for the drive, they came to me. I live in Branford but work in Farmington, so they met me in Glastonbury with the car for the test drive. When I took it for the second drive, it was on the day I was going to buy it, so I just drove it around the dealership. No issues. By the time I got it home, it started doing the shuddering again. Figured maybe give it a couple days for the oil to work its way into the gearing. Still didn't work. I drive ~100 miles a day just commuting to/from work. I took the car to my mechanic (who I've had since ~2005) who just took it for a quick test drive and confirmed that it either needed an "oil change" for the AWD, or there was a bigger issue with the transfer case.

When the salesman had texted me notifying me that they had not yet received the owner's manual for the car, I notified him that the issue still existed for the shuddering. NO RESPONSE.

About a week ago I had emailed Ellis about both issues, and have gotten NO RESPONSE.

Mind you, when I tried to negotiate the price of the vehicle, they made me feel as though they were doing me a favor with the price it was at already. They had the car on their lot for almost a year (it shows how long it's been listed online), so who was doing who the favor?

I literally feel as though this dealership just wanted this inventory off their lot worse than a bad rash and do not want to follow up with the concerns or issues of mine. Shame, too, because I tend to buy a lot of cars between myself and my 2 adult daughters. Oh, and my 5 siblings, and all of their children.

If I could give no stars, I would.

UPDATE

I did finally get a response from Ellis. They took the car for 2 weeks, did the fluid change for the rear end again and said it was the best they could do, which did not resolve the issue. However, I did finally get my owner's manual.

Another thing. At that time I had expressed my concern that the brakes might need to be replaced because they were squeaking. He said they were fine. They were just doing that because the car sat on the lot for so long. A couple months later, after the mandated 60 day bumper to bumper warranty was up, I had to pay almost $1000 for new brakes.

ADDITIONAL UPDATE

I had the car fixed by a reputable shop (European Specialists), and it was the transfer car, rear differential, control arms and a host of other issues, many of which were not covered by the extended warranty that I had purchased. Had I not purchased the warranty, my bill would've been $7600 - on a car I'm still making payments on.

Although we didn't get our car here, I'm giving Arthur 4 stars. Really nice guy and was not pushy at all. Not your typical car salesman. Just wished the car was just as nice.

This was the single best auto buying experience my wife and I have ever had. No pressure, good pricing, and the process was easy and transparent. We will certainly be coming back in the future.