Hudson Nissan of North Charleston

Very disappointing used car experience! We saw the vehicle online and asked to stop by and see it. They brought it up from their "reconditioning " shop which was at another location. They told us they had not cleaned it yet and were looking for 2 more tires to match the 2 existing new tires already installed. We drove the vehicle and noticed a tire pressure monitor system warning light displayed in the dash. We liked the vehicle and negotiated a price that did NOT include the new tires they were planning to install, but we did specifically say that the tire pressure problem had to be fixed along with them finishing the detailing and cleaning (inside and out). They requested that we leave a deposit with them to secure the vehicle prior to resuming the "reconditioning" process -- which we did -- expecting that the vehicle would be presented to us the next day just as clean and "prepped" as any other used vehicle on their lot.....so much for "expectations". What we got was a phone call the next day saying that the tire pressure system warning was due to an actual tire pressure sensor in the wheel that was bad and that they would only fix it if WE paid an additional $184...they said they "didn't have enough left in the car to fix anything else based on the price we negotiated"...so much for negotiated prices and verbal agreements to fix obvious faults in a car they are trying to sell! After expressing my frustration and disappointment to the salesman who called, he informed me that he understood but the "Used Car Manager" had said he was not spending any more money on that vehicle and we could take it or leave it. After more than 2 months of searching used car lots and websites, we felt we had finally found the perfect vehicle--and negotiated a great and fair price for a 10-yr old vehicle. For that reason, we opted to pay the additional expense to keep this vehicle. I informed the salesman that I expected them " make it up to me" in the detailing that was still to be done...he said he would let the "reconditioning" folks know. I was told the vehicle would be ready to pick up by lunch time...then told between 2 and 3...they kept the vehicle in their shop almost all day supposedly for that one minor issue and finally delivered it to the lot around 4! Frustration was mounting because of the unexpected "changes" and delays to our deal but I held out hope that they had used this extra time to really clean up the inside and outside....so much for trying to trust a used car dealer!! We saw the vehicle and it literally looked exactly the same as it did the day before!! Dirt, trash (...and candy!) in the seat crevices, dirt and grease on the floor trim strips, dirty carpet, and dirt/grease marks on the leather seats. Again, I expressed my growing frustration with this "deal" and demanded they clean the car to the expected standard. "Used Car Manager #2" enters the picture and basically told me they had "done all they were going to do and spent all they were going to spend" on this vehicle. Tried to tell me that all of the items I described "could not be cleaned and were permanent stains/marks"...and again, the "sales threat" of "you don't have to buy the vehicle if you don't want to...because we will simply "fully recondition it" and put it on the lot with a higher price tag"... to me, that was the admission of the lie he had told me minutes earlier that the vehicle couldn't be cleaned any better...what he was really saying was that he had negotiated a sales price that he either regretted (or that he was reprimanded for...?). As you can probably tell from some of my comments, I believe I did negotiate a very good deal for this vehicle...and that's the way it's supposed to work...right? WRONG!! If the dealer doesn't get the top end of the deal, "phase II" of the sales process goes into effect...nickel and dime the buyer at every opportunity and hope the buyer walks away and gives the dealer another opportunity to make a "better deal" with someone else. We eventually left with the vehicle "as is" and cleaned it ourselves. All of the stains and spots came clean with minimal effort...if only this dealer had realized the value that such a small gesture/effort would have produced during this frustrating process. It would have made a significant impact on my overall opinion of their "customer service " mantra. As it is, I walked away believing they "just don't care" ... unless they get a blank check from you to do what they want for as much as they want...