Mother Lode Motors - Sonora, CA

Visit Geno's Garage for Truck accessories.

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

Sales=Fair, Service=Poor, Parts=Poor, bought there=Yes, scv_there=Yes, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=No,
The salesperson at the dealership was nice and fairly knowledgeable about the truck I was interested in. The Truck was a used vehicle and was not properly inspected if inspected at all before it was put on the lot. During a test drive I pointed out that there was something wrong with the brakes. The salesperson assured me he would have it taken care of and I could return the next day for another test drive. I did so and was told that the brakes were checked and all new brakes were installed. After purchasing the truck and driving for about one week I began to notice the same problems I had noticed during the test drive. I then took the truck to my own trustworthy and certified mechanic because I felt that I could not trust Mother Lode Motors if they did not catch or fix the problem in the two opportunities that they had. Turns out that not only was one front rotor so warped it could not be turned, but there were the wrong size brake pads on the truck all tog! ether. These pads were for a light duty truck not a 3/4 ton Dodge. To top it off, who ever had done the job had such a hard time removing the axle nuts that they damaged the nut and the threads to the point that they had to be replaced. Basically the brakes were worse now they were to start off and potentially dangerous. When I informed the dealership of my discovery the salesman was very understanding and assured me that the company who did the brake job would pay for this, but when he informed his boss of this, the boss replied, " what do you want us to do about it." I answered, " I would like you to do the right thing." He responded by telling me that I should have brought it back to them and allowed them to fix it. I argued that they had there two chances to fix the problem and they admittedly sent it to the cheapest, fasted brake shop in town. Yes, they don't work on their own brakes at the dealership. The boss continued to say that he is not responsible for the work I had done somewhere else and I of course got stuck with the bill. $463.00 For fixing what they broke, replacing the rotor that should have been replaced during a used vehicle inspection or the first brake job, and putting on the right size brake pads. Mother Lode Motors does not believe in customer service and complete satisfaction as they claim.
When I returned to the dealership to inform them of the terrible brake job they had done and how they had sold me an unsafe vehicle, I was aware that I may not get my money back. When I told the boss that I would like him to do the right thing, my main objective was to get an apology and to create an understanding that they were at fault. I was looking for a local dealership that I could count on and go back to when I have a problem and obviously you cannot get that from Mother Lode Motors. Not once did the boss apologize for sending me away in an unsafe vehicle or admit any fault, therefore I will never purchase another vehicle from them and neither will any of my family friends and anyone else that I can convey this story too. P.S. This is still a small town.
Submitted by: Warren Mainguth    mainguth[a]sbcglobal.net
Number of dealership visits=2, Last visit date=3/29/06, Date report submitted: Mar 30 12:37:19 EST 2006

Sales=Excellent, Service=Fair, Parts=Good, bought there=Yes, scv_there=Yes, 3Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=Yes,
No comments offered
Number of dealership visits=3, Last visit date=2/4/04, Date report submitted: Mar 3 16:45:37 EST 2004

Sales=Avoid, Service=Avoid, this dealership seems useless in all respects.
Number of dealership visits=4, Last visit date=1/30/2003, Date report submitted: 04 Feb 2003 04:12

Sales=Avoid, Service=Avoid, bought there=No, No comments offered
Number of dealership visits=4, Last visit date=6/02, Date report submitted: 25 Nov 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