In April I called up Tempe Mitsubishi and inquired about breaking my lease on an eclipse because I no longer wanted it and wanted to get an SUV. I spoke to a salesperson Jason and ask if I could break my lease with NO penalty if I agreed to get another Mitsubishi as a purchase, not a lease. I informed Jason that my mitsubishi had relatively low miles but did need a little cosmetic work. Small scratch on door, interior had stains in it and needed detailed, front grill that hangs low had a little paint missing from pulling up to far in parking spots.
This was my first lease (I will NEVER lease again) and knew I was breaking my lease. I was informed by the sales person I could break my lease with NO penalty whatsoever if I get another Mitsubishi. I made it very clear on the phone that NO penalties are to be charged and that was the deal over the phone. The salesperson said "no problem. People break leases all the time. "I told himk if there were exhorbant fees I would just wait till my lease ends in a year and trun it in and not deal with mistubishi anymore.
So I took my car in. They wanted me to find a vehicle first before they would appraise it and I told them to please start the process of looking. I was given to another salesperson Jack since Jason was busy. I was under the impression it was going to be a simple swap since the salesperson states "no penalties." I decided on a nice Montero under the 0/0/0 program and was happy to be rid of the eclipse which had given me alot of problems.
I found a black 2002 Montero I test drove, liked and made an offer. They came back with a counter offer written on paper that said the asking price plus "tax and fees". I assumed fees included the typical TT&L, destination, etc. If theres a huge additional FEE it should be noted on the paper and not hidden or disguised as it was. They just had the price and then FEES. So I went back to my final offer since my credit is phenomenal and I will just buy another car somewhere else if they don't accept my offer. They came back and accepted and shook my hand. The whole process was great and easy up until I get into the finance office.
The gentleman (tall guy with a shaved head) did his typical sales pitch trying to get me to buy all this stuff like Gap insurance, extra warranty, etc. And I told him no thanks but the numbers were off by 3000.00. I found out that my car was upside down $3,000.00 on my lease and they were adding it to the price, and not one person bothered to tell me this until I'm signing the papers.
I was upset and said this isn't acceptable and I want to speak to the finance manager who came in and apologized for the miscommunication and said I was going to have to add 3k in upside down equity to the car and I told her this was totally unprofessional as I made sure there were NO PENALTIES and that if there was a 3,000 upside down equity fee it should have been stated when they came back with their offer. They just simply wrote "plus FEES" which could mean an extra 10k for all they care.
I asked her why the sales person didn't tell me about the upside down equity and she said she didn't know but I should have been told. I also was concerned they were low bvalling me big time and not giving me blue book but thats another story. I asked for her to come down on the price of the montero to make up for this. She said she could not since they were already at a loss with my offer. So basically I could have said no and walked out but my car had already been cleaned out, plates taken off, etc. So I told myself I would just have to tuck away moremoney each month to make up for it since I took the 0/0/0 program and will be refinancing in a year.
I asked the salesperson Jack why he didn't inform me about the 3,000 in upside down equity when he knew it was there and he said "I'm sorry I fogrot." He forgot. I took the montero home anyways which I love, but me and my friend that was with me were totally disgusted with what they sprang on me in the finance office. The extra 3k bumped the price up on the montero over 10% so now I'm paying more than I wanted but thats just the way it is I guess.
Word of advice, make sure you clarify "FEES".
Kim
Gilbert, Arizona
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