I use the word alleged due to pending legal action and none of the above or below has been proven in a court of law yet.
I purchased a Toyota Tacoma and a Toyota 4Runner at the same time over the course of several days from the same dealer, Sterling McCall Toyota-Fort Bend, owned by Group 1 Automotive. The Tacoma selling price was negotiated over the internet and the 4Runner was negotiated at the dealership.
The agreed sale price on the Tacoma was dealer's invoice without any dealer added options plus mandatory Texas State fees, document fees and sales tax. You would think a simple transaction. Not so, I caught this dealer trying to add a. 25% increase on the Texas sales tax, adding $385 of DPA (Additional Dealer Profit), and smaller amounts of added dealer charges. After saying no to all the extra charges and additional sales tax, the General Manager, Jorge Avelaro, told the Sales Manager, Mario, to remove the charges. It was done, but they were a little upset with me. It was at closing time and I left to sign the papers the next business day.
Before I get to the sad part, I want to share the potential felony fraud portion of this complaint. My gross monthly salary was intentionally misrepresented after I signed a credit application. The Internet Manager, Arnold Alaniz, changed my monthly income to reflect $1000 higher than actual. This was done in front of me and 3 other witnesses. I told Arnold Alaniz that this was not necessary due to my good credit. He laughed and left to have the Business Manager, Joe Masson, check my credit. I really thought he was trying to be funny as he returned he said to my son Your Daddy has great credit. He makes more than he said he did. I did later find out after receiving a requested copy of my credit application from Chevy Chase Bank that he was not kidding.
I informed both banks (2 banks, one for each vehicle) that the application was incorrect and in my opinion my income was fraudulently misrepresented. Both banks said they did not care because I would have qualified anyway. The banks are Banco Popular and Chevy Chase Bank. I received a poor quality fax copy of the credit application from Chevy Chase Bank. This application is on the 4Runner. My signature on this credit application appears to be forged.interested parties and I are waiting on a better copy from Chevy Chase Bank. After a formal letter of request, Banco Popular provided me a copy of their credit application on my purchase of the Tacoma. This application does have my legal signature.
I have found the banks reluctant to provide me with requested information. I would obtain a copy from Fort Bend Toyota, but I was told by Group 1 Automotive and Sterling McCall Toyota-Fort Bend not to contact the dealership unless through their legal representative, the Cash Allen law firm, Tonya Knauth representing attorney.
The Bait and Switch I was presented, by the Sales Manager Mario, the dealers invoice on the purchased 4Runner with his finger on the selling price. My research of dealer's invoice on this vehicle was very close to the sales price the Sales Manager's finger was pointing to and I said done deal. The Sales Manager said I could purchase the 4Runner that was 2 feet behind me on the showroom floor (only 4Runner on the floor) for the price he had pointed to if I would purchase both vehicles today. I agreed. After my funds had cleared the dealer's bank, I was faxed a requested copy of the dealer's invoice on the vehicle in question. This requested information was a totally different vehicle and dealer's invoice from the one under the Sales Manager's finger.
The Sad Part After days of haggling over the final sales price and sales contract on the Tacoma, I signed the Tacoma contract. This was supposed to be a simple matter due to sales price being agreed to through the internet. Now it is time for the 4Runner. The used car sales tactics of delay and distraction are implemented to their best. Direct questions were never answered except the last one Is this the same deal as the Tacoma? Dealer's invoice with no dealer added options? The answer was yes it is. My son, new proud owner of a Tacoma, wants to leave so he can show off his new truck. The dealership planned this to rush me and not scrutinize the 4Runner contract as I did the Tacoma. I made a mistake; I signed the contract on the 4Runner. After returning home I realized the contract was for approximately $3000 more than agreed upon sales price.
I telephoned and emailed Arnold Alaniz asking if there was a mistake. Nope. I telephoned Business Manager asking what happened. He suggested I call the General Manager, Jorge Averalo. I spoke with Mr. Averalo and he said he could not help me and to call the Sales Manager, Mario. I spoke with Mario and he informed me that the vehicles had been funded and there was nothing I could do about it. I reminded him of the finger pointing of the agreed upon sales price. He denied it and asked me if I was calling him a liar and make threatening remarks of what he would do to me if I was. He proceeded to tell me to go do something to myself and do what I had to do.
Actions Taken To Date
I have corresponded with Yoshi Inaba, President and CEO Toyota USA. No direct response. Toyota Corporate Customer Relations, after many weeks, telephone calls and emails, really cannot help me and suggested that I try to resolve this matter Outside Toyota I must say the Toyota CR people are very professional and courteous but no help.
I informed both banks of the potential fraud and forgery and they have shown little or no concern to date. To be fair, Banco Popular, on March 7 said they were to confer with their legal department in Chicago and may rescind their note and consider cessation business relations with Sterling McCall-Fort Bend Toyota owned by Group '1 Automotive. I am waiting on Chevy Chase Bank to provide me a legible copy of my credit application to determine if my signature was forged as it seems to be.
I declined a monetary offer by Sterling McCall Toyota-Fort Bend's (owned by Group 1 Automotive) attorney. This $500 offer is not acceptable to me and would appear an admission of wrong doing to some degree by Sterling McCall Toyota-Fort Bend and/or Group 1 Automotive. After I declined the offer, I was then cautioned to be aware of a potential slander suit by Tonya Knauth, attorney for Sterling McCall Toyota-Fort Bend and Group 1 Automotive.
I have filed a voluntary sworn statement with the local police department. The Fort Bend County, Texas District Attorney is to investigate.
Most of the local media venues have been contacted and are interested in the investigation and I have an open file with one of the major television network affiliates.
I have created a laundry list of other State agencies and consumer fraud protection agencies to share my Toyota purchasing experiences.
George
Richmond, Texas
U.S.A.
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