On 4/2 I saw an advertisement in a local newspaper (Staten Island Advance) from Staten Island Nissan dealership for 2005 Nissan Murano SL AWD listing the following lease conditions: $0 down payment, $0 bank fee, $0 1st month payment, $0 security deposit, just pay tax, tags & registration fees, gap insurance included, $319.00 per month for 42 month.
I telephoned the dealership to verify this information, which they promptly did and assured me that they have hundreds of these vehicles in-stock. My wife and I then proceeded to go to the dealership to lease the car. Upon arriving, we were met by a salesman Sam Makso, with whom I spoke on the phone.
I asked to test drive the vehicle, but was told that the dealer does not keep their cars on premises and all their cars are located on their lot in Brooklyn. I was offered to test drive another car that they had there for this purpose. After the test drive we proceeded to pick the color and options.
In the end we chose the car dealer claimed to have in-stock with the following VIN#: JN8AZ08W75W417532. After some negotiations, the dealer agreed to wave the $540.00 Destination Charge and $198.00 Prep Fee, which was listed on the sales slip. The dealer agreed to deliver the car on 4/7 and required me to pay a refundable deposit of $198.00, which would cover the Doc Fee the dealer charges. I put that charge on my credit card.
I was also told that I would need to bring proof of insurance with $100/300K liability limits and deductible not to exceed $250.00, listing HANN FINANCIAL SERVICES P.O. Box 4658 TIMONIUM, MD 21094 as the leasing Lienholder.
When I arrived at the dealership on 4/7 to pick up my car, I was met by Sam Makso, who directed me to meet with their Finance Manager. I believe his name is Nabil Sageh. Nabil told me that he wanted to offer me another leasing option. He said that Hann Financial Services was not a good leasing company.
They require a disposition fee at the end of the lease (this was not mentioned in the ad or my initial conversation with the salesman), that they require the car to be returned in perfect condition, not allowing for normal wear and tear, that they charge $. 20 per mile above 10K per year limit, and many other negative aspects of this lease including higher auto insurance premiums I would have to pay due to $250.00 deductible requirement.
I was then offered to consider a lease with NISSAN, which would cost me over $420.00 per month with tax, but was supposed to be a better deal overall. I declined his offer, telling him that I would like to keep our original agreement, but before I sign any papers, I need to see the lease agreement form to verify all information.
Nabil told me that he did not have the lease agreement in his office (finance manager's office), and he went out apparently to look for it. While Nabil was out of his office, another sales manager came in. His name is Joe DeFeo. Joe started to tell me exactly the same story about leasing company that I just heard from Nabil.
I politely asked him to stop, since I have already heard this and asked him to produce a copy of lease agreement for my examination. Joe told me that he cannot show me the lease agreement due to the fact that it was an E-Lease. I asked him to print a copy of the lease, which he refused to do.
At this time I realized that this dealer has no intention of honoring our agreement and that I was a victim of bait and switch con. I asked Joe to refund me the $198.00 deposit. Joe left the office and came back a few minutes later, stating that he would refund my deposit only if I gave him the original sales agreement.
I said that I will not return it since I intend to take this sales agreement to local authorities to file a complaint. Joe became irate, yelling at me that this agreement does not mean anything since his signature was not on it, and that he knows how to run his business, meaning how to swindle people. At this point I told him that I would contact my credit card company to dispute the charges and left the dealership.
To date I filed a complaint with Attorney General and contacted Nissan Corporation. I will also contact Better Business Bureau, Department of Consumer Affairs and mass media.
Alex
staten island, New York
U.S.A.
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