During the first week of JUL2024, my 19-year-old son discovered Sterling Motorcar had a 2017 Volvo S60 listed on their website. My son loved this car and had been saving his money to purchase a car. During the second week of July, my son called Sterling a couple times expressing interest in the car. My son asked the dealership if we could take the car to a local mechanic on Saturday 13JUL2024. The employee said that wasn't a problem. My son told the employee we would be driving 4 hours to the dealership that Saturday, 13JUL, specifically to see this car. At 8:00am, on Saturday 13JUL2024, my son and I headed out on the 4-hour drive to Sterling Motorcar. We arrived at the dealership at noon. We met with an employee, explained why we were there and asked if we could look at the 2017 Volvo S60. After walking around the car, we went back inside and asked if we could take the car on a test drive and have our mechanic look at the car. The employee said yes. We arrived at our local mechanic around 12:45-1:00pm. The mechanic began his inspection, and after about 30 minutes he said he needed to show us some error codes on the car. Our mechanic showed us approximately 12 different error codes, some were battery related, others were not. Our mechanic also noted the front rotors needed to be replaced. Our mechanic said it was possible the error codes were not cleared, and with the car sitting for an extended amount of time, it's possible the car never had a chance to reset. Our mechanic advised us to drive the car on the freeway for a while and see if the codes would reset. Our mechanic gave us a scanner to use for our test drive. My son and I headed out and drove all over town, on the freeway, etc. After an hour of driving, the scanner said the codes were still there. My son was devastated but felt we could speak with the dealership and see if we could negotiate during the sale. My son really liked this car. We drove back to the dealership and sat down with an employee. As I began describing the issues with the car, another employee interrupted our conversation to ask if we were talking about the Volvo. I said yes. He stated the owner of the dealership had sold the car. I was bewildered. My son asked if they would reconsider, but the employee said no, the car had been sold. I asked how was it possible to sell a car while it was on a test drive with another customer? I answered my own question my stating what they had done was a, "b**ch move." One of the employees started laughing. I then made another snide remark by mentioning their reviews seemed to be accurate about selling cars out from underneath people. I was absolutely furious with Sterling Motorcar's lack of morals. It is clear these issues stem from the top as employees tend to mimic their leadership. How does someone sell a car while it is out on a test drive with another customer? Granted there probably isn't a law forbidding a dealership to practice such deplorable behavior, but clearly this dealership is unethical. A man is only as good as their word, and clearly, Sterling Motorcar has shown their word is useless. A company cannot sustain its business when they treat customers with such blatant disregard and immoral turpitude. It is clear, based on numerous customer reviews over numerous websites, Sterling's customer service and questionable ethics are not up to par. Additionally, as I read the complaints on multiple websites, this company has been lacking for an extended period of time. Clearly, something needs to change. According to Francis (2017): Good customer service keeps customers coming back. Bad customer service keeps customers away. It is important that a business have effective and pro-active customer service personnel and a good policy. Keeping customers happy and getting them to tell others about the great service they received, will propel a business forward, whereas a company's lackluster customer service policy will damage the reputation of the company in several ways. Ultimately, bad customer service can cause the closure of a business. Obviously, Sterling Motorcar will survive without my family's business, however, this company will not sustain longevity if all customers are left unsatisfied and constantly questioning its ethics and morals. Reference: Francis, K. A. (2017, November 21). How lack of customer service can impact a business. Small Business - Chron.com. https://smallbusiness.chron.com/lack-customer-service-can-impact-business-2088.html read more

Honestly, we recently got a solid car for a reasonable price. Bruce was helpful and not pushy. The team was upfront about the items they knew about and when my mechanic found something more (it was minor) then team volunteered to correct this mechanical item. This was my second car purchase from Sterling. This is my go to place for a solid used car. Friends, we're buying used cars here. Some of the poor reviews I read here seem to come from people who *appear* to have unreasonable expectations about what this transaction is about. read more

We purchased a car on November 3, 2023. Had it back a week later, the horn didn't work, and the rotors/brakes were bad. The car continued to get louder, so we took it to Meineke and found out that it needed a new muffler & pipe work as it had holes in it and wouldn't pass MD inspection. We then took the vehicle for inspection on January 2, 2024, and we found out it failed inspection for tie rod ends and ball joints. In addition to these issues, it took two months to get the title for the vehicle to be tagged. We sent invoices to the dealership. However, they only paid for repair of the tie rod ends and ball joints. I still feel they should pay for the new muffler because the vehicle would have failed inspection. It seems the only reasonable person at the dealership is the owner. He was the only person willing to listen to issues we encountered. read more

Husband went for a test drive. firstly my husband has an auto background and knowledge of German vehicles. they low balled an offer for his rare diesel wagon for a trade and the sales person had know knowledge on the value of cars. they would not negotiate on price. the vehicle (diesel x5) he test drove had been on the lot since August 2023. plus the car did not look cleaned up. They don't care. Go somewhere else. read more

Bad customer service. I mean BAD. You're told they'll contact you on a certain day, or within a certain timeframe. WONT happen. 95% of cars sold here are from auction with just enough to get by inspection. read more

I bought a 2018 VW Atlas from here and had a fantastic experience. The other reviews are partially true, the salesmen here aren't very personable, but they're not rude. I personally appreciate that I wasn't being smooth-talked by a silver-tongued salesmen, instead he (I worked with Cliff, the owner) was to the point, no frills, no persuasion, just the facts. I had a *great* experience and would be glad to buy another car from them. If you want to be offered coffee and complimented on your outfit while buying a car, don't come here. If you know what you want and are ok with buying a car from an introvert, you will have a great experience here. read more

Sterling Motor Car - Sign on the front of the store. - Car Dealers Near Me - Ephrata, Pennsylvania

Rude customer service. Cars are in horrible condition. I drove 3 hours for a car and when I got there was nothing like the pictures online. I spoke with different salesmen (Luke and another guy) both rude, both couldn't care less of your business. read more

I made an appointment and drove for two hours to buy a car only to be informed he had sold it an hour before I got there. He got my name wrong. Claimed he tried to call, but I had no missed calls. Didn't even offer an apology. Just the excuse "I tried to call." I dont care if this dealership offered me a car for free. I would never go back to them. Wasted my entire evening. Wish I had looked at the other reviews before making the trip. Extremely rude salesman. Bad business practice. Don't bother making an appointment here. It won't mean anything to them. read more

Sterling has amazing customer service and crazy good deals on every vehicle on the lot. I recommend going to sterling if you're looking for a used car that really works and for a great price. read more

Made me give a star should of listened to the reviews I read absolutely fucking horrible had a car for a hour check engine light came on 2 hrs later waiting on tow truck get a call today it's a miracle car starts and no light on!!! Hmmmm. Not only did this dude just add insult to injury he really thinks I'm that dumb!!!! He's cleaning off the spark plugs and I'm supposed to be satisfied with that apparently what do I know I just a female right?! I know I just paid 13 thousand for a piece of shit that let me sit 2 fucking hours after I took it off the lot!! You got to be kidding me!!! Stay away if you work for your money like I do!! This shit isn't cool and isn't over! read more

Horrible service. Called ahead so we were expected. Sales guy on the computer glanced up & said to let him know which cars we want to see & he will get the keys. We told him of 2 cars & went outside to start looking at the cars. He never came out! No follow thru. Absolutely no interest in selling a car today. We could have overlooked a dirty car, but the sales person needs to at least pretend he likes his job! No way we will be back & would warn anyone who asks. read more