Radley Chevrolet — Local services in Fredericksburg

On Saturday, 12/23, I decided on a whim to drop by Radley Chevrolet to ask about placing an order on a 2024 Camaro, but found out orders had been closed. Chevy is not taking new orders as this car is ending in 2024.

I've been wanting to upgrade from my 2022 Camaro LT1, and despite all odds, this dealer had almost exactly the build I was looking for sitting on their show room floor.

It turns out this car was ordered by their Finance Manager, who was in the process of deciding if he wanted to keep it.

Jonathan took down my name and number and told me he would let me know if the car became available, and that I could put a deposit on it if it did.

Three days later, on Tuesday, 12/26, I received a text message letting me know the car had become available, and asking if I wanted them to send me a proposal, to which I said yes and immediately put down a deposit.

I came by first thing Saturday morning, 12/30, to look and test drive the car. I was greeted by my Sales guy Jonathan, and the Sales Manager, Bob.

Both were very friendly and all was good up to this point.

I took the car for a test drive with Jonathan, and I really liked the car. To find this car in my exact spec was a stroke of luck.

However, I wanted to figure out some finances and get some quotes for my current 2022 Camaro (I also felt they low-balled me on the trade-in offer).

Since their typical hold time is 5 days, and I held it for 4 days at this point, I did not really think it would be a big deal to hold it from Saturday to Tuesday while I checked into some things. They were closed Sunday and Monday for NYE anyway, so I would have been holding for 5 operating days, by the following Tuesday (today).

After letting Jonathan know that I would be taking a few days to figure out a few finances, I was again greeted by the Sales Manager, Bob.

Bob came over to ask me what questions I had, and after hearing the same thing I told Jonathan, his demeaner changed, and he told me he could not hold the car because he had a "line of people interested in it", how he "has a business to run", and how he "has a boss to answer to".

Maybe as sales people, they're used to dealing with people who waste their time, but they absolutely misread me. I have an 815 FICO score and I could buy this car out-right if I wanted to.

From my perspective, as an 80-90% likelyhood I was buying that Camaro - I was not playing games. I responded immediately to their text on that Tuesday with a deposit when the car became available, and came in first thing Saturday morning to look at it.

I told Jonathan before even taking the test drive that I would not be purchasing it that day because I wanted to figure out some finances.

Could I have figured out these things first? Sure. But I did not sense this type of urgency where they were willing to throw away a sale on a Saturday because they didn't want to wait until Tuesday, while being closed on Sunday/Monday.

Bob's whole demeaner changed from the moment he knew I wasn't going to panic-buy under pressure.

I decided to walk from this car despite knowing that I will not find another one. My current dealer searched within 500 miles and couldn't find one in this spec.

This dealer would have had to sell the car that day for it to make any difference. Considering it was the last day of the fiscal year, maybe that's what they were trying to do.

After going back and forth with Bob and explaining to a "Sales Manager" how destroying a potential life-long customer to possibly sell a car a day/few days sooner was a bad practice, I was left off with Bob asking me "if I was finished" talking, and him walking away.

The car is still up on their website.

For the sake of civility, I'll reserve my comments on what I think about Bob.

Lastly, I'm the type of buyer who will roll through the parking lot of a dealer without getting out, because I can't stand pushy sales people, and my sales guy Jonathan was great throughout the whole experience. I think Jonathan knew I was serious without having to push me into the sale, and his...

So I’m not the most trustworthy when it comes to cars and stuff just because a bad dealings with them and this is my first time looking at a brand new car for myself I’ve always had used cars. I get there with my appointment and a gentleman walk up. He’s like oh how can I help you? Oh, are you looking fly I was like oh great cool. Tryna, you know hype me up a little What I didn’t realize he meant I didn’t know that he was going to be my sales person! This wonderful guy and absolute gem named Aaron Was there to Sales guy, but he didn’t act like a typical sales person. He wasn’t pushy. He was like come on. He’s like you know what let’s go gas up and You know, take it for a drive. See how you like it. I was thinking oh here comes a sales pitch. He’s like look I’m not trying to sell you anything I’m not gonna push you. We talked about life we talked about cars. You know it went over the specs with me He never wants to pressured me and it instantly made me comfortable. I was like wow I really want to do business with this place. I was like if this is their employees. That’s awesome and I said I was like you really care about your customers don’t you? He said yeah he’s like we’re a local place. He’s like I see customers in the store all the time. I just never have experienced having someone guide me through getting a vehicle As amazing and smooth as Aaron. This guy, there’s not enough good things to say about him. And Brian, who took me through all the paperwork. Was so relaxed and no judgment he explained things and if I had questions I could ask him he Just had a air of ease about him. He made daunting paperwork a breeze. What’s stood out to me when you congratulated me shook my hand and I was getting my stuff to leave the office. He said hey when you come to get service, don’t be a stranger. Stop by the office say hey he’s like I’d like to see how you’re doing with how you like everything That right there just shows that he cares About the job and not just making a sell. Again, this is a dealership. I’m like totally mind blown! I Cannot stress enough, how amazing they did everyone you Talk to or cross paths with Was very friendly and overall just happy. You know we get the paperwork done Brian gets me all set up to go. I’ll walk out and errands like well. I see you’ve got good news and congratulate And we’re setting things up make sure everything’s good to go and he’s like you good I was just speechless. I was like from the moment I stepped onto the lot and leaving The experience was one of a kind. As long as I live here in Virginia, they have a lifelong customer in me. And again, Seems weird but within the first couple minutes, I knew that the Trax Was it for me. What sealed it was the test drive with Aaron. It was not uncomfortable. It was just literally like you were sitting next to a friend talking about your About life, you know, show me cool things about the car, but didn’t pressure me and it just made the experience so amazing. I literally felt like again. I was talking to a friend that I’ve known forever. So if you ever have the chance and you’re ever in need of a car, come to Radley Chevy. If you can ask for Aaron He’s awesome. I literally can’t say enough good things. He was happy for me that I stepped out of my comfort zone and got something worth it. He was like man you work hard. He’s like it’s good to treat yourself. Seriously everyone there is super nice. It’s been five hours and the smile Is still there knowing I have a new car. So again, thank you Radley Chevy. Thank you, Aaron And Brian, y’all were both amazing Again, I can’t recommend this place enough, especially if you’re in need...

I had an excellent experience. I came in to get my truck inspected oil change and TPS fixed on all four tires. I knew a had a good wait so I decided to look at trucks. I went outside and all the salesman were hanging out waiting for Business. i wasn’t attacked like one typically is at other dealerships; that was amazing I appreciate not being hounded, thank you. I went up and explained I’m just looking and I will come get someone if I needed help. I asked Mr. George Barnes his name he came up and greeted me, I knew from our first interaction he is who I wanted to work with; a professional, friendly, people person, just a solid guy. I told George I’d like to work with him should I find something I was interested in. It was really nice to walk around compare Trucks with being bothered. Well I found what I wanted, found George, test drove, came back and told George let’s see if we can make a deal. Please know I had no intention of getting a new truck. George and I went in we sat down I explained I had been there in November and had my truck appraised and the offer I was told, turns out whoever I was working with either misrepresented the offer or made a mistake, I hope the latter as the offer was actually $10k less. Anyway, George had the vehicle appraised and the number was off, in my mind. George and I both searched for similar Trucks and no doubt I was misinformed in November. I understood, and I love working with Radley, this was the 3rd vehicle I bought there. So George and I start the negotiations, we were actually doing a lot more hanging out like we’d known each other forever. After some back and forths with the used car manager we came to an agreement, I’m a tough sell and these guys were awesome. So then we move on to the Truck and was pleased to see the incentives offered, but we weren’t quite where I wanted to be, again some back and forths we finally made it to the magic number and I was like let’s do this. The only stipulation was the APR had to be right. I originally wanted to go through NFCU, but the finance manager said he thought he could get me a better APR, and this was without doing a hard inquiry, I’m extreme pleased as my credit is like my pet; I check on her every day. The finance manager did his thing, he had a customer so George and I sat and talked, family, work, kids, parents, you name it. Like two bros just chilling. I had told George I do not want anything that the finance manager has to upsell. George let the finance manager know ahead of time that I don’t need undercoating, blinker fluid, or anything. When I went in the finance managers office, he told me George had spoken to him and he had no intention of pushing anything on me. He did say “But” a stated let me know what do you got, and he explained the 100k bumper to bumper warranty and that as a retired Marine the cost I could get as opposed to the full price. We talked a little and I did buy it; for the price it would be insane not too. We did all the paperwork, the FM was amazing great dude. We finished and George had the truck ready for me. George has stayed in touch to update me on loose ends, got my garage door opener for me. Did not bother me, in fact I probably texted him most. By far the best experience I’ve had buying a vehicle. Radley is an amazing dealership, I’d go nowhere else. Management should be proud.One last thing, it would be amazing to see George become an FM, he’s got the people skills, the the vibe, his pops is in the business so he’s extremely knowledgeable in all facets of...