Consumers beware!!!
April 4 I submitted an application via autoloan.com and received an e-mail confirming that my application had been forwarded to Tony Salemi, the local loan advisor. I was also given an e-mail address and a telephone number to reach "them".
I authorized Autoloan.com to review my credit history (run a credit check) as part of the online application forwarded to Mr. Salemi.
On April 8, I called Mr. Salemi. He informed me that my application was approved for an auto loan of up to $20,000. We scheduled an appointment for April 12, 10:00 A.M. At Gateway Chevrolet and Oldsmobile.
Mr. Salemi informed to bring the following: drivers license, most current check stub, telephone bill in my name, W-2 form/s for 2002 and six references.
I also inquired if a down-payment was required. Mr. Salemi informed me that no down-payment was required, just to bring the aforementioned documents to the appointment and that I would drive home in a car.
April 11 Kathy, assistant to Mr. Salemi gave me a courtesy call remindimg me of my appointment April 12. I informed Kathy that I had a vehicle to use as a trade-in. She asked if I owed any money on the vehicle, I replied no. Kathy then informed me to bring the car and the car-title.
I also inquired again about the amount of the auto loan that I was approved, if down-payment was required and what was the finance rate.
Kathy, informed me that I was approved for an auto loan of up to $20,000, little or no down-payment was required and that the finance rate would be in the teens but I could discuss that more at the appointment.
April 12 my sister and I drove 22 miles to Gateway Chevrolet and Oldsmobile with intent of purchasing a vehicle.
When we arrived I informed one of the salesmen of my appointment with Tony Salemi. He walked away and returned with Mr. Salemi and another young man. Mr. Salemi introduced himself and the young man as Dave. He said that Dave would assist me in getting a file started.
We went with Dave to his desk. My sister asked Dave what was his position there. He told us that he and Kathy were assistants to Mr. Salemi.
We continued with the process. I gave Dave my drivers license, chek stub and 2002 W-2 forms. He filled out a form entering my personal information and asked me to sign the form. I read the form and it was basically giving consent for a credit check.
I mentioned that my application had been forwarded to Mr. Salemi and that a credit check was included in that on-line application.
Dave stated that a credit check was done with the on-line application and that it would not be ran again. He stated that he needed my signature in order to retrieve my file and print it from the computer. I signed, Dave input some information in the computer.
He then asked for my car title and key so that my car could be appraised. Dave left and returned shortly.
Dave stated that I needed a co-signer for "only twelve months". I asked why was I not informed of this information before. He said that Tony and Kathy must have over-looked two derogatory items on my credit report.
I told Dave that I did not have a co-signer, period. And had I known that I would not have made the trip to Gateway. He then asked if I could get my "sister, mother, father, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, husband, boyfriend, niece, nephew or anybody to co-sign" for an auto loan.
He continued to pressure me into calling any of my family members or friends and that he could convince one of them to co-sign for me. I told him that I did not have a co-signer and that I would NOT call anyone so that he could talk to them.
My sister and I both were upset at this point, mainly because I should have been informed of this before we drove there and we both expressed this to Dave.
Dave left stating that he would speak to one of the finance managers to see how they could help me.
Dave returned with Sam, a finance manager. Sam introduced himself to us and began with "I really want to help you, but I need you to help me help you." Sam continued where Dave left off tryin to persuade me to call one of my family members or friends. I told Sam that I could not get a co-signer, period.
Sam threw my file on the desk and said "well I'm not going to be able to help you!" He walked away and Dave picked up the file and returned my documents and car key.
Consumers beware and pass this information to others!!!
KAY
CHICAGO, Illinois
U.S.A.
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