Stay away from bill Estes Dodge in Indiana

[Hisser]

Just bought a 99 RT from Bill Estes Dodge in Indianapolis, Indiana and after talking to the previous owner, the dealership managed by Deshawn, swapped the soft top and gave me an older one with holes in it and took some of the parts out of the car. One being the new bra the previous owner left in the car for whoever bought the car. Two of the rims were scraped that they never told me about. After calling the dealership I got no return call, and there service after the sale is pathetic. I am in the process of calling their corporate office and I am at least going to make their corporate office aware of them swapping parts on the car. It's not really the dealership but the guys that work there that make it's reputation. I just wanted anyone that is up that way looking to buy a Viper to be careful of the guys that work there at the dealership. Hopefully others have not been burned by them and had better dealings with them than I did.

 

[Hisser]

Thx 4 asking. The car is very pristine. I am happy with the car. They must have known someone that needed a new top and bra.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Sorry about your bad experience!!! My sources tell me that Bill Estes is NO LONGER involved with the operation of that dealership...might try UAG (Penske). Check your e-mail.

 

[Ron]

<FONT face="Comic Sans MS">Wayne;

You might want to try Goeke Dodge up in Noblesville. They've treated me right to this point....</FONT f>

 

[NCVCA]

Also consider Woodhouse Dodge. I bought my used 2000 GTS sight unseen (and undriven). Bill Pemberton has sold more Vipers than anyone - and I would bet has the highest customer sat numbers.

Jeff

 

[dancojax]

Absolutely deal with Woodhouse.
Both Bob Woodhouse and Bill Pemberton are great and reliable.
They pick up and deliver both your Viper and on what they say.
Problems after the sale?---NO PROBLEM!!!!!!
They are both available for advice and help by e-mail, too.
Haven't seen their 'white hats', but I know they've got'em.
They both support ViperDays, too.

 

[Hisser]

Thanks for the responses. I think what I should have done was to post on the board and ask what people thought about that dealership or called the Viper Club up there in Indiana. O'well, live and learn. BLAH

 

[Phil Lee 94 red RT]

Wayne Wayne Wayne, what are you doing. Did you take care of that job thing? What did you do with your cat car?

 

[Hisser]

Phil, got rid of the prowler and went back to the car of choice...that all american red blooded big block 10 cylinder 500 pound torque MONSTER. AAH, AAH, AAH

 

[Phil Lee 94 red RT]

Wayne, when do I get to see it? Are you going to the drags Sunday?

 

[TAPROOT]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience.If you are ever interested in getting another Viper go to WOOD HOUSE and see BILL PEMBERTON (.) Period

No exceptions!! It was well worth the Air fare and the 9 hr (500mi) drive home!!!I have seen the GLORY (just walk into their VIPER warehouse!!!)

 

[Hisser]

Well the final results were: They just so happy to find the bra in a closet at the dealership...WOW amazing what you can find when you want to. Dealership says have the dealership I use down here to order me a new top but they didnt think it had been swapped, but funny the only individual that has owned the car says it has never been on the car or out of the bag. Beware of this dealership as they obviously swap parts on Vipers. I proved this all through the previous owner and he has no reason to lie like the dealership. And as for the rims which they said were perfect were both scratched on the passenger side. Guess they figured I drove 1200 miles and was between a rock and a hard place. BEWARE of Bill Estes Dodge.

 

[AndyR]

Wayne, sorry about the problems, but what do you expect when you pay for a used car without looking at it?

On the phone did they agree to sell the car including bra and the original owner's top?
If so, then why pay for them when you didn't recieve?

Remember, you have the power in these situations, the money. Don't sign for anything until recieved it in satisfactory condition. Like you said earlier, live and learn. Enjoy the snake!!

 

[Hisser]

Andy, I paid for it when I got up there. I love the car but when I pulled the top out and opened it I DID see the hole but just figured that was the damage the previous owner did to it so I accepted that but when I called the owner he told me it had never been on the car or out of the bag so that tells me the dealership swapped it. That is what I am upset about. Dishonesty and no morals from the dealership by swapping the top and not telling me the rims had been hit from the curb.

 

[AndyR]

Sure does sound like they misled you. Won't these guys ever realize that this type of business is BAD BUSINESS. You may have had 2 friends interested in Vipers who may have bought from them with a good recommendation. Every customer should be treated like your best customer. (sorry about the preaching, I'm not in the car business, but do deal with people and try to treat all as potential regular customers.)

 

[King RT10]

Sorry for your trouble but I see the other side also. Its your job and responsibility to check a car out, not the dealers job to point out every scuff.
If the bra wasnt mentioned in the deal why should they give it to you. What if the previous owner left a radar detector or a diamond ring in the glove box . Should you get that also.
To discredit a dealer who has not lied and showed you the car and what you get, is wrong bordering unreasonable. We all have to take responsibility for our own actions and stop blaming others. You got exactly what you bought and nothing extra.

 

[Hisser]

I asked them about giving me everything the previous owner left with the car, they didnt. A diamond ring or anything personal is different. If you would drive 1200 miles to see a car and ask them to tell you all about the car BEFORE you drive there they should, but why would they say anything that might distract you from buying the car? Dah!!! Now I just found out they plugged or patched a rear tire from someone well known on this board that has connections to the dealership but out of respect I won't say who it is unless I asked permission first. The dealership let me leave knowing the tire had 10 pounds in it and a plug or patch. Read my other post. I wished all dealerships were like Woodhouse in Blair, Ne. or Maxwell Dodge in Austin, Tx. BLAH........................

 

[John Stuttle]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>
Andy, I paid for it when I got up there. I love the car but when I pulled the top out and opened it I DID see the hole but just figured that was the damage the previous owner did to it so I accepted that
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It would seem to me that you inspected the car in person, accepted it as it was , paid for it, and drove it home. It's a used car and your acceptance is with all faults and virtues. You should have called the previous owner before the purchase was made to check the car out - "due diligence" my friend. - john

 

[Hisser]

I agree if I knew who it was at the time. Most dealers wont give you that info unless your reputation is a good one. What I would have done had I not taken their word for what it was on all the things mentioned, was drive home if I was just a little closer than 1200 miles. When I bought my 98 from Bill Pemberton, the car was exactly like he said to the T which is not always the case and I am sure we have all experienced that. I saw the scraped rims also but they had nothing to say when I told them I wanted them replaced either. They just said they could not take off new ones on a new car which is very understandable, wonder why they didnt tell me about that knowing I was driving 1200 miles. Typical

 

[Fast Viper Dan]

A Dealer is not responsable to disclose minor flaws unless they are a safty issue.
I know one dealer that will tell you about every little nick and or scratch in detale. Hard to believe but true. And when he was driving my car at Parump last weekend he showed me how to hit a cone without leaving a single mark on the car! Vary impressive driver he is! That would be Bill Pemberton @ Woodhouse Dodge.
Bob Woodhouse will not be out done for customer satifaction!
Bobs machanic seviced my car at the track when every one else was to buisy. I look forward to my next Viper purchase that will also be sight unseen from the Woodhouse team.
One driver found out he needed a hard top to drive on the track. Woodhouse had it shiped to the track the next morning and there was another "Viper days" experience born.
"GO WOODHOUSE" !!!!!