Matthews Motors

Matthews Motors used to have a good reputation, especially around Clayton… Initially I was helped by Mike and he was very friendly and worked very hard to help me get into a car & payment I felt comfortable with. I signed an authorization for them to run my card for $ 300 the following week to put towards a down payment (on top of my trade in… and even though they had previously offered to waive any addt’l down payment when they were trying to put me in a higher priced car). I was told my tags would be mailed out to my house… I NEVER received them, or a follow up call/​email. nothing! I finally reached the lady in charge of tags/​titles the Monday after my 30 day tags expired and she transferred me straight to Sue without even answering my question. Sue proceeds to ask me if I was aware I was supposed to make a $ 300 payment, I explained to her yes and I signed the appropriate forms authorizing them to run my card when I purchased the vehicle. She proceeds to tell me how she ran my card Nov 27^th (which was thanksgiving) and several times after with it being declined every time– I asked her what dates she ran it and she informed me she «didn’t have the dates in her head». Thinking something must be wrong with my bank, I went in and after a full account investigation was informed Matthews Motors NEVER made even an ATTEMPT to run my card, so no attempt, no decline… nothing. They typed up a letter explaining this to Matthews Motors and also made them aware that my account was in good standing and the funds were in my account and were also in my account on the day the card was supposed to have been ran.
I drove a hour up to Clayton to speak with the General manager, Dave (they were holding my tags due to «non payment») and he has the absolute worst customer service I have ever experienced in my entire life. He completely dismissed everything I said informing me if Sue said she ran it then she ran it and that my issue was between me and my bank. I politely explained to him this was a huge inconvenience to me driving a hour out of my way, with now expired tags on a car I am leasing, therefore can only drive a certain amount of miles on… He then proceeded to get into a full blown rage and ask me «my question is why did you drive all the way out here when you could have called me on the phone». I have never been so shocked by someone’s behavior. He offered to fill up my tank (a whopping $ 9.62) and detail my car for free (which they are supposed to do every month anyway, I declined) My boyfriend politely asked Dave if Sue is not keeping track of dates she has attempted to run a card or follow up with the customer, how would anyone know she is as on top of things as he was saying? This sent Dave into a full blown temper tantrum that would rival one of a 2yr old, he became furious telling us «you know what you two can just wait outside». My issue was not about paying the $ 300, however I was challenging the lack of communication and in my opinion it is completely unacceptable to lie to your customers. The whole thing has been a nightmare!
To make the experience even worse, I had recommended this company to a co worker since initially they were so helpful. I was informed today he also had a very negative experience with the general manager! I cannot believe a grown adult would have such behavior! It is embarrassing to have such an individual work for a so called «reputable» company.

I was hoping to keep my business local since I do live in Clayton, so I went down to Matthews motor’s to get my current vehicle appraised. I made it very clear from the beginning that I was not making any deals that day. It was my first time there, first time selling a car, and first time getting an appraisal. I just wanted to see what type of deal they would give me and what inventory they had, go home do some research, talk it over with my husband and father (who knows a lot about cars). The salesman was all smiles and friendly, I told him I was interested in the Honda Accord which they did not have on their lot. I said that was fine, but I would prefer to see a vehicle and proceeded to leave.
I understand car salesman are known to be aggressive and want to cut a deal. I do not think this is an excuse for a grown man to change his attitude and talk to me about how «that’s not how it works here» and pretty much tell me that I had no choice and had to get a car that day or never. I told him that if he proceeded to find an Accord that I would gladly come look at it on a later date (I’m not investing 20k in a car that I’ve never even seen before!) well he told me that it’s not his job to do someone’s homework and find the car of their needs… needless to say, I will not be doing my business there.

I sold my SUV to MM Clayton and their communication skills were terrible. From the bartering process to signing forms and awaiting my check to come in the mail, their customer service was next to impossible and for the most part they treated me like I didnt matter. I had to contact their Goldsboro dealership at one point just to get through to them. Stereotypically as you’d expect from any dealership, once they get what they want they’ll toss you to the curve. Leading up to this horrible experience, I showed up and signed my truck over to them with THE TITLE IN HAND; they lost the title, and then made me wait for a lien release to come in before they sent me my money… but it wasnt until they had taken the truck off my hands and I was on my way that I would later realize what came of the situation. This entire time I was down a vehicle and needed my money to peruse a purchase elsewhere. I would call them dozens of times; I even waited on hold for Val for 45 minutes at one point before hanging up. If this is the kind of relationship you want with your dealer then by all means– I am not a rookie to the stealership process, I know to get my ducks in a row before dealing with any store but I couldve done without this hassle.

Steve Matthews has one of the nicest Dealerships in the area. It looks like a franchised car dealer. Great selection and they do a safety check before any cars are put up for sale. Nice people to work with. If they do not have what you are looking for, they will find it for you.