ComplaintsforSam Scism Motors

• Initial Complaint

  02/13/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  ************** through unethical and deceptive practices. Our dealings with the dealership resulted in detrimental consequences to our organization and the community we serve.Our organization is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit in the state of ********. We recently had an unfortunate experience with a local car dealership when we attempted to trade-in and upgrade our vehicle to better serve our community.To detail the events that led to us being mistreated:The dealership initially denied having a vehicle within our budget but went back on their claim when a salesman presented us with a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan.The vehicle was not in good shape, unclean, and unchecked by the shop, which raised suspicions regarding its quality. Moreover, the salesman declined our request for a test drive citing it as a liability issue.They refused to accept our form 149 for sales tax exemption and allegedly offset this by reducing the car price by $2000. This however was misleading as we paid an inflated price for the vehicle.We were informed that the defects in the vehicle would be rectified but the vehicle was not ready when promised. Still, they insisted on us taking the car, assuring us the issue was fixed.Post receiving the car, we experienced the same issues. When we took it back for repair, the dealership denied us service and scolded us.The vehicle they sold us is defective, and the dealerships refusal to honour their commitment to repair stands as a blatant demonstration of unfathomable dishonesty and lack of regard to our community service. In addition to this, the dealership has now threatened us with legal implications when we requested to cancel the deal.We have had a third party audit which states the monitoring system for the vehicle was disabled and the auditors have stated that the vehicle has bad lifters and it would cost several thousand dollars, we supposably have a 3000 mile warrenty the dealership won't honor.

  

  Business response

  02/21/2024

  I looked through our records and I do not show where OpenACAI or ********************* have ever bought a vehicle from us.

  Customer response

  02/21/2024

  Complaint: 21285092
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  I am the Operations Director and the vehicle was sold to us under my name and credit as the salesman refused to sell it to us under our nonprofits name. 
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

  

  Business response

  02/28/2024

  I was out of town the day they would have bought the van from us, but I did have a conversation with **************** on Monday, the 29th of January.His father came in aggressively and used profanity to start the conversation. I quickly got him to settle down and let me try to help him. He told me there was a problem with the van running hot that his son just purchased. I told him I would be happy to help however I could. After further discussion, **************** and his father let me know that they just bought the van and that they bought it before we had the chance to run it through the shop. They informed me that they were told that we would run the van through and check it out for them. I told them that I would most definitely check it out and make sure that everything was good and passed inspection. I asked them to leave the van with me and I would take it back to our service department. I had our shop check the vehicle over and we spent $1,500 on repairs for the van. I let **************** know he could pick up the van once we finished. I informed **************** that I would need the $2,000 he put down when they purchased the vehicle. He wrote us a check the day they bought the van, but it was either canceled or bad. I did not let that stop us from helping him and asked that he bring the down payment in cash because of the misunderstanding with the check.
  
  I have not heard from **************** since he picked the vehicle up from our dealership after the repairs were done. **************** came in on Tuesday,the 30th of January, and picked the van up. Since I have not heard from him, I took that as everything was settled and taken care of. I did everything I could to ensure the transaction and vehicle were in order for them to continue doing business as usual. 

  Customer response

  03/08/2024

  Despite repeated attempts to reach a solution directly with the dealership, they have refused to take responsibility for selling a defective vehicle.
  After purchasing the vehicle, a third-party auditor confirmed significant, clearly audible mechanical problems. I immediately returned the vehicle to *** Scism ************************** Upon retrieving the vehicle, the issues remained unresolved. The dealership has since declared that they will not fix the vehicle, falsely claiming that I was aware of pre-existing problems and bear the responsibility of repairs. I was also told by the salesman at the time of sale that the vehicle had a 3000 mile warrenty which it was clearly under when we called the salesman with the issue and sought the return of the vehicle and our trade in.
  
  Furthermore, *** Scism **** has been negligent in providing the necessary lien release paperwork. This delay prevents me from registering the vehicle with the *** and fulfilling my legal obligations regarding tags and taxes.
  
  The dealership's actions constitute selling a vehicle under false pretenses and refusing to remedy the situation. Their claims of buyer responsibility are unreasonable, particularly given the audible nature of the defects. I have been subjected to accusations of libel and unprofessional treatment from the dealership's owner.
  
  I request the Better Business Bureau's assistance in resolving this matter. I seek the following:
  
  Immediate repairs to the vehicle's mechanical issues at the dealership's expense.
  Prompt delivery of the lien release documentation.
  Compensation for my time and inconvenience.

  

  Business response

  03/22/2024

  *************** picked the paperwork up on the vehicle on the 19th of February. Mr. ******************** spoke with **************** on the phone and scheduled for him to bring the Grand Caravan in for us to take a look at it. He never showed up for us to take a look at it. We have went above and beyond to try to help during this process. After speaking with **************** he stated that there are no codes on the vehicle and it is running fine. It is getting them from point A to point B. We are finished.

  Customer response

  03/26/2024

  Complaint: 21285092
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  *** Scism **** as they have stated only care that the vehicle is currently able to get from point A to point B and does not care to make right that the vehicle was knowingly sold to us with defective lifters. They do not intend to make that right and had stated if we brought it in for what would have been the second time that they would not repair any issues, they would only check it out. According to our third party audit the vehicles ECM firmware was tampered with by a dealership, this is sufficient for us to not trust bringing back the vehicle for them to admittingly refuse to repair it. We have still as yet not recieved the lien release as it was not provided with the other paperwork..
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

  Customer response

  07/05/2024

  M-TR 07/05/2024 [M] LVM regarding mediation process, requested current update.

  M-TR 07/22/2024 [CR] Thank you for getting back to me. *** Scism **** is refusing to communicate with us and has stated prior to stopping communication that they are not willing to correct the situation. The last we have heard from *** Scism **** is in their response to the BBB

  M-TR 07/26/2024 [M] LVM for the consumer requesting documentation on warranty and promised repairs regarding their used vehicle purchase.

• Initial Complaint

  02/23/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I purchased a new 2022 **** Escape on Feb 15th...according to the sticker & the salesman the car included a **** Connect program which you could use to start your car from inside your home & other features...when the salesman tried to pull the feature up it wasn't working so he said I would have to make an appointment to take it in to service to have it fixed which I did on Feb 21st...left the car there all day, went to pick it up & I asked the salesman to help me make sure it was working now which it wasnt...so he took it back over to the service department to see what was wrong & one of the mechanics Saud apparently the module which enables the car to access this feature wasn't added on even though it showed on the sticker I had paid for that...this is fraud...I asked to cancel the sale & was told by the general manager I couldn't do that...he said call ****, which I did but they said to call **** credit & they were of no help...then they referred me back to the dealer who said they had no buyback policy & would not do it...they are basically giving me the run around & *****, even the service manager will not return my calls...this is wrong!

  

  Business response

  03/13/2023

  I apologize for the confusion, and there certainly was on this deal.  The vehicle **** sync system was not working when ******************** picked up his car.  We assumed from previous experience that it needed and updated, as often times they do.  The **** sync's purpose it to link your phone to the car.  The sync system is in no way necessary for the vehicles proper or safe operation.  We performed the sync update and told ******************** to come pick up the car.  When ******************** picked up the car we still couldn't get his phone to connect.  We were trying to dive into the problem further, but ******************** became upset and couldn't be calmed down so he left.  Friday of that week ******************************* called ******************** and asked if he would bring the car in the following Monday we would dive into the problem further.  ******************** agreed and brought the vehicle in on Monday.  *********************, the general manager, went out to ************************ car and performed a master reset and was able to hook ************************ sync up.  ************************ sync and car are both performing as they should.  There is no further action to take in this manner because the problem is fixed. 

  Customer response

  03/14/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

• Initial Complaint

  02/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  False advertising: Attempting to claim a prize with advertised 4pm deadline; 2/4/23 @ 3:02pm, i repeatedly call business ************ and ************. Both are stating that this business has already closed at 3pm. ****** has also verified this business closed at 3pm. 2/6/23@ 11:12am, i call business ************ to let them know that their flyer stated they closed at 4pm despite their business voicemail stating they in fact close at 3pm. ****** did confirm that they closed at 3pm as well as the previous worker i spoke to as well. i explained that their flyer stated they closed at 4pm and it was false advertising to close before allowing claimants to claim their prize in the time advertised. 2/6/23@ 11:28am, manager calls back from ************, proceeds to tell me he was in fact there til 4pm (despite, the other employees saying they closed at 3pm). i asked why he would not also list on the flyer to please disregard the businesses voicemail? he stated he was NOT going to change his phone recordings for just one sale.

  

  Business response

  02/21/2023

  Our normally Saturday hours are 9-3.  For this special event flyer hours were from 9-4 and beyond.  I apologize for the confusion it may have created, however, there were staff here well past four and even past five.  The flyer also states any prizes have to be claimed in person.  I ********* would have come in to claim her prize we were indeed here.  Again I apologize for any inconvenience, but we were open for business. 

• Initial Complaint

  09/20/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I bought a vehicle in april from Sam Scism Motors and they told me that the vehicle was fixed and they had also fixed the things that need to be fixed on it. Now the engine is acting up and i have peper work on the things they said they fixed but are now broken againe and it will essentially ruin the engine and i will have still have a car payment on a vehicle that is broken. The duplicate document is from the mechanic that scism sent the car to. The other document is from the mechanic I took the vehicle to when it started acting up.

  

  Business response

  10/03/2022

  Mr. ******, attached is the copy of test drive form and "as is" paperwork signed by you.  The vehicle was bought  "as is" with no stated or implied warranty.  I would be glad to try to trade you out of the vehicle. 

   

  ***** *****

• Initial Complaint

  06/21/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Had my girlfriends car towed for diagnostics and was told on phone probably transmission module again. By service tech. I told all information of had new part on it and guess since so stuck on it was a transmission module they failed to write it down. The diagnostics came back and said stop brake switch and tech said need new shifter. Well we declined that. I picked the car up two days later and fixed it in literally 5 seconds and it was without the stop brake switch or a new shifter. Literally had to diagnose it my elf of pulling plunger of brake stop switch max it reset went into gear no issues since. But they tried to hit my girlfriend with 700 dollars in repairs. So i called on June 21,2022 to talk to service manager and explained it and then he said he diagnosed it and it was human error and miscommunication. Well also mind you that the parts they took of they just threw in seat and left there. I know it was seen there was a receipt laying there too. They failed to put it back as i brought in. ***** the sales manager refused to accept any responsibility still. I tried to tell ***** hey man let’s make this right let’s split cost and move on. Absolutely not for human error and miscommunication he refused to do so. So yes i did go in there after work to speak face to face. I didn’t have a thing nice to say and offered him the key to diagnose car correctly or drive it to see there’s no issues. Then i told my experience on there social media and ***** ***** stood behind his manager and basically called me a liar that i didn’t give all information in which was beyond me i told them 2-3 times it had new brake stop switch in it if transmission module wasn’t out agin. In which has been fixed on recall 2-3 times and still going out having they install same faulty parts. This car was bought new from them and has been a basket case since. Windows stopped working long time ago had to be direct wired to have windows, has issues o transmission. Then every so often every lig

  

  Business response

  06/22/2022

  How do you have any idea if we misdiagnosed it?  We didn't do any repairs.  You brought it in for a diagnosis, you pay the diagnostic fee.  If you don't like that take it somewhere else, which we have respectfully asked Mr. **** to do from now on.  If you go to the Dr. you pay the office visit whether you take his/her advice or go home and don't.  It's plain and simple, and it was clearly stated there would be a diagnostic fee before we started any work.  We respectfully ask Mr. **** not to bring his or his girlfriends vehicle back to the dealership for any further "diagnosis" or repairs in the future.  

  Customer response

  06/23/2022

  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:the misdiagnosis is cut and dry here. Your advisors said it wouldn’t move from park without a new gear shifter and brake stop switch. You again tried to tell me i didn’t give all information. In which i did to ***** ******. And another individual. The only time a diagnostic fee was presented is at the time your advisor called and tried to get us to pay 700 dollars for erroneous repairs. Then now you’re trying to compare a car to a doctor it’s absurd. Your service department failed to pass information and even put trim pieces on. I don’t understand the charge of what i paid for. I even offered to split the charge with you as the failure was human error but ultimately the human error wasn’t on me but came back to Scam ***** and their employees. You had ample opportunity to fix the trim pieces your tech removed. We declined service Wednesday and picked up Friday. It’s not my fault your advisors can’t communicate. It’s also not my fault they were left in the seat. It’s also not my fault that the advisor put receipt in the driver seat and could clearly see the pieces laying there and yet again failed to pass information. 138.00 dollar charge for what your extremely expensive equipment that didn’t work and your staff couldn’t bend at the waist and check a brake stop switch? That’s absolutely absurd. 
  
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  **** ****

• Initial Complaint

  02/10/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I had purchased a 2016 dodge Journey on Saturday January 22,2022 and was instructed to come back on Monday due to the business wanting to "service" the vehicle. I had picked up the vehicle on Monday and not even 30 minutes of driving and possessing the vehicle not even 24 hours the check engine light came on for a Camshaft Positioning Sensor. I had to miss work in order to bring the vehicle back to the dealer to figure out what was going on with the vehicle and to see if it could be fixed. I was informed that they had to take the vehicle across the street to have it serviced. when i went to call the service department to ask for a update i was told that they would call me back in 15 minutes. 2 hours later i had called again for a update and that when they informed me they taken my vehicle to a dealership in Festus which is 31 miles north. I never once was given any form of update. I had to be the one to contact the dealership in Festus for any kind of update on this vehicle and the vehicle has had multiple problems and one of those issues is the PCM which is on back order at least until the middle of march if not longer. I told the dealer that I want out of that vehicle due to the multiple mechanical issues that the Journey has and they refuse to do anything unless I pay the sales tax in order to trade it back to them which then they will be required to run my credit yet again which is utterly ridiculous. It's insane how I'm required to pay sales tax and soon to be starting a monthly payment on a vehicle that I haven't even had for 24 hours and that has been parked at a dealership 31 miles away.

  

  Business response

  02/23/2022

  We will be glad to trade Mr. ***** out of the vehicle, but unfortunately we can just swap him out with him paying the sales tax.  We couldn't back out the deal and give him his trade back because the trade was already paid off when Mr. ***** stated he wanted out of the deal.  He is going to have to pay sales tax regardless.   However, if he turns around and trades that vehicle he will get sales tax credit for the full amount.  So he will not be out any sales tax money. 

  Customer response

  02/25/2022

  Complaint: 
  Ok and I appreciate that,however, when I had spoken with the person who had sold me the vehicle nothing on the lot was within my price range and would be required to pay more than the vehicle I was approved for . Not to mention with how many times my credit was ran it ruined my credit score placing it under 600. I get that I would have to pay the sales tax but my credit would have to be ran again in order to find another loan company to get me into a different vehicle which is going to make it even harder to do so making me trapped into the vehicle that I purchased which is still in the shop waiting for a part to come in. How is that fair to me lol 
  
  Sincerely,
  ******* *****

• Initial Complaint

  10/29/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I went into this business looking for a automobile on 10/27/21, and yes i signed papers on one. However the next day due to personal reasons i found out i would not be able to afford this automobile. So on 10/28/21, i went back into the business and advised my salesmen brad, i would like to cancel this deal because of personal reasons." He advised me he would get back to me but he never did, i had to call him on 10/29/21 and again he advised me he would talk with the owner." Also on 10/27/21 as part of the agreement i left for them to 2 check to hold for me as part of payment. The 1st check was for 5000 dollars that was to be put in my bank on 10/29/21 but instead they put it through to my back on 10/28/21 causing me a over draft charge. The second check was for 10,000 that is to be put through on 11/05/2021. However due to the overdraft charges i put a stop on both checks because i dont trust them and i dont want this automobile. Also they didnt have any paperwork for me to take on 10/27/21. please help i do know what else to do. This is a automobile i dont want and infact it is still parked on their lot and i will not be getting the truck.

  

  Business response

  11/10/2021

  There is no cooling off period in the state of Missouri.  Mr. ***** gave us two down payment checks and signed all financial documents, which are legally binding I might add, on an automobile purchase.  Mr. ***** then stopped payment on both checks.  Cancelling payment on an automobile purchase in the state of Missouri is a felony.  We will be taking full legal action against Mr. ***** unless he makes the checks good.  If he wants a different vehicle we could work on trading the one he already bought.  Mr. ***** has until Friday November 12th to make the checks good or we will take the checks to the prosecuting attorney for St. Francois County.  

• Initial Complaint

  10/11/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My 2015 escape, bought from Sam schism Ford has now at 6 years old had the transmission go out, completely fail twice. 1st time was last year in Feb 2020. The second was aug. 2021. Both times the mechanic shop repaired the transmission instead of replacing it. The first time I took two or so weeks, the second time it took a month and they didn't really fix what was wrong with it. It is still having bad transmission issues. The problem was I asked for a loaner car every time I called in to check on my car and was denied and lied to each time. They said that Ford wouldn't let them but I spoke to someone at Ford customer service that said that was an outright lie. To end off this whole bad business when I finally went to get it they handed me keys, didn't tell me where it was and had parked it at the very furthest spot on the lot they could. They are rude, they lie to customers (about other stuff too). I missed appts because of their lies. I want a new transmission put in my car.

  

  Business response

  10/25/2021

  The owner of the vehicle in our system is ***** *******. I am not sure who ***** ********* is or why she filed this complaint. 

  The transmission was replaced on 02/2020 with a remanufactured transmission from Ford Motor Company and not repaired as stated in the complaint. On the second visit the transmission was removed and repaired as required by Ford Warranty and policy.

  We are not able to replaced a transmission under warranty unless the damage cost is more to repair it  than to replace it. Which in this case it was not.

  If the owner is still having issues they can take it to any authorized Ford dealer for warranty repairs. They do not have to bring it to us as they are unsatisfied with our service department and lack of a loaner program.

  We did not provide a loaner on the first visit as it is not covered by their extended warranty. The second visit a loaner was not provided as we do not have a loaner program due to car shortages at this time.

• Initial Complaint

  09/29/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  We bought a Ford F-150 truck from them and when we told them about the tire having a plug in the sidewall they refuse to fix it, I have called the Vice President of the company and he will not return my call I have also filed a complaint with Ford motors, all I want is for them to put a new tire on at their expense since they sold the truck with this tire on it

  

  Business response

  10/01/2021

  Mr. ****** bought the truck March 26, 2021.  He brought the truck back in September, that falls well outside the parameters for us to fix anything.  The other issue is Mr. ******'s complaint is there was a plug in sidewall of his tire.  We absolutely unequivocally NEVER EVER plug sidewalls in tires!!!  We never have and never will.  I don't know who plugged Mr. ****** tire, but it certainly wasn't us, and over 6 months is way to long to bring up an issue.  We will not buy Mr. ******'s tire, however if he wants us to get him a tire I will sell him the tire at cost and mount and balance it for no charge. 

  Customer response

  10/01/2021

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  **** ******

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩