Internet Sales pre-approved me, but did not give me the $500 off when I presented the Internet coupon - "we already put that in the deal."
Kirt in finance would NEVER treat "a guy" like he did me - or if he did, I'm sure he would get cold-cocked. Kirt started our lovely encounter by flinging papers across the desk, ORDERING me to sign. Most forms had blanks (were not yet filled in yet); one was completely blank and required initials to indicate I had received or been told a bunch of stuff I had not. I told Kirt I would sign that later and he showed he was miffed by snatching the form back. Then, he presented his typical "worksheet" showing how much my monthly payment would be if I chose the 2,3 and 4-year used-vehicle extended warranty. I asked "does the vehicle have any manufacturer's warranty available?" Kirt, omnipotent perfect finance man that he is, stated "No, the Jeep has over 36,000 miles - you NEED to buy a warranty." I asked him why would sales tell me I was only worth $300/month payment, yet now finance suddenly thinks I am good for $600/month? He sneered and said I could get the 2 year plan, my monthly would only be $400. I took a paper from his stack and wrote my monthly budget out, showing him that it would be way too tight to add another $60 to my payment. We went round and round... Kirt the domineering master of car repairs nightmare scenarios, me worried that I was buying a car that would break down and leave me stuck with no wheels and a payment - and no warranty.
Kirt told me to get the warranty, keep it six months, take the car to a mechanic to get things all fixed, then cancel the warranty. He also threw in that I could re-finance the 5-year loan after six months at a very low rate, so all I had to do was tighten my belt for six months. It being late, knowing I had to go to my mom's to get her to sign some parpaers for the trade-in, I hadn't eaten dinner yet, the dealership A/C was broken and the stench was getting to me... I acquiesced reluctantly to the warranty, already worried about my finances for the next five years instead of happy about my new truck.
At my mom's, the salesman took her check for my down payment but had no papers for her to sign (the trade was in her name only.) I had asked Kirt why I was signing forms that seemed more appropriate for mom to sign - that really antagonized him, tho, so when sales dude had no papers and called the wondrous Kirt to confirm, I shrugged it off, thankful I could now go eat dinner, at 9:00 pm.
Kirt next contacted me 12 days later - he got me financed, according to his nasty-sounding message which demanded that I come in to sign new papers. (former collector with hemmorhoids, is he?) I called Kirt back to find out what changes were made to require a new contract. He told me the payment changed a couple of dollars. I breathed a huge sigh of relief (I know their tricks). I went in, and Kirt looked fakely-stunned when he printed out the new contract. Apparently "someone" had required another $1,000 down payment! I told him I did not have it; he siad I could owe it to them. I told him I still would not have it, and I asked him to change my 1st payment due date to give me a little room to pay them at least part of it. (I am on permanent disability and get paid one time per month.) Kirt, psychic that he is, told me that "the Bank" demanded that the payment be due that day; it COULD NOT be changed. I asked him mto call; he refused and instead pulled out a promissory note and threw it at me. He told me to just sign it. The due date was blank (I was a contract manager before I went on disability). I asked him when the payment was due, he said "when we get it, I'll fill that in." So, I wrote "upon receipt" in the blank for the Due Date, and signed it. Kirt looked disgusted, threw the note to the side and did not bother to give me a copy. I asked him again if mom needed to sign a power of attorney or other forms for the trade; he angrily snipped something about his being a professional and that I should run along and let him worry about his job.
While relaxing that weekend, I read the owner's manual on "my new truck." Apparently Jeep (and Chrysler and Dodge) offer their 7 year/70,000 mile warranty to the second owner of the vehicle, for a $150 transfer fee. I called Jeep; yes, I was the second owner, and for $150 I could have the powertrain warranty. I was furious. Yes, Kirt had sold me a deluxe warranty, with deductibles, that would cover more than a powertrain, but I was not given a choice, and Kirt seemed to think that he was the consummate professional. Why did I finance $2,000 over five years at 13.95%? The truck is a 2004. How much warranty does it need? More than the cost of my health insurance? What are we insuring, Fort Knox? No, we are paying a commisison, is what I concluded. Well, Kirt and his new boss, Mark Stahl, treated me like garbage when I went in to cancel the warranty. Yelling, sneers, a blank cancellation form flung at me with a barked order to "FILL IT OPUT!" I did not even get a pen! Then, Kirt demanded "get your mother in here - I need her to sign papers." The guy has nerve. Then he left a nasty message for mom, and me, that night... We were not getting in to sign his papers fast enough, apparently. When mom and I went in, Kirt gave her the same treatment - he threw papers at her, all blank. Mom is 70; there was absolutely no need to penalize her for his oversight - the salesman was supposed to take her papers the first night...
I sent a letter of complaint to the staturoty agents for Mel Clayton Ford and Ford Motor Credit asking that the $2,000 warranty monies be applied immediately to the loan, and to rework the loan to lowere the monthly payments. I ccopied it to the BBB, Attorney GFeneral consumer complaints, Mel Clayton's GM, and GE Capital (the warranty administrator). GE Capital called three days later to tell me they gave Mel Clayton Ford the $2,000 back, and they apologized for the problem. Ford Motor credit wrote and said they'd apply the money to my loan and rework it once they got the money from Mel Clayton Ford. Let's see, Mel Clayton Ford got the $2,000 back on July 6. Today is July 23, and Ford Motor Credit still has not gotten the money. Mel Clayton Ford has not called me, wrote me, or responded to the BBB or AG. I guess they like their employess to act like asses. That was the third vehicle I bought from them; now I tell everyone to STAY AWAY FROM MEL CLAYTON FORD.
Tracy
Phoenix, Arizona
U.S.A.
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