On 2/17/08, I went into Eastern Motors to see if I could get a vehicle. I had received a post card from them about a New Start Program. It said I was already pre-approved and to call their number for my approval number. The deal said that I would not make a payment for first 75 days, that Easterns would make my first payment, and that I would need no down payment if I was trading in a car with equity.
I had some serious credit problems mostly due to illness. I was very upfront with everything and even provided them with a copy of my discharged bankruptcy from 2004. I said if you can't get me anything, I will understand I thought I would just give it a chance. After sitting there for 5 hours, they told me that they culd put me in a 2004 Buick Rainier. It had more miles than I wanted over 73,000 and payments were $500, they told me I could keep up my payments for 6 months and then refinance at lower rate.
The salesman said it would look better if I made the down payment and they faxed proof over to the finance company. I gave them $1500 over of my debit card. He came back to me later and said he needed another $300, which I did. He came back again and said he needed another $500 which I could get a payday loan for. I was not happy about it, but I had been riding around with heat for a long time and my car was on its last knee.
As I was signing the papers I asked why the next payment showed for the next month, when they said that they were to make the 1st payment. That is when you contract is due, but we will make the 1st payment. I asked about the 75 days before the payment is to be made. I said that means I don't owe a payment until May right. Well, no, 30 days from when you pick up vehicle we made the 1st payment, your next payment would be 60 days from the day you picked up the car and you have a 5-10 day grace period befoore you are considered late. Still does not equal 75 days and very misleading.
So I waited for them to bring car up from Virginia, signed everything once the car got there I was told it was not Maryland inspected and I would have to pick it up on Monday afternoon. I come back Monday afternoon and pick up the vehicle, nothing was said but that they needed copies of the past 3 months of bank statements. I came back later that night and was told that the bank needed to talk to me. When I get on the phone the rep. From CAC said who told you to call us, I said Easterns, she ask that I put them on the phone. I sat there for another 1-1/2 hours. The sales manager comes out and tells me that the vehicle can not be financed because I already had a car in bankruptcy with CAC. They don't know how they missed it, they wanted $6,000 down or a co-signer. I said I told you everything about my situation, the sales man showed me my credit report with every vehicle I ever financed and every bank was listed there in black and white.
I said no, I will call my daughter and ask her to bring my old car, which I had not junked yet. So after sitting there for another 2 hours, they said it was their fault and they would fix it. They asked me to add my husband for more income. So he fills out an application and they come out with this 2005 Chrysler Town & Country, very nice, only 43,000 miles and payments were a little over $400.
So they said come back tomorrow and return the SUV and pick up the van we wanted to make sure that the loan goes thru with the bank. So we come back the next night and after 2 hours again, we leave with the van. I asked them if everything was cancelled with the SUV, they assured me that it was, I said what about the automatic withdrawl for the car payment, I was assured that was cancelled.
Well the bank they decided to stick us with is Prestige Financial, if I had read the complaints about them, I would have said forget it. Anyway everyday I got calls from the bank and from the car dealership with more questions. Then they said because my husband was a temp. They were concerned. I said he has been on his job for over 1 yr. So again we were forced to come down there a provide them with W-2's from 2006 to prove that he has worked for the same employer the whole 18 months.
So after 2 1/2 weeks of having the vehicle, I get a call from the sales man that says the bank will not finance the van and I need to return it. I said fine just give me my money back. He said we could try a smaller car, I said I am not going to make payments on a car that my family can not fit in and go thru with trama again. So they come pick up the van I get my $1800 back and the payday loan is cancelled. End of story or so I thought.
I checked my bank account yesterday and the car payment for the Buick Rainier, which I returned on 2/20/08 was attempted to be withdrawn from my account $528.00!!! Luckily I had moved money that account over the weekend or they would have taken it. After speakng to CAC and Truepay (3rd party biller) I was told by Truepay that they were not informed until yesterday 3/17/07 by CAC that I had returned the vehicle and they have since closed the account. So I contacted Eastern Motors Corporate office and speak with William in Customer Care, I told him what happened he really seemed non-commital. He did tell me that he would contact both sales people and the finance manager to see what happened in my case. He said the autopay was probably overlooked. I said that is not the answer I want to hear, I was told that everything was cancelled on that vehicle and I even had them make me a copy of the paper. I was charged an overdraft fee of $30 by my bank for the auto withdrawl.
I was suppose to hear from William by lunch time today and of course I did not. Eastern Motors is a sham, your job is not your credit. If they can not finance your with the banks that they work with they can't do it and they should have been upfront instead of putting me thru hell for the last 3 weeks. I told them I have heard no before, so if your can't do it, just say so.
My recommendation, please don't get a car with them. Just because I have credit problems doesn't mean I have to be treated 2nd class.
Beverly
Montgomery Village, Maryland
U.S.A.
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