Business ProfileforMercedes-Benz of Jackson

Buyer beware!! If you plan on purchasing any used vehicle from any Higginbotham Automobiles dealer, Mercedes of Jackson, ********* **** ******** ************* of Collierville. I purchased a used Mini with 60k miles for my daughter. After a brief discussion with **** ********* the Internet Sales Manager, we decided on a price and got the purchase underway. I told **** I couldn’t make the trip there as I was out of town for a couple weeks but wanted the car shipped to my daughter. He said that the car needed to be inspected and detailed and then he would have it shipped. He explained that the “$400 bill on the deal sheet was part of the internal service part of there used car inspection, oil change, rotate tires and nitrogen service in tires”. I asked after this service if the service tech found any issues. His response was “No sir they did not. I spoke with the master technician (**** *******) that performed the used car inspection. All is well.” Three days later the car was driven down by an employee with another following. I guess this is how they ship cars. When the car arrived, my daughter and wife met the driver and mentioned the car sounded loud. The driver’s response was that he asked about this before he left but was told that it was fine. After I received this info, I told my wife to take it to Mini of Jacksonville and have a complete inspection done since I was starting to doubt the car was really inspected. I contacted **** ********* the next day via text and told him about the loud noise and we were taking it in to have it looked at. His response was “We stand behind are used car inspection on our vehicles. I am sure it is fine” The Mini dealership said the alternator’s bearings were going out and pointed out a transmission gasket leak as well as a leak at the oil drain plug. $3300 in repairs! I sent the video from Mini with the issues along with the quote to **** and his response was “I understand you feel like we should be responsible for this, but you bought the vehicle as is. We will not cover the cost of us” I then reached out and left a message with the General Manager for some guidance at this point. I then brought the car to a local private shop (I didn’t want my daughter stranded on the side of the road) and had the alternator replaced at a lower cost at which time they pointed out the black oil they drained so they could replace the oil plug. It’s hard to believe oil would turn black from the fresh oil change that was done before it left their dealership. After no response from the General Manager, I called back and found out he quit. I then asked for the next person in charge and was routed to BD Banks, Sales Manager. He told me that they do a safety inspection which verifies the car runs and drives as well as brakes properly, they DO NOT inspect anything else. So, the information from the Internet Sales Manager was false. The next day BD Banks called and said if I get the car brought to them, I would receive my money back but they wouldn’t cover any repairs or expenses. So basically, it would cost me $1000.00 plus driving the car 300+ miles with someone following me so I can return home. At this point I was given the pleasure of exchanging emails with ****** *****, Vice President of Retail Operations Higginbotham Automobiles. He basically had no empathy and told me I should have purchased their extended warranty. Still to this day, I have not asked for any compensation, However, I would expect a reputable company would offer some kind of assistance and own up to their false information. I have since brought the car back to Mini and had the transmission gasket replaced. I would expect this kind of customer service from a small no name dealership, but Mercedes, Ford, Lincoln??? Is this what customer service has come to? I work for a high-end custom home builder and own a small electrical contracting company, in my 20+ years of doing business, I can’t image trying to treat any of my clients this way. Especially over a $12k car. My reputation means more than trying to make a few dollars. Bottom line, if you do plan on purchasing a used vehicle from these dealerships, I would STRONGELY recommend taking the vehicle to a real mechanic and have it inspected by someone that knows what they are doing. Don’t trust the big name on the front of the building.