I recently turned in my 3 year lease Audi A-6 to lease a Toyota Prius (incidentally, both Keyes owned dealers). Keyes Toyota told me they would return the car for me. They inspected the car and noted no damage on their inspection paperwork.
I take great care with my cars and they are always in excellent condition when I return them. Today, however, I received a bill from Audi Financial Services for "Dent No Paint Damage V-bumper/Rear for $330 and Multiple Dents V-Door for $55". I called Audi and explained that I have never received an "excess wear and tear" bill in almost 20 years of car leasing. I also told them that the Toyota dealer "inspected" the car before I left the dealer and that I have a"release of liability" and the paperwork to prove it. They informed me that "it was like leaving the car with a friend and that I was still responsible for the car". I also requested to see the proof/photos of the damage and they responded that those were for "internal purposes only".
Here's the kicker: 15 minutes after I hung up the phone, Audi financial called me back saying they were willing to give me a "good will offer to cut the bill in half, but only if I paid it within the next ten days".
How can this company get away with this? How can they tell me that they have proof of the damage and not show me the photos? How can the bill suddenly get cut in half when I call to complain?
What a scam. I'm willing to pursue this if anyone is interested.
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