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Staten Island Honda, Aka SG Hylan Motor Corp. Conned! Lied to, taken advantage of, beware purchasers! Do not Buy here! Staten Island New York
I am writing about a horrible experience I encountered while purchasing my first new car, a Honda Civic DX.
On Friday November 2nd, I went into the Staten Island Honda Dealership on Hyland Boulevard and spoke to a salesman named Mir. He and I discussed the different models and eventually I decided to purchase a black 2008 Honda Civic DX that was on the showroom floor. We agreed upon a price of $17,000 and I left a deposit. Mir said I could come back at 4:00pm the next day to pick up my vehicle and sign the paperwork.
On Saturday November 3rd, I was excited to pick up my vehicle and went to speak with the Honda Business Manager, Majic, to sign my papers. He told me that financing this vehicle, after leaving a $2,500 deposit, would cost me $443 dollars per month on my $17,000 purchase, based on 7.95 % financing. (I would later realize that this is how he scammed me, because that $443 dollars per month was not the correct number)
Majic then proceeded to ask me if I had financed through American Honda before and I said yes. He searched and found me in the system and said I lucked out because Honda can lower my interest rate to 6.25% financing and enter you into a special plan that Honda only offers to existing customers. He said it would be approximately another $5-$10 per month, but I would get an extended warranty to 6 years 80,000 miles, GAP coverage and other benefits. I was told that the money I was saving on my percentage rate drop would be paid into this plan, so it would cost me an additional $60 per year. He reiterated that this exclusive deal is a way for Honda to take care of its loyal customers and help protect its investments. I thought that this all sounded ok. Majic said my new monthly payment would be $449 per month based on 60 months at a 6.25% finance rate. I agreed to this deal and signed all necessary papers. The paperwork was showed to me with the same $449 per month payment. Not knowing interest rates and numbers, this number seemed high, but trusting Honda and its products I assumed everything was correct. I got in my vehicle and headed home.
While reviewing my paperwork Saturday evening, I realized that Majic had listed the purchase price on my vehicle at $23,547.00. He also added taxes. I thought that Majic had made a genuine mistake and went back Sunday morning to discuss the issue. No one was able to speak with me on Sunday, so I took time off from work on Monday to go to the dealership and fix the paperwork.
When I went to Majic's office on Monday November 5th to show him the mistake, he told me that the paperwork was correct. I could not believe that I had been scammed into a $6,547.00 package that was described to me as a special deal Honda for existing owners! At this point I asked to speak with the manager and a man named George Leondis came in to talk to me. He looked over the paperwork and on first glance he said it looked like I purchased a package through Majic. I asked if I could have the package removed and he said he would have to contact the bank to see if they can switch it back to the original 7.95% rate. Leondis said it probably couldnt be changed because everything is done electronically and immediately. He then said that he would ask Majic to help me out. Majic came back in said to have a seat in the showroom while he called the bank to see if they could change my interest rate to the original 7.95% rate. When Majic called me back into his office he did not say anything about the bank. He instead made me a new offer. Majic said that I could pay $3,000 to terminate the contract and pay cash for the vehicle, but that this offer could only be done that same day. At this point I got very angry and upset because he was essentially telling me that I had to pay another $3,000 to fix the problem, in addition to paying cash for my vehicle. He then proceeded to say that he recommended I take this deal because it will be saving me $6,000 in the long run. It sounded like a threat.
I told Majic that he was going to have to help me out better than offering me a new deal. He needed to cancel the service plan. I said I did not want to have to leave the dealership on the second day of owning my car and go see a lawyer. He took my paper work and said, 'Did you sign these?' Majic went through the papers one by one and said, 'That is what the Judge is going to say.'
At this point I asked Majic for an itemized bill to show me exactly what package I purchased. He knew I was asking for this information in order to show it to a lawyer and said that I have all the paperwork I need and Honda does not give itemized bills. He said if I had any further questions that I should ask my lawyer to speak with his attorneys. I asked both sales mangers George Leondis and Joseph Giammarino if I could have an itemized bill. They both said they could not help me and they do not know about any other packages that Majic may have offered me. They said if they did, they would not provide me with an itemized bill, or even a statement showing what I had purchased. They kept saying that I had the paperwork I needed, which I do not. On my way out, Joseph Giammarino said that if I take them to court, 'Honda wins 90% of their cases.' This sounded like another threat.
So here I am today with a lawyer on retainer and a beautiful new Honda in my driveway that I don't want to drive because it breaks my heart. I'm writing letters and speaking to all local business organizations, the Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, ripoffreport.com, the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation, CW11's Help me Howard, The Staten Island Advance, American Honda, lawyers, friends, family, and anyone that may be able to help me rectify this situation quickly. Upon hearing my predicament, my friend went into Staten Island Honda to inquire about a new vehicle purchase. He asked about the same vehicle and was offered a 6% finance rate to start with an identical $17,000 purchase price! I wonder how they would have scammed him if he left a deposit.
Ripped off in Staten Island
Staten Island, New York
U.S.A.
7 Updates & Rebuttals
Flynrider
Phoeix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Common problem
#8Consumer Comment
Tue, February 03, 2009
The main problem here is that shady finance characters will add as much as they can to the contract, and hope that you don't read it before you sign. The O.P. notes :
"While reviewing my paperwork Saturday evening, I realized that Majic had listed the purchase price on my vehicle at $23,547.00."
Reviewing the paperwork on Saturday evening is too late. What's the point of reviewing a contract after it has been signed? By that point, you're pretty much stuck with it. Shady finance guys depend on people who do not read contracts before they sign. An acquaintence of mine was one of these people. He told me that if his customers actually read what they were signing, there would be no "finance guy" at the dealership. His entire job was padding contracts and generating more profit from each sale. Having bought numerous cars over the years, I have no reason to doubt him. Every finance guy I ever dealt with tried to pad the contract in one way or another. They can only do this if you do not read before signing. Once they have a signed contract, your chances of "fixing it" after the fact are close to zero.
Sihondacomplaint
Staten Island,New York,
U.S.A.
I am a victim too!!
#8Consumer Comment
Sat, January 24, 2009
Well I was too late to see your posting on the internet. They did the exact same thing to me as well. The business manager was majic himself and I paid 27000 for a car price of 18000. It would really be helpful if you could let me know what happened after that. I am filing my separate complaint also.
Sihondacomplaint
Staten Island,New York,
U.S.A.
I am a victim too!!
#8Consumer Comment
Sat, January 24, 2009
Well I was too late to see your posting on the internet. They did the exact same thing to me as well. The business manager was majic himself and I paid 27000 for a car price of 18000. It would really be helpful if you could let me know what happened after that. I am filing my separate complaint also.
Sihondacomplaint
Staten Island,New York,
U.S.A.
I am a victim too!!
#8Consumer Comment
Sat, January 24, 2009
Well I was too late to see your posting on the internet. They did the exact same thing to me as well. The business manager was majic himself and I paid 27000 for a car price of 18000. It would really be helpful if you could let me know what happened after that. I am filing my separate complaint also.
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
Here's What I Did
#8Consumer Suggestion
Mon, July 07, 2008
Bought a new tundra from cavender toyota in April. The salesman was fine, so were the figures. The finance guy was a crook. It was kind of like that Austin Powers movie where you have to ask THREE times before you get an honest answer from the finance guy. What a scumbag. The numbers DIDN'T add up in finance until after asking THREE times, he finally admitted he had added GAP insurance at $575 to the selling price of the vehicle without our asking that it be added. Then after getting "caught", he admits to it. To get all the rebates and incentives, he gets me 6%. NO frickin' problem.
FIFTEEN DAYS after I bought the truck, I REFINANCE the truck at 4% AND canceled the GAP. Got a refund on the GAP insurance, bought it elsewhere for $199 AND when I refinanced, I knocked off SIX months AND knocked off an additional $50 per month. Saving myself an extra $5,775. WHENEVER they tell you about a "special deal", prepare to bend over.
Sihondafraud
Staten Island,New York,
U.S.A.
The Catch is
#8Consumer Comment
Sat, July 05, 2008
The catch is that the business manager LIES about the initial finance charges. This is what leads people into buying the package. Not only does he lie about the finance charges, they also DO NOT itemize the warranties. Instead they tack everything on to the retail value of the vehicle. Ive been on the phone with honda relations and honda financial for the passed 3 weeks. Both institutions have confirmed shady dealings at the dealership.
Jim
Orlando,Florida,
U.S.A.
Write a Letter To Yourself!
#8Consumer Suggestion
Sat, December 01, 2007
Here's what you should say:
"I caused this problem. I should have read every word on every piece of paper BEFORE I signed it. If I would have done this, then there would be no problem now because I would have seen what they were trying to do and I should have walked out. In the future, I will be a smart consumer. I will be way above average when it comes to buying a car. I will read everything before I sign anything!"