I am writing about a horrible experience I encountered while purchasing my first new car, a Honda Civic DX.
On Friday November 2nd, I went into the Staten Island Honda Dealership on Hyland Boulevard and spoke to a salesman named Mir. He and I discussed the different models and eventually I decided to purchase a black 2008 Honda Civic DX that was on the showroom floor. We agreed upon a price of $17,000 and I left a deposit. Mir said I could come back at 4:00pm the next day to pick up my vehicle and sign the paperwork.
On Saturday November 3rd, I was excited to pick up my vehicle and went to speak with the Honda Business Manager, Majic, to sign my papers. He told me that financing this vehicle, after leaving a $2,500 deposit, would cost me $443 dollars per month on my $17,000 purchase, based on 7.95 % financing. (I would later realize that this is how he scammed me, because that $443 dollars per month was not the correct number)
Majic then proceeded to ask me if I had financed through American Honda before and I said yes. He searched and found me in the system and said I lucked out because Honda can lower my interest rate to 6.25% financing and enter you into a special plan that Honda only offers to existing customers. He said it would be approximately another $5-$10 per month, but I would get an extended warranty to 6 years 80,000 miles, GAP coverage and other benefits. I was told that the money I was saving on my percentage rate drop would be paid into this plan, so it would cost me an additional $60 per year. He reiterated that this exclusive deal is a way for Honda to take care of its loyal customers and help protect its investments. I thought that this all sounded ok. Majic said my new monthly payment would be $449 per month based on 60 months at a 6.25% finance rate. I agreed to this deal and signed all necessary papers. The paperwork was showed to me with the same $449 per month payment. Not knowing interest rates and numbers, this number seemed high, but trusting Honda and its products I assumed everything was correct. I got in my vehicle and headed home.
While reviewing my paperwork Saturday evening, I realized that Majic had listed the purchase price on my vehicle at $23,547.00. He also added taxes. I thought that Majic had made a genuine mistake and went back Sunday morning to discuss the issue. No one was able to speak with me on Sunday, so I took time off from work on Monday to go to the dealership and fix the paperwork.
When I went to Majic's office on Monday November 5th to show him the mistake, he told me that the paperwork was correct. I could not believe that I had been scammed into a $6,547.00 package that was described to me as a special deal Honda for existing owners! At this point I asked to speak with the manager and a man named George Leondis came in to talk to me. He looked over the paperwork and on first glance he said it looked like I purchased a package through Majic. I asked if I could have the package removed and he said he would have to contact the bank to see if they can switch it back to the original 7.95% rate. Leondis said it probably couldnt be changed because everything is done electronically and immediately. He then said that he would ask Majic to help me out. Majic came back in said to have a seat in the showroom while he called the bank to see if they could change my interest rate to the original 7.95% rate. When Majic called me back into his office he did not say anything about the bank. He instead made me a new offer. Majic said that I could pay $3,000 to terminate the contract and pay cash for the vehicle, but that this offer could only be done that same day. At this point I got very angry and upset because he was essentially telling me that I had to pay another $3,000 to fix the problem, in addition to paying cash for my vehicle. He then proceeded to say that he recommended I take this deal because it will be saving me $6,000 in the long run. It sounded like a threat.
I told Majic that he was going to have to help me out better than offering me a new deal. He needed to cancel the service plan. I said I did not want to have to leave the dealership on the second day of owning my car and go see a lawyer. He took my paper work and said, 'Did you sign these?' Majic went through the papers one by one and said, 'That is what the Judge is going to say.'
At this point I asked Majic for an itemized bill to show me exactly what package I purchased. He knew I was asking for this information in order to show it to a lawyer and said that I have all the paperwork I need and Honda does not give itemized bills. He said if I had any further questions that I should ask my lawyer to speak with his attorneys. I asked both sales mangers George Leondis and Joseph Giammarino if I could have an itemized bill. They both said they could not help me and they do not know about any other packages that Majic may have offered me. They said if they did, they would not provide me with an itemized bill, or even a statement showing what I had purchased. They kept saying that I had the paperwork I needed, which I do not. On my way out, Joseph Giammarino said that if I take them to court, 'Honda wins 90% of their cases.' This sounded like another threat.
So here I am today with a lawyer on retainer and a beautiful new Honda in my driveway that I don't want to drive because it breaks my heart. I'm writing letters and speaking to all local business organizations, the Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, usacomplaints.com, the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation, CW11's Help me Howard, The Staten Island Advance, American Honda, lawyers, friends, family, and anyone that may be able to help me rectify this situation quickly. Upon hearing my predicament, my friend went into Staten Island Honda to inquire about a new vehicle purchase. He asked about the same vehicle and was offered a 6% finance rate to start with an identical $17,000 purchase price! I wonder how they would have scammed him if he left a deposit.
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