On April 1, I attempted to BUY a 2005 Toyota Carolla "S". My salesman, Steve Smith, said I had stopped in on the best day because it was "name your own terms day." I told him I wanted to pay not more than $245 p/month up to 48 months. He said I would be better off leasing. Since I travel by plane a lot for work, leasing was a good option for me. I told him up front I had no trade-in and no money down.
After much haggling, it was now 5:30 P.M. When I told him it was no use and I was leaving the store.in a last ditch effort, he offered me $319 p/month for 60 months and I agreed. All of the papers were drawn up, I purchased an additional $20 p/month disability insurance policy within the contract, and their binders insurance. Meanwhile, Steve, my salesman talked me into giving up my recently deceased mother's car as a trade-in and $500 cash. I was told to call Jon Matyus, the Finance Manager by April 8th with my own insurance information.
On April 8th I called Jon. It was then that he told me to hold off on the insurance because they wanted me to bring the car back. I asked what did I do wrong? He said nothing they just needed me to return the car and wanted to know when I would do so. I said Monday, April 11th. I was so distraught and confused that I called the dealership for my salesperson and asked what he knew about all of this. I needed answers.
He said that Toyota Motor Credit had refused to lease to me because THIRTEEN, that's right, 13 years ago I had been carjacked for a Toyota vehicle I once owned. The full-coverage insurance had not paid them off completely and they were now bitter and it was their right to hold a grudge.
I explained that it was the first time I was made aware of this since it happened and I was never contacted by Toyota Motor Credit in the past about it why now 13 years later. I further told Jon that since I was financed based on my credit report and that information did not exist then nor now, I would be abiding by the terms of our current contract. He reminded me that they had attached a rider to the contract that states I would return the car within 2 days if they contacted me within 30 days of the contract date and requested it back.
I read the rider but I also read the contract where it states that the contract is binding and both parties must agree and sign a written agreement in order to void it. I quoted that to him. I told him to submit his request to void the contract to me in writing or serve me through due process. He became angry and told me he was turning me over to his General Manager. I told him I was turning HIM over to my lawyer.
I get a call from a man who sounded like a mob boss with a thick Italian accent, named Joe Malone. I asked him "exactly" what is your title? I was keeping notes. He was ill-prepared and not expecting me to ask him that. He struggled with the word "Intermediary." He told me if I did not bring the car back, they were going to turn me over to the authorities charging me with "concealment of collateral" which he said was a felony. He said they were going to have me handcuffed and taken to jail. I still refused so he conferenced our call with the General Manager, Joe Paini. While we were all on the line, I once again asked Mr. Malone what was his title, he responded "hey, Joe, what would you say I am?" "I'm like a intermediatiary (whatever that is). My job is to see to it that all parties are happy." I think they hired him because his voice sounds like a mobster and they use him for intimidation purposes.
Paini was ADAMANT that he could not lease this car to me. He said he had another car already picked out for me and the financing terms were already in place. I declined. No matter how he twisted and turned that offer, I declined. Finally, he said "o.K., I'll finance you for the car you have now but the notes are going to be higher."
I really didn't trust him now since he kept saying he couldn't finance the current car and in the same conversation, changed his tune. He offered $361 p/mo for 72 months. I agreed but countered him. I asked that his dealership pay the $20 p/month for the disability insurance since the error was on their behalf not mine. He refused and the deal, once again, was off. He became extremely irate and started yelling at me over the phone. He told me I had 24 hours. I did not act. He called again and told me I was now making the Owner very angry and I'd better call back within 24 hours. I still did not act.
Today, a woman with a male companion came to my home banging like they were the police. At the same time, they were ringing my phone. They left a message saying that if I do not turn the car over within 24 hours, they were going to call my job and the police and report the car stolen. They ring my phone from morning to night consistently.
We are past their 30 day "binder" period and they still have not submitted ANYTHING in writing. Just harrassing phone calls and now personal visits to my home.
At the time of this posting, I am now mailing a letter to the Attorney General's office of my state.
These people have gone from being crazy to downright dangerous in my opinion.
V
CCHills, Illinois
U.S.A.
0 comments