Complaint Review: Al Hendrikson Toyota - Coconut Creek FL

Re : Unscrupulous Finance Practices at Al Hendrikson Toyota - Coconut Creek

On September 7, 2009, we purchased a 2008 VW Jetta at Al Hendrikson Toyota - Coconut Creek dealership, made a $3,000 deposit and took possession of the vehicle.

After having the vehicle for over 2-1/2 weeks, we were contacted by Al Hendrikson Toyota that we had to return the vehicle and purchase a different vehicle because the lender would not approve the transaction. The vehicle Al Hendrikson Toyota was now offering was a more expensive 2009 VW Jetta, and a demand for another $1,000 deposit, in addition to the $3,000 deposit that was paid 2-1/2 weeks earlier.

We made subsequent calls to Al Hendrikson Toyota to better understand and ultimately resolve this matter. We sought an explanation why our vehicle had to be returned and exchanged for a more expensive vehicle within the next 2 days. On our visit to the dealership on Friday, September 25, 2009, we overhead one of the Finance Managers (named Janther) discussing the transaction on his cell phone stating that Al Henderkson Toyota could not sell the vehicle because of fees that Al Henderson had to pay, ...hence there could be no deal.  When we questioned in person Mr. Craig Pesso another Al Hendrikson Toyota Finance Manager - about this, asking why we were being forced to finance a more expensive car, Mr. Pesso could not provide a direct answer.

Throughout this ordeal, we repeatedly asked how much additional down payment would be required in order to secure the existing 2008 VW Jetta.  Al Hendrikson Toyota refused to provide an answer.

It became apparent that Al Hendrikson Toyota would not make money on the deal and sought to back out of a deal that had been closed 2 weeks prior.  What was NOT apparent was why we should trust Al Hendrikson Toyota on another deal'. We find it difficult to believe that the State of Florida gives consumers 3 days to back out of a car deal, but apparently gives Al Hendrikson Toyota 2-1/2 weeks to renege.

Clearly, Al Hendrikson Toyota conducted some sort of bait and switch fraud of which we are certain is not typical of reputable car dealerships. In addition to the regulatory and media scrutiny they soon will be undergoing, they they have compromised their integrity and their internet prominence with their unscrupulous practices.

Copies of this complaint have been filed with the State of Florida Department of Licensing and Business Regulations and the States Attorney Generals Office requesting that they investigate this matter. In addition, if not solely to dramatize our endeavor, we have forwarded this issue to Al Sunshine of CBS News 4 and the Better Business Bureau of Broward County.