Global Auto Mall false advertising, false hopes, crappy service Ripoff North Plainfield New Jersey
I am a person looking to buy a vehicle for the first time in my life. I had been applying for auto loans so I can get financing towards a new or used vehicle.
I got a call from Erica, a finance representative from Global Auto, saying that I had guaranteed approval for up to thirty thousand dollars and to just come in with a driver's license and proof of income and that they would be able to help me.
However, I don't have a vehicle in my household at all, so I asked Erica specifically if I needed to bring any money down and if the driver's license and proof of income would be used for any validation purposes, explaining to her my situation--that if I were to go up there I'd have to take a bus, two trains, and a cab, since I live about an hour from there and plus I wouldn't have any money down until pay day.
She reassured me that I didn't need any money down. I make my way up there the next day and Erica wasn't there but a gentleman named Carlos said he would take care of me. I give him my income stubs and my driver's license. He comes back out saying that I need to put a thousand dollars down today.
It is not the fact that I need to put a thousand down; it's the fact that I was misled and I went off of their salesperson's word that I wouldn't have to put any money down.
I demanded to speak to the Finance Manager, who wouldn't give me his name. His attitude was very condescending and belligerent, saying that I didn't meet the income requirement.
I wasn't told of any income requirement, nor on looking on their site, do I see an income requirement for approval.
He's arguing with me back and forth, despite the fact that I had a saved E-mail and phone messages from his employee guaranteeing me approval and no money down.
As a result, I have no car, I was over two hours late trying to get back to Hightstown for work.
Do not get suckered in by them. I looked on their website and even in their newspaper promotions, they say nothing about what your income has to be in order to qualify, nor do they say they need money down right away. Buyer beware, especially if you don't have wheels to begin with!
Monica
Hightstown, New Jersey
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Jim
Orlando,Florida,
U.S.A.
Forget the BBB...BBB is WORTHLESS!
#4Consumer Suggestion
Sun, October 30, 2005
Monica...
You're new to the car buying business...that's OK. You made the mistake of assuming the BBB is some legitimate organization and they have your interest in mind. Forget it! Most people view the BBB as some great operation...the savior of the consumer. They are DEAD WRONG! A business pays a big fee to join. They claim they will abide by "BBB standards" (whatever they are) and they walk away with a "satisfactory" rating. This dealership is a member and apparently BBB approves of their "M. O." and they have been "given" (or is it 'purchased') a satisfactory rating. They have had 14 complaints within the past 36 months...still BBB lists them as "satisfactory".
Your best strategy for future car purchases is to be a savy buyer. The first step is to read thru these postings to see the common criminal frauds/deceptions which are the "M.. O." for many of the slime in the car business. Don't ever walk into a dealership playing doormat, sucker or chump. Don't ever, ever get into a CAR FLEASE. Don't ever, ever, ever do business with any pond scum dealership which uses the "dealer fee" con-game. This con job is to advertise a partial price for a car to make it look cheap and then make up for it by using a fraud fee. You'll see this in the bottom of newspaper advertising. In other words, they are telling you IN ADVANCE they are lying to you about the price. This scam continues to flourish because they know most people who come thru the door don't know what they're doing. Don't be one of them!
There are decent dealerships around who practice integrity in their operation. When you find one, do business there. Don't ever, ever, ever reward evil by purchasing a car at a place which treats you badly or tries to con you.
Good luck!
Dick
Mankato,Minnesota,
U.S.A.
Another day at the dealership
#4Consumer Comment
Sun, October 30, 2005
It's unfortunate, but you basically have to assume that everything a dealership tells you is BS until you get it in writing. Even then, it's still iffy.
Also, "guaranteed approval for up to thirty thousand dollars" is meaningless. "Up to" are the weasel words here. You could be approved for $500, and this statement is still technically true. What you want to know is "down to." In other words, what's the LEAST amount the guaranteed approval is for?
Monica
Hightstown,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
Still Dissatisfied
#4Author of original report
Sat, October 29, 2005
I contacted the Better Business Bureau on the issue and although I got the same generic E-mail that was sent to everyone concerning proof of income and what not, the thing I go by is what is told to me. And what was told to me by their representative was that I had "guaranteed approval" up to 30K. Their representatives misrepresented the company. I still have the voice conversations saved on my phone where this person basically told me these things, regardless of what the E-mail states.
And nowhere in the E-mail does it state your income has to be 1500 consistently. I asked Global Auto ahead of time if it had to be consistent, and they told me, "No".
So they are full of crap, and this isn't over yet, by a long shot.
Don't believe the hype or the lies.