Jim Ellis Mazda tried to force a hard credit pull on a preapproved buyer and refused to put the deal in writing
A few months ago I bought a 2023 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring from Lee's Summit Mazda in Kansas City, KS using my own financing. That deal was simple and straightforward. Unfortunately, the CX-9 was totaled after a tree fell on it during severe storm, so I started shopping for another Mazda since we feel its the best car for our family.
I found a Certified Pre-Owned Mazda at Jim Ellis Mazda of Marietta in the Atlanta area and already had financing through my own lender before contacting them.
The process turned into a mess.
First, I was told I needed to complete a full credit application and authorize a hard Experian pull by Sager that it wasn't a side ways trick to get into their financing. Then Aaron told me they only needed a "5-liner" for an OFAC check. Then Alex flipped it back to a full hard pull. That is not the same thing. An OFAC check is not a full credit application, and a 5-liner is not the same as authorizing a hard credit inquiry.
I asked clear questions: would there be a hard credit pull, what exact information was required, and how would that information be used? I could not get a straight answer.
Since I would have had to buy airfare, arrange transportation, and take time away from work and my family, I asked Jim Ellis Mazda of Marietta for a signed Buyer's Order and a signed document stating the agreed out-the-door price and all purchase requirements before I traveled.
They refused to provide signed documentation.
Instead of answering my written request, they had Sager call me after I had already blocked his number and opted out of further communications from another line.
To make the deal easier and reduce any claimed fraud concern, I offered multiple alternatives: Navy Federal lender verification, a soft credit pull, references from another Mazda dealer I had already bought from out of state, and proof of employment with the U.S. Army. None of it mattered.
I contacted Navy Federal and TrueCar. Navy Federal told me another hard pull was unnecessary because I already had financing. TrueCar told me that requiring a full credit application and hard pull in this situation violated its policy and opened an escalation.
This felt like moving goal post behavior. They advertised a CPO Mazda, took a TrueCar lead, then tried to force a full credit application and hard pull on a buyer who already had outside financing, while refusing to put the final out-the-door price and purchase requirements in writing and signed before I spent money traveling.
I walked away and looking elsewhere.
For anyone shopping Jim Ellis Mazda, especially out-of-state buyers: get every requirement, every fee, and the final out-the-door price signed in writing before you spend a dollar traveling to Jim Ellis Mazda of Marietta.