In March my husband and I visited the Long Pontiac dealership with intentions of purchasing a Pontiac Vibe. I was looking for a more economical vehicle due to long distance driving. I chose a Vibe and decided to return on the next regular business day (Monday, March 15th). On the following Monday I arrived at the dealership at approximatley 4:00 P.M. I met with my salesman, Chad, who allowed me drive several "Vibes" to get the feel of the vehicle and to decide on standard or automatic transmission. I chose the automatic and chose the color prefernce and the dealing began.
I met with the financial manager, David Plank, who treated me as if I had been a valued customer for ages. After taking the credit application we found a problem. The problem was with a business credit card belonging to my husband. Mr. Plank ASSURED me this would be no problem. After sitting in the financial office for over 2 hours Mr. Plank returned with good news and bad news. Good news... I qualified for a better deal. Bad news... The Vibe I wanted had been sold. Mr. Plank then asked me if I would be interested in the Aztec.
I did not think I would qualify for this vehcile, but after great assurance from Mr. Plank, he showed me to the main showroom floor to look at the Aztec. I did find a bright red, wonderful new Aztec. I told Mr. Plank I thought I could live with this vehicle and the financing information once again was in the making. Mr. Plank left the office and returned about 30 minutes later. Mr. Plank stated he could put me in this vehicle with my trade in and a monthly payment of $550.00 per month. I told him my budget would only allow me to go around $520.00 per month. Once again, Mr. Plank leaves the room and returned in the usual time frame of 30 minutes. Mr. Plank said he mamaged to get the payment to $530.00 per month.
I told Mr. Plank I would not go any higher than previously stated and if he could not arrange my payments within this limit then I would have to look elsewhere for a vehicle.By now, it was 7:40 P.M. AGAIN, he leaves the room to return within 15 minutes announcing he managed to get the payments to $512.00 per month. I agreed to this amount. At this time I asked Mr. Plank about the derogitory on my credit report. He said and I quote, "Don't worry about that. I have been in this business long enough to know people. I will push this through for you with no problem. It's a DONE DEAL." I was elated at getting this car as this was the very first NEW car I ever purchased and I was getting in my name only.
The delivery crew began the process of getting the vehicle ready to leave the dealership.By now it is 8:45 P.M. I began to remove all of my belongings from my vehicle. Mr. Plank then came out of the dealership to congradulate me on my new car purchase. He even stated that he already had a buyer for my 2000 Monte Carlo. (My vehicle was still uder warranty and had only 71000 miles on it). After taking the vehicle to get fuel the saleman returned and gave me the keys. All of the salemen in the dealership was patting me on the back and congradulating me. I had never been so proud. I left the dealership at 9:20 P.M.
The story goes to the crapper from here. I kept and drove the Aztec for a week. I tried several times to complete the paperwork, but Mr. Plank always stated "the paperwork is not ready yet. I know, how about me bringing the paperwork to your home?" Mind you, I live 70 miles from the dealership. I told Mr. Plank that would not be necessary as I would return tomorrow.
(Friday). I did return on Friday morning only to be met by my saleman Chad. Chad said he had some bad news. When I inquired, Chad said that he had to take the Aztec back. I questioned him and he said it had something to do with financing. Mr. Plank was not there and I was directed to the finance manager who's name I did not get due to being so pissed. She said she could not do the deal. She further stated she doubted she could get me deal with payments for $200.00 a month.
I was crying and cussing like a New York sailor. I work in law enforcement and was in uniform at this time. I demanded to speak with Mr. Plank and I was told it was his off day. I demanded to speak with the GM. He agreed to speak with me. I had never been treated so poorly. The GM talked down to me, said my credit was the worse, and further more he thought I just needed to keep my old vehicle and forget about trying to buy a new car. I left in tears. I told the saleman to get my car. I waited for over an hour for them to locate my car as they had already made a deal with one of their employees to purchase my Monte Carlo.
I questioned the fact that they ran my credit report and was aware of the problem. The finance person told me no one would touch my credit. She names off all of the turn downs. I left the dealership so pissed I believe I would have hurt Mr. Plank had he had balls enough to return. I called an old friend at a local Ford dealership, advised him of the situation and he agreed to meet with me that morning to see if he could help me. I found a Ford Focus got the financing within the required range and my noon I was on my way with the new car. Mind you it was not the pretty bright red Aztec but I had to swallow my pride and move on. I feel the "DONE DEAL" bull that was fed to me is just another way of getting kick backs from Pontiac and financial institutions.By the way, my Ford Focus is financed through one of the companies that Long Pontiac said turned me down... Go figure. So whenever I get the opportunity, I knock Long Pontiac. It would give me great pleasure to see dealerships and finance mangers go striaght to hell if they continue to hurt and disappoint people.
Phylliss
Bryant, Alabama
U.S.A.
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