Plattner Automotive Group
Reviews and Complaints

I was the Used Car Director for 4 of Plattner’s stores. I worked for Plattner Automotive Group for 1 month and couldn’t take the conditions of his facilities, the lying to customers, the cockroach infested vehicles he is selling and had to quit. Now to top it off I am not being paid my commission. Doug owes my family and I over $5,000 in commissions. He will not respond to any calls or text. I am now having to file a wage theft claim with Sarasota county. I am contacting news agencies and all social media possible. I have copies of my pay plan typed and written that were sent to the comptroller of the company who is within Doug’s family as well. His Wife Marci Plattner does not help at all either. She also works for the company. This company is one big giant scam. I feel terrible for their kids that have to deal with reading all about this all over the internet. If you are with the news please contact me so we can get this word out. Marci and Doug Plattner’s names need to be everywhere in the media. People are losing their homes and have children to feed while Marci and Doug Plattner are withholding wages from employees. JUST SICK ABSOLUTELY SICK!

#0030423 and #676964

March 25 2022 Purchased 2017 Nissan @ Plattner's LeHigh Acres. Answered online add for this vehicle @ $17,000. I trusted this salesman, Thomas, as I had been in hospital result of auto accident. BIG MISTAKE! Few weeks later upon review of my paperwork the following is noted:

FOUR separate charges for what should be considered so called "dealer prep"

1) Predelivery 2) Appearance package 3) Perma Plate 4)Reconditioning

Grand Total: $ 3,217

2) Separate LoJack charge $599.80 (which is not activated)

This total added to my loan minus my down payment created loan value of: Over $ 19,818

This is customer "gauging" I spoke with manager at this facility he had an excuse for each "prep" charge. As for LoJack he explained they must have them on vehicles in event of theft. I understand that but explained that $600 was not explained when purchased. It is not active I would like refund. His answer? "We have make our money back on these expenses". Have spoken to LoJack my system is not activated; they charge bulk rate to dealers and those bulk rates don't come anywhere near $600. They stated that simply dealer charge and they should return monies. My receipt does not even have registration number on it I got that from LoJack But I don't even know if it's ever still on car! Car is decent vehicle; without any warranty but they are not worthy doing business with again. They promised year of oil changes...never put in writing. They were to order/replace bumper trim piece they lost during PREP period. That never happened. Now, no one knows what your talking about all people involved are gone. No surprise there. But worse still Plattner does not stand behind policy, does not back customer, personnel are rude, condescending and do not try to work with customer once you are out the door. Customer Beware!

I saw an advertisement for a truck Stock number 2447742. As much as tried to read every little detail, disclaimer, rule and/or regulation. And whether it was hidden with a little symbol to click is another problem. I spoke with salesman Tim. after reviewing details with him over the phone turns out vehicle was really 12, 000 dollars more beside tax, tag. When I asked why this is done this way? Tim stated to obtain a customer's basic information to produce the lead. I told him if the owner thinks by inserting all this other information after the customer makes contact. It makes the customer angry, resentful and feels betrayed. It feels like a person is being pick pocketed where something is taken from them, (personal information), for the Companys personal gain. Which sometimes can be considered a crime. When someone is deceived to obtain their information for false reasons that's not good. Thanks

If I could give a negative star I ABSOLUTELY would! September 17th I dropped my vehicle off to get my air bags replaced due to a recall. They took my car said it should take about 4 hours to complete the job. At 5pm that day they said they couldn't get to my car that they would get to it the next day. Next day came an they said they were still unable to get to my car due to shortages of technicians. I had to ask for a loaner car due to I have a job an need transportation, they kept my car. 2 months later they still have not gotten to my car an at this point I was frustrated. So I decided maybe I should just look into getting into another vehicle. The sales rep and sales manager dalton helped me find a vehicle I liked. As we were waiting for the sale to begin the sales manager said I would need a big down payment, I said I just really wanted my car back. STRANGE, as they couldn't get me into a new vehicle, my car was completed. As I stepped out of the building I noticed my lights were dim I asked why. They said my battery died an they I had to purchase a new battery, I got into my car an noticed I had gouges on my dash board that was never there before, my trim inside was broken off, my ashtray was literally in my back seat, as I was pointing these issues out to the sales manager an the service manager they both refused to even explain how or why these things were done like that. I then asked would they replace what they broke they both said no an didn't understand why I wasn't happy with my service. They said that my car had been completed a month prior. My car sat in their back lot unlocked an completely dirty. They became very rude an didn't want to hear anything I had to say about their service. I asked to speak to the owner of the dealership an they refused to give me the contact information. Long story short, if you want any type of service done on your vehicle I ADVISE you to go else where or be prepared to wait a few months an expect damages to your property. I do not an will not recommend this dealership to any of my friends or family. An to top it off they wanted me to lie on my survey so that it made them look good. Shameful, unprofessional, and disrespectful. NEVER AGAIN!

Originally I was given the bait and switch with my purchase of a 2017 Buick. They made me re sign my sales contract and added items I has no need for into the total price of the cars do onto my loan.
I have been effortlessly trying to get this taken off my loan for over a year now, but continue getting the run around. I finally took this problem to coordinate, I did everything requested and still no refund.? I've paid the original loan off, shown proof as requested and now getting the run around! I feel ripped off by this company and would NEVER consider doing business with them again. This issue is now going to the bbb and next I will take it to a state level. I'm a fed up with companies that think they can scam the little guy out of their hard earned money and get away with it.

I'm an unable to obtain a refund on a deposit I placed for a vehicle of $2000. It has been 11 days and I have been given the run around the entire time. Matt Hunter said it would be 2 days and this was 8/11/2020.
Every time I call I get the same "it's all corporate I have nothing to do with it."
Derek. Matt's boss has said on multiple occasions that he would check and call me back. Never has he called me back and always says " you should have it already." I'm extremely frustrated due to the fact I have turned in my leased vehicle and am renting a car to get to work.
This is totally unacceptable customer service.
Please help

Jay Bruins
[protected]

2019 Cadillac XT5 Premium Luxury from Belle Glade store on 12-5-19
Misspelled my name on the registration and the title, does not match my drivers license, which makes them worthless.
Charged me $175.00 twice (total $350.00) for the registration & title.
Did not explain or give me any paper work on the 10 year - 100, 000 mile warranty you advertised or is that false advertising ?

Louis A. Aquila
1281 west Island Club Square
Vero Beach, FL 32963
[protected]
Cell [protected]
[protected]@aol.com

Wife took her Subaru in to Ocala Subaru because her driver's side headlight went out. She left it there during our lunch break. Service salesman called and said it was ready. Took her to pick it up. The salesman appeared embarrassed when he was giving her the bill, he had it turned face down and turned it over when finally presenting it to her to be paid. They had charged her $24.95 for a bulb that I could have bought for $7.00 at AutoZone. Then they charged her $67.50 just to put in the bulb! Then added $5.00 for shop fees? then added $2.45 admin fee, what the heck is that, then added $6.99 tax for a total of $106.89 total for a headlight bulb. I told the Service Manager that Subaru had a recall or some notice that they would replace headlights on the 2011 Outback for free because of all of the problems that Subaru was having with the headlights/ He shrugged his shoulders and said that was not true. Wife paid with debit card. I was/am furious! I called Bill Brian Subaru in Leesburg and was quoted $34 for the entire job, I called Gainesville Subaru and was quoted $49. I researched on line and sure enough in 2016 Subaru sent a letter that I remembered receiving, that gives owners of 2011 and 2012 Subaru Outback 10 additional years for free headlight replacement without any mileage limitations. I called the Manager of the Dealership and he said he would look into the overcharge and call me back, he never called bac. I call him back 24 hours later and he refused my phone call. I called back several more times to speak to the service manager but the company apparently flagged my cell phone number so it hangs up on me. I feel they have stolen $106.89 from me!

I am a resident of Georgia. I purchased and paid $5150.84 in cash for a 2006 Pontiac Torrent from Plattner Chevrolet Buick GMC in Quincy, Fl. on July 8, 2017. I traded in my old car during this transaction. The Financial Manager that I paid the money to passed away the next day. I returned on July 11 to have the car detailed. I get a call a week later saying they don't have the money and didn't pay her. They also claimed that they didn't accept cash but the salesman knew that I had cash and never said that I couldn't make a cash payment. They wanted me to return the car, but I wouldn't. Of course, the temporary tag expired on August 6 and I could no longer drive the car because the registration information was never sent to my local tag office. I then went to the dealership on August 8 to try and settle the matter. They called the Quincy police to try and get me to turn the car over to them. The Deputy told me to give them the keys and just drive my old car home until the issue could be resolved. A Police Sergeant showed up and look at the paperwork that I have and took and faxed it to the Florida Attorney General's office. The Attorney General's office instructed me to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. On August 22 I get a call from a female saying she was from the Plattner corporate office and they were trying to resolve the issue. I have never heard from them since. The DMV was also having trouble getting any information from them. On September 18, they issue me another 30 day temporary tag and I had to go Tallahassee, Fl to get it. When I returned home, the Torrent was gone. They had repossessed it. The DMV suggested they send them the paperwork that showed they had reason to take the car, but to my knowledge, they never sent it in. I consulted with an Attorney where I live, but he told me since the business is in Florida, I would need a Florida Attorney. The Administrator at the DMV told me to wait and see if they could get a resolution to the issue. I told her that I wished to get the money back. My 73 yr old mother had borrowed $3000 of the $5150.84 to help pay for the car since I am the one who takes her to her doctor's appointments. Many which are out of town and are 100 miles round trip. The DMV instructed me in May 2018 that they had to close the case as the nature of it did not fall under their department. She also told me that she did not see how this issue was ever my problem. I am still driving the old car that I had traded in and it is in dire need of several major repairs. I feel that I am being made a scapegoat because the Financial Manager died and they can't find the money.

I went on board at Chiefland ford as a estimator/body shop manager. I found off right away that they had been committing insurance fraud. I tried to turn things around and do the honest thing but Doug Plattner Marcy Plattner Bruce Farlow lied about my position and would not fix anything to standards of insurance companies. They had me drive 4 1/ 2 hours one way to talk about my salary and commission. if I was willing to take a pay cut and not quit then they would have paid what was due to me. I did not see how fixing the roof leak, the panel box, and getting a measuring system should have been on me. I brought in 149, 000.00 which profit was 58, 00.00 for the plattners. They owe me 6400.00 they owe my tech [protected]@20.hrly and my painter [protected]@15.50hrly. Someone in Plattner office told Labor Board that Plattners if any or rarely pay anyone their last pay or their correct commission. This couple also does not pay their vendors to be able to run a business correctly.

We bought what we were told was a new, never plated car, that had a full factory warranty.
We found out later on that the car had been plated and that our warranty was going to expire 2 years earlier than expired.
When I called the dealer and spoke to the GM, I was told that the previous manager lied and there was nothing we could do.
I tried to call the owner, Doug Plattner, and was hung up on twice.
Dealership refuses to extend the warranty and back their product.

On 6/7/16 I purchased a 2016 Ford Escape from Chiefland Ford which is part of the Plattner Automotive Group and was told that the car was even though it had 4441 miles on it and that it was only used a a loaner which was source of miles. They said it was still a new vehicle and would carry a full 36 month/36000 mile warranty from the time of the sale date and mileage on the vehicle. They also stated that I would get a $5000 discount due to the mileage but they actually reduced my trade in allowance by $1800 and did not reveal that to me. While signing the papers I caught a mistake on the cost of the Escape for several hundred dollars but missed the reduced trade in value of my 2012 Ford Fusion SE until later that evening. Also later that evening I went online to My Ford to list this new vehicle but it had already been listed and that is when I noticed that the warranty stated that there was only 33 mos and remaining balance of the 36000 miles of warranty. When I question Ford Motor Co as to why this warranty expired then it stated that the vehicle had been placed into service on 3/19/16 and vehicle was not a new vehicle as sold to me. I have contacted the Plattner Automotive Group about this problem and they keep saying they will get back to me on this but they never return my calls. Also there was supposed to be a military veteran rebate on new 2016/17 escapes that Chiefland never mentioned but after contacting them the paperwork was submitted but apparently I will not receive since the vehicle had been previously put into service. When I made this purchase I confronted them about the vehicle and they assured me that it was new ( I wanted new)since it never was titled. It appears they have cheated me out of about $3000 and the warranty period unless the rebate is forth coming.

DO NOT WORK FOR THIS MAN OR DEALER GROUP!
He will not pay you making every excuse in the book and adding fake charges to your expenses so you cannot make more than your measly draw. He is an expert at it...wow what a thing to be proud of!
DO NOT WORK FOR THIS MAN OR DEALER GROUP!
DO NOT WORK FOR THIS MAN OR DEALER GROUP!
DO NOT WORK FOR THIS MAN OR DEALER GROUP!

I was hired as an out of state employee. During the negotiation process, i was assured my moving expenses would be compensated during the first week of employment.
After countless attempts to collect monies due, Plattner made working for him so reprehensible, I sought employment after the first 30 days of my employ.
Of course, I was terminated before I could resolve this issue. His assistant, Larry, maintained Plattner's image as a "stand up guy who takes care of his employees".
REALLY? I have an additional complaint on scam report. If anyone is considering a formal litigation against this piece of human waste, please consider me more than than interested.
By the way, I wonder how far he would get if he hadn't married a Decker, as in "Black and Decker" Larry shared with me that Plattner hides certain financial movements under his children's name to avoid IRS implications.
Such a quality guy, parent and merchant!

Have you ever had really bad service? We'll let me tell you about mine. Plattner Automotive group in Arcadia, Fl is the source of my issue. I purchased a used car and they were to do some minor paint on the bumper and detail the car. When I went to pick it up, the paint had runs and there was over spray on the door. Several lies later, I left and was told the car would be re-done and they would call. After leaving I deceided I didn't want the car and called the sales manager, Rich, who told me too bad it was my car now. When I told him I was on my way back to bring the rental, he told me it would be a long walk home. I asked to speak to the owner, but was told he was on vacation. When I arrived back at the dealership, the owner was in his office. Please share this with anyone you know in Florida, as they have several locations! I did return the rental and I did get my money back, only after causing a hugh scene and refusing to leave until things were settled. Signed, unhappy consumer from Punta Gorda

I must warn anyone who plans on having a vehicle serviced or planning on a purchase - Stay away from this owners 11 stores. Search for "Plattner Ripoff" with your Fav. search engine. Everything from selling cars with damage, bent frames included to wrong diagnosis for vehicle repairs. Doug Plattner treats his employees like dirt and this trickles down to you, the consumer. Wrong as it may sound... it is a fact. You, the consumer, did nothing wrong so why go thru the frustration of dealing with this man and his poor business operations.