WWYD - Price of Car Changes After Purchase

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:they should've gone to the media. seriously

You seem confused as to the purpose of the media.

to draw attention to this issue and dealership so that others don't fall into the same trap. i have certainly heard other media stories like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Check your paperwork and you will probably find that you signed something that permits the dealer to change any errors, so what they did was probably allowable, although certainly not ethical. Imagine that you agreed on a price of $24,000, but when the clerk prepared the paperwork, it reflected a price of $22,000. You quickly sign the paperwork, thinking you got away with something, and the next day, the dealership realizes the mistake. You should in good faith accept that a mistake was made, and permit them to correct it. This is a perfect opportunity to ask for more free oil changes or something like that for your trouble.

There are some scams that arise though, such as the OP's example. Unscrupulous dealers will pull this kind of a stunt, telling you that a mistake was made, and hoping that you'll go for it since you are already committed to the sale. The only correct response is to tell them to pound sand.

The other scam is when you are conditionally approved for financing through the dealer, and after a few days, they call to say that you didn't qualify for the terms that they initially offered you. But lucky you, they've found another lender who will take the loan at a much higher rate. The story may or may not be true, but the easiest way to avoid this is to bring your own financing to the table. Get approved by your own bank or credit union in advance.

this

[Anonymous]

This thread makes me sad - the form you sign to permit changes is for registration and tax purposes only. It certainly doesn't apply to the actual terms of the sale, which are signed by both you and the dealership representative.

This is a famous scam, and happens because the finance desk at a dealer sometimes is unable to sell the loan they make at a profit to the bank. Yes, dealerships are paid by banks to make these loans - more profit is made from this than from the car most of the time.

The proper response here is to absolutely, 100% ignore this letter. If you feel like it, report to state AG. And laugh for butt off. But don't return the car, don't call back, don't agree to anything.

[Anonymous]

There's one review where they sold the car the review thought they'd bought:

The worst buying experience ever.

I've waited a few weeks to cool off after an incredibly frustrating experience at Koons Ford Falls Church.

We found a car online that we really liked and went to Koons based on a good price for a year old but still new car. We were no nonsense - "we like this car, we like the price, let's drive it and if all goes well we will buy"

And all went well... So we thought.

We took a test drive and loved the car and immediately agreed to buy at the price advertised online. We sign some preliminary paperwork, agree to the price, and go to the finance manager to see what our options are. Sales staff were all great.

The finance manager was literally what the stereotype for slimy and pushy salesmen is based on. We should have walked away at our first sense of being uncomfortable.

He attempted to scare us into the Gap insurance, and warranty, after I said I trusted the car would be fine and that the 36 month warranty would be plenty and that i would take care of repairs thereafter he told me "the electrical system has over 2,000 parts, can you fix those" and continues to pressure us.

He offers us above market financing, and I know this, so we decline and agree that I'll get a check from the bank in the morning and bring it back. He suggest that he can beat any rate, but that I'd have to call him to tell him what bank and what rate... why not just start by not trying to screw us??

We leave our car and a deposit, at the salesmen's prompting and sign an agreement to take the car home that night, after paying a deposit. Despite an unpleasant experience with the financing guy we love our new car, arrange financing with a credit union, get insurance, floor mats, etc.

The next day the shady financing manager calls me to tell me THEY SOLD OUR CAR TO SOMEONE ELSE. I literally drove someone else's car to work. THIS IS A COLOSSAL SCREW UP. The finance manager never apologized and actually blamed us for not using his over priced financing. When my patient and much kinder fiancé questioned him on how this happened, he HUNG UP ON HER.

We take the car back and surprise surprise, they try to sell us another, More expensive car. BAIT AND SWITCH.

2 weeks later the car we went there for, and we're ready to buy us STILL ON THE LOT. When they realized they were not going to make money on financing or undercote or whatever other BS they tried to sell us on, they reneged on the deal and then tried to up-sell us. Lying to our faces.

We questioned the financing manager on this the next day and he invoked his status as a veteran Colonel of an Army (not US) as reason he shouldn't have to listen to our complaints.

BUYER BEWARE!!! SCAMS AND INTIMIDATION ABOUND. The worst customer service experience I've had in my life.

[Anonymous]

Holy shit how can this be legal to unilaterally change a commercial paper?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:they should've gone to the media. seriously

Like 7 on your side. ANd also consumer protection agencies.

[Anonymous]

that extra money they scam pays for those commercials...

[Anonymous]

I had the opposite happen to me about four years ago from a dealership.

I found a brand-new car that I wanted & during the signing of all the paperwork, the sales guy mentioned that someone had mistakenly put the wrong sales sticker on it.

However, they never tried to charge me the $7,500 difference.
They said since it was THEIR error, that they had to sell it to me at the sticker price that was attached to the vehicle when I saw it on the lot.

This was from a big named dealership by the way....
Not a small, independent one if that makes any difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had the opposite happen to me about four years ago from a dealership.

I found a brand-new car that I wanted & during the signing of all the paperwork, the sales guy mentioned that someone had mistakenly put the wrong sales sticker on it.

However, they never tried to charge me the $7,500 difference.
They said since it was THEIR error, that they had to sell it to me at the sticker price that was attached to the vehicle when I saw it on the lot.

This was from a big named dealership by the way....
Not a small, independent one if that makes any difference.

I'm OP and that's been my experience with most businesses. They eat the cost because they know its better than the bad reviews and they want repeat customers.

This place sounds crazy. We had test drove another car there separately from our friends, but didn't buy it because it was used and more expensive than the newer model at a different dealership.

Dealerships now make more money financing the car, so they are more willing to lower the price if you will finance. We just give in and then pay it off with the first payment.