Courtesy Mitsubishi, General Manager Chris Montana
"Bait and Switch" tactic and coersion fraudulent ripoff business

Since I went through the proper channels and sought the assistance of Consumer Affairs and an attorney who both told me, You signed the contract, I assume that there is nothing more that I can do. I won't give up, however, until I have gone down each avenue. I feel that the assistance in Nevada is minimal to the consumer, regardless of the poor business practices they deal with.

I went to Courtesy Mitsubishi in Las Vegas on Saturday, January 5 with the intent of seeing if I qualified for the 0% financing which was advertised on the window, not with the intent of purchasing a vehicle.

The payment on my 2001 Saturn was over $300 and I felt that with my good credit, I could lower the payment with the 0% financing deals My goal was to either lower my payments to below $250, which I specifically, reiterated time and again to the salesman.

I'd heard so much about. Unfortunately, I discovered upon speaking with a sales associate, Alberto Meza, that this deal was only a 12-month 0% financing and only good on Monteros and Diamantes. I was told that the dealership's policy was to have me test-drive the car I would be interested in prior to purchase or even qualification. I did.

My Sales associate attempted to have me lease, rather than purchase as I owed so much on my 2001 Saturn ($17,564.00). I started to leave. He asked for my keys so that he could test-drive my car, which I don't believe he did.

My sales associate asked how I'd make a down payment. I told Meza I had no cash, just credit cards. Meza said that was fine. Meza wanted to show his manager my credit card just to show him I was serious.

I gave him one. Since this incident, I have been told several stories about Courtesy Mitsubishi salesmen doing anything for a sale, including holding keys, having a line of salesmen block the exit doors and taking a possible trade-in to be refurbished prior to the guests approval.

Meza then had me speak with Stanley or Sammy who tried to have me buy a Diamante since it would not be worth the company's while to take my trade in on a smaller car. I told him no, that I wanted my keys back and would go over to Toyota and see what they had to offer. He said to wait. David came over. He explained the problem with the trade-in and threw more numbers at me, confusing me further.

I told him that I couldn't afford to purchase another car and that was all right. I'd come back in a year, could I get my keys. He told me to wait.

I was then taken over to meet the General Manager, Chris Montana. Montana explained the negative equity and how Saturn had simply transferred the other cars negative equity over and that I was really paying on two loans, or something. I asked him to write it out, as I was a visual person. Montana said that I could put $8000 down and have no payments for 7 months and save or I could put $5500 down and pay nothing until 2003. Oh the interest would be really low, Montana said. I told him I didn't want to gamble on that and that I wanted to think it over. Montana said fine and kept talking. Montana said that my payment would be a little lower than my current Saturn payments of $370 per month when the payments started. I asked for my keys. Montana kept talking.

After thinking a little bit and figuring out that I was not going to get my keys or my credit card back, and because Montana told me that purchasing a car from them, today was the only way to get out of my upside down, negative equity in the car, I decided to get the car at the $19,000 purchase price.

I had asked Montana to write it all done. He wrote a barely legible bit down, but what he said made sense. He said that I could purchase this $19,000 car, have no payments for a year and by next January, pay down the loan. I was excitedso my loan would only be for like $13,000. He said, yes. I picked out a car. I picked one with a sunroof, which Montana said would add about $900 to the sticker price and that that would not make a big difference in financing.

I told them I was in a rush so I could come back and sign the papers. They asked me to see the finance guy. I did. I was signing away. I saw what I thought was the $19,000 purchase price for the vehicle.

Even though I was told with the package (sunroof and tint) the car was $900 more, I just saw the 9 and initialed. This seemed to be a bait and switch tactic, which I have heard about. Bottom line? The sticker price was $19,000 and the contract said $29,000.

Sunday morning I checked the contract and couldn't believe it. The purchase price was listed as $29k not $19k like Chris Montana and I discussed! The interest rate was a whopping 10.9% if I didn't refinance and the amount financed was $25k.

This was much more than I could afford and everyone concerned knew this. I'm not sure what happened with the numbers. I just know that I was misled and coerced into buying this car and I cannot possibly afford it on my salary. I work at a not-for-profit agency.

In a year, this car will be worth a lot less than the sticker price and with my salary; I will not get financed for $25,000 (the balance on the car) and will be forced to go with their 10.9% financing.

The fact that these salesmen wear you down, psychologically, throw the same numbers at you again and again, and then (at the last minute) change the numbers is disgusting! How do they get away with it? Then, they expect their customers to recommend them? Believe me that will never happen!

I phoned Albert Meza, my salesman, on the January 6. He was very uncaring about the whole thing and told me to speak with Montana on Monday. Even the attorneys in this state are afraid to stand up to Courtesy.

I sought an attorney's advice the Monday after I bought the car. After not having his calls returned, he finally spoke with Montana. After which he told me that nothing could be done and that this is just how Courtesy works. Well, that is just not good enough for me.

My father went to see the finance manager to discuss the problem of my salary vs. The purchase price of the car, but they simply didn't care and suggested that I might win Megabucks within the year.

They also told him that they will sell a car to anybody, regardless of their employment status. Doesn't the finance department car if they get their money or not?

This incident has left a very bad taste in my mouth for Mitsubishi, as a company. I am sick over this, but the fact that no one seems to want to stand up to this dealership that has a reputation for railroading walk-ins into deals, frustrates me even more.

And my dream to have my payments become smaller, and allow me to attain financial freedom and keep my good credit rating have been shattered by Courtesy Mitsubishi.

I would like Mitsubishi to take back their car, dissolve the contract and credit my account with $5500. I would also suggest a thorough and intent investigation of Courtesy Mitubishi's sales tactics.

Lisa
Las Vegas, Nevada

Company: Courtesy Mitsubishi, General Manager Chris Montana
Country: USA
State: Nevada
City: Las Vegas
Address: 7100 WEST SAHARA AVENUE
Phone: 7022567100

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