My husband and I walked in to the Auto Source America lot on Chester avenue on 1/22/07, and bought a 1994 Jeep Cherokee. They ran my credit, which they said was good. They took $1,000 down for the $5,000 jeep, we signed the papers, and we drove home happy.
Never did they mention that if they couldn't finance me I'd have to come up with an additional down payment. Neither was this "pending of financing" clause in the contract both parties signed.
On 2/24/07, I get a call saying they "decided" they couldn't get financing for me after all, despite the fact they signed a contract with us, because the jeep is a 1994, and has over 140,000 miles on it. Yet, they told me we were financed, and allowed us to drive off the lot on 1/22/07. They never told us we might have to come up with an additional down at that time.
On 2/24/07, they attemped to strong arm me, by insisting I bring in an additional $1,500 for a down, or return the jeep. Again, they signed a contract, and no where was it mentioned "contract pending financing."
We finally decided under their repeated threats of having my jeep towed away, despite the signed contract and down payment given, to drive down and try to discuss this horrible situation.
When we insisted on going over the contract, and stood up for ourselves peacefully, we were asked to leave and Bakersfield Police were called. We waited on the sidewalk, and indeed the police did arrive. No laws had been broken, and no arrests were made.
Further more, manager declared that there would be a "restocking fee" for returning the jeep, despite the fact we were not at fault for any of this. So, I would not be receiving a complete refund of my $1,000.
I was then promised a complete refund for the $1,000 down, but they refused to put it in writing. Then, they told me they wanted to inspect the car incase we damaged it. Yeah right... I'd only put 20 miles on it after I had purchased it.
An hour later, we did return the jeep, but parked it on the street for it to be "inspected." We choose against parking it on the lot incase they once again tried to scam us, and withold the $1,000 down, and withold the jeep. We wanted to be on neutral turf.
The female owner insisted we park the jeep on the lot, but we saw no reason to if she was just going to walk around the jeep, and it was parked under a street light. When we refused to move the jeep, she called my husband an "a*e, " and told us to "get the f* off the lot."
Fearing a physical confrontation from an obviously emotionally unbalanced woman, we quickly left, and I walked quickly to get into my jeep and drive off. I was followed by the female owner. I was following her instructions to get off the lot, and tried to close the door of the jeep. She refused to let me drive off, insisting on seeing how many miles were on the car.
Guess I was confused... We were told to leave, and I was trying to. I finally was able to get her away from me, so I could drive off. Again the police were called, this time by me.
I will keep the car, and will make payments to them via certified mail, as she threated a few times to repo the jeep.
Stay clear of this establishment. They strong hold people. They knew they couldn't finance a car of this age and miles, and thought I would pay the additional down payment despite the fact the deal had gone through. God only knows how many other people they've pulled this shiftless crap on.
Oh, and in closing... If this deranged woman that so obviously needs a hand full of anti-depressants is reading this. Dear, you don't call customers as*s, and you don't rip off people that know the law. Good luck ripping off your next sucker that is too afraid to stand up for themselves.
This could of very easily turned into a very violent situation with this woman. Again, she ordered me off the lot, I tried to comply, and she attempts to prevent me from closing the door of the jeep I legally own. That really could of gotten ugly if I were as off balanced as she appears to be.
God only knows people like that sleep at night.
Tracy
Bakersfield, California
U.S.A.
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