Problem - Keys promised, Never delivered $1000 charge
I am extremely disappointed & dissatisfied with my experience at Car City in Des Moines Iowa off of Merle Rd for this cars sale on Jan 8th 2026, and I feel compelled to warn other Consumers about their deeply unprofessional and unethical business practices. At the time of purchase, both the owner Darby and the salesperson explicitly represented that a second key was included and assured me it would be sent to me right away. Afterwards that the money was sent and this representation being a key factor in my decision to move forward with the purchase.
What followed was a frustrating series of excuses, contradictions, and outright fabrications. I was told vague stories about “a guy named Joe” supposedly having the key, only to be given the runaround, hung up on, and sent on a complete goose chase that wasted a lot of my time and patience. Ultimately, the promised key never materialized, and I am now being told that replacing this high tech 2021 M5 key through the Dealer will cost approximately a bit over $1,000—a cost that exists solely because Car City failed to honor their word or simply find whats now pointless cost/ expenditure.
This is not a minor oversight; it is a clear case of misrepresentation. The lack of accountability, professionalism, and basic integrity shown throughout this process is unacceptable. A dealership that conducts business this way should not be trusted. I strongly advise potential buyers to get everything in writing and to think twice before dealing with Car City.
Buyer Beware seriously. This dealership will promise you anything it takes to close the sale and then vanish like Casper the ghost the moment the paperwork is signed. Their word means absolutely nothing. They rely on deceptive tactics, including slipping a so-called “one-pager” - “No Promise” into the paperwork that conveniently attempts to nullify every verbal commitment they made to you minutes earlier. It’s a calculated maneuver designed to give them cover later so they can claim they “never promised anything.” All the while telling you it’s on its way.
This is not an honest mistake or miscommunication — it’s a pattern of behavior meant to mislead customers and dodge responsibility after the deal is done. If you choose to do business with Car City, assume every promise will be broken, every follow-up will be ignored, and every issue will suddenly become your problem. Get every single detail in writing, read every line twice, and understand that once they have your money, their integrity disappears completely.
Bottom line: even if in writing, it doesn’t exist at Car City. Expect promises to vanish the moment they have your money.
This dealership talks a good game until the sale is complete. After that, accountability disappears and excuses begin.
This dealership operates on misrepresentation, excuses, and denial. If integrity matters to you, do not do business here.