I arrived at Huntington Toyota on July 7th in the hopes of purchasing a vehicle. After being informed that no Toyota dealer on Long Island had the specific vehicle model that I was looking for, the salesman suggested that I leave a minimum deposit of $500 for the next vehicle model that arrived on the lot. I agreed, knowing that my options were slim.
One week later, I was contacted by Atlantic Toyota, the now parent company to Huntington Toyota. They informed me that they had my specific model in stock and that it was available to me if I wanted it. I told Atlantic that I had a $500 deposit down at Huntington Toyota. Atlantic reassured me, stating that withholding a deposit after a consumer has declined to purchase the vehicle is illegal and that I should have no problem getting my deposit back. After speaking with several individuals who have left deposits at various dealerships and have retrieved them, they assured me, as well that I would have no problem.
My problem occurred when I ran into Ray Penza, the Sales Manager at Huntington Toyota on July 14th. I politely asked for my deposit back, stating that I would be purchasing from their now parent company at Atlantic Toyota. Ray Penza, after stumbling over his words and obviously unsure about his shady and unethical business practices told me that they wouldn't be able to return the deposit because the money had already been allocated. I informed Mr. Penza that the decision that he was embarking on was an obviously shady and illegal business tactic for retained earnings without provided services. I told him that because I was not buying the vehicle from them, I would not be paying them for a car that I was not taking home; hence the deposit. Ray Penza still refused, obviously thinking that by some sort of warped perception I was receiving a service. Really, the only service that I witnessed Huntington Toyota provide was a service that usually occurs behind bars and with a large unsavory man named Bubba.
So, Bubba, I mean Mr. Penza, since being provided with your "service", I have since reported your behavior to The Attorney General's Bureau for Consumer Fraud and Protection, The Better Business Bureau, Consumer Affairs, The Federal Trade Commission, and several television stations. Hopefully the warden will take notice.
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