Dealership Disregards

[Patrick Jackson]

I went into Courtesy Chrysler Dodge dealership in Tampa,FL and find the truck that I like and want. I was asked to go into the finance office where I sign and complete all paperwork and get approval from selected bank. All financing is complete and a sold sign is put on the truck. In a weeks time that I was able to get back to Tampa to get my truck I was in full contact with my salesman and the day I was coming I called and specifically asked is there anything else needed on my part. I was reassured that I needed nothing and to come enjoy my new truck. When I Uber from Bradenton to Tampa and go into the dealership I was asked for 2018 W2... why wasn’t I asked for this along with proof of income?? I don’t know how come I wasn’t asked for this the week before I came or when I called before I was on my way, I don’t know. Now that I’m stuck in Tampa thinking I’m driving home I’m told that I now need 2 thousand dollars more to purchase this truck. So now I don’t have a down payment of $1700, or a truck. I also have a credit score that’s been hit to the point that I can’t qualify for another vehicle. Dealing with Courtesy Chrysler has put me in a worse position than when I first went in.

 

[chrisbh17]

Sounds like they are taking advantage of your situation.

I would walk away (well, uber away I guess)

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[WTM75]

I would definitely walk away from that deal!! FAST

 

[Dinky]

Walk away for sure. Go to a credit union or bank and get preapproved is the only way to go. I did that when I bought my 2014 so simple and at that point. Was able to pretty much get what I wanted for trade in and the price of my truck I wanted to pay(with in reason). When you do that you can shop pretty much shop anywhere and just flip them off and walk away if the price isn't right.

 

[Ratket]

That’s terrible, but not suprising. I have bought many many vehicles over the years and have seen a ton of crap, and as stated that’s a deal you just walk away from. What was the reason you didn’t take the truck home on the first visit? You had everything signed and completed right? Well maybe they lead you to believe you did because if they are asking for more then it clearly was not. I am sure they figured “ they would get you approved” and when they tried to farm your loan out to a bank they had issues for what ever reason. Always best to go pre approved or know how these things go. Remember, you by no means have to buy it, get up and walk out.

 

[Krackle]

Dealers can be so shady, I have an 850 credit score and the dealer hit me with 5.9 finance rate over 5 years on a 10 thousand dollar loan. The only reason I took it is I got a deal , purchased on last day of 2018 and I got a ridiculous amount on a 2015 Tacoma trd sport trade in, lucky for me dealer has same truck as my Tacoma on lot, with triple the miles and no options so they couldn't low ball me. Anyway I made one payment and refinanced with Teachers credit union at 2.9% over 2 years. Saved about $1,400 on interest. Dealers get greedy on the finance, now they get nothing from me because finance companies wait 3 to 4 months on loans dealer generate

 

[WTM75]

Walk away for sure. Go to a credit union or bank and get preapproved is the only way to go. I did that when I bought my 2014 so simple and at that point. Was able to pretty much get what I wanted for trade in and the price of my truck I wanted to pay(with in reason). When you do that you can shop pretty much shop anywhere and just flip them off and walk away if the price isn't right.

This, but don’t tell the dealer you are pre-approved. Let them think you are financing through them. Sometimes, if they think they are going to make s little off the finance, they’ll come down a little more on the price of the truck, thinking they’ll make it up in Interest. Then, IF, they try to change the price because you are not financing through them, get up and walk out. I’d be surprised if you reached the door before they come back down.

 

[Dinky]

This, but don’t tell the dealer you are pre-approved. Let them think you are financing through them. Sometimes, if they think they are going to make s little off the finance, they’ll come down a little more on the price of the truck, thinking they’ll make it up in Interest. Then, IF, they try to change the price because you are not financing through them, get up and walk out. I’d be surprised if you reached the door before they come back down.

Ah yeah I don't like it when they play games so I myself don't. I found if your up front and work them over on the price they sell if they want to. Best time to go is end of the month and always flag ads on craigslist's to compare prices. I was up front told them what I wanted then asked yes or no. I got my truck 4k below KBB and got 500 less then private party sale on trade in. Walked out with my truck within 2 hour just gotta walk around swinging a big **** is all lol.

 

[Random_Walk]

Walk away for sure. Go to a credit union or bank and get preapproved is the only way to go. I did that when I bought my 2014 so simple and at that point. Was able to pretty much get what I wanted for trade in and the price of my truck I wanted to pay(with in reason). When you do that you can shop pretty much shop anywhere and just flip them off and walk away if the price isn't right.

This - Ten Thousand Times, This!

I bought mine after getting pre-approved at my credit union. This allowed me to shop around, find what I wanted, cruise into the dealer that had it, and get an excellent price (no trade-ins, screw that). Took me maybe 45 minutes from agreement to buy, to driving off the lot with my wife following me home.

My credit union knew me as a customer for years, so there was no jerking around, no demand for paperwork, and I didn't even have to set foot in any building - I did it all online in less than 10 minutes, with one phone call afterwards (the next morning) from them to ask a couple of questions, then on that same call they told me that I was pre-approved.

The most important part? The day I went to get my truck (that weekend), I arranged to meet three different dealerships that day at three different times (two on Saturday, one on Sunday afternoon). When each found out that I was pre-approved, they fell all over themselves to kiss-up (and one even went nuts afterward, claiming to want to beat the price on my final choice if I would only just drive back out to meet them again...)

I did this because I knew that I could easily drop-and-walk if anything was even the slightest bit fishy or not to my taste (within reason, obviously). My pre-approval was for something like 30-45 days, so I had megatons of time... to take my time.

 

[Jrod]

Beating a dead horse, never walk into a dealership without your own pre approved loan. Their finance office may offer a better loan after the fact, but never walk in without finalizing your own loan. Otherwise they will pull your strings to their delight.

 

[NorthStar1]

The dealership firmly believes the reward is far better than the risk of them losing the sale. From what I’m understand from your post, you put $1700 down before arriving at the dealership and then Ubered to the dealership quite a distance. By doing so you lost any leverage in the deal and are now at their mercy. Never put yourself in this position again...if a dealer wants a deposit to hold it until you get there, move on as there are more trucks out there and never be so in love with a truck that the leverage swings in their favor. No dealer is your friend or is looking out for your best interest. Walk on the deal and do not look back. I would demand my deposit back as you didn’t come to terms on financing which in most states is grounds for a deposit refund. Or am I missing something with this deal?

 

[Krackle]

Like the other guys say you have to be prepared to walk and do your research, look at all the websites and see how long truck has been on the lot, how much price has changed. When I couldn't agree on price, I got up and left, half hour later my phone rang and I got price I wanted.

 

[Fitz-0518]

It is a shame and criminal that the OP is a trusting but unwary customer. Exactly the target customer that "some" dealers focus on. Hearing only the OP side of this transaction, this dealer may be a cartel business who is using the dealership to handle their biggest business problem. Converting money. Unfortunate that today, customer opinion and trust in dealers continues to decline. Or,,,has it always been this way and the internet and customer review sites have just made it available and known. My POV, today if your dealer is fair, customer centered and puts your issue ahead of theirs,,,they deserve your loyalty and promotion. OP get all your money back. Get a referral to a dealer of honor. Write your review and learn a valuable lesson. The only people you trust are the ones that have earned it.

 

[Matts175]

I had a crappy experience with a dealer 3 weeks ago. Advertising a BRAND NEW 2018 leftover Ram 1500 4x4 V6 for $25,999. I called... "Do you have VIN number xxxxx in stock?" Yes we do and yes, that's the price. Actually, we have a few like that. OK. I'll be in tomorrow at 3PM to make a deal. Next day, called at 11AM, talked to a different guy. Asked the same question. Got the same answer. 3PM rolls around. "I'm here to look at VIN number xxxxx." Him tapping on computer. Hmmm.. We don't seem to have that one. I said "I just called you 4 hours ago and you said you had it" He said "Ohhh, here it is. It sold on Feb 4th. Sometimes our inventory doesn't update right away." Then I said "Well you said you had several, what about the other ones?" Him: "Yeah, we have this one for 37,000." Me.... walked out. Was driving away.... spotted my new baby (a 2015, but new to me) at the FORD dealer right next door. Took it for a ride, fell in love, bought it. It had a Hemi, only 39k on it and was cheaper. I really really wanted to drive it back next door and honk and wave at that salesman and say "Ha, look what I just bought from your next door neighbor." LOL

 

[BossHogg]

I would definitely walk away from that deal!! FAST

This.

I had a similar issue when buying a house back in 1998, I was applying for mortgages from several vendors looking for the best deal. All those credit report inquiries took their toll but I found out that writing a letter of explanation solved the credit inquiry issue.

If your credit score is good, 730 or better, you should have no issue getting Chrysler financing which I assume you are going for to collect additional factory incentives, with just a credit score check. If your credit score is the issue, arrange your financing ahead of time or with another lender.

 

[chrisbh17]

The Chrysler financing is a joke, too, IMHO.

Credit score of 800+ at all of the "big 3", dealer was giving me 5.9%. I told then they were nuts, they " reviewed" everything and lowered it to 5%.

I financed the absolute minimum to get the cash rebate for using Chrysler financing then paid it off a week later.

Maybe it was just the dealer but I don't know or care.... Left a bad enough taste in my mouth that if/when I want another FCA product, it won't be from them.

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[TXCOMT]

Ah yeah I don't like it when they play games so I myself don't.

While that's nice of you (and I mostly agree that one can usually catch more flies with honey), dealerships are out to make money, not friends. If the latter happens while doing the former, then fine and dandy, but the truth is they're always playing games. You and I may not be able to see it, but behind the scenes, they're definitely doing so. I bet the only position in any dealership that doesn't have to meet a sales number is the janitor, but I could be wrong ("How many times did ya clean the toilets today, Burt? What, just 20? Sorry, no bonus for you!").

TXCOMT

 

[Scottly]

While I agree with many here on the advice to walk away....and get a credit union voucher before going....it surely seems as if the OP's credit rating is probably such that no credit union would touch him. He's being asked for the docs and the increased down payment because his credit is somewhere south of the Venezuelan government. I'm not poking fun at him or his situation, but as a guy who buys a car every two years...and have done so for the past 26 years.....I can attest that if you have good credit, you can argue your way to a better interest rate, you can buy with zero down, and you can sign and drive with no issues. The issues begin with an F&I guy that thinks he can place a bad risk, and nobody wants to take the risk. Sorry if the truth hurts.

 

[Tray Burge]

Scottly is exactly on point!
It's the old bait and switch game in the finance department, they know how much you want the vehicle and have hit a snag in the financing and want you to pony up the difference. Probably because of a low credit score, as you mentioned, it effects the bottom line always and there was no way they were going to tell you that on the phone. They're hoping you're too in love with the truck to walk away. WALK AWAY, NO, RUN AWAY FROM THESE PEOPLE NOW!

 

[Tray Burge]

Ah yeah I don't like it when they play games so I myself don't. I found if your up front and work them over on the price they sell if they want to. Best time to go is end of the month and always flag ads on craigslist's to compare prices. I was up front told them what I wanted then asked yes or no. I got my truck 4k below KBB and got 500 less then private party sale on trade in. Walked out with my truck within 2 hour just gotta walk around swinging a big **** is all lol.

Actually, the end of the month/year is the best time to get a deal is a myth started by the DEALERSHIPS.
Makes no difference what time of the month it is, the only thing that matters is how long the vehicle has been on the lot.
Dealerships are allotted vehicles on a "Floor Plan" and pay so much each month until that vehicle is sold, the vehicle on the lot the longest will be your best "deal" because at a certain point, the dealership starts losing money on that vehicle until it is sold.
Dealerships will sell a vehicle at a loss (break even) sometimes just to get it off the lot!
Always ask for the vehicle that has been there the longest.