JM
Jess McCusker
Aug 16, 2026
My husband and I had every intention of signing paperwork for a Ford Explorer and bringing it home with us yesterday or later this week. We’ve been working with Kat Farley, who has been AMAZING, responsive, accommodating, and deserves recognition for her wonderful work ethic. However, the Assistant Sales Manager that was on yesterday, Zach (?) Stout, ended the deal for us. First impression- he didn’t even shake our hands before saying he’s “all in on the deal” and “already losing 3k on (my) Bronco.”
When we brought up the driver’s door rattling, his exact words were “well I can sell it to someone else and they won’t notice.” I asked him how he’d live with himself, selling a car with a known issue, and he just laughed.
He also told us the appraisal of my Bronco was done before there was Right taillight damage, which is incorrect. I brought my Bronco in for routine maintenance and oil change and upon picking it up, and while working with Kat to find another vehicle, I had it appraised AT FORD COLLISION for repairs to both the driver’s side door and back Right bumper. The quote was astounding- almost 4k. We said it certainly wasn’t done after the damage and he continued to insinuate we were lying. From the moment I met Kat to look for a new vehicle with my trade-in, I was transparent about the damage. In fact- she met me at the collision center to show me a grey Explorer.
He would not stop arguing with us, then stated several times he “didn’t want to argue,” but that exactly what he was doing. We were told our last visit with the Sales Manager he’d take $1k off the sales price to get us where we needed to be. This guy said the Sales Manager never documented that anywhere and, again, insinuated we were lying. I told him $500 of that was for a First Responders discount he was willing to give me albeit it was a used vehicle. The other $500 was just good customer service, helping us get to a monthly payment we were comfortable with. Mr. Stout kept saying he wasn’t giving us $1k off the sales price and said he’s not interrupting his boss at wedding (which we didn’t expect him to). But if you’re in charge that day and $1k would’ve made or broken the deal, and it was already approved and discussed, why would you cost your business and your incredibly hardworking employee, Kat, a car sale?
The exchange had me in tears after we left the business. We are a hard working couple just looking for a nice vehicle for our family. We would’ve gladly negotiated and paid a fair market price for the Explorer. We couldn’t even have that discussion with Mr. Stout because of his condescending, boligerant approach.
Again, we planned on leaving the dealership with that vehicle yesterday and if it weren’t for that interaction, we happily would have. His customer service skills need much refining, and his general disposition to calm, effective, mature discussion does as well. He is not the kind of representation I’d want of my company.