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These guys are the biggest phonies in the car business. They make it look like you get $2, 000 (or $2, 500) for your trade, but all of the prices on the cars are over inflated. The owner, Lonnie Blackburn, is a self promoting guy, his dealer for the people is a bunch of crap, if he was for the people he wouldn't charge $399 to do the paperwork. I went into to look at a car, worked on the numbers, never would tell me a price, or an interest rate(I already knew I could get approved at my own credit union for a 5.29%), and when they did they told me interest rate would be 9.99%! Tried to underbid for my car as well. The car smelled like it had been smoked in and was not clean. (I did see one of the sales guys pull up in a demo, and he had been smoking, as well as the owner who was smoking in his demo. as well).
Total scam artist! DO NOT buy from ACADEMY! Lawrence's biggest rip-offs!
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
I completely agree with that comment and have some more things to add since I've seen it first hand. When you buy a car from academy chances are that 50% of the time you'll end up with a car that needs more things to be fixed but Lonnie Blackburn avoids any big financial repairs just to keep that money in his pocket. I've seen workers there also achieve proper bonuses he offers and without a doubt he throws a fit when they earn those bonuses come to find out that later on he will change the bonus so it wouldn't be as easy for people to earn more money than he wants them to. Lonnie Blackburn 99% of the time has harassed, disrespected, humiliated his employees and customers. THEY EVEN have a car structural damaged car on the sales line ready to be sold to any customer that wants it...that being said for the type of dealership they are, that is extremely illegal. I can definitely say from what I have seen that place is a scam, doesn't follow any laws (depending on which ones they can sneak around). Anybody would be better off buying a car from a real dealership rather than spending twice the amount for a used car at Academy Cars!
I am a long time employee of Academy Cars. I disagree with both statements. I earn great monies at Academy Cars and great commission. I am a single mom of 2 girls. I have not found another job that would pay me enough money to live on my own with 2 kids. Lonnie and Joyce have been in business for 40 years. If they were doing illegal practices I am sure they would not still be in business. We help many people into a new car everyday. Some people who have been turned down every where else. If you have any questions about what we do or what you find may be wrong or illegal give me a call and I can break it all down for you. Please do not post miss information. There are always 2 sides of a story. Sometimes we get emotional and say things that may be biased. I don't know if this is the case, but from what I have read from both comments that is what I see. Vanessa, [protected]
I have never had such horrible customer service! I won't ever return and definitely advise anyone and everyone not to go there! I have never felt so disrespected at any place I have ever been... I have bought my current car from a finance center which charged me a higher interest rate but by any means I would go back to them in a heart beat just because they were at least professional. Anyways! If I am trying to get approved for one vehicle that I specifically wanted, why wouldn't you CALL and tell me that you couldn't get me approved as apposed to trying to get me approved for a car I had absolutely NO interest in, without informing me of a thing! Had to call them multiple times for 3+ days to find out what was going on... Never got a call back after being told they would "look into it"... Finally on the 4th day after submitting my paperwork they TEXT me saying they submitted my offer on a completely different car! I very firmly told them I would not be doing business with them! What a waste of MY time!
I'm looking at you Lonnie Blackburn. I'm looking at you salesperson James.
We went out to buy a car as newlyweds here at academy cars. Sat in their office for four hours went through their finance approval process and was told that we need $1500.00 down to get a car. As newlyweds we didn't have that money so we asked our initial salesman Lynn can we come back later with that money. We were told we could come back within two weeks with that money.
We called in the mean time and asked to make another appointment and we did.
So we came back within two weeks with the money and the inlaws. My wife was applying for this car on her own because my credit is awful and hers is better. Salesman James pulled my wife and her mom to the side and asked if my wife was trying to get an "escape" car insinuating I was beating my wife.
They said they ask these kind of questions all the time.
I talked to Lonnie Blackburn because I was just shocked. First off why would a call dealership ask these kind of questions. I said if you didn't want my business you could've said so. Very inappropriate. Very unprofessional. Don't go to academy cars unless you want to be disrespected and discriminated against.
I hope this review doesn't get deleted. The "dealer for the people" -- more like the dealer that needs to be closed down. people need to know this.
I just cant say enough. I am so appalled. I am so shocked. I can't believe they run a business like this.
I agree with everything except for what Vanessa was saying. Where are you now Vanessa? You got fired huh? Now how do you feel about the cult family? You still work for the FAKE Christians? Nope. They fired you!
Almost 95% of the people that worked for the Blackburns have been unhappy. His own stupid son wont work for him. Hmm? what does that say?
I think this dealership needs to no longer be in business. Ripping people off left and right for over 30 some years!
I would have disagree with all these comments yes they have there problems. BUT what business is perfect they got me a good car with low mileage and every car has some problem but all in all great experience.
I disagree with all of these! Lonnie's son did everything in his power to get me into a nicer newer car today! I will be going there for my next car too! They were so sweet and good to us, even as my toddlers wrecked their showroom. I bought a gorgeous car, only a couple years old, with low mileage, and absolutely stunning inside and out! I have nothing but respect for Lonnie Blackburn and his family!