Back in February of 1999, I happened to be driving by the above delearship. I had about an hour to kill so out of curiosity, I decided to drive in and check out the deals they had for used cars - any make!
I was already financing a 1995 Nissan Ultima that was in perfect shape, only that I thought if one day I got a good deal, I would trade it in since the mileage was 67,000. I however knew that I was not in a hurry until it got close to 100,000 miles or over.
While I was looking around at the used cars, a used car salesman approached me and asked me if I needed help. I told him not that day but maybe in the near future I would return to shop for a nicer car with a color combination that I prefered to my Ultima Nissan. He proceeded to ask me what would be a nice color combination for my taste, I looked around the lot, and pointed out to a J30 Infinity that had ivory interior and dark green exterior color.
He summoned me inside the office and told me that he could work out some figures for me for that J30 Infinity. I brushed him off and stated that he had to be joking since not only didn't I think I could afford the car, but also I really was not there to make a purchase. He insisted that I go in. I figured I had nothing to loose.
While inside he asked me to fill out a form, and give him time to test drive my Ultima, I complied. He was gone for a while when he came back he stated that I was approved for the Infinity J 30 that I had pointed out to him. I was surprised and asked him what was the catch, he stated $1000.00 down with my trade-in. I asked him was that all that was required of me, he said yes.
The infinity only had about 38,000 miles and ofcourse I was amazed at how easy the whole deal worked out. I wrote a check of $1000.00 and he proceeded to "closed out" the deal. About two to three hours later, I drove off with my '96 Infinity.
Three months later, I received a call from the dealership summoning me to return to the dealership for a "minor" miscommunication. When I got there I was informed that the bank did not approve my loan and that I needed to give them back the J30. I said no problem since I was happy anyway with my '95 Ultima. I asked them to give me back my Ultima and they can take away their J30 Infinity, you can imagine the shock I got when one of them stated that unfortunately they had sold off my Ultima. They offered me a substitute, a beat-up black Infinity G20 torn interior.
I declined the offer and told them what my other option was, they said (it was two salesmen this time would confiscate my J30 and hire a lawyer against me if I decided to keep the car against their wish. They proceeded to show me the "new figures" that I would be required to pay each month since I had no way out according to them.
The new contract was for 72 months, of $484.00 monthly payment. I had no relatives in this country, I had to sign all their paperwork and drive away to avoid any court appearances and fees that I could not afford.
It has been three years since that day. I have attempted to trade off my J30, and have received the same answer at all the dealerships. They suggest I should continue making payments on it for a few more years or get a co-signer for if I had to get out of it.
Rosenthal Dealership used intimidation and such a grand scam to "trap" me. I have wondered at times if I should just let them repose it, but I know that my credit will not only be ruined but also that I will not be able to finance another car in liew of the repo.
I desperately need help. I am supporting my siblings in Africa and I cannot sleep well knowing I have no way out of spending about $700.00 every month on this car including insurance and maintance. I also dread the fact that I still have three more years of this agony.
Please help me out of this mess, if you can! Thank you.
Mary
Washington, District of Columbia
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