10/27/06
To whom it may concern,
My name is Tracie and I have a complaint that I would like to address regarding my disappointing experience while trying to purchase a vehicle at Beaman Automotive in Nashville, TN.
Upon my arrival to the dealership, I met the salesman Mr. Scott Bond, and we began to discuss the various cars that were on the car lot. I did let Mr. Bond know up front that my credit was not good and that I heard on several radio stations the advertisement's regarding no matter what your credit problems are, you will be able to ride in a vehicle. Mr. Bond assured me that I would be placed in a vehicle and I picked out a 2006 4door Cobalt with roughly 22,000 miles on it. We went inside to do the paper work.
In the beginning, I told Mr. Bond I wasn't able to put any money down and was told that it wasn't a problem. We went to discuss the paperwork with the Finance Manager of the Used Car Lot which was Eric Kinslow. He did have lenders that were willing to finance me, but I had to put at least $1,500.00 down. I told Mr. Bond I couldn't do that and he asked how soon I could have the money.
I told him I could have it within 2 weeks so he talked to his manager and it was not accepted. Mr. Bond assured me I would get a vehicle so he called the Manager at the New Car lot, I believe his name was Mike Wheeley. He looked at my paperwork on the system and asked Mr. Bond to bring me over to his lot and he could get me in a brand new car a 2007 Vibe, and that's what we did.
Mr. Bond let the Finance Manager know that I could put $200.00 dollars down and told him I wasn't able to put the $1,500.00 down. What took place was they used the $1,500.00 as a rebate and the $200.00 dollars as my down payment. Mr. Bond went over the terms as far as how much my monthly car payment would be. He told me $440.07 a month and I agreed to that.
I went back to meet with one of the other Finance people and they had all my paper work ready to sign. It was explained to me that I would be financed through Wells Fargo and the dealership would pay my First Months Insurance and how much the vehicle actually cost with the rebate and the down payment. After I signed all the paperwork, I was congratulated on purchasing a new Vibe after being at the car lot for 6 hours.
Now here is where the problems begin. Not once did the dealership tell me I wasn't financed. The finance team made it perfectly clear that I was financed through Wells Fargo. I know it's a clause on the contract that states (this is not a contract until accepted by a duly authorized official of Beaman Company). It was signed by a Beaman representative.
There is another clause that states (that the vehicle is being delivered subject to credit approval if credit approval is not obtained, I promise to return said vehicle within 24 hours of notification of non approval or bring payment in full) we'll not once was this explained to me. I was under the impression that I was financed and had a vehicle because of the way the contract was explained to me.
The Finance person never said (if you are not financed you have to bring the vehicle back). That's misrepresentation on your dealerships part. I walked into Beaman on 09/30/06, drove off the lot in a brand new 2007 vehicle and had it for 25 days.
I had to bring the vehicle back per salesman Scott Bond on 10/24/06 because I wasn't financed or I needed to bring in $1,500.00 dollars. I was very confused because I explained to Mr. Bond that I was told about being financed by Wells Fargo, how much my payments were and the $1,500.00 was my rebate. Mr. Bond stated they told you that, I said yes he than said well that's the car business. I said that isn't right because I had the vehicle for 25 days. I was assured I was taken care of and then something like this happens.
I told Mr. Bond that this is bad business because you are treating your customers wrong and no ones telling them the truth about the financing and you let me drive off the lot. Mr. Bond stated that we take chances like that everyday. That's not fair to people who come in and trust that you will be honest with them and not give them half the truth. I contacted Wells Fargo and I spoke with a gentleman and when he tried to pull my information up it was not in their system.
I gave him all my information and he contacted the dealership. Wells Fargo called me back to tell me that I was denied because Beaman had run my credit report 9 times and they weren't able to finance me. It was stated to me that my credit report should not have been ran that many times. I know my credit isn't perfect and not the best, but now my score is way down and I want be able to purchase anything. I had offers from other dealerships, but I chose Beaman because of the radio advertisement.
When I was there, I was treated nice and kind until the time came when I had to return the vehicle. Beaman does not stand by its mission statement. This incident has turned my life upside down and has truly stressed me out. I've had terrible headaches because I was misled and now I'm without a vehicle. I'm having trouble getting my child to school and I'm having trouble getting to work.
This ordeal has really upset me. When I returned the vehicle, no one was pleasant. I was told that I can put some money down and I told them I couldn't, and that was that. No one seemed to care that my life was being torn apart and up side down and how frustrated and hurt I was. Car dealers negotiate all the time and I didn't have any other options but to bring the car back.
I was told that if you can't put any money down right now, we have to undo the deal. I have contacted the Better Business Bureau and Consumer Affairs. I also plan on contacting the local media stations. I have retained me an attorney to have this matter fully investigated.
My credit should never had been ran that many times, especially when I was told I had financing and I had the vehicle for 25 days, I know that I could have been given a chance by putting the additional money down needed within the 2 weeks but I didn't have that option. This was a very bad experience for me and I will not be satisfied until something is done.
Best regards,
Tracie
Nashville, Tennessee
U.S.A.
0 comments