I was looking to purchase a new truck and thought I would check out one of the dealerships in the area, Champion Dodge. I drove into the lot and was approached by a salesman named Ricky Redfern who asked me what I was looking for in a truck, and he said they had just got a truck in off of a trade that matched the description. He asked if I wanted to take a test drive and I agreed. The truck was a 2002 Dodge Ram 2500.
We got in the truck and started down the road and I noticed that the transmission was slipping. We headed back to the dealership where I told him that the only way I would consider the truck was if the transmission was replaced. He said let's go inside and see what I can do.
He sat me down at a desk in the showroom and went to talk to the sales manager, then came back to the table. He said that the transmission would be replaced and he proceeded to bargain the sale of the truck. We continued back and forth on payments and finally found a payment I would agree to. Before I signed the agreement I called my father for advice because I was there alone and wanted to make sure that I was doing the right thing. I told him that the transmission was slipping and they would replace it. He asked me to ask the salesman if I could have 24 hours to think about the deal. Ricky told me "this deal was only good today." My father told me to ask Ricky if I could return the truck within 24 hours for any reason. I asked Ricky if I could and he replied "yes."
I then signed the agreement to a certain payment each month for a number of years. He took that agreement to the sales manger's desk and talked with him for a while. Ricky then came back to me with an offer with lower monthly payments. He did not explain to me this increased the price an additional $500. It was my understanding they lowered the price so I agreed to this offer and proceeded with the paperwork.
During the signing of the paperwork in the financing office I discovered that the last offer from Ricky not only extended the term of the loan but also added $500 to the price of the truck.in addition to the hidden cost, the sales manager wrote a "we owe" from the dealership that stated they would "perform ECI safety and repair transmission. Complete work not to exceed $2500. If so, champion has the right to refuse deal. Otherwise vehicle sold as is. Nothing else promised but our thanks." There was nothing in the paperwork about a 24-hour return policy, so I asked the financing person about it and never received an answer from him.
He did however, call in the sales manager so I could ask him. I told the sales manager that Ricky Redfern had told me that there was a 24-hour return. I also told him that I was told the transmission would be replaced and not "repaired." He looked at me and stated, "we aren't a Saturn dealership." I took that statement that they would honor their word and do everything to make their customer happy. I was wrong!
Since the truck had to be worked on I left it at the dealership and never drove it off the lot. After leaving the dealership and reviewing the paperwork I felt taken advantage of and deceived not only Ricky Redfern but the sales manager as well. I went back to Champion Dodge the following day to tell them that I did not want to continue to do business with them and that I did not want to purchase the truck.
The sales manager told me that they could not cancel the contract due to the fact that the bank had already approved the loan and the financing paper work had already been processed. The following day my father and I returned to the dealership to talk to the general manager, Arnold Zarate. Arnold told me I never should have signed the paperwork if I didn't want the truck and there was nothing he would do for me. He told us that "we are in business to sell cars."
I have tried numerous times to contact the president of Champion Auto Group, John Chamberlin. The lending institution has tried to reason with Champion Dodge. Champion Dodge is not responding and has made no effort to settle this situation. Since they have their money, they are willing to do nothing. During one conversation the sales manager told me, Saturday there was a man here that wanted to buy the truck and I told him that it was sold already. He said, This guy walked around it for two hours and would not leave it alone.
I do not understand why Champion Dodge would not cancel the deal even though they could easily sell the truck again. I have reported Champion Auto Group to the Better Business Bureau and it turns out that they have an unsatisfactory rating with them. I will never do business with a company that treats their customers in this manner, and intend to expose the sales practices of Champion Dodge
Aaron
Ft. Collins, Colorado
U.S.A.
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