Complaint Review: Legend Autorama

I am currently driving a 2001 Jetta, which I leased from Legend on 4/25/01. Although I have heard a number of problems with the Passat, due to the complications in 2001/2002, I did some extensive research and decided to look into leasing one from Legend.

My lease expires on 7/25/04, so I called Mark Birthright at Legend in April. The price given to me on the Passat was $298.98 for 48 months (no money down, only first payment and DMV). The price he gave me for another Jetta was $305 for 48 months. He said there were better deals on the Passat. I said I would come in test ride them both. Mark also said he would cover my last 2 lease payments.

I stopped in to Legend on Memorial Day weekend. After test driving both vehicles, Mark said he could give me a better price on the Passat, because there were a large number of leftovers that weren't moving: $288/42 months.

I mentioned to him at that time that I had two small spots on my rear bumper. He suggested that I have it touched up before the inspection, and said he would order me a vial of Reflex Silver paint. He ordered the vial of paint that Monday, May 31st. Then I could get the car inspected and I would be ready to take the new car. So the only thing standing in the way of my signing the new lease was this vial of silver paint.

After constant calls to Mark, he told me that they kept sending the wrong color paint, or that it would be on the next truck, but the paint never came. Finally, on Friday, 6/18, he told me that he would put in writing that he would touch up the bumper for me, and have the inspection done at Legend, so I could pick up my car on Friday, June 25th.

In the meantime, on or around 6/7/04, Jack, the sales manager, called me to offer me a deeper discount on the Passat. He said he could take $14-32 (auto/manual) off the price of $288, and gave me a price of $276 for 42 months. I told him that sounded great, but the only thing holding things up is the silver paint and the inspection. (I couldn't get an inspection date of earlier than 1 month, and ended up having to schedule an emergency appointment with SGS for this Thursday, 6/24). I have his message on my voice mail from Jack quoting that price, and never mentioning an expiration date.

On Monday, June 21, I called Mark again to see where we were. I told him that I wanted to finish the deal today, and he said he would call me back. (He didn't). I had to call him back, and he told me again he would talk to Jack and get back to me yesterday. Jack called me on my cell at 5pm, and asked me to call him right back, which I did (30 seconds later) and the receptionist told me he had just left for the day. When I told her he just called me, she put me on hold and then told me, Oh, he's outside doing an appraisal, and Mark is with a customer, so I'll have one of them call you back. Never called. I called Mark again, and he said Jack had left for the day, and he would try to call Jack on his cell phone and call me at home that night for sure. (Never called).

This morning, I got a call from Jack, who said that they wouldn't honor that price, that the price had an expiration date of 6/12/04. We argued, and I asked to speak to Mark. He yelled, You're not gonna speak to Mark, he's with a customer.

I just want the buying public to know how fraudulently this dealership is being run, so you can all prevent future problems when buying or leasing a new car. Stay away from Legend!!!!

Sharon
Great Neck, New York
U.S.A.