Sakelaris Ford of Camdenton — Local services in Camdenton

Let me preface this review with Charles Reese their finance guy, is genuinely a good guy and is motivated/interested to make deals(management should consider promoting this guy to take their jobs). They had a base GT Mustang that piqued my interest. Charles understood that this was a big change for me.

I first setup an appointment last Friday with Charles to look at and test drive the car. Charles texted me about 15 mins before I get there that he's pulled it out front for me. I get there, Charles is busy doing paperwork as he is the finance guy. No big deal. I'm approached by an older salesman that asks if I've been helped. I tell him that I'm going to be working with Charles. He then exclaims to my folks who came with me that they were looking at the Mustang...which they weren't. They were looking at a F150 somewhat near the Mustang. Surely a younger guy isn't serious about looking at a Mustang. He offers to help me. I request to test drive the car while Charles is busy. The salesman goes to get dealer plates to put on it. He then proceeds to take plates off a car next to the Mustang and then walk to the other side of the dealership to the Dodge side. He then proceeds to take off 2 more sets of plates and then places one set on some Chrysler that pulled around and then completely disappears. At this point I was waiting for about a total of 15 mins past the agreed upon time in 90 degree humid heat. I decided to leave at this point.

After the weekend I had a chance to reevaluate. I wanted to test drive the car and give it a fair shake as in options and looks it is what I thought I wanted. I texted Charles (Charles will be known as 'he'/'him' from here on) and we setup this Friday (today) for me to stop in and look at it. On my way, about 40 mins out I update Charles and run it by him if it would be cool to take the car overnight, they could have my truck, insurance etc as 'collateral'. This is not a big deal in modern car sales. He said no problem.

I arrive, text him I'm there (it's 5:42). I go inside and wait. He pulls up in the car says that he needs to pull it around to the detail bay to wipe down the inside of the windshield. No problem. I already have my license and proof of insurance so he can photocopy it when he's back. He gets back I give him my paperwork. He goes off, I see him talking in some office later on. Minutes tick by. His manager goes outside because they were attempting to load a Mustang GT350 on a trailer. He goes out after him. More minutes. It's about 6:20 and the what I assume is the reception lady asks if I'm working with someone because she's going home (they close at 6). I reply that I'm working with Charles. She asks if I would like her to call him, I say sure. As she works on the phone he walks in. Explains the manager is not signing off on me taking the car for the night. I immediately request my license and insurance card. He returns them. I walk out and the manager is outside. As I go past the manager asks "how's it going bud?" Or some friendly greeting. I reply "terribly thanks". Had no idea who I was or what business I was tying to conduct in his own dealership. This pure act of brainlessness set me over the edge and I had a few choice words for him. Once I was done he explained it is "policy" no one take a car overnight because of the fear of mileage etc etc. I explain that I'm staying at the lake over the weekend. As it appeared my renting in Jefferson City and my situation of driving 90 miles (TWICE) to your dealership was so complicated. Now that I am simply taking it over night locally in the lake area suddenly that policy never existed. Give me a break. Asked if there was something he could do. I said this was my second time here for this same car! He had no idea...yet I got an email from him about coming back for a second opportunity. Good work guy, you blew it, Lance Burns. I mention that my folks bought a Fusion Hybrid from his dealership. Very disappointing. Nope. Not good enough. I got in my $53,000 truck and drove off. Mustang only...

If you value your time and money, don't waste either at this dealership. Maybe my personal experience was a fluke, but I just want to share what happened.

First, I had never purchased a car by myself, so I was hoping my first experience would go as well as could be expected. I went to Sakelaris with a mediocre credit score. I checked my credit score online a few days before and it was around 615. Not great, but I could definitely get a decent car.

When I got there the staff was quick to greet me and find out what I wanted. I explained the details and they started working to find me a car. I looked at a couple then 45 minutes went by with nothing happening. I know they were probably working, but 45 minutes with no interaction is a long time for someone to wait without so much as an update. At least let them test drive the car if it's going to take that long.

So after almost an hour I was notified I was running into my problems because of my credit. I asked them what my credit score was and I was informed it was around 450-460. I told them that was impossible and I was told "we run different credit checks here." Then it was back to the waiting game and finally I had enough. I told them I was leaving and I'd find a vehicle elsewhere.

If you live in the Osage Beach/Lake Ozark area, do yourself a favor and just make the drive to Jefferson City and go to Machens if you're looking for a Ford dealer. They won't waste your time up there, at least.

The day after leaving Sakelaris I went to Machens and got a much better car for less money. And to beat it all, when I asked the guy at Machens what my credit score was he told me it was a 612. How weird is that when it wasn't even a 500 less than 24 hours prior???

Sakelaris is shady as **. The staff leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to customer care. They have a microwave from 1985 there and a Kuerig. That's it. Hell in Jeff City I ate two hotdogs, played a couple games of pinball and Mrs. Pac Man, had a couple ICEEs and some ice cream, and was out of there in no time.

If you're going to be sitting around on your ass waiting that long for someone to do their job, do it in comfort with free food and drinks. Like I said, don't waste your time, money or gas driving and waiting at Sakelaris... Or you'll end up in my shoes with a credit score that magically drops and rises randomly.

I'll NEVER give Sakelaris a dime of my money. I...

Hello, I am writing to let you know about my experience with Sakalaris Sales Team in Camdenton, MO. I purchased a 2013 Ford C-Max, I was in the beginning very happy, however, those feelings quickly faded. My salesman was apparently let go or quit the dealership. Why does that matter you ask? Because, after handling my sale, this salesman was suppose to fix a few things that were wrong with my newly purchased Certified Previously Owned vehicle. I was not initially in the market to purchase a vehicle because the older model Ford car was still operational. I walked the lot browsing at what was available and what the price ranges. I wanted to be informed before the purchase, when the time arrived. Long story short. I purchased and believed the salesman when he stated, "I will get this issue with the back seat lever not releasing, allowing the cargo space to become available and it will just be a matter of an appointment with the service department. Don't worry I will handle it!" Another long story short, I returned and was given the run around and now they are informing me that I need to pay for the repairs after spending $14,000. on a CPO vehicle from their lot, which was apparently in a sub-par condition to begin with. It was my understanding that CPO inspection meant the vehicle was looked over with a fine tooth comb and the checklist meant these things are currently working. Well apparently this is not true. I was lied to by the salesman, and then another salesman. The managers have taken no interest in helping to resolve this issues. And now, to fix this problem in my $14,000. vehicle I have to fork over another $260.-ish, dollars to repair a brand new car??? Someone explain to me how that is even possible? I would never recommend this dealership to anyone. This was my second time purchasing a vehicle and I did not have any issues with my first purchase. I am still waiting for someone to step up and take care of...