Jeff Smith Ford — Attraction in Byron

This has been the absolute worst experience I have EVER ENCOUNTERED IN MY LIFE. I'm even terrified to take my 24 ford edge to them to service due to how the service department superviser Steven Kyle even spoke to me. " if you get an attorney we won't do anything..." after they've given me the run around for almost 3 weeks about my 2017 highlander I bought from the Jeff Smith lot in perry who are now ALM.

Jeff smith auto warranty states "The “Jeff Smith Advantage” is a 5 year / 100,000 miles, Limited Vehicle Warranty. The “Jeff Smith Advantage” provides worry-free ownership for any one who purchases a pre-owned vehicle from Jeff Smith Chrysler Dodge Jeep Kia. I purchased a vehicle from Jeff Smith Chrysler dodge and kia in perry. They sold the company two weeks later to ALM and I was told the Jeff Smith in Byron now had possession of my car loan, contract... Before my second car payment was due the transmission began to act up. I took it back to perry and was told by the employees who sold me the car that Jeff Smith in byron could help. They didn't help me at all. They did in fact slick talk me into buying another vehicle with the promise of trading the highlander in. It was a lie They have a rude man named Michael who looks and sounds like he's always eating sunflower seeds or blowing his nose, who kept calling me and assured me of the trade in. After I'm signing paperwork the salesman tells me they won't trade the car but that the company that sold it to me could come get it. That car being my first major purchase since my husband died and finding out my child has a rare disorder, Infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy or INAD, doesn't have a long life span( by doctors findings), I was excited to not have to rent vehicles to get him back and forth to CHOA almost weekly and didn't know any better. I ended up leaving with a ford edge but also the highlander that wasn't working. After contacting the finance company they weren't sure why the dealer didn't tell me that would be a voluntary repossession and not just fix it under the Jeff Smith warranty that came with purchasing the vehicle. This began the disrespect, the rude innuendos, the back and forth, lack of customer service, lies, and complete disregard to me as a customer of Jeff Smith. I took the car to a Toyota dealership and was told the brakes were overdue and the transmission had internally failed. I was also told that if the proper inspection would have been done then their findings would have been caught prior to the sale. Jeff Smith doesn't have the tools to properly inspect anything that's not branded on their lot I've found out. After constant gaslighting and lies after having to make a second payment for a car I haven't had in close to a month I call Jeff Smith once again to get clarity this is when the extra rudeness comes out. I ask. If they can just trade the car out since they are giving Toyota a hassle about replacing the transmission Michael began to ask personally intrusive questions stating with "why do you feel the need to have two cars? Who told you that it would be a voluntary repossession?" I responded with if I could afford them why was it their business. Also that I've worked in credit repair for years. He cut me off and said I wasn't giving him what he needed and transferred me to somebody named Jim. He listened to me but then sent me back to Steve Kyle after I let them know Mr. Kyle was the one not cooperating with the Toyota service department. I told him after he kept saying he needs a full report but wasn't answering their calls. He told me to have Toyota email him in detail but it probably wouldn't change their decision. I stated that Jeff Smith sold me it fraudulently after speaking with an attorney..." he then cuts me off and says " if you get an attorney we won't fix anything. " not knowing I'm a paralegal so I speak to people. Now my anxiety has flared back up and I'm in tears daily having to see my own dr. I DO NOT...

DO NOT GO HERE!! I honestly don't understand how they think that this customer service is acceptable. Just save your time and money and sanity and go somewhere else.

We brought our Ford Explorer on October 2 to Jeff Smith Ford in Byron, after calling in the previous day. We were told to give 24-48 hours for assessment.

I spoke with Lynette and told her the issues. Our main concern was the ac went out but there was also a recall so I mentioned that as well. I was told there were no loaner cars at all the previous day on the phone so we had a rental car lined up. After she checked the extended warranty on the computer, her words were "Yep, you're good. I see it here." So I left after this.

On October 5, I came back to Jeff Smith Ford to check on the status of my car. I had not heard anything about it since I dropped it off. The gentleman asked the tech if they had looked at my car yet and he said no.

On Monday, October 7, I received a text from Lynette saying she was told I stopped in and they were hoping to review everything that day.

On Tuesday, I texted to see about an update and I was told they were getting a parts list ready for the extended warranty.

Side note: at this point, over a week in -- you would think that the extended warranty would have been checked.

Wednesday, October 9, I checked in for another update. I was told they are waiting on a part. Maybe tomorrow.

Thursday, I receive this message:

Mr. Talbert okay so we had to get your vehicle with the lead tech .. the a/c not cooling is due to your A/c Condenser and pully I am submitting to your extended warranty now for approval. I will let you know in just a few what they say

Did not hear anything back that day.

Friday, October 11, I am told the extended warranty is expired. 10 days after I dropped the car off. I have paid for a rental car for 10 days out of my own pocket up. Then told the ac repair would be $3,664.47. And that they could try to see if Ford Assistance would help.

I was frustrated because I was told I was good and now 10 days later I'm told "You're not good. It's $3,664.47 for the repair" plus the rental car expense.

So I was told I could pick up the car (this was Friday afternoon) I was already out of town for work and told I could pick up my car for the weekend and return the rental. That was not even an option for me at that point.

I reached back out Monday morning (October 14) for an update. I was told they had not received an answer yet.

Tuesday, asked for an update. And there was still no update.

And then that brings us to today, October 17, this is 15 days later. And told that Ford Assistance denied the request and that I owed $179.95 for the diagnostic on the ac.

So after 15 days, the ac is not repaired. My extended warranty that I was told was good -- is not, I owe $179.95 (which I don't have). And I've spent close to $1,500 on a rental car. For nothing.

If this is how you treat all your customers, this is embarrassing. And I will never recommend Jeff Smith Ford to anyone.

This has been one of the biggest head of my life dealing with this.

Update: I went in to pick up my vehicle and spoke with Steve the service manager. Wow! Very disrespectful, very rude! Had his arms crossed the entire time and very condescending and unprofessional. He told me he didn’t care if I left a review because people have their opinions. He said I was just wanting something handed to me and that he did nothing wrong. Said that his employees aren’t trained that way. Then said, “So are you going to make a payment and leave now?” I have never seen such terrible service in my life.

Update: I took my car to a local mechanic. They told me that all of the things Ford told me were wrong with the car were not true. It wasn’t even the problem. For said the compressor was locked up and needed to be replaced. Compressor was not locked up. Car was leaking Freon. So not only did they try all of the stuff they did. They lied and...

I have never met Jeff Smith, however, from community word of mouth he seems to be an all around stand up guy with a great business mind. I believe he knows the value of a satisfied customer and the profits it can generate in our growing middle Georgia community. Unfortunately, it seems some of the folks at the Jeff Smith Ford store in Byron may have lost sight of the Vision he has built through many years of hard work. I love Ford. I have a 2017 F-150. On March 2nd, my wife and I decided to trade in her 2012 Ford Explorer on a new 2020 Explorer XLT. The many standard safety features for 2020 were the deciding factor in our choice to upgrade. I have previously dealt with another large Ford dealership in our area, but have been very dissatisfied with the service and lack of appreciation shown over the years. As stated above, I have heard great things about Mr. Smith, and decided to listen to my friends and family. Long story short, the purchase process was fair and my sales professional, Tanner was fantastic. Before leaving the lot, I noticed the daylight running light was out. I returned 3/10 to have the light fixed and was told after a lengthy stay it was the whole assembly and would need to come back at another date. I took it back on 3/11 and by Friday, 3/13, had not heard anything. I called mid afternoon friday and was told that the headlight assembly was not the problem, that there was a short in the wiring. Was told they did not have a technician that worked on Saturday to look at it that it would be monday before they could get back on it. As of 12:30 monday I havent heard anything so I called. Was told the service guy I've been dealing with was at lunch. The lady said she would check on it for me and came back on the line saying the vehicle had no technician logged on to it and could not find the vehicle and when the service writer got back in 20 minutes from lunch he would call me. He called back at 1:45 saying they were still looking for it. At 5pm I haven't heard anything and called back and was told they just got done. I picked the vehicle up on 3/16. While driving home I noticed a rattling noise now coming from the engine bay or dash and one of the steering wheel buttons not functioning properly. I called Tanner (once again, he was very helpful) to describe the new issues. I set an appointment for 3/17 at 10 AM to bring it back again. Tanner texted me at 9:30 to say the service dept said they were backed up and I asked if I could make another appt. I stated I had already taken off work and was headed up there. After 2 and 1/2 hours, multiple test drives with different managers (who each acknowledged both new issues), and still no explanation of where the electrical short with was, I asked if I could just swap it for one exactly the same that possibly didn't have what are definite safety concerns for my wife and 6 year old daughter. I was told "YES!". I test drove an identical explorer and was told it would be around $400 more. After they crunched the numbers it came back with a $2700 difference. I stated I was not going to pay that for the exact same vehicle and trim level. Theres only 400 miles on the new vehicle I purchased They then said to leave the vehicle with them, again, and they should have the steering wheel part by 3/19. If both issues are fixed by then, Jeff Smith Ford will have had my brand new vehicle 7 out of the 16 days since I paid for it, and I will still worry about the safety of my wife and daughter. Once again, I don't personally know Mr. Smith, but his reputation in this community for honesty, integrity, and personal service has not been reflected by this arm of his...