Fireside Dodge - Modesto, CA

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The most recent reports are at the top of the list; the oldest are at the bottom.

Sales=Don't Know, Service=Poor, Parts=Don't Know, bought there=No, scv_there=Yes, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=Maybe,
The following note was sent to Fireside Dodge on 12-18-06, but bounced back because the dealer's Internet addy was not good. A second one was sent.
Dear Sirs,
Recently I brought my wife's 1997 Avenger for some repairs. One I asked for was the replacement of ONE headlamp assembly package driver's side ONLY.
When my wife returned home, I found that she had been charged for two, and apparently both were replaced.
I understand that one of your employees called her rather than calling me, and told her that they were only sold in pairs, and that she would have to approve that. Based on this incorrect information, she approved the installation.
I called other dealers and found out that this is not true, the lamp assemblies can be bought as singles.
When I called your office and asked about this, I was told by Michael Fischenich of your company that "he would have to check with his technician" and get back to me. He also offered to look for the part improperly replaced against my instructions and let me know if they could re-install it.
(Which of course will require another trip to the dealership, and inconvenience on our part.)
The instructions were to replace one light and one only. We were well aware that the other was in good working order, and apparently your employees agreed as it did not show up on any of the prior muli-point checks that were done by you when we brought in in before (check your files).
Clearly, your employees tried to "plus the sale" by selling my wife an unneeded headlamp instead of following the directions. I am sure that you are under some pressure to get your numbers up before the end of the year, by why sour someone else's Christmas in the process? By not following the
directions, and doing as asked, your actions resulted in
upping the total bill by several hundred dollars.
This situation follows a previous lengthy repair that was supposed to take a few days, and ran into more than two weeks, with the bill ever climbing. The car also had to be returned for a re-do because it died upon stopping at a stop sign.
This note is to bring this situation to your attention, and to document our recent dealings with your company. I will be doing a bit of research to see if you have had other such problems with your customers.
Submitted by: Dave Menshew      Rennaman[a]sbcglobal.net
Number of dealership visits=6, Last visit date=12-15-06, Date report submitted: Dec 18 14:26:52 EST 2006

Sales=Don't Know, Service=Poor, Parts=Poor, bought there=No, scv_there=Yes, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=No,
I had a new vp44, lift pump installed along with the transmission. Fireside did all the service work on this pickup including fuel filter changes on the recommended intervals. The pump went bad one year later and the service department along with its manager would not even consider pro-rating or taking any kind of responsibility for the faulty pump. I had better luck getting another dealer Liberty Dodge in Hanford to help out in going to the regional manager for daimler chrysler for help. The quality of service and customer care at Fireside is terrible and I would not recommend any person to do any type of business with that dealer. I expect a dealer to be helpful and work with a customer especially when the customer has spent thousands of out of pocket money with that dealer. I had a hard time getting a meeting to sit and talk to the service manager, who had no problem meeting with me the first time to take my money.
Submitted by: justin dunn       dunncamp[a]aol.com
Number of dealership visits=3, Last visit date=6-01-05, Date report submitted: Sep 19 17:36:57 EDT 2005

Sales=Poor, Service=Poor, Parts=Don't Know, bought there=Yes, scv_there=Yes, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=No,
Let me start by saying that I have purchased three Dodge/Chrysler vehicles in the past 5 years, all brand new. The first, a 1999 Chrysler Sebring, my personal vehicle. Its transmission failed at 70,000 out of nowhere, I got $3,500 for it on trade in June 2004 although there was no body damage or other mechanical problems. The second, a 2000 Dodge Ram Cargo Van for my business. The engine failed/blew spring 2004 with less than 50,000 miles, while under warranty. This vehicle was towed, at my expense, to my home and still sits there with dust and spider webs accumulating. The third, purchased, of course, prior to the failures of the first two, is a 2004 Dodge Ram Truck. The transmission failed around 7,000 miles. DO YOU SEE WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS? You haven't heard nothing yet! The 1999 Chrysler was not purchased from Fireside, so I won't blame the dealer personally for the problems. Rather, Daimler-Chrysler manufacturers is where I stare at that one. However, the van and truck were purchased at Fireside. Let's start with the 2000 Dodge Van. When we purchased the van we were told by the salesman that in order to get financing at the rate and term we wanted, that we had to purchase a 7 year/70,000 mile extended warranty. "OK," we said...yet we were under the impression that the extended warranty would be a manufacturer's warranty. WRONG! Upon engine failure, around 47,000 miles, we realized that we in fact were forced to purchase a warranty from a company that was owned by the Dealer himself...Kevin Kezinsky (excuse if I misspelled his name). The first obstacle with this warranty was that our van broke down more than 70 miles from the dealership...thus towing was needed. Although it was covered under the warranty agreement, WE PAID! Upon delivery of the van to the dealer for service, we were rejected and told that (1) they did not have time to service nor room on the lot to store the van. They said, bring it back Monday for diagnosis! (the following week). (2)They had no record of us having any! extended warranty agreement (even though it was the dealer's own), thus we were demanded not only to bring with us a copy of such coverage but ALL maintenance records as well. They said that they could not even diagnose the problem without charge, until we provided these records. Furthermore, we were told that we might even have to pay for the diagnosis and repairs, and bill for reimbursement from the contract provider/dealer. Not only that, but they also refused to provide a rental in the meantime (also supposed to be covered). The funny thing is this...I do have a copy of the service agreement and all maintenance records. I just cannot afford to keep towing the van back and forth and pay up front for repairs and hope for reimbursement from them. Thus, the van has sits in front of my home gathering debris.
The 2004 Dodge Ram truck: Took it down and told them that the transmission was failing. They again sent us packing..."we don't have time, bring it back Monday". I had to track down the manager on Monday to tell the jackass in the service department to call for a rental. Then, about a week later we call to ask the status. We are told that the truck had been ready for three days and that the rental car company was about to file a report for stolen rental. We were breathless! My husband went down to pick up the truck, but they said they would not release it until we paid for the rental car....HUH? The rental was covered under the warranty...manufacturer's this time! I mean come on...7,000 miles? So, I, the petite feisty woman I am, went down myself and demanded release of the truck. It worked, but they tried to make me feel like they did me some kind of favor by covering the bill, and held over my head that I would be mailed a survey...he said "don't forget what I did for you when you complete that survey, Mam." I said, "oh, don't you worry, I won't!"
Too make a long story short, be weary not only of Dodge/Chrysler vehicles, but make certain that when you purchase an extended warranty from ANY dealer that it is a manufacturer's warranty, and keep all your records.
Submitted by: Withheld by request
Number of dealership visits=2, Last visit date=June 2004, Date report submitted: Oct 22 23:24:42 EDT 2004

Sales=Don't Know, Service=Don't Know, Parts=Don't Know, bought there=No, scv_there=No, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=No,
This is the latest:
On a letter that was sent out to potential Customers there was a scratch and win ticket sent with a letter. On the ticket it stated what you had won and on my ticket that I had won the $1,000 online shopping spree, as well as several others I'm sure. On the letter it stated that you will win whatever is on this ticket with no strings attached per the very small print at the bottom of the page. Well it seems that are strings attached and you have to pay shipping and handling fees for the product that you won. No where on this letter did it state this. Then there is the issue with the products and prices of products that are on this website. What can I say " reenky dink, junk, nickel and dime pieces of sh**" that almost anyone could by at the cost of the shipping and handling fees that are exorbitant to say the least and there isn't any variety. From just this I definitely would not even consider buying a Dodge due the fact that if they treat potential buyers this way how would they actually treat a real Customer. (Reenky dink)
Yah - your right it got me down there to look at Dodges and consider a Dodge but what do you think happened? Do you think that Customers like to be treated as though they are idiots???? You know I really thought - well just maybe this wasn't a hoax but guess what I won't be taken for an idiot again and even consider going on to another Dodge dealership.
You have 5 business to fix the wrongs that have been done.
Sending the Modesto Dodge Center to the Better Business Bureau for false advertisement to entice people to come down to their shop - 5 business to make right on the wrongs done to these Customers.
I won't buy a Dodge since this is how they treat their potential Customers.
Number of dealership visits=1, Last visit date=4/25/04, Date report submitted: Apr 29 12:16:21 EDT 2004

Sales=Avoid, Service=Poor, Parts=Don't Know, bought there=Yes, scv_there=Yes, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=No,
I visited Fireside Dodge Hyundai in Modesto, Ca. on March 6, 2004 to upgrade from my 1999 Dodge Neon Highline, and was greeted by Johnny (salesman) who I thought was listening to the information, I was providing in order to find out if I could qualify for trade-in value, and nothing down. The deal was written, however, I found out March 9, 2004, that the added care warranty was on my contract in the amount of $2669.00, which I only was told by Paul Smith in finance, that I was signing the warranty, I thought it was a transfer of manufactures warranty. When Director of Finance Billie or (Bubba) as the people at Fireside Dodge call him, made a call to my home, telling me he could lower my payment, I needed to come back to Fireside Dodge Finance and see him. When I arrived on March 9, 2004 Billie (Bubba) began to pressure me into a $1000.00 out of pocket payment, I told him no, and to take that $2669.00 added care warranty off my contract, if he needed to lower the amount financed, he then got rude, and told me he would still need to get $300.00 from me to get the car financed, and another payment of $58.81 to payoff my Dodge Neon. I told Billie and Paul, to get me my Dodge and offered the keys to the Hyundai. I was told they would work with me, and hold a check for $358.81 till 4/1/04. I still was not happy, but I felt pressured to do what they wanted, especially since Billie is a really large man. I went to Fireside Dodge today, 3/27/04 and told Paul, but situation had changed, I have not paid anything on the car, and I stopped payment on the check they were holding. I would have to default 1st payment to the bank, and I wanted my Dodge Neon back. I was told by Paul Smith (finance) that he could do nothing without Billie's approval, and I got the same story, from asst. manager Rick. It seems this Billie (Bubba) scares his employee's, as much as he scares the customer, who is not happy with the rewriting of contracts to suit Fireside Dodge and Billie. I left my mobile phone # for Billie to call me at around 11:30 am today with Paul Smith, and it is now 5:30 pm and I still haven't heard from Billie or anyone else. My experience with Fireside Dodge and the employees mentioned, is something I would suggest, others AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE. Fireside Dodge used bait and switch tactics, they have poor customer relations, service dept., and when this is resolved, I would never purchase or have serviced any vehicle at Fireside Dodge in Modesto, Ca. and I would advise everyone to avoid this dealership.
Fireside Dodge Hyundai Modesto, Ca.  "Avoid Like the Plague!"
Wilma       cagal55_2000[a]yahoo.com
Number of dealership visits=1, Last visit date=3/27/04, Date report submitted: Mar 27 20:29:46 EST 2004

Sales=Don't Know, Service=Avoid, Parts=Don't Know, bought there=No, scv_there=No, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=No,
No comments offered
Number of dealership visits=3, Last visit date=11/03, Date report submitted: Jan 21 15:16:23 EST 2004

Sales=Avoid, Service=Don't Know, bought there=Yes, scv_there=No,
I purchased an used 1998 VW Beetle from Fireside Dodge in April 2002 and have had many problems with them (from them taking a week to fix my sunroof and charging me $420 for a rental car which they promised they would pay for), to other hidden damage discovered after the fact:
* Engine hood will not close properly and has flown up at me twice at highway speeds (has not closed properly since
the third week of ownership)
* Electrical system has malfunctioned and the car alarm and automatic door locks will not function correctly
* One headlight is permanently out (electrical wiring problem that cost me $150 to diagnose and would cost me $300 to fix)
* Drivers' seat will not latch back to its proper safe position after moving the seat forward to gain access to the back seats I have contacted Fireside Dodge repeatedly about the many problems with my car and they do not seem to care enough to call me back. I observed other used cars on their lot with visible problems not in any condition to be sold.
Here are some problems with other used cars on the lot (that I remember seeing):
* Balding tires on a Subaru wagon
* Upholstery Stains on three Neons
* Paint damage on an Intrepid
Based on the other complaints I have read online about Fireside Dodge, I strongly recommend anybody against purchasing an used car from Fireside Dodge. Your life may depend on it.
andrejs[at]pacbell.net
Number of dealership visits=10+ (all negative), Last visit date=July - Aug. 2002, Date report submitted: 01 Jul 2003 04:35

Sales=Avoid, Service=Avoid, bought there=Yes, scv_there=Yes,
Bought a new Hyundai from Fireside Dodge in 1999. From the beginning Fireside had refused to fully abide by the warranty and repeatedly tried to or charged us for parts that were under warranty bumper to bumper - I think not). Went down last month to look at a new Dodge and the sales person was rude and unprofessional.
Number of dealership visits=5+, Last visit date=May 2003, Date report submitted: 02 Jun 2003 14:28

Sales=Fair, Service=Avoid,
We have had several services performed under warranty. This includes a whining noise from the front differential, an issue with our air conditioning system, and an issue with our front fender flare falling off. Every single service performed they have not had the parts in stock. This means that each of these services has required two visits to rectify the problem. Not that big a deal except each of these times has left me without a car, and this has all been in the span of the first year of ownership. I've wanted to provide input to the dealership and they told me every time that I would get a service survey but to date, no luck. Maybe they have a good rating with Dodge because they don't send surveys to those who have had issues with their service?!!?!
Number of dealership visits=Far too many in the past year, Last visit date=Sep 2002, Date report submitted: 14 Oct 2002

Sales=Excellent, Service=Don't Know,
Librado Flores and his Manager Jeremy went the extra mile to get me the price I wanted. The best car buying experience I have ever had. I will surely recommend Fireside to anyone looking to purchase a new car.
Number of dealership visits=1, Last visit date=9/27/02, Date report submitted: 28 Sep 2002

Sales=Don't Know, Service=Avoid,
excuses,job took several times to complete. Transfer case leak never got fixed. Tried to charge me for diagnostic work.
Date report submitted: 23 Apr 2002

Dealership Rating:
	Good sales department, good service
	Fair sales, fair service
	Conflicting or not enough information
	Poor Service or Poor Sales Department
	Avoid like the plague!!
	Don't Know or no experience

This page was edited on: February 26, 2007