I went to Bill Heard after hearing one of their ads about their used car sale. If I made a certain amount per week, had a job, that I could buy a car no matter what my past credit history was. Being divorced and needing a car since I was borrowing my sister's most of the time for work I went there with the thought that I could get a good used car for work and to try and reestablish my own credit again.
I found a 2003 car that was about $6500 and a 2004 close to the same price. We went inside filled out the credit application, then he went to run it. The sales guy came back about ten minutes later telling me that I didn't qualify and that I needed a co-signer if I wanted the car and about $2000. Down. I told him that was nuts that I couldn't do that and that I felt I should go someplace else. He told me to wait a minute then left coming back said he wanted to show me something. Taking me outside along with my sister he showed me a 2006 Chevy Impala with 35,000 miles on it, fully loaded, telling me that I could drive it off the lot today with no down payment, only a co-signer. I told him I didn't understand I couldn't qualify for a car that was $6500 but I could for one that was about $17,000 with no down? He told me it was because they didn't have any investment in it. My sister said that if it would help my credit no problem, so she and her husband filled out the credit application, did all the paperwork then told to come back tomorrow to sign the final papers driving the car off the lot that day.
The next day we all went to sign the papers, I was told that only their signatures were necessary being left in the dark as it were as to why. The payments which I wanted to keep at 300 or less turned out to be 450 per month. Not only that but we came to find out after signing when the final paperwork came back for the registration and tags that it was in only their names. When asked about it we were told that if he put my name on it as well that it wouldn't have went through, but that since I was going to be making the payments that it could later be adjusted and turned over to me. None of us liked the idea but still I needed a car and it sounded like it was ok to do.
Unfortunately 3 months later I was hurt on the job leaving me now fighting for my workman's comp which I have yet to receive. Citi Financial who holds the paperwork for the car is threatening to repo it. Neither my sister nor her husband were in a position to make the payments that I had been making. When we spoke again to Bill Heard Chevy about it the sales agent wasn't there any longer however we were told not to worry about it that they would notify the finance company for us. Needless to say they never did and my sister and her husband kept getting phone calls about the car, finally a notice of pay up or else which I saw.
I told her lets contact them and explain it to them. Sadly they were not understanding telling me that I had no obligation to the vehicle, that it was my sister and her husband who would have the mark on their credit, that they were the ones responsible for the vehicle, and that if the money wasn't paid within 72 hours that they were going to go forth with legal matters to get the car. I tried to explain to them about the workman's comp issue but they didn't want to hear that either stating that they can't wait like me for their money.
The 72 hours has since past, I fear they are going to come get the car, destroy my sister and her husband's credit. I am so upset over the whole deal and wish that it would have never happened. I don't know what can be done since I am still waiting on compensation to be paid which I have no idea since I have had to get a lawyer for that. The Insurance company is Gallagher Bassett, which if you do a search on them you'll see it might be a while since its already been 6 months trying to get.
Without the car I am not able to go to the doctor's office, treatments that I need, or anything. I can't get them to listen, was screwed when I bought the car and lied to about what I could and couldn't get, now we are all going to suffer over it.
Neil
Huntsville, Alabama
U.S.A.
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