Safford Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram FIAT of Springfield

I wanted to buy a Jeep Wrangler. Our car salesman, Josh, was phenomenal. He communicated with his manager and quoted a price. I left and shopped around. I noticed that the other vehicle taxes were quoted higher at other locations and was told it was because I lived in MD. I called Josh and asked him if I was quoted MD taxes, and he said yes, absolutely. So I went back and purchased my Jeep from Safford thinking they were the most honest. After being quoted the OTD amount, I filled out the application. It was at that time that I wrote down that I was a law enforcement officer. The finance person was the only one who noticed and we conversed privately about it. He did his best to find me a good interest rate; however, I elected to go with my credit union. I returned the next day with a check in hand. I came from work so I was wearing a sweatshirt with my county badge on it and my work pants. I had no weapons or any additional uniform equipment. When I walked through the door, the managers looked at me oddly. One was a bit rude, asking why I was there. I waited patiently for Josh who directed me to my new finance person, as the one from the day before was off. It was at that time that my experience went downhill. First, Josh advised that his managers wanted me to sign a form that said I received a $500 discount for being law enforcement, when they had no clue what I did for a living until that day when I walked in with my sweatshirt. The final price they gave me was before I filled out the application and there was no mention of it before nor was I asked. I declined to sign the form. I later found out about the Jeep discount for LEOs and that the dealership gets the $500 back. Then, the finance guy tells me there’s an issue and leaves the room. The manager returns and tells me that because they didn’t factor in that I lived in Maryland, my taxes for the vehicle increased by $1000! Therefore, the price for the vehicle has increased. I felt like this was retaliation for not signing the LEO form. I became upset and told the manager I was leaving. Not only did I ask them specifically about the taxes the day before, I walked in with a check in hand. He walked away and asked that I wait while “we see what we can do.” Meanwhile, the finance guy told me if they couldn’t fix it, he could magically find me a loan for the same interest rate that my credit union offered. Huh?! The finance guy from the day before checked every possible lender and couldn’t find anything below 7%. Suddenly, you can find one for 5%?!!! I said no thank you. The manager returned advising that they fixed the issue, I no longer owe the $1000. This should have been resolved before I was informed. The whole process seemed very dishonest. Lastly, I thought it was odd that this brand new Jeep, in a hard to find color (Earl Clear Coat) was being used as a rental for those getting service. The vehicle had around 1000 miles on it and therefor was considered used by the dealership. That means no new car incentives/warranties. Makes sense now. Thankfully my credit union considered it new. I prematurely told Josh that out of all of my car buying experiences, this one was the best. That’s when things went awry. So I no longer trust purchasing from Safford and will not recommend it to anyone else. The three stars were only for Josh and the original finance guy.