I looked at and bought (and subsequently successfully returned) a car there... While I was negotiating on a car, they informed me that they had a customer on the phone, right now, willing to pay full price. I said great! Don't want to stand in the way of that, let them have it. 3 minutes later, guy on the phone changed his mind. I picked out a 996. Bumper was misaligned, asked to have it put on a lift, and they were very accomodating. On the lift, I found that BOTH front/rear bumpers were misaligned. Asked for the carfax, showed 2 accidents. Go figure, I still bought it, for a hefty price decrease. I had them put in writing, that I would get a PPI AFTER the sale, and if not satisfactory, I could return the car. They actually allowed it. They really want the sales. Car got home, motor starting squealing. PPI showed extensive damage, yada, yada. I cancelled the check, and returned the car. No problems... Make of it what you will
I looked at an E-class at LM of Downers Grove a few months ago. It was one of their cheaper cars, but actually fairly expensive for the age and mileage. I expected from that and the place's ritzy image that it would be in excellent condition. In reality, there was enough rust to be easily visible from 20 feet away. Levers were falling off the steering column, etc. This would have been less annoying if they hadn't insisted on washing the car for 15 minutes before I could even look at it. After refusing to buy the car, the salesman took me to the Saab dealership across the street. The cars there seemed to be in good shape, although they still weren't cheap (maybe only their newer cars are discounted?). Anyway, the salesman was polite, although I never did buy anything. The only complaint I really had was how slow everyone was. It's also surprising that a dealer putting off such an upscale image could carry cars that should really be at the shady-looking places down the road.
You're fighting a losing battle. I think you may be a new employee at LM and haven't been corrupted yet; if so, keep it that way! We do have other ex-employees of LM here that will concur with the misgivings of LM. Do you remember when LM was leasing space from Schaumburg MB (a division of Motor Werks). When they found out about LM's reputation, they wanted LM out ASAP! Funny too, that you think customers with bad experiences are the ones that will post the most about their experience. I usually post opinions when I'm happy with a company.
One word for all here: Valtrex (newer herpes suppression medication...) looks like we all need to try some... looks like LMsales is taking some lumps here... hope he(she) sticks it out. It will be an uphill battle. Most here feel pretty strong about LM and their cars, so, like Hillary, you are either OK with it or you DETEST them (her). ... but I cant help but think (Homer voice) "sucker...." everytime I see an upscale car with the LM surround your license plate thing...
I live a block away from their Bently/Lamborghini Gold Coast location. While it is nice to be able to walk a short distance when I need a fix of Italian cars or the occasional Bugatti, I will never buy a car from them based on their general attitude alone. While I don't know about other locations, the staff of the GC locations are without fail, rude, snobbish, and unattentive to customers. Unless you look like you are made of money, they won't give you the time of day. While I understand that due to their location within the touristy area of Chicago that they get many gawkers, even an off-hand "Can I assist you" or "Thanks for coming in" would be nice. I have never been into a car dealership where the staff has been that awful. If you are looking in Chicago, avoid them at all costs.
LMSales, Defending Luxury Motors, a dealer with such horrible reputation will be very challenging. You may actually end up perpetuating the stereotype of the type of sales person being discussed.
I feel that if, in his original post, he had used some humility, he would have been better off. As I recall, LMSales said something like, 'If you treat us right, we'll treat you right' (not a direct quote). Isn't it supposed to be the other way around??!!
You are right, but it goes both ways. I just wish LM did not have this reputation, or there was some kind of way to change it. To every person that I have sold a car to there has not been any major problems. I had a guy who bought a car from me and then returned it the next day because it did not fit in his garage, he bought a different car and he was one of the happiest customers I have had. To be honest I wish I could sell a car to just one of the posters or readers here, I guaranty I would change your mind about our vehicles and your happiness with the car. I guess it just matters which kind of salesperson you get. When it comes down to it all. Like at everydealership some sales guys rely heavily on "walkins" and others on repeat customers. I guess its a little different for me since I usually deal more with International business and you have to be a little bit more precise about the car. Have a good weekend, and try not to hate to much, haha. -RK
No one hates, at least not me! You're right, it does go both ways, and should start with the 'seller!' LM and its affiliates have dug their own grave, and will eventually languish in it! Someday, their tactics and deceit will catch up with them!! Leave if you're smart.......others have. Momentary prosperity isn't worth a life of ridicule; if you get my drift!?
I bought a daily driver car from them at the original store on Ogden ave, actually from the principle, years ago. It was a high mile M Benz sedan, which is pretty much what they did and do specialize in, second rate cars. I inspected it carefully enough as to have no surprises and got what I paid for. A few years back I was in the market for about the same thing so visited the space leased at Scaumburg MB. Same used up cars only now sold in an atmosphere which I can only describe as very sleazy. I thought I was in some east block disco. The car was NG, I couldn't bear to remain looking any longer and felt the need to bathe.. Unless you are a strong negotiator, have a thorough inspection of the car and it's history I dont suggest trading there. Caveat emptor!
Well, I guess I'm a slow learner as I've officially bought 4 cars there. It was sometime in 04 I believe, and I bought a CL55. Fairly clean, reasonably low miles, great price - didn't know enough to have a PPI done. Loved the car. So much fun - quiet, comfortable and fast. One day I was at a restaurant when the valet came in looking for me (never a good sign). As he didn't speak English he frantically waved his arms and with an excitedly red face and pointed me outside (this can't be good). Evidently he made it about half a block down the street when one of the control arms snapped in half?! The car was sitting there blocking traffic with the extreme toe in look of a wheel buried deep into the fender. I had an immediate "what if I was doing 85 on the Ryan - wouldn't I be in Northwestern right now?" sinking feeling. Still shaking, I called Mercedes from the 800 # on the glove box and they immediately came with a tow truck and brought it to MB of Chicago. About 24 hours later I spoke to a nervous tech that said he had never heard of such a thing on a low mileage car before. His best guess was that obviously the car had serious issues as a result most likely of an accident in some point of it's history - and long story short stated that neither they nor MB would cover it under warranty. I couldn't believe what I was hearing - it was an almost new car, and it really did feel like it in every way. I have had many, many new cars and major stuff like that is alays covered - right? No. They suggested I take it back to Luxury and take it up with them (seriously, I thought I'd never have to go there again). Confused I had it towed to their Ogden facility. They looked at it and quoted me several thousand dollars to fix. I blew up, stormed down there and demanded they make it right. They casually ignored my ranting and raving, and then suggested I take a look at a new SL55 (coincidently parked right outside) that they would give me a killer deal on because of my problem. My anger diminished as fast as a crack addict that just got handed a fresh pipe. Twenty minutes later the CL is ancient history and I'm driving the SL down the road (again no PPI). Fast and even more fun, I really liked the car. I'm out a little more $ than I was for the CL but hey the thing was gorgeous, the control arms work and I still got a great deal! I drove the car until summer of 05 - no issues - then sent it off to California where I began to spend half my time for work and prepared to contunue to enjoy the car. In the meantime, a coworker's lease was up on her Mitsubishi 3000 and she really wanted a MB SLK 55 - but couldn't afford one. Luxury to the rescue. I picked one up for her, paid cash, and ordered knockoff Brabus rims and new rubber. I kept it in a local detail shop where they polished it to oblivion and mounted the new rims. When she saw it she freaked. The car was beautiful and she loved it. She gratefully went to her bank and got a loan and paid me (why so cheap she kept saying). Here's where the trouble started. 12 weeks later and no title??!! I made so many calls to both Luxury and the patient banker trying to chill everybody out and facilitate this "favor". The rep at Luxury and the title person there never returned even one phone call!! I lost track of how much hold time I spent only to get another voicemail. I believe I redefined the fine art of leaving direct and threatening messages, and maybe even reached a new personal best. Nothing. I think these guys have heard them all by now somehow. Someone told me I had to track down "Joe" the owner - which I did. I was relentless, dropped a few names and finally got him on the phone. After ten minutes with him and numerous promises on his part - I could see why they are so successful. He's charming, smart and confidence inspiring. To his credit, he called the banker and my friend the new owner - settled everybody down and yes the title eventually came - and low and behold it didn't have any issues. Back to my SL. I'm in California and driving up 101 in Marin and the trunk opens up - no reason - and the wrong way no less - like it's preparing to take the top in. I pull over confused and hit the close switch and nothing. I get out and inspect and it's popped open and stuck somehow and not budging. Saturday night - big plans and now Im now going nowhere. I drive it home (about 2 miles) and call it a night. Next day it gets towed into RAB Motors (yes they're open on Sundays in CA). What a surprise - Dejay Vous. The tech calls me Monday morning and says once again that they have never seen anything like that before (?) and technically it's impossible to happen. And.. Because it's impossible to happen - MB won't cover it under warranty and ... oh by the way it will need a whole new mechanism which after installation and alignment is around $8,000!!!??? I'm sorry? Hello?? Earth calling!! Impossible to happen?? Have I slipped into some alternative reality? Far from Luxury's crack pipe solutions and unreturned voicemails, I was clueless as to what to do. I called MBUSA and they suggested I speak to the zone rep. Nice guy, even answers his phone. He immediately did a PPI (first time that I heard of one) and said - are you kidding me? The list of issues was long and painful. I actually had to claim the top on my insurance as an accident. I had the dealer address various other fixable issues and on to EBay it went. I sold it right away for a noticeable loss - but was glad to get rid of it!! So... do you think I learned my lesson? Feeling the need for a hit off the pipe, and needing another car I actually checked out a 911 cab when back in Chicago at - you guessed it LM. I told them my SL story (Joe this time) and he assured me the SL was a good car (?!), but he'd take extra good care of me with the Porsche. I bought it (it was ungodly cheap), with the agreement that I could return it after a PPI if I wasn't happy with the results. This one passed - barely. Not exactly pristine but no real big issues and no accidents. That was 2 years ago, and so far so good. Still have the car, I service it regularly at Loeber and it hasn't self destructed yet. My friend also still has the SLK - almost 3 years now - and no issues yet - she still loves it. I saw Joe on the street last summer and he immediately remembered my name (I'm sorry but thats a skill that I really don't run across that often), and he remembered all the appropriate details about me down to my friends name as well. 2 years later - how many people has he dealt with? I can't even remember some of my in laws names. I considered selling the Porsche the other day and started to look into what they're going for with the miles I have on it. I've addressed many, many things and it really is a nice car now. I see they're going for on the high side more than I paid for mine. Where's the pipe?
What's shocking about this story isn't so much the Porsche is still doing alright, but the fact you kept going back? You would think after horrible service and crappy cars you would perhaps move your business elsewhere? As for myself I would rather pay more for the same exact car at a reputable dealership than a questionable one like this, if not just for the better service.
Like I said... I'm a slow learner sometimes, a sucker for a hot car and obviously a glutton for punishment . For what it's worth, I have had - like many of us - many cars in my day. As a rule, I'm skeptical of most dealers and trust me, I've had my share of bad experiences and frustrations with many of them, in the Chicago area as well - besides LM. In 2005 or so (while all this was going on), I bought a 360 F1 - from a dealer in Florida because the sales assoc at LFSC was reluctant to show me one they had for sale, absolutely wouldn't let me drive it and in fact wouldn't even let me sit in it. He pretty much treated me as if I was wasting his time. I saw him at a track day at Gingerman less than 4 months later with my new car and he didn't even remember me. (and no, I don't look homeless). I had it serviced at Continental. You couldn't pay me to go to LFSC. Don't get me even started with the service issues I've had with Loeber MB (from cars I've bought from them) over the years. And Bruce Semersky at PE??!! If you look up arrogance in Wikipedia his picture appears. Howard Orloff? I came very close to losing my mind with them over issues with an XK8r, and hoping it was just an isolated situation, have had my Rover serviced there in the last year as Knauz (where I bought it, proves to be too far away). Their competency of service continues to amaze me. If I ran my business like that, I can promise you I wouldn't be posting on this site, more like cheapKoreanchat.com As far as I'm concerned, I think most car dealers are creepy and I just as soon say off the tile (or granite in LM's case). I'll shop the car and the price (and now always with a PPI) when we're talking drivers, and I'll stick to the known experts when it comes to Fcars.
ANOTHER SATISFIED LM CUSTOMER!! Remember, Joe is there to tell you what you want to hear, and pat you on your wallet as you walk out the door.
Markpeboxer, I am glad everything worked out for you. Just posting in here to show that I didn't forget about you guys- haha. -LM
OMG - I was rolling on the floor reading this. I went there today and I had the EXACT same experience. My salesman did know the cars, but I felt like I was in a mafia wanna be night club and not a classy high end car dealer. Before he would even check to see if he had a car in stock for me he was asking me how I want to pay for it, and said lets write it up now and then we'll look at the car. It was high pressure the entire time and everyone there was RUDE AS HELL and made me feel like I was a nobody. As someone else said I could NOT see a lawyer/doctor etc going in there and feeling comfortable at all. Oh forgot to mention...Finally we were ready to go on test drive. The car drove very smooth, had endless power. It never hesitated and never lost traction even on the snowy roads there were today. I had it up to about 90 or so and it felt like it was going 35. So that part was nice. Then we were about a block away from getting back and THE CAR DIED!! I would not buy a car there sorry. I would not even feel comfortable giving these people access to my financial history, ssn number etc. I feel like many were criminals. When I bought my lambo, I shopped at Lamborghini Chicago and they were NIGHT AND DAY from this place. It was so classy and nice there, wonder why luxury motors operates like this..
I've been watching this topic for some time now, and have finally decided to join the conversation. Unfortunately, I do not own a Ferrari, but I've been around those beautiful cars for some time. Mostly at Luxury Motors, where I have spent over six years, working mostly as a manager. Needless to say, I have been gone from there for a few years now, and it feels great! Now, as promised, my two cents: Luxury Motors started as somewhat of a joint venture of two immigrant enthusiasts, Steve and Joe in mid nineties. LMSales is absolutely right in saying that the empire known as Luxury Motors has started with five cars. So, in that respect, Joe has to be given the credit. He is living his American Dream. Luxury Motors can also be credited with revolutionazing the industry. With their coming to the stage, and their huge internet presence, astronomical profits that luxury car dealers have been making are a thing of a past. So for that, we should thank them. However, I must observe, that they have forgotten where they came from. Tough competition, and lavish lifestyle have made the owner into a different person. Employees salaries are among the lowest in the business, and on top of that, they are constantly cut and changed, mostly without the employee's consent. Imagine if on payday, you know you have $5,000 coming, and you get $2,000? The vendors avoid to work with them because of slow or no pay, contractors are suing them for unpaid invoices, banks are dropping them as finance sources for their customers. All in all, terrible signs of bad business practices. So, if you are in a market for a car dealership, or if you are a business looking to do work for them, run! Run as fast as you can. But fortunatelly, these people are only selling cars. A good that you do not have to buy. No one has put a gun to your head and demanded to buy their car. My suggestion to the prospective buyers is not to avoid them, but definitely not to trust them. For a couple hundred dollars, you can have the vehicle independently inspected and unless you are buying a junker for a basic transportation or a certified vehicle from an authorized dealer, you are plain out stupid if you don't do that.
Thanks for your 2 cents. I think you've confirmed what most have thought! Greed can put out the brightest flame; it's sad! Soon they'll end up where they belong, in the trash...........
Sorry if this has been stated this thread had a lot to read and I may have simply overlooked it, but to add a little fuel to the fire... My buddy and I have had a discussion about Luxury Motors after I had read this thread. Now he may not have the information exactly right, but from what he told me from his time working at Mercedes Benz of Westmont was that Luxury Motors brings their Benz's to the MB dealership down the street to have them serviced and cleaned, and then passes the added cost of out-of-house service onto the customer without disclosure. May be a bit exaggerrated, but just a heads up.
