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Fred Martin Superstore Partnering with consumers toward financial ruin. Barberton, Ohio
I had an old car that I thought might fail soon, so I drove to Fred Martin Motor Company, aka. Fred Martin Superstore, where I spoke to a salesman.
He asked me what car I was looking for and what monthly payment I wanted with it. When I told him, he told me that it can't be done. Then I said something like "I guess I will have to go home."
At that point, a sympathetic salesman would ask about the person's financial condition and accept that the potential consumer may not be able to afford to buy. That is what I wish my salesman did--tell me I may not be able to afford to buy!
How I was ripped off: Instead of helping me accept that I could not afford to finance a car, he helped me get approved for a car with a selling price of about $12,000. I later found out that the NADA Guidebook listed that car at about $10,000, and it also recommended asking if the Lien was satisfied.
I could not afford to finance a car. I am trusting, and I was led closer to financial ruin. I had a car that I may have been able to fix up, but it was traded in. If qualifications for financing and for trading in my last vehicle are closely observed, I am certain that I do not qualify for financing and I know that my trade-in vehicle did not qualify as a trade-in because the catalytic converter was not on the vehicle.
I was led closer to financial ruin, and Fred Martin Motor Company currently does not care. They also encouraged me to purchase a 6-yr/100,000 mile warranty, though as stated at that time on their website was a 5-yr/100,000 mile limited warranty included with the purchase of a vehicle over $8000.
In summary, Fred Martin Motor Company employs a salesman who does not care if you cannot afford to buy a vehicle. He will try to help you finance one anyway. How many other salesman at Fred Martin Superstore use the same lack of wisdom when offering vehicles at $2000 to $3000 above the NADA guides price list (undisclosed to the shopper)?
At this current time, no person on earth would be wise to purchase from Fred Martin Motor Company, aka. Fred Martin Superstore. Is there a dealer anywhere who would help a person get a car that the person can actually afford? I was near poverty and in possession of food stamps when I somehow received approval for a $13000 loan! I just needed a car that I could trust, and maybe I could have fixed up the one I had which knocked real bad when I turned to the right, and which had bad suspension, and which had a bad muffler, and which threatened to stall while idling. I am very disappointed in the apparent heartless customer service that I received from Fred Martin Motor Company, aka. Fred Martin Superstore near Akron, Ohio.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Anonymous
United States of AmericaFred Martin Superstore was friendly to me, and I Propose How Salespeople Can Earn Consumers' Trust and Increase Sales
#6Author of original report
Mon, March 22, 2010
Dear makers of comments and suggestions about my car buying experience,
I agree with much of what you said about my irresponsible decision to sign the papers for a car if I felt that I could not afford it. Why then, did I do it? Oh, I believe a combination of personal stress, faith, friendly sales tactics, doubts about my old car, had a lot to do with why I acted irresponsibly.
Thank you for your comments.
Now I propose some thoughts on salespeople earning consumers' trust:
If a potential buyer appears reluctant, please seek to find out why. Maybe the person mistrusts you only because you are a "salesperson." You can earn that trust quickly by demonstrating a willingness to lose a sale. Show genuine concern for the potential buyers current financial state, and advise that financing may be unwise. Had I been told that, I may have still decided to finance because of personal stress, faith, doubts about my old car, tolerance for risk.
If salespeople will demonstrate willingness to lose sales by promoting wise buying practices to potential customers, trust will increase, sales will increase, product lines will change.
Thank you for your attention; I pray that it inspires us to better business relations and morale.
Anonymous
United States of AmericaPerhaps You Are Right
#6Author of original report
Mon, March 22, 2010
Some information I left out of my original report was that I stated to the salesman that overtime was guaranteed for the next 2 months. That statement influenced the progression of seeking financing.
So, perhaps it is true that I am only feeling buyer's remorse. I almost did not go to Fred Martin Superstore because I was thinking that maybe my car was good enough to last quite a bit longer! Well, now I have a car that I can trust more over longer distances of driving; I also do not have to go through all of the procedures of getting the many problems fixed on that good old 1983 Chrysler E-Class. I wish I did not have a car payment, and I do not know how I am going to keep meeting payments in the long run. However, maybe it is good for me to have this new used car. I do have overtime for now.
I prayed about the decision I was making while driving down to the Superstore. What was the "wise" thing to do? I do not know, but I trust God to help me onward. Whether my decision to buy was wise or not I do not know, however, God will bring good out of it toward the honor of his Son Jesus Christ.
So, thanks to all who have been part of my journey, and thanks most of all to God who gives us all that we need to the fulfilling of his good perfect will which is far above our own comprehension. What appears painful to us, might just be God's way of bringing us to participating in the fulfillment of his beautiful will. God be praised forever.
Kevin A
Glendale,New York,
USA
NO Rip Off - This is buyer's remorse
#6Consumer Comment
Sun, March 21, 2010
Ok, let me get this straight: YOU drove to the car dealership. YOU asked to buy a car. The salesman sold you a car. You now blame the dealership for your finanial situation because...?
You asked about a certain car and payment. You were told they were not possible with your budget. "At that point, a sympathetic salesman would ask about the person's financial condition and accept that the potential consumer may not be able to afford to buy." No, they wouldn't. What alternate reality do you live in? Have you ever purchased anything from a commissioned salesperson before?
It is not the salesperson's job to tell you to go home, you can't buy anything. They get paid when you purchase. Their bosses tell them to sell, sell, sell! Not let a potential sale leave. So of course your salesperson did not walk you out the door. He did what any salesperson in their right mind would have; sold you a car. If you really felt that you could not afford the vehicle, you should have gotten up and left the dealership. I am assuming they did not chain you to the desk.
"How I was ripped off: Instead of helping me accept that I could not afford to finance a car, he helped me get approved for a car with a selling price of about $12,000. I later found out that the NADA Guidebook listed that car at about $10,000...." Who told you to do your research AFTER you left the dealership? Of course the dealership tried to make as much money on the car as they could.
If you were concerned with the price of the vehicle, you had several options:
A) Haggle to try to get a lower price.
B) Tell the salesperson you wanted to think about it, left and researched the price as you obviously did after the fact.
C) Asked to purchase a less expensive vehicle.
You bought what you did at the price you did, and now you regret having spent that money. This is not the dealership's problem, nor did they wrong you.
If you could not afford to finance a car, why did you do so? Again, I am assuming no one held a gun to your head and made you sign the paperwork. If you felt your car was able to be repaired then you should have priced that option before going to the dealership so you knew where you stood, in case the price of new was beyond your means.
You state that you did not qualify for vehicle financing. Obviously, the dealership did not agree. They would not have financed you if they did not feel you were credit worthy. Do you have any idea how many people are turned down for financing daily? And obviously they felt your car trade-in worthy (I assume they gave you some money for it or credit for it on the new car) or they would not have taken it.
"I was led closer to financial ruin, and Fred Martin Motor Company currently does not care." And why should they? The dealership and your salesperson are not responsible for your financial situation. It is up to you to make your own financial decisions, or appoint a conservator to do so on your behalf. The car dealership does not have your interests in mind, they have THEIRS in mind. Surprised?
"In summary, Fred Martin Motor Company employs a salesman who does not care if you cannot afford to buy a vehicle. He will try to help you finance one anyway." I'm willing to bet ALL the salespeople there would do the same. That is their JOB. No one went to your house, dragged you to the dealership and made you buy a car. And most of us would be thrilled that our salesperson did their best to get us financed for a new vehicle.
"I am very disappointed in the apparent heartless customer service that I received..." News flash, Ace. ALL car dealerships will try to sell you car when you drive in asking to do so. ALL OF THEM. Only if you are unable to purchase or decide not to do business with them will you leave without a car. They are not your financial advisors, they are not your best friends, they are not your relatives there to tell you, "Hey, you can't afford this. It's not in your best interest to buy this car."
Take some responsibility for your own actions, and count yourself lucky if the dealership does not sue you for defamation of character for this nonsensical attack on their good name.
Robert
Buffalo,New York,
USA
Car salesman...
#6Consumer Suggestion
Sun, March 21, 2010
"Instead of helping me accept that I could not afford to finance a car, he helped me get approved for a car with a selling price of about $12,000."
You went to a car dealer to buy a car-they SELL cars.
The next time you want help "accepting" the fact that you can't afford something you want, call your mommy or a therapist-oh wait, therapists cost money too and that would probably generate another ROR.
What utter nonsense!
Jim
Orlando,Florida,
USA
Where's Your Responsibility????
#6Consumer Comment
Sun, March 21, 2010
You act as if you had nothing at all to do with this and they forced this on you! Poor Baby!
You agreed to all the terms of the purchase. If you felt you could not handle this purchase financially, then why in the hell did you sign the contract?
And I guess when you default, its going to be their fault, right?
Absolutely incredible!