We came in to Earnhardt to refinance my 2014 Mazda CX9 and purchase an extended warranty on 7/1/2017. I really liked my old CX9. We had an appointment with Ellen who then introduced us to Mo. Mo was friendly and interested in what we were there for. They looked over the car and stated it would cost us too much to refinance then proceeds to show us a 2017 CX9 Sport. I drove it, it was nice but didn't have the same bells and whistles my old one had. Mo then shows us a 2017 Touring model which of course had everything I had before and a few extras. We agreed to take the time to go over numbers. After going back and forth and almost leaving the dealership because we couldn't agree on a payment, an older gentleman came over and stated he could get us in the car at the price we stated we could afford. We should have just kept walking. It all went down hill from there.
A week before my temp placard was to expire, Jeff the finance guy calls us and says we need to bring in proof of employment and sign a new contract. Being naive to the process I wasn't sure what signing a new contract meant. We came back in and provided the information he requested. Then he states we couldn't get financed because of our credit score and we have to finance at a higher rate. We were slightly confused as when we purchased our 2014 3 yrs prior our credit wasn't that great and we got a really good interest rate. This time around our credit scores were much better but Jeff said we couldn't get financed at a lower rate as quoted in the beginning thus causing the monthly payment to increase. We didn't feel Jeff really gave us any other options other than to sign the new contract or put money down (which wasn't an option). So we reluctantly signed the contract and requested an extension on the placard. Jeff stated we needed to call him on the last day (7/31/17) of the temp placard and he will get us another plate. I called twice, left numerous text messages with him and got one response, "I'm working on it". Then we never heard anything else. I called and text him the next day, now the placard is expired and he stated the paperwork is with the title clerk. OK fine, but I'm still driving on an expired plate. Later in the day, I text Jeff again requesting the status and when can I come in to get a new placard. He said the green slip is at the front desk, its ready for pickup. I was excited but still needed a new placard. I text him again and he stated he couldn't give us a new placard because the green slip was issued...sorry. So I text back and stated I will get late fees at the DMV because I couldn't register the vehicle until the weekend because of my work schedule. He never responded.
With that being said. We love the car. But the customer service we received at Earnhardt Mazda was less than desirable. Ellen was nice probably because we talked to her for only a few seconds before she pawned us off to Mo. Mo was nice and very knowledgeable but didn't really seem to interested in selling a car to us. We didn't really chat with the finance guy behind the desk as he only chatted with us once about numbers. I don't know but the bottom line is we felt we were victims of the old "bait and switch" tactic. We felt Jeff didn't put enough effort in making us as customers happy. Now we are stuck with paying a higher monthly payment and late fees at the DMV because Jeff wouldn't give us extended placard. We will never do business with Earnhardt every again and will never refer anyone to this dealership. Word of advise. If you get the feeling that you should walk away....follow that feeling and WALK AWAY!!!