Too many times a company lies to its customer just to get a few bucks. It is very easy to cheat the customer, in reality they might lose that customer, and maybe a friend or two. Now with the power of the Internet companies are going to have to take accountability for their actions.
Be sure to read the update below
This is a story of my dealings with Mel Clayton Ford in Phoenix Arizona. I had recently moved back to Phoenix from St Louis MO in July of no longevity at a job or residence because of the move.in fact I had just started a new job and place upon moving back. I knew that when I walked into the door of Mel Clayton Ford (MCF), that I would be paying higher interest rates on a loan of a car.
I arrived at the car lot later in the evening around 6:00 PM it had been a good day. I had accepted a well paying computer job in Chandler and needed a car. I told the salesperson Sam, exactly what was going on. He knew that I was new in town, $2K down, good job starting the next day. He filled out some paper work, and ran it through their computers, he came out stating that I was approved at 9% interest if I could prove a receipt for a utility bill and the payoff of my last car.
After perusing the cars on the lot, I found what I wanted. A 2000 Ford Focus, used, one owner, and in good condition. Sam gave me the keys to the car and I took it for a test drive. He also gave me a business card of his moonlight company for limo service. I loved the car and still do, after getting back to the dealership I had to have that car.
Sam took me to the financial area of Mel Clayton Ford, where Pierre took care of my loan. While waiting in the lobby, I over heard the financial people talking to each other stating, "Scam has another victim". I have had pet names for people that I have worked with, but I would never let the customers here that. I dismissed the name and started on the paper work. It was 9:00PM I was tired of signing papers and getting insurance on the car, but it was done and all mine at 16.95% (not the original rate quoted).
I stopped back into the dealership the next day with the receipts that were requested and proof of insurance. 2 days later I get a call from Pierre, saying that he needed my offer letter from my company stating the salary and start date. I stopped by the dealership and handed him the letter, he made a photocopy of it and returned the original to me. 1 week later Pierre calls again, he states that he still needs the letter. I went down there again, unable to find Pierre I give a copy to Scam along with my paycheck stub.
I have now had the car for 3 weeks. Pierre calls me again, he needs another paycheck stub. I take a few hours off work to run down there and give him my 2nd stub. He also informs me that the bank rejected my loan (I think MCF took to long). I sign another contract for a different bank and run back to work. I notice after work that I signed a new contract for 20.20% it was too late for me to argue.
I keep getting calls, too many to count, that they needed more paycheck stubs, I go down to find out why, Scam had lied when he filled out my paper work stating that I made an extra $700 a month. Pierre said he would adjust my paper work and take care of it all. 2.5 months and paying MCF directly my car payment. I received a call on a Wed from Scam stating that the loan had gone through. I had accepted a better job that same day and was taking off to Salt Lake City, Utah for a road trip to see my family. While I was in Utah, Pierre had called my house on Thursday, leaving me a message to come sign another loan. Friday, he left another message to come to the dealership, Saturday he left a nasty message. If I didn't come down and sign a loan today they would repossess my car. I didn't receive these messages until Sunday night at 11:30 when I got back into town.
I woke up Monday morning bright and early for my first day at a new job. My car was gone. I called the police and filed a report. My roommate took me to work. I called MCF first thing the Finance Manager apologized profusely and said I could come get my car at the dealership.
My roommate was supposed to pick me up from work at 5ish he didn't show for a few hours. Needing to get to the dealership, I walked down to a Circle K in Mesa on Broadway and Extension road. I had been in the Arizona sun for 2 hours, recently I had surgery on my leg and the sweat was seeping into my well expired bandage. I asked the attendant to call me a taxi because I was in pain and couldn't walk anymore, he said it was not his job. Frustrated, I got change and went to the phone booth outside, the Taxi pages were ripped out of all 4 books. I walked down to the next station in tears, ever step was rubbing my raw sore. The next convince store was less than helpful, A young, poor lady, begging for change to put gas in her car saw me and asked what was wrong. I told her the story, she said she would take me but didn't have gas. I filled her tank and gave her $20. She took me to the dealership and dropped me off.
I went to the finance department and asked for my car, no one would help me. Finally the only nice Finance person there Jim, took me out to the lot and asked for a lot boy to retrieve my car. 30 minutes of waiting, my car was not to be seen.in tears I literally crawled in to the dealership and Jim took maters into his own hands, ran all over the parking lot, found my car and brought it to me. I got home to find out my roommate totaled his car on his way to get me.
They next day after work I went down to the dealership, I had a new finance guy and new paper work now my interest rate was 21.95%. Now I have a car that will cost me $32.705.60 that was worth $10,000.
Unfortunately, a little to late, I learned a few things: Haggle the price, and you only need to sign one contract!
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