McDavid Honda Frisco - Buyers Beware!

I purchased my handsome 07′ Ford King Ranch from the wonderful folks (tongue-in-cheek) at McDavid Honda Frisco in 2010. Since the vehicle did not qualify as a “Certified Used” vehicle, I purchased their Fidelity Platinum warranty; McDavid Honda in Frisco refers to Fidelity as GMNA – just in case you didn’t know, but doesn’t “Platinum” have that special ring to it? I thought so too!

Anyway, a week after a coil and spark plug went, the HVAC got charged, and I paid for my very expensive 70K mi. tune up,  the damn transmission light came on: “Transmission Malfunction” and it flashed my O/D light off and on. You’ve got to be kidding me, I thought. Well, good thing I purchased that Fidelity Platinum warranty! I hobbled over to my people at Bob Tomes Ford in McKinney and my awesome Service Advisor and professional Service Manager were on the case!

Within minutes, they received the vehicle and had me in a complimentary Hertz rental. The bad news however was soon to follow:  Fidelity/GMNA would have to send out an inspector to look at the transmission before they could authorize the replacement. About a business day later, Fidelity/GMNA approves a “gently used” transmission from a salvage yard. I was told that it would be a used F-150 transmission with 30,000 miles on it.

Long story short, I called Fidelity/GMNA and they pulled some fine print BS out of their arse. I then picked up my bat-phone and called the Service Director at McKinney Honda. HELP!! He called Fidelity/GMNA, then called me back initially stating that I could get the re-manufactured transmission; however, the work would have to be done at the McDavid Lincoln/Mercury dealership in Plano, TX, because Bob Tomes “supposedly” was price gouging me on the parts and labor (they weren’t).

Bob Tomes provided me the part numbers for the rebuilt Ford Transmission, and when I provided those part numbers to McDavid Honda of Frisco in an email asking for written authorization, I was called via phone and told that there was a miscommunication and that I could only get the used transmission. Not to worry though, they would pay for my transfer-tow and my $100 Fidelity/GMNA deductible! Yeah, like that made everything better McDavid. Let me get on my hands and knees and thank you for your kind offerings.

And get this: Dude had the gall to ask me if I wanted to buy another power-train warranty!

After inquiring with McDavid what my out-of-pocket difference would be for the Ford F-150 transmission, they quoted me about the same as Bob Tomes did: $1000 – give or take some change. I then asked McDavid if Bob Tomes was still “price gouging” me. I think there’s a lesson to be learned here! That’s right, it’s shame face time, McDavid.

I was then put in touch with an McDavid Honda Frisco Sales Manager. Yes! I’m really movin’ on up now!  Just call me George Jefferson! I emailed him. He called me, but all I could hear was “WAH WAH WAH — WAH WAH WAH”. The long and short of it was that I was a dumb ass for buying their used-car warranty and not reading the fine print. I really do feel special at McDavid Honda Frisco!  Oh, the memories..

They really gave it to me the night I bought that used King Ranch. I ended up paying for some dent protection, low-jack, and probably some other stuff I don’t remember. Dealerships are pretty savvy when it comes to their “funny” math (not funny, BTW!) and getting you to purchase something you didn’t realize you were purchasing. David McDavid Honda is Animal House and I’m Kevin Bacon!

Thank you David McDavid Honda of Frisco. May I have another?

“Thank you David McDavid Honda of Frisco. May I have another?”

Anyway, getting back to my personal experience here with the “peanuts” Sales Manager guy. He tried to ease my pains with some good old fashion horse shit. He re-iterated what Nimrod’s Son said: A used transmission is just as good as a rebuilt one. I told him that I wanted the 3 yr unlimited mi. warranty that came with the rebuilt Ford transmission (Mamma didn’t raise no fool!).

I am a 20% disabled veteran, an IT professional, and most recently a grandfather. I’ve been married for 20 years. Another words, I have some “life experience”., but just like the great Rodney Dangerfield always said, “I don’t get no respect!”

My message to you: Buyers Beware!

My message to David McDavid Honda Frisco: “The key to this business is personal relationships.” – Dickey Fox.