Milton Ruben Superstore — Attraction in North Augusta

UPDATE:

If I could give this dealership negative stars, I would in a heartbeat. As if it wasn't enough of a pain to get the car we wanted, we were screwed over right again a month after we finally received the vehicle. Upon purchase of the vehicle, we were told we would be paying for tax, tag, and title upfront. We spent close to a thousand dollars just on this alone. We go to the tag office today to get the tag for my fiance's car, and what do you know??? Milton Ruben has not finished the paperwork. A MONTH LATER. This was another ordeal. Finally, when we get them to get THEIR paperwork done (which shouldve been done a while ago but was done the day before the tag expired) we go back to the tag office and they tell us: "That will be $20". Now I know that $20 is not a lot for some people. But when you are a young couple trying to just survive paycheck to paycheck in your own place with two separate car payments, it means a lot. Now Milton Ruben denies that we ever paid for our tag and is once again giving us the go-around, making US look like the ones who don't have a clue. What the hell does tax, TAG, and title even mean then?!?! This has been one of the most awful experiences of my life and I've dealt with some pretty bad businesses before. But no one has ever been unprofessional than these people. I will strongly encourage to anyone that I know or even do not know. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME, ENERGY, OR MONEY HERE.

Original Story

Milton Ruben was a trusted dealership in my family as we have bought cars from there before. When my fiancé and I were in market for a pre-owned vehicle for him, we came to Milton Ruben in search of a good car for a good deal. Because he had to co-sign with his father (who lives in Alaska), there was quite a bit of a hold up when we did find the car we wanted. We waited at the dealership for 6 hours straight and chose not to go look anywhere else BECAUSE our salesman told us that we would be able to drive the car off the lot same day, no matter what happened with paperwork. So we waited and waited and did not go check out the competition because of this promise that we could have the keys in hand before we left the lot. It was only AFTER we signed all of the paperwork and got the check in that they told us we would not be driving the car off the lot that day. The keys were taken off of the table, and it became an entirely different atmosphere. However, they reassured us that they would be using overnight shipping to get the paperwork sent off, and that it should only be a few days. We purchased the car on a Saturday, so they sent the papers off on Monday. They told us that we would have car in hand by the end of the week at longest, so my fiancé and I waited and waited all week, until we finally got to Friday. We called to check on the status, nothing. So we called Saturday, a whole week since the car was purchased, and all we received on the other line was an extremely rude woman who basically told us that we will get the car when we get the car and there is nothing she or anyone could do for us. It's been over a week now and we are still waiting on this car.

We will NEVER shop Milton...

I don't think I've ever experienced such poor customer service in my entire 31 years of living. I typically do not write reviews, but this interaction must be made known. I live approximately 2 hours away, so needless to say that if I take that drive, make an appointment, and confirm the car is there prior to leaving, I must be pretty interested right? I set an appointment with R. Lockamy on Monday January 25th, and followed through. Arrived and sat for a few minutes while another salesman appeared puzzled as to where the car and/or keys were located. He then finds the keys and we began to tour the lot, mind you, we have yet to see the car physically on the lot. After walking around, up and down, I learn that the car had been damaged on the lot prior to my arrival, and that it had been sent to paint and body. OK, great! A courtesy call or text would have been nice, but I received neither. The Salesman explains apologetically that he'd contact me when it returns and that I could return for test drive. I drive back home another two hours, email customer service and explain the aforementioned. Mr Lockamy and I set yet another appointment after the car arrived and he assured me the car would be there on hold for me, I know I know, I should have ran based on prior events, but hey, I believe in second chances. To my dismay, I traveled once again today (They open one Sunday every so often so i'm told) , but something told me to call again to confirm. The car was sold on yesterday! No one called, text, or emailed to inform me of any of this. I would not do business with this dealership if they were the only, good thing they are not. Bottom line, some people are not men and women of their word and have no problem selling lies and dreams, some refer to this as "business". 8 hours round trip of time and gas for absolutely nothing.

2/1/2016 Thank you for responding to my complaint. As far as I am concerned, my money, gas, and a lot of time has already been wasted on what seemed like a decent dealership to purchase from. For one; Mr. Lockamy NEVER reached out to me after visit 1 or yesterday. It was I who decided to call/text and follow up on both occasions. When I was a potential sale, I was contacted via multiple email and voice messages. In my attempt to be honest, and work with the person I originally set the visit with, I chose to give him the opportunity to close a cash sale. I could have very well worked with another salesman, but like I mentioned, I believe in second chances. Silly me! I'll take the responsibility for that.

Two; on my initial visit, the car was not on YOUR lot - not because of any action on my part, as I also previously mentioned. Why would a customer be asked to put down a deposit after driving over 4 hours round-trip to your business and finding out after the fact that the car had been sent to paint and body hours prior to the scheduled visit??? Had I not drove down already, I would definitely agree with you. Anyway, I am still in search of a car and don't want to miss the next one crying over spilled milk. Thank you for your time and response to my...

Let me summarize the experience my girlfriend and I had. 1st - Car shopping and buying experience (Saturday) was good. I actually talked her into buying from Milton Ruben instead of in Columbia, SC). Then it went bad. Salesperson (Mark) told us the extra key fob and glove box key was at the dealership (elaborate story of how somebody else had it). "Come by on Monday and we will have it". Overall the sale and finance with (Stan) went well and relatively quick. Come Monday there was no extra key fob or key and the Salesperson was rude with the remark "do not worry me over the key". Then we found out that the power plugs did not work as we also discovered that loose parts were in the door compartment were the electrical / fuses had been worked on (indicator that they knew of the issue prior to putting it on the lot). Then the paperwork issues started. The financing for the car had to be adjusted and a runner was sent to Columbia (girlfriend's work) to re-sign papers. A promise was made to send a corrected bill of sale so she could pay personal property tax in order to get tags. Never sent it. Had to call and get it e-mailed to us so to pay taxes. After paying taxes in Columbia, SC then a drive back to Augusta to turn in paid tax receipt in order to acquire a tag (drive out tag had expired). Concern was expressed on driving on an expired temp. tag and I was told that the police would probably understand if pulled over (yeah right - tell that to the SC Highway Patrol). I explicitly told the gentlemen I talked to that I would pick the tag up myself the next day. "No problem, we got you handled buddy". What happens, they mail it USPS to Columbia. And the saga continues on getting the electrical fixed. Long story short, they get you in a car fast BUT. After that big down payment and financing approved then they don't return calls (4 messages), they do not communicate inter-departmentally with one another. Some of the sales people (dealt with 3) pretty much blame one another for any mistakes. I just wanted someone to do something and get at least mediocre results however, they study on who to blame and how the last person you talked to does not know how to do their job. Team Building training maybe? Overall experience gets 1 star only because of Stan even though he never called back from two messages left. Would recommend asking a thousand questions about what happens after they get your money and give you keys just to be safe. OR just go somewhere else to purchase a vehicle. Service Department people seem to be nice and friendly. Sad part is that they are more honest and friendly than the sales people trying to get...