ADAMSON FORD ripoff Birmingham Alabama
On May 29, 2006 I went to Adamson Ford located at 19922 Second Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35223 to look for a used Ford SUV that I might consider purchasing. I was greeted by Tommie L. Gosha, a salesperson. I saw two Ford SUVs that I was interested in getting a good deal on so I could buy the one that I wanted.
I decided on a 2003 Ford Expedition XLT. Since I was a previous customer who had purchased and paid off a 1997 Ford Explorer, I thought Adamson Ford would give me a good deal on the 2003 Ford Expedition XLT. I was more than wrong, Adamson Ford charged me $24,650 for the SUV that can easily be bought any where for $18,000, since the vehicle had over 60,000 miles on the odometer.
To top it off, they added the following items to the sales invoice: DOC Fee $290, Sales tax $898, License $ Title $17, and ESP Warranty $2,000. The total invoice amount came to $26,863. Then, they charged me a 16.9% interest rate to finance this purchase, even though I had previously purchased and paid off the 1997 Ford Explorer and I did not miss a payment. I truly thought that Adamson Ford would deal with me in "fair faith," but they did not. I am deeply hurt because as a valued customer, I was looking for them to give me a fair and honest deal.
Here is the scheme that I believe that I have uncovered. I believe that Adamson Ford prey on black and poor customers who they know is not a credit risk, but charge them a extraordinary interest rate to finance their car. They use the excuse of a high credit score even when a careful review of their credit report show that the short term credit card debt is fraudulant, since they have been paying their long term and expensive debt off with no missed payments.
In addition, they charge them above the market value for the vehicle. Futher, they get them to finance their car through CITI Bank in Coppell, TX who charges very high interest rates on cars that they finance. Plus Adamson Ford adds a high ESP Warranty insurance policy to the vehicle's total invoice price. To me, I believe this is "flim flam" operation.
In my case, Adamson Ford did not steer me to my local bank or to other sources of low finacing. Moreover, I expained to them that TransUnion as a signed affidavit from me stating that I have no credit card debt and my house is paid for and I don't have a car payment. Further, I have been living at my current address for almost 20 years. Finally, they sent the loan to CITI Bank instantly and want me to pay off the loan if I get other financing, even though it had been less than 24 hours since I purchased the automobile.
I wonder how many other customers have been caught-up in this scheme. I want your organization to find out and put them out of business if they are found guilty.
James
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama
U.S.A.
9 Updates & Rebuttals
James
BIRMINGHAM,Alabama,
U.S.A.
Is it the Dealer's responsibility to lie?
#10Author of original report
Fri, June 23, 2006
I think it is the Dealer's responsibility not to lie and to properly have all documents included in the sales contract and properly signed by the buyer before the sales contract is final. Do you believe that? Even if you do not, the Court does in "Hickox v.Stover, 551 So.2d 259 (Ala. 1989) and "Harris v. M&S Toyota, Inc., 575 So.2d 74 (Ala. 1991)."
True, the buyer should be aware of what he signs on the "dotted line;" but the Dealer has the responsibility to ascertain that all pertinent documents are properly included in the sales contract when it is signed by the buyer; and not make false representations to a buyer.
Billy
Warrior,Alabama,
U.S.A.
You're Responsible For Getting Your Own Good Deal
#10Consumer Suggestion
Wed, June 21, 2006
It still surprises me to no end how people complain AFTER the fact that they signed on the dotted line. We all know that automobile dealers and their sales force are some of the most crooked people you'll ever come into contact with.
It's your responsibility to research prices and such to know whether or not you're getting a good deal. There are many books and magazines available that will tell you the prices on cars. Research, research, research!
And the thing that gets me is, even after they know they're getting screwed, THEY STILL SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE! If I ever feel like I'm getting screwed on a deal, my solution is to stand up and LEAVE!
If you got screwed, oh well..
James
BIRMINGHAM,Alabama,
U.S.A.
Should an automobile deal use "good faith" when selling any vehicle to a customer?
#10Author of original report
Thu, June 01, 2006
Should an automobile dealer use "good faith" when selling any vehicle to a customer?
I personally believe autombile dealer should always use "good faith" when they sell any vehicle to a customer. Do you this also?
James
BIRMINGHAM,Alabama,
U.S.A.
Should an automobile deal use "good faith" when selling any vehicle to a customer?
#10Author of original report
Thu, June 01, 2006
Should an automobile dealer use "good faith" when selling any vehicle to a customer?
I personally believe autombile dealer should always use "good faith" when they sell any vehicle to a customer. Do you this also?
James
BIRMINGHAM,Alabama,
U.S.A.
Should an automobile deal use "good faith" when selling any vehicle to a customer?
#10Author of original report
Thu, June 01, 2006
Should an automobile dealer use "good faith" when selling any vehicle to a customer?
I personally believe autombile dealer should always use "good faith" when they sell any vehicle to a customer. Do you this also?
James
BIRMINGHAM,Alabama,
U.S.A.
Should an automobile deal use "good faith" when selling any vehicle to a customer?
#10Author of original report
Thu, June 01, 2006
Should an automobile dealer use "good faith" when selling any vehicle to a customer?
I personally believe autombile dealer should always use "good faith" when they sell any vehicle to a customer. Do you this also?
James
BIRMINGHAM,Alabama,
U.S.A.
More Information of Adamson Ford not dealing in "good faith."
#10Author of original report
Thu, June 01, 2006
Since I am a retired CPA/CFE and knew that the salesperson and dealer were not dealing with me in "good faith," I wanted to see the extent of how much they would rip me, a previous customer, off. I can easily prove that the sale was not done ethically and in "good faith" because they (Adamson Ford) would not allow me to return the vehicle when I called them back two hours later, letting them know that I was going to return the vehicle.
The salesperson said that the Title was now mine and not their's. He was unaware that they (Adamson Ford) had given me a defective Title since the vehicle had been purchased out of state and they did not include the Dealer's Affidavit stating when the came into the state, and the date when they had purchased the vehicle for resale. This statement is required in the State of Alsbama in order for a dealer to transfer the Title of a vehicle that they purchased out-of-state. Since the Title was defective, I could have easily cancelled the purchase of the vehicle. But, I wanted Adamson to correct the sale and deal with me in "good faith," since I was a previous customer.
Plus, my daughter liked and wanted the vehicle. Moreover, in my previous professions (auditing and fraud investigation), I have always dealt with others in "good faith." Also, I feel that all customers want to be treated in an honest and fair manner, and not be ripped off whenever they buy any product. In my heart, I believe you want to be treated honestly and fairly whenever you make any purchase. Am I right? Besides, there are still many Americans who believe in dealing with others truthfully and in "good faith."
Dave
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
Nobody held a gun to your head to make you buy that car.
#10Consumer Comment
Wed, May 31, 2006
Now, Cory, don't go getting on the 'Poor Black Folk'.
Why is it that whenever a black person gets a raw deal, due to their own negligence, it's always 'because I'm black'? It has nothing to do with color my friend. Nobody held a gun to your head to make you buy that car. And, why are you complaining about sales tax, license and title? That's standard on every car. Oh wait, just because you're black means you should get it for free? Another point, you're complaining that they didn't 'steer' you in the right direction for financing. Why didn't you steer yourself?? Why should they tell you to go to your own bank for financing? They also didn't force you to buy the warranty, you bought the warranty of your own free will.
There's no ripoff here. Just a case of chronic stupidity.
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
One Question
#10Consumer Comment
Wed, May 31, 2006
If they gave you such a bad deal on the vehicle, WHY did you buy it?