Viking Dodge - Crystal Lake, IL

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

Sales=Poor, Service=Don't Know, Parts=Don't Know, bought there=Yes, scv_there=No, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=Yes,
was given a price on my dodge charger and when my daughter signed the paper work the price changed drastically. i took it because i needed a car to get to work. its a shame how some dealers treat people.
Submitted by: william virella      billvirella[a]gmail.com
Number of dealership visits=NA, Last visit date=02/26/07, Date report submitted: Mar 2 21:09:02 EST 2007

Sales=Poor, Service=Don't Know, Parts=Don't Know, bought there=Yes, scv_there=No, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=No,
DO NOT purchase a Vehicle from Viking Dodge. They use less than appropriate sales tactics, they are dishonest and deceiving. Our salesperson "Sam" from "New York" and sales manager "Mike" are evil and despicable sales people. They give car salesman a bad name. Unfortunately we were scammed and we don't want to see others fall into the same unfortunate shortcomings that we did. When we returned to complain Sales Manager Mike told us that "Yes he took us for money, but there is nothing we can do about it!" There is something we can do and I will start right here. STAY AWAY FROM VIKING DODGE!!!!
Submitted by: Kathy Henn
Number of dealership visits=1, Last visit date=May 6, 2006, Date report submitted: May 8 16:08:35 EDT 2006

Sales=Poor, Service=Don't Know, Parts=Poor, bought there=Yes, scv_there=No, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=Yes,
I purchased a 2006 Ram, I found the sales tactics to be hi pressure and the people to be deceptive. For example, I was talking about keeping my loan payment to around $600.00 per month with a 60 month term and a $5000.00 down payment. They said they could not do it. Then i decided to leave and they asked me if i would sign the deal right now if they gave me a $600.00 payment with only $2000.00 down. I said i had to talk to my wife and i would return later. I returned later and said i would take the 600 a month with $2000 down, 60 month term. They said OH no, that is a 72 month term! I had explained to them when I walked in that i did not want a loan longer than 60 months but they were quoting me payments based on a 72 month loan anyway.
Talking to the loan guy, he gave me a breakdown of the charges. The quoted sales tax was about $3,000.00 This seemed high to me, I thought it should only be about $2,500.00 based on a 6.5% rate. But i figured they knew what they were doing and maybe I miscalculated the tax. Sales tax is sales tax, Right? Not at Viking. When i went to sign the final papers the total was as we had discussed, However the sales tax was shown to be about $2,500.00 and an item called "accessories" had been increased by $499.00. I asked where did this $499.00 come from, and they said it was "delivery charges" .
Upon getting home i found that the vehicle price included a $900.00 "delivery charge" already. I called them back and asked them to refund the $499.00 they over charged me. They said it was a "dealer service charge" they add to every vehicle. I said it was not disclosed to me as such and was originally shown as "sales tax". I told them that i felt i was deceived and i would just like to bring the truck back. Of course they said "you own it", don't bring it on the property ( i guess i wont be getting my oil changed there). I continued to complain to Carrie Cermak, She had the loan guy call me back and he told me that the item on the paperwork he showed me was "taxes and fees", however it was not labeled as such, it was labeled "Sales tax" He then explained that the "Dealer Service charge" was their way of recovering the cost of the "free" oil changes and the "free" tires for life program. I asked him to explain why if these programs were free they cost $499.00?
I also did not like the Hi pressure tactics Carrie Cermak used to try and sell the rust proofing and the undercoating (the truck is undercoated from the factory). She misrepresented the Dodge rust through warranty as "worthless" I told her I was not interested in these products and she continued to push them. I then asked her if she was "hard of hearing, I am not interested" She didn't miss a beat and continued to pitch these products. I finally had to be rude to get her to stop. Her title is "customer relations manager" I think her relationship to the customer is seeing how much money she can get them to spend on item of questionable value.
I thought another interesting item was that if you brought in your survey that Dodge sends you, They would give you a $100.00 and save you the trouble of mailing it in yourself. I wonder how many bad ones get mailed in?
I would stay away from this dealer.
Submitted by: Peter Lechtanski
Number of dealership visits=2, Last visit date=4/28/06, Date report submitted: May 2 08:29:16 EDT 2006

Sales=Poor, Service=Don't Know, Parts=Don't Know, bought there=Yes, scv_there=No, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=Yes,
The sales team is a joke. They sold a truck out from under me while I was doing the paper work for it. I test drove a truck and was in the middle of doing paperwork for purchase. As I was filling out the contract and my sales guy walked away and another sales guy came and took the contract and sold the truck to someone else right in front of me. I was in the middle of the purchase!!!! I also wanted to order a tonneau cover and they tried to over charge me for it. I ended up going to SunnySide Dodge and they are great there. I bought a close to identical truck from them, sans the tow package and alarm. I wanted them to throw in the tow package for their screw-up and they disagreed. They also wanted to charge me to install the hitch. Yes charge me to tighten up 6 bolts! HA HA HA!
Submitted by: =UnHappyCustomer
Number of dealership visits=1, Last visit date=1/18/2001, Date report submitted: Jun 27 17:36:20 EDT 2005

Sales=Poor, Service=Don't Know, Parts=Fair, bought there=No, scv_there=No, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=Yes,
I was not happy with my Viking Dodge visit. I left disappointed and upset. I went to buy a new Dodge Ram and everything was set in stone as far as what my rate would be and payment. I was to return the following day and sign paperwork/etc (They wanted to do everything right then and there and I NEVER do that) when miraculously my payment jumped $65 and rate jumped way up too! This after I was told I had "A" credit with Chrysler and would have no problems with the figures provided to me on my initial visit. I understand figures can and will change but not this drastically. Needless to say I told them thanks , but no thanks and left. The salesmen chased me down and told me I was making a "big mistake". How so? He was very annoyed with me and it was apparent. Who are you to say that to me just because you lost commission?! It is only now that I have heard through other sources that these guys might be playing games with the contracts. Multiple contracts are issued. One for the finance company (which shows differing options/pricing) and the one they make you sign. Not sure if this is true but if it is, I would not want any part of this dealership.
Submitted by: =JF in Crystal Lake
Number of dealership visits=2, Last visit date=6/9/05, Date report submitted: Jun 10 07:53:18 EDT 2005

Sales=Excellent, Service=Excellent, Parts=Excellent, bought there=Yes, scv_there=Yes, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=Yes,
I recently bought a 2005 Dodge Durango from Viking Dodge, and I was very pleased with everyone. The manager there had gone out of his way to locate the exact vehicle I was looking for. The same manager had also went above and beyond the call of duty to get me the very best interest rate. I recently took my vehicle into service to have the oil changed and when I returned I was told the alignment was a little off so they fixed it free of charge and my vehicle was also cleaned for me. I have never had a better buying experience, they deserve an A+!!
I love my new truck!!
Submitted by: Withheld by request
Number of dealership visits=6, Last visit date=05/28/05, Date report submitted: Jun 1 15:52:26 EDT 2005

Sales=Poor, Service=Don't Know, Parts=Don't Know, bought there=Yes, scv_there=No, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=No,
This dealership is every bit as bad as all past rumors have stated. I wanted to give it a chance because the owners wife is a niece of someone I know. i like to shop locally, I will never buy a Chrysler product again. I bet anyone I know won't either.
Submitted by: Withheld by request
Number of dealership visits=1, Last visit date=04/06/2005, Date report submitted: Apr 7 21:53:37 EDT 2005

Sales=Poor, Service=Don't Know, Parts=Don't Know, bought there=No, scv_there=No, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=No,
My daughter bought a 2005 Neon. They gave her a couple of days to drive it. She returned it as agreed. She advised them she couldn't afford it because of cut backs of working hours.They told her too bad, You had signed the contract. Well she forgot hers at home so they made another one up. There salesman had already sold her vehicle. Ok, upon the 2nd contract the price was jumped up. Both contracts had hidden cost from 2800 to 3500 dollars. They claimed it was the loan company, which both dealer and loan company make a few bucks more. What was a sale $11,000 car turned out to close to $18,000 and last payment it would run her close to $28,000. Trying to get help reference her loan application where both refuse to give her a copy, for proof of added cost and to show she couldn't afford the car only making $25.00 a day part-time. The Att. General passed on she should get an Attorney. That's just great, how when she can't afford the car alone. Thanks for hearing me out.
Look out for hidden cost or added cost in longhand instead of typed out.
Submitted by: K.Prazak         kenasue[a]mtnhome.com
Number of dealership visits=1 big one, Last visit date=Aug to Dec 2004, Date report submitted: Mar 31 19:09:58 EST 2005

Sales=Don't Know, Service=Don't Know, Parts=Don't Know, bought there=Yes, scv_there=No, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=Yes,
Recently, My husband, our five month old baby and I went to Viking Dodge in pursuit of a 2005 Durango. Our first inclination of poor sales service should have been when our sales representative continued to leave us alone for periods up to 30minutes while trying to deal with several other customers...one mainly because he was interested in a more expensive vehicle. We tried to be patient despite the five hours we had already been there and a now crabby baby. Once we had been bounced from salesperson Vince to Eric and then Bill, we were told a story about the owners daughter, wife, aunt etc...that has a Durango for us in New York. Ironically, when we bought our first Durango from them back in 2000, we heard a similar story. Buyer beware of any stories about the dealers "family in New York". Mostly, we spent the day watching salespeople use obvious shmoose techniques to try and scam an elderly couple, a young couple with a tot and a meek middle aged man. We felt so bounced around, lied to and shmoosed by the time we left that we vowed never to return to Viking Dodge. You have to go and see for yourself...watch and see the well organized group of salespeople prey on good people trying to buy cars at fair prices.
Submitted by: Withheld by request
Number of dealership visits=2, Last visit date=March 12, 2005, Date report submitted: Mar 13 12:45:12 EST 2005

Sales=Excellent, Service=Excellent, Parts=Excellent, bought there=Yes, scv_there=Yes, Buy_DaimlerChrysler_again=Yes,
I love the all new Viking Dodge and there great staff the new dealership is awesome.
Number of dealership visits=10, Last visit date=10-22-2003, Date report submitted: Oct 24 20:35:08 EDT 2003

Sales=Don't Know, Service=Avoid, scv_there=Yes,
Had ABS problems on 92 G.Caravan. Viking's diagnosis and service amounted to 'cleaning a few contacts to the pump motor'. No new parts installed. Excessive labor costs for work done. Same brake problem re-occurred within one month. Bought a Yukon. Have yet to fix the Dodge. These are not honorable people.
Number of dealership visits=1, Last visit date=October, 2002, Date report submitted: 24 Jul 2003 14:42

Sales=Avoid, Service=Don't Know, bought there=No, scv_there=No,
I found a used van that I liked in their lot. Took it for a test drive and sat down inside to hear the price. I was told $14,999. Went home, I did a little research on the van and dealership. I found the van on their web site for $11,435.
Number of dealership visits=1, Last visit date=05/2003, Date report submitted: 07 Apr 2003 21:42

Sales=Avoid, Service=Avoid,
Worst experience I have ever had with auto dealer. Once you sign on the dotted line forget about any service.
Number of dealership visits=2, Last visit date=November 4 2002, Date report submitted: 04 Nov 2002

Sales=Avoid,  Service=Don't Know,
bought there but they refuse to order Mopar Tonneau Cover.  Went elsewhere for it.

Sales=Poor, Service=Avoid,
95 4x4 diesel with ABS problems wanted to blame electric brake controller bunch of B.S. truck had factory tow package

Sales=Avoid, Service=Poor,
Very friendly during and up till all paperwork is signed. Some staff tactics is less than desirable sometimes insulting. I take my truck to another dealership to be worked on and have yet to receive a cold shoulder.

Sales=Avoid, Service=Poor,
Leased my 1998 Dodge Ram, Brought back next day after finding that the front passenger seat was not bolted down, the passenger side mirror was cracked, the sill plate on the passenger side had the paint all scraped off. Sales rep decided to take a nap when signing lease papers. STAY AWAY FROM THIS DEALER!!!! Fellow coworker just purchased a 2001 Durango--She will never ever go back or even recommend them!

Sales=Avoid, Service=Avoid,
Bought a vehicle there which had cargo door noise at the time. All personnel involved with transaction agreed Viking will fix the problem at Viking's expense at first service. When vehicle was in for service I was quoted $110.00 for investigation expenses, and an unknown repair bill will be added to that. Manager Nathan Matos (spelling) tried to con me into having to pay large repair bills by changing our agreement when telling service dept to do the job.

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: March 21, 2007