February 22
RE: Complaint аbout: Fairbanks Chrysler Jeep Dodge. 5901 Madison Avenue Tamarac, FL 33321 (954) 861-6200.
Gary Robinson:
I am writing this letter to file a complaint for unfair and deceptive trade practices that arose when my wife and I purchased a pre-owned Dodge Grand Caravan on December 12.
After finding a car we wanted, we began the negotiating process with our salesman Dirk Perdrix. The first thing I told Dirk was that I was not going to put any money down and I only wanted to finance for a maximum of 60 months. He gave me some figures to look at which included the option to finance for 60 months in the $700.00 range.
I told him it was too high and then he asked me where I wanted to be as far as financing. I told him I needed $14,000 for my trade, and I needed to be under $450 per month for 60 months. He then had me sign a worksheet saying if he could get those terms, I would take delivery of the vehicle on that day. I did not think he could get me those terms.
He came back with a price of $455 per month and although surprised, I accepted. Several minutes later we were in the finance office signing the paperwork, agreeing to add on additional gap insurance as well as an extended warranty. Because we had just agreed on the terms of $455 for 60 months, we glanced over the contract as we signed it and were eventually on our way.
When I got home that night and took a look at the contract, I found that the terms had changed from the 60 months we agreed upon to 72 months. I immediately called the dealership and my salesman's cell phone and left messages for them as it was already 11 pm and the dealership was closed.
First thing in the morning I went to the dealership and met with Dirk to tell him of the situation and he told me he was unaware of the monthly terms, and only knew of the monthly payment that we had negotiated. I now realized that he was misleading from the beginning as we discussed several times that I wanted to finance for 60 months, and his initial offer to me was for 60 months. He asked me to come back later with my wife whose name the car was under so that we could meet with the finance people to see if they could work with us.
When we came back, we had more discussions about how I felt he misled us, and again he claimed he never knew anything about monthly terms. I then asked him to get the worksheet that I signed to show him where I agreed to $455 for 60 months and he did. He then showed me something on the back that said $455 x 72 months which I did not sign, which he claimed he showed me at the time of purchase (I feel this was written after the fact, since it was on the back of this worksheet and not signed).
This contradicted several earlier statements where he claimed he only knew of the monthly amount and not the length of the loan. I then pointed out these inconsistencies and told him now not only was I misled, but now I was being lied to. He then told me I owned the car, and got mad at me for calling him a liar. He told me my only option was to shorten the length of the loan and increase the monthly payment (which really doesn't do anything to change the situation). I then told him that I wanted to speak to his manager and he told me that he didn't want to talk to me anymore.
Out came Gary Robinson, a finance person, who was the most helpful person in this unfortunate situation, We went over the situation with him in detail and even he agreed that Dirk had at best misled, but probably even lied. He went to the used car manager to see what could be done. The used car manager, Tommy Gandolfo, refused to come out to talk to us and offered us free tinting on an already tinted car. Obviously a ridiculous offer.
I then realized that nothing would be done at this level and informed Gary Robinson that I would be filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, The Florida Attorney Generals Office, and The Federal Trade Commission for unfair and deceptive trade practices as well as every news media outlet in South Florida. I also asked for a copy of the worksheet I signed. Gary asked the used car sales manager, Tommy Gandolfo, who refused to give me a copy and said I could wait all night and I would not get one. Again, he refused to come talk to me. I feel that I am entitled to a copy of anything I sign and will be looking to my lawyer for advice on that matter.
Because of this situation, you have lost a loyal Dodge customer. I have two Dodge vehicles and plan to buy more in the future. Because of this, I will not be returning to any Fairbanks dealership and will purchase my Dodge vehicles elsewhere unless you are willing to work with me to rectify this situation. As we love this car, all we want is the price we had agreed upon of $455 for 60 months.
Additionally, I will recommend to anyone purchasing a car not to go to your dealership since your salesmen will do and say anything in order to make a sale, which includes misleading and outright lying. I think it is a very poor reflection of your company, and everyone who works for Fairbanks at all levels that not only the salesmen, but the sales mangers allow this type of thing to occur.
Your employees and your company do not care about the customer or about the quality of service offered, but only about making the sale and doing whatever it takes to do that. Part of any successful business is return customers. I can't imagine that you will be getting much return business in the future if this is the way you treat your customers.
Jason
Coral Springs, Florida
U.S.A.
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