The Facebook page for Tomkinson Auto includes a detailed history of the growth, prosperity and sudden termination of the Tomkinson Dodge franchise. Please visit, become a fan, and post your kind words of support on our Facebook wall. The Restore Tomkinson Dodge blog, meanwhile, will feature ongoing updates in our fight with Chrysler to Restore Tomkinson Dodge. Thanks for your support from the Tomkinson Dodge family!
Advertisement
21 comments
Comments feed for this article
February 16, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Mary Drager
This is entirely not fair…just because Chrysler is driven by greed does not mean that people like Tomkinson Dodge needs to suffer. Do the right thing and restore Tomkinson Dodge….It doesn’t always have to be about money……
February 16, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Jeff Sturges
This dealer had some ethics, unlike the other Dodge dealership in town. They were a pleasure to do business with and always stood behind what they sold.
GIVE THEM BACK THERE DEALERSHIP!!!
February 16, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Mick McMaken
Restore Fort Wayne most caring Auto Dealer. Tomkinson Dodge Treats there customers like family.
February 17, 2010 at 2:57 am
Bobby Leatherman
I can’t believe that this dealership was even considered for closing. It has been a home to hundreds of people far beyond Fort Wayne for many, many years, and there are many others beside me that will not consider a Chrysler product, much less a Dodge, if this dealershi is going to be treated so unfairly.
February 17, 2010 at 8:49 pm
MIKE TIRPAK
WHAT A SHAME! I’VE KNOWN THE TOMKINSON FRANCHISE AND RICK ALL OF THOSE 33 YEARS. THIS KIND OF ACTION BY CHRYSLER IS NOTHING BUT THEFT!
NOT ONLY ARE THEY STEALING THE JOBS OF THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED THERE BUT ALSO THE 33 YEARS OF BUILDING A VIABLE BUSINESS THAT HAS VALUE ON THE MARKET. THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE AS BUSINESS PEOPLE GO INTO BUSINESS IN THE FIRST PLACE. TO BUILD A VIABLE BUSINESS THAT COULD BE PASSED TO HEIRS OR SOLD ON THE OPEN MARKET IS THE AMERICAN WAY. WHO WOULD INVEST 33 YEARS OF THEIR LIFE KNOWING THAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD BE WORTH NOTHING IN THE END?
COME ON CHRYSLER……..SUCK IT UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING!
February 17, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Cheryl Underwood
The service I received was excellent. They are ethical and responsive.
February 17, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Joyce Fate
I think Tomkinson Dodge should be restored. I could not of asked for any better service and kind people at the dealership. Chrysler should do what is best for its customers and not the government. Do not need the government running our auto factories.
February 18, 2010 at 2:03 am
Brad Hoffer
Tomkinson Dodge was and is a class act organization. They operate with a customer first mindset, which is an uncommon trait for an auto dealer. I worked there for 5 years and do not regret a minute of it, as a matter of fact I still do all of my business there and will continue to do so. What happened to the Dodge franchise is nothing but theft without a gun. Good Luck Mr. T, J.R., and Glen!!!!
February 18, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Dan Farrimond
I support Tomkinson in their blight to once again become an authorized dealership. I deal with them on their BMW side and find them to be an honest and reliable business. Since the “dust and smoke” has cleared, wherein many good dealerships were terminated to make for a “doable” Dodge bankruptcy, I think it is time to reinstate Tomkinson’s. Putting this very workable part of the automotive system back in place will improve those lives most closely affected, as well as the overall business climate in our city of Fort Wayne.
February 18, 2010 at 5:40 pm
2 Strikes
Maybe this was blessing in disguise. First & foremost I have no problem at all with the Tomkinson dealership. We purchased & regularly serviced our current vehicle with you. You are a good dealership. However do yourself a favor and leave the Dodge brand behind. I have puchased two Dodge vehicles in the past 10 years (Grand Caravan & Avenger). Both are/were nothing but trouble. Constantly in the shop for too many issues to mention here, most all expensive repairs. I guess I can see why you would want to continue to be a Dodge dealership, b/c you probably do quite well in your service department given the brands extremely poor quality in my firsthand experience. I will never buy another Dodge in my lifetime. Can’t afford a BMW, but if Tomkinson picked up another brand I wouldn’t hesitiate to purchase another vechicle from you.
February 18, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Scott High
We believe that the quality issues will be addressed and that the management responsible for that as well as for our rejection have been removed. We thinks that Chrysler can again be a quality manufacturer and because we believe that we want to be part of their success. There are alot of us that have many years of loyal service to Chrysler and we want to continue that moving forward. Thanks for your support and contact us if we can be of service.
Scott High
Service Manager
February 19, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Michael White
I hope Tomkinson is able to get their Dodge dealership back; since I purchased my Dodge RAM I had to take it to another Dodge dealer for warranty work (not a good experience). I purchased both my BMW and Dodge RAM from Tomkinson, and the total experience at this dealership is exceptional, they make you feel like you’re part of the Tomlinson family, and the way I was treated I felt like I was working with friends. On another note I don’t understand how Chrysler and the government can tell a business that is making Chrysler money to shut their doors. I thought the whole idea of business was to make money, not shut the doors of a profitable dealership.
February 21, 2010 at 4:08 am
Lisa Goff
I have always purchased Chryser/Dodge vehicles. Tomkinson has been an integral part in this with my last 4 purchases there. I will not purchase from other Chrysler/Dodge dealerships in town due to misguided “deals”. Tomkinson has always and will always have my business and trust. They deserve to have their Dodge dealership reinstated with quality and trustful service. Please reinstate their dealership!
February 26, 2010 at 11:43 pm
BRIAN KIEFER
I have been doing business with Tomkinson Automotive for 18 years, receiving not less than perfect customer satisfaction. Tomkinson Automotive is synonymous with quality, attention- to-detail, and a superior commitment to service. It is not on the franchise, to be responsible for Chrysler’s failure, on repeated problems on some models,. No Automotive company has a defect free model. Though, Tomkinson has lead the forefront in this geographic area, to resolve, troubleshoot, and recommended immediate fixes to Chrysler, through its most experienced technicians. You can be assured that when your vehicle is serviced by one of these master professional technicians, it’s getting bumper-to-bumper attention. That’s nothing to discount, and it’s not just some slogan to give the dealership credibility. Tomkinson lives up to that quality and customer satisfaction, without hesitation. Tomkinson values the customer relationship after the “so called sale” ensuring that high priority service and customer satisfaction remain second to none. Other Dodge Dealerships, can take a page out of the playbook, when it comes to customer satisfaction, Tomkinson wrote the Chapter. For their size and inventory, Tomkinson Dodge outperformed dealerships in this region. That’s a fact! Of course, I’ve had some disagreements with sales and service, in the end our differences were always resolved, with me leaving happy and fully assured that my vehicle needs were completed, the first time and the right way. No other Dodge dealer in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has that proven performance, to quality and service commitment.
March 4, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Scott High
Brian: Thanks for your comments. We appreciate your business and hope to maintain our relationship for years to come.
March 12, 2010 at 6:15 am
Charles Cod
I have owned nothing, but MOPAR since 1992 when a Chevy dealership in Lafayette, IN made me mad and I walked across the street to the Dodge dealership and bought a new Dodge Dakota. I was impressed with the Dodge attitude towards sales and service. I have been a Customer of Tomkinson Dodge since early 2003 when I was deployed to Iraq the first time. Tomkinson was offering a free service program for all deployed soldiers in the area. Tomkinson offered all services and repairs for 721 soldiers’ families from 1-293rd Infantry in the Ft Wayne area. Soldiers Wives were able to bring their vehicles to Tomkinson for service and repair with no cost if the vehicle was Chrysler/Dodge or BMW, they may have to pay for parts if the vehicle was another brand – but with no labor cost. During this time just prior to us crossing the border into Iraq, my wife started taking our vehicles to Tomkinson for service. I was a Rifle Company First Sergeant at the time and had lost one of my soldiers to the War. It is customary in Miltary Circles for my wife to represent me (the First Sergeant) at funerals for my soldiers while I am deployed. My wife had her Durango in for service the day prior to the funeral of my soldier. The Service Staff overheard my wife talking on her cell phone about her attending the funeral in Logansport, IN the next day. When she got in her vehicle she immediatley noticed that our usually trashed Durango from carting my 3 sons around, was washed, detailed and topped-off with fuel. My wife went back in and asked Tomkinson Staff about it and was told at first – they did not know what she was talking about. After she questionsed further, she was told that she needed to attend the funeral in a clean vehicle and the fuel was the least Tominson Dodge could do for her. During that time and even worse now, there were a lot of so called “Patriots” that were out waving flags and really doing nothing toward supporting the soldier or more importantly – the soldier’s family other than waving their flags and spotlighting themselves as “Patriots”. Nobody in our history has been bigger and more influentual American Patiots than our Forefathers that signed the Declaration of Independence. Those men knew that they were guilty of treason and would be hung if we lost the war and most all of them were afluent wealthy men at the time. All of them faught or paid their families’ wealth to help fund the War and were broke or dead at the end of the war. The one that I hold in the highest regard is John Hancock who signed his name 10 times larger than anyone else. When asked about why he signed the Declaration of Independance so big he answered, I signed it large enough that King George did not have to use his spectacles to read it. John Hancock was a man willing to do something about it and stand up to be counted. Tomkinson Dodge BMW are Patriots that are willing to do something tangible towards supporting the soldier, our community, our country and stand up to be counted. They don’t fly the largest US flag in Indiana in front of the dealeship and have done this in shadows and have asked for nothing in return. I have bought two used vehicles and one new vehicle from Tomkinson Dodge since 2003 and have had nothing but an Excellent Experience with them. Last year (May 2009) I was able to buy my dream car from Tomkinson. One of the incentives I recieved was the first 3 years of service for free and it kills me that I have to take my car to another Dealership, but I still take my other two vehicles to Tomknson for service and repair. The Chrysler deaership that I take my new car to are good people and they do a great job, but it is the same as having Christmas in a foreign country wthout my family- it just ain’t right. I feel like family at Tomkinson and look forward to getting the Dodge name back with my family. I would rather buy a used Dodge from Tomkinson than buy a new one from anywhere else and will continue to do so. Thanks to Mr Tomkinson / Scott / Kevin and the Tomkinson Sales and Service Staff.
March 12, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Scott High
Charlie: Thanks for taking the time to post such a wonderful commentary about our dealership. We appreciate your service to our country as well as as your patronage to our dealership. God bless you and God bless the United States of America.
April 14, 2010 at 4:24 am
Angela
I have a 2008 Dodge Caliber, and like my car, Jason Kiefer in Dodge Service is a great person and has always helped me with my needs on my car when i braught it into have service. I think that Dodge should be restored and be able to do the sales and services on all cars. I have enjoyed coming into Dodge everyone here has been very helpful to me and the service has been great. I have purchased cars here before i had a Dodge Grand Caravan and enjoyed having it with all the space i had to transport things and to take trips with. But now that i have my Caliber i enjoy it now. I hope that Dodge does get restored and to be able to help everyone out with their need’s with their vehicels and with mine also, i would not take my vehicels anywhere else for service but to 14/69 Auto Mall. Everyone there have great attitudes and have smiles on their face’s when they grate me when i come into have services done on our car’s, and I just want to Thank them all for all they have done for me and my car. I appreciate your service to my car, and your dealership there at Tomkinson Dodge. Thank you so very much. Angela Groh.
May 5, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Larry Burke
We (my wife and I) have used Tomkinson Dodge exclusively for our service and warrently work. We have been very happy with their service on both our vehicles. I hope Chrysler will see the error of their ways and restore Tomkinson their dealership. All personnel at the Tomkinson Dealership are very professional and courteous. I am sorry to say, I will not be buying any other Chrysler products, because of their BAD treatment of Tomkinson!!!
May 29, 2010 at 5:09 am
Liz Labott
All these comments must be from employees or their friends. I can’t say I was ever impressed with the place. I suppose the problem started with that arrogant salesman who always called me by my first name but referred to himself as Mr. Whateveritwas.
Wanted a Bimmer, but just got a Benz. Just wasn’t going to deal with those clowns at Tomkinson.
Good for Chrysler for knowing which dealerships to close. BMW needs to wise up, too. Btw, this site makes the dealership look ridiculous, what with all the public whining…
June 1, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Rick Tomkinson
Ms. Labott,
While your description doesn’t resemble any salesperson I can remember, it’s fair to say that such a salesperson wouldn’t last long here. I tried to find a record of this interaction but could not find your name or email address anywhere in our records going back to 1999. In any case, I’m sorry that we have left you with such a negative impression. The fact is that we have consistently ranked in the top 10% of all dealers in customer satisfaction for BOTH Dodge and BMW. In fact, we finished 1st in the nation among BMW dealers for sales satisfaction in 2008.
Needless to say, we have better things to do here than to fabricate a handful of testimonials when we have served thousands of satisfied customers. I’d be happy to speak with you directly if you want to tell me more about your experience.
Rick Tomkinson
260-436-9000