I visited Atchley Ford over a year ago on a Saturday morning inquiring about turning in my leased 2000 Explorer Sport in on a 2002 Explorer XLT. I had just been there less than 20 days earlier and traded in my 2000 Mustang GT for a minivan.
Needless to say, the family was growing was the reason for these two trades within a 30 day period. (That trade is another story) I was told that there were great renewal rebates when signing a new two year lease. I inquired about 0% financing. I was told by the leasing manager that 0% was post 9/11 and that rate would not be seen again for a long time. I agreed to a lease rate and signed and drove the vehicle off the lot.
That following Monday, my sales guy (Sugar Bear) contacted me in regards to the 0% financing. It was back!!! You can't tell me that they did not know it was coming back two days from when I signed the lease. I felt like I had been scammed because I was leasing the vehicle for $620/month and could have bought it for $475/month at 0%.
Needless to say, I contacted the dealership manager. I was told that they had a signed contract and to pound sand. I contacted my attorney and my attorney heard all of my case and contacted the dealership. The dealership contacted me the next day and asked me to come in so that they could sell me the Explorer. The dealership had still not sent me registration and tax papers on the minivan trade so, I inquired about thost at that time. I was told that there was a delay, but I should get them about the same time as I receive new papers on the Explorer. The dealership had the paperwork all filled out... The bottom line was the rate of $475 for 60 months for 0% so, I signed.
Three weeks later, I contacted the delearship about the minivan papers because the intransits had expired. I was told that there was a problem with the Explorer sales contract and was asked to visit the store. Upon entering, I was greeted by the general manager and credit manager who informed me that the sales contract included a $2500 lease renewal rebate and that was not correct. They inquired how I would pay that $2500. I told them no problem, tack it onto the loan and I will pay it at a rate of 0%. They told me that they figured I would just write them a check. I declined due to the 0% and told them that I technically didn't have to pay them the $2500 since I had a signed sales contract. They then told me that they still had the signed Lease contract and the city of Omaha wouldn't know any different if they leased the vehicle or sold the vehicle to me. I laughed and told them to stick it.
I contacted my attorney who told me that the sales contract was in effect and the lease contract was void and he told me to not pay them the $2500 that this was their error. Needless to say, three days later, I received both the minivan and Explorer registration and tax papers. I went down to the treasurer's office and paid the taxes on the sales contract (not the lease since that is what they sent to me.
I thought problem was over so, they simply sent me the paperwork. Wrong) I went to pay the taxes on the minivan (which by the way showed a tax credit from the Lease on the Mustang. I was told that since I was leasing the Mustang, my taxes were taken out monthly and that there was no tax credit to the minivan.
Needless to say, that is not the way the dealership wrote the sales contract so, that was a surprise, but I paid the difference. The following day, I received another phone call from Fudd, Atchley Ford's general manager. He was inquiring about the Explorer's $2500 balance. I told him that I thought that we were past that because I had already received the sales contract paperwork to plate and pay taxes on the vehicle. He seemed stumped and said, "You mean you aren't going to pay the $2500?" I told him no. He then told me that he was going to turn in the lease contract to Ford Credit. I told him that the needed to turn in something quick because at this time, it was going on 60 days of no payments on the Explorer with Ford Credit. Another $500 was due at the time he turned in the sales contract. He told me that he would turn in the sales contract, but needed the first months payment of $500.
I told him that my sales contract indicated no payment for 30 days from the date the contract was turned in. He exploaded and told me that he would contact my employer and tell them what kind of guy I was. I was at the office at the time, and had this jackass on the speaker phone. Over 20 people in my office had heard about my issue so, they were all listening at the time of this incident. He began cursing me and told me that $3k wasn't something he would just write off and that he would get his money. I told him that he was an asshole and that he was handling this the wrong way. I offered to pay the $2500 on the loan at 0%, but he told me that was not possible.
I received the paperwork, paid the taxes on the sales contract with the $2500 rebate and I was the bad guy? I advised him that I would tell everyone that I know about this issue and that blackmale would catch up with him. I then hung up the phone. I contacted Ford Management. The Leasing manager was let go a few days after this incident and Fudd... Needless to say, he was transferred to another location.
-Update. I contacted Atchley again about doing business and tried to purchase another vehicle through them (Hell, I got a good deal the last time... Was hoping for another one) when the new manager heard about my issue from the credit department. He contacted me and told me that he did not want to hear my side of the story and that he did not want to do business with me ever. He hung up the phone and that was the end of Atchley Ford.
Because I did not bend over and take it up the rear three weeks after signing the sales contract, I am the bad guy. Atchley Ford is a joke and likes to prey on people with poor credit or so I have heard from inside sales people. Buyer beware!
Battlerock
Omaha, Nebraska
U.S.A.
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