Complaint Review: Orlando KIA West

I was in contact with Alexandra Gomez through the internet. I filled out a credit application on line. We worked out a deal and she told me to come in and finalize. We agreed on Saturday June 1, 2013 at 5:00 pm. Upon arrival, Alexandra and I went over the deal. She informed me my interest rate might be higher than anticipated. I was fine with that. I signed her paperwork, for which she did not give me copies,. And she took my down payment. She said she was going to get my car ready and to have a seat and someone from finance would finalize the deal. I specifically asked if I had been approved and if everything was okay. I asked her that repeatedly. She said yes, it was my car. I sat down and David Andrews introduced himself and told me he was finalizing the paperwork and for me to wait.  Two hours later, Mr. Andrews came to the table and informed me that the computer system was down and he could not print out the paperwork. He said if I would come back Monday (June 3, 2013) in the afternoon he would have the paperwork printed and all I would have to do is sign. He informed me they were giving me the keys and I could go home and start enjoying my car. I asked if everything went through. That I did not want to take the car if it had not been approved. He said the only problem was I would have the higher interest rate. I said that was fine. I asked him again if everything was final. He said all I had to do was sign the paperwork, it was my car. We agreed I would come back Monday at 5:00 pm. This all took a total of 3 hours. Plus an hour there and back because I live 45 minutes away. I did not hear anything after that.

When I arrived at the dealership on Monday, I informed the front I was waiting for Mr. Andrews. I waited about an hour. He came out to the table and informed me there was a problem. I asked how could there be a problem when the deal was finalized on Saturday and I was told all that I had to do was sign the final papers. He said he assumed everything was going to be okay but he was having a hard time financing me. I asked him why he told me it was all okay and had me take the car. I told him all of my family, friends, neighbors and coworkers all thought I had a new car because he had told me I did and that everything was okay. I asked if he knew how embarrassing it was going to be for me to have to tell everyone that I didn't. I once again asked him why he told me I was approved and let me take the car. He said it had seemed like everything was okay. I told him he shouldn't have assumed anything, it was poor business practice. I asked how I was supposed to get home because no one called and told me there was a problem. He said to take the car home because he was still working on it and he was going to get me approved. I had to put my significant other on the loan to try to get it approved.

The next day, I had to continuously call him for updates. He did not get in touch with me. Then in the morning of Thursday June 6, 2013, a Sales manager called me. I was in a meeting and did not get his name.  I excused myself from the meeting and he informed me that they could not get me financed and needed to make an appointment for me to return the car. I asked why I was put into a car if I was not approved. He said they could get me approved but I would have to pay $2000 more down. I told him I could not do that. And asked why I had to pay more down. He said the bank was going to charge the dealer $3400  fee and the dealership would not eat that. I stated to him the since Mr. Andrews misrepresented the dealership and the loan that the dealership should have to eat the $3400. It was not my fault and I should not have to be embarrassed and humiliated because of their mix up. I have talked with the Assistant General Manager of Orlando KIA West. I also spoke with John at the corporate office who told me this happens all the time and all he can do is report it to the district manager. I have talked to the finance director Roberto of Orlando KIA West. He is still working on a deal. At this time I asked for a refund of my down payment and have returned my car. I had already made 3 trips to Orlando and did not want to have to return if the deal did not go through. I never heard back from them.

None of this was my fault. The dealership misrepresented itself and I am the one paying the consequences.