MH
Makayla Huff
Oct 12, 2025
I had a deeply disappointing experience at Hawk Ford of Carol Stream while shopping for my very first new car. As a young woman navigating the car-buying process, I took my time researching and visiting different dealerships to find the right fit.
Eventually, I found what seemed like the perfect car for me, a 2025 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite. Which was listed at Hawk Ford. After several back-and-forths over calls and texts, I confirmed the vehicle’s availability and scheduled a day to come in. I even called again two hours before we left, just to make sure it was still on the lot. I was assured it would be ready for me to see.
My mom and I then drove two hours to the dealership, excited and hopeful. But from the moment we arrived, things felt off. A salesperson was standing right outside my car door before I could even step out, and then focused on making odd comments like, “You know the person you talked to is a real person”. While being slightly unsettling, we decided to take it as humor and give them the benefit of the doubt and went inside.
Unfortunately, it only got worse from there. The salesperson brought out keys, not for the 2025 they confirmed would be ready, but for a 2024 model. When I pointed this out, he suggested we walk around the lot together to look for the correct vehicle. I’ve never had a salesperson ask me to search for a car they were supposed to have ready. After 10+ minutes of walking around in confusion, it became clear the car was never there to begin with.
Trying to make the best of the situation, I agreed to test drive a similar vehicle. But even that car had visible damage, including tape and bent plastic under the steering wheel inside.
Definitely not what I expected from a supposedly new vehicle.
Back inside, the conversation turned even more frustrating. Despite clearly stating multiple times that I wanted the 2025 model, the salesperson and manager kept pushing the 2024 version, even saying things like, “At that price, I’d get past not liking the seats.” That felt incredibly dismissive. Not just of my preferences, but of the fact that this was a major, personal decision for me.
After all of that, the manager said they could get the 2025 from another dealership, but wanted me to buy it without ever seeing or driving it. After everything that had happened, that offer felt like the final red flag.
My mom and I left feeling uncomfortable, disrespected, and completely overlooked. We had been clear and direct about what we wanted, but it felt like no one was really listening. The next day, they called my mom but seemed more disappointed that they hadn’t reached me personally, showing little regard for her role in helping me through the process.
In the end, I took my business to Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota, where I was treated with kindness and respect and ended up driving away with the exact car I had been searching for.
I would not recommend Hawk Ford of Carol Stream, especially to anyone new to the car-buying experience who wants to feel heard, respected, and taken seriously. I truly hope they take a step back and reflect on how they treat prospective customers because everyone deserves to feel valued during such an important purchase.