Carl Nelson

Review of Carman Ford

I came by last Friday, Aug 24 just to pick up a br...

I came by last Friday, Aug 24 just to pick up a brochure on the MKZ. Ardrea Lowe came to greet me as I walked in the door. I asked what the sign noting the "10 foot rule" on the door meant and she told me that anytime a customer was within 10 feet of a salesperson, the salesperson was to greet them. I told her I was after an MKZ brochure. I have a friend who just bought one and I was very impressed with it when I rode in it. She showed me the MKZs you had and I was instantly smitten with a leftover 2014 Tuxedo Black Metallic MKZ hybrid with a Light Dune Leather interior that was on the show room floor. After she and I talked about the MKZ, she took me over to look at the 2015 Mustang--a very nice car. But I was wanting a 4-door (and after all at 70-plus I'm more into a MKZ than a Mustang. I left but contacted your dealership through the internet on Saturday and in follow-up calls arranged to be picked up for a visit to your dealership on Monday (May 27). I needed transportation because I am in chemotherapy for cancer and am not allowed to drive. Andrea arrived promptly on Monday and I gave her a tour of my room here at the Brookdale Assisted Living facility in Hockessin. (She can tell you about the uniqueness of my room.) We arrived at your showroom and it quickly evolved that I was truly interested in the MKZ I had seen on Friday. One thing quickly led to another and she obtained a price for me to consider from Frank. While waiting for Andrea to return, the founder, Mr. Carmen approached and we spoke briefly. I was very impressed to learn his age and his continued attendance at your showroom from Andrea. I immediately accepted the offer that Andrea gave me (More than $4,000 under the list price).. I also requested installation of a back-up (rear-view) camera as that was not standard on the 2014 MKZs. I also agreed to get the protective exterior paint and interior treatment that was offered. And of course, I liked the 0% interest offer that Lincoln Financial had for left-over 2014 models. I put down a deposit on the car contingent on learning the results of a CAT scan I had on Friday of my cancerous tumor.

Unfortunately the results of the CAT scan were quite confounding. The cancerous tumor was shrinking, but a new 3-inch long tumor had appeared in my liver that was not present in the prior CAT scan taken just two months earlier. Sadly and with deep regret, I had to exercise my contingency and cancel my purchase order as the future for me has become uncertain. I will have a biopsy in several weeks to learn if the new tumor is also cancerous (which I praying is not the case-and Andrea is too).

The bottom line to this review is that Andrea was very helpful, thoughtful during my time in your dealership on Monday and understanding when I called today to cancel. I appreciated her low-key, but encouraging approach and interaction with me and at no time did I feel undue or unreasonable pressure from her to buy. (Note: I was putting that pressure on myself because I really wanted that car.) I think that Andrea would agree that I was a pretty easy sale--particularly if I could have followed through as I wanted to. She will also tell you that I was very attentive to detail--even pointing out what I thought I a mistake in the 2015 MKZ brochure which on the standard feature page under Interior Features notes that the Auto-dimming rear-view mirror is a standard feature on the 2015 MKZ. On the next page under the list of Interior accessories it lists the Auto-dimming rear view mirror as an option. That appears to be a mistake that was not caught in printing the brochure.

The bottom line is that if the tumor in my liver turns out not to be cancerous and that the cancer for which I am being treated is cured (excised), I will return and again pursue purchase of a 2015 MKZ Hybrid in Tuxedo Black with a Light Dune Leather interior. It is one fine looking and equipped vehicle. And I will seek out Andrea if and when I do return. I thought she worked with me with just the right touch for who I am.