We feel the dealership from whom we purchased a new car used misleading and deceptive practices to put an additional $499 in their pocket. We have informed Mazda USA and Spradley Barr Dealership in Fort Collins, CO of this. Mazda USA apologized but will do nothing to their Franchisee. The window sticker that shows "Delivery, Processing and Handling fee of $795" - giving us the impression that we already paid for delivery and handling, etc. The installment sales contract lists an additional $499 supposedly for accessories and services (there were none as part of the sale), and delivery and handling charge already already paid as shown on the window sticker. When we complained to Spradley Barr, the Sales Manager, Mark Newendyke, rudely referred us to the "sign" and line on the retail installment contract. The line on the sign that says that the $499 will be added to the negotiated price is deliberately so small that it cannot be read unless you are within approximately 4-5 feet. We did see this sign but being at a distance and feeling we were dealing with honorable people we never noticed this tiny print and therefore were not aware of this charge when Jamie Brooks wrote out all the other costs. He appears to have deliberately left that out. Scott Thomason also did not call attention to this number when we were signing the papers late in the evening. The tiny print in and of itself is an obvious attempt to trick and mislead the customer. At no time during the price negotiation with Jamie Brooks was this disclosed. When we finally did the paper work with Scott Thomason, we thought the negotiations were completed. Hours had passed and it was late in the evening. Neither of us took notice of that $499 "tip" they added for themselves. In our minds, their omission merely continues an obvious attempt to mislead and trick us as customers. Copies of the paperwork and a photo of the sign can be provided.
If you can do something to help us recover our $499, that would be greatly appreciated. It appears to us that they attempt to pull this trick on everyone purchasing a vehicle from them. We wonder how many people did not notice this, and may have never realized that they were paying an almost $500 extra. For those like us who did notice it, Mark's strategy was obviously to belittle and intimidate us into just accepting it. We hope that you can help notify others of this greedy and deceptive practice before they go to this dealer.
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