I am 23 years old, and fresh into the job market. I began looking at Silverado pick up trucks in 2001. I finally narrowed my search down to a short bed Silverado w/a V8 engine. I went into the dealer with my trade, a 99 S-10 pick up truck. I still owed quite a bit of money on it, about $10,000 roughly. I had placed $10,000 worth of payments into this vehicle over a 2.5 year period. I figured I had quite a bit of equity into the vehicle.
I then met with a sales person, who's name I'm not sure I am able to mention. We began speaking about numbers for the proposed vehicle. The sticker on the truck was $22,700 for the truck. They then scared me with a purchase payment of $650/month with $6,000 down! I was appauled to say the least. I couldn't believe it. They then talked me into a lease at a payment of $550/month. I really liked the truck because it had power everything I I really wanted it.
I was a bit hesitant about leasing a vehicle because I have never had experience with a lease. I didn't want to lease, but three people hounded me to do so. They then wanted $2,000 down. I did not agree to any of the terms. I thought that a payment of $400/month with no money down would be sufficient. That came out to $24,000 which I thought was reasonable with the tax on the vehcile and registration fees. I was then rushed into finance and the payment jumped up by $50/month which is roughly $3,000 more dollars than I wanted to pay. They then upped the lease term to 66 months, which was another $2,700 I did not want to pay. I demanded my keys back that instant but they didn't understand what the problem was! I was furious to say the least. I couldn't believe it.
After argueing for about an hour I finally gave in. This time does not include the argueing over the $400 payment three hours before as it took this long to comprimise. They would not give me my keys back, I had not yet signed the vehicle lease papers with Huntington National Bank. I thought the only way out of the dealership was to sign the paperwork! Big mistake. The next day, I wanted to return the truck, but nobody would help me. They then insisted that I fill out their vehicle purchase satisfaction survey with a "Strongly Satisfied" accross the board of questions on the survey. I told them I was not satisfied at all and I would fill in the lowest possible response on the survey. They said, ok, but we can't help you with that part of the vehicle purchase! I said, "well isn't that what you are being graded on?" I guess they don't understand how a survey works.
I called four days in a row trying to get results. I found out on the fourth day that there is a three day vehicle return law, no questions asked. All I had to do was call the police! I have just made the eighth payment on the truck, at a payment of $451.59/month! Outrageous! My payments total $29,804.94, and If I want to purchase the truck, it will be an additional $7,000. I have decided to take care of the truck, and purhcase it, even though this is an expensive purchase, I don't want to purchase another vehicle for a long time! This will be an expensive mistake, but we most often learn more from a negative experience than a positive one!
My main complaints are that I was not given my vehicle keys back, and that the payment and vehicle lease term jumped up from what they were supposed to be! I hope this dealership is fined again and victims like me can seek restitution. I have since filed a claim with the state attorney generals office!
Matt
Lake Mary, Florida
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