I found out this story is not unusual. I needed a car. Badly. My car was beyond repair. Logic told me to go shop for a new car. But I could only afford a used one. I visited Capital Chevrolet on I-20, Exit 80, outside of Columbia, South Carolina. I was approached by Paul Olszewski who would not leave me alone until I found a car I liked. Growing up thinking that honesty was the best policy, I told him that my credit was less than perfect and my husband was out of town on business. He narrowed my search down by getting my credit "pre-approved". He assured me the car I picked out, a 2003 Buick, was well within my credit limit and could be a done-deal. I signed the necessary papers, was introduced to the sales manager, Tom Dean, who assured me I had made a good choice and looked forward to working with me. I drove the car home and at the suggestion of Mr. Olszewski, put the Buick on my insurance and filled it with gas. The next day I returned to deliver the final paperwork and license tag from my old car. I was met at the door by Paul and Tom Dean. Paul told me I needed to give him $2,000 to $3,000 more in cash, sign my husband's name to the loan agreement, and take possession of a car they picked out for me. It was a 2008 Pontiac that was twice the price and the type of car I would not even consider. Mr. Dean explained to me that I had no choice. My credit history showed him that since I had chosen an older car I would be more likely faced with repairs and not able to make the payments. With a newer car, maybe I couldn't make the payments, but I could always turn it back in for them to re-sell. The Pontiac was the only car on their lot available to me. Take it or leave it. I ended up walking away, with a friend at my side, with Paul following me in the Pontiac, screaming at us to get in the car. So instead of selling me a car that I wanted and could afford, they wanted to screw me. This is just business as usual for this company and should be avoided.
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