Tempe Mitsubishi salesperson Jack dropped a big bombshell in the finance office.. misled me bigtime Tempe Arizona *UPDATE
In April 2002 I called up Tempe Mitsubishi and inquired about breaking my lease on an eclipse because I no longer wanted it and wanted to get an SUV. I spoke to a salesperson Jason and ask if I could break my lease with NO penalty if I agreed to get another Mitsubishi as a purchase, not a lease. I informed Jason that my mitsubishi had relatively low miles but did need a little cosmetic work. Small scratch on door, interior had stains in it and needed detailed,front grill that hangs low had a little paint missing from pulling up to far in parking spots.
This was my first lease( I will NEVER lease again) and knew I was breaking my lease. I was informed by the sales person I could break my lease with NO penalty whatsoever if I get another Mitsubishi. I made it very clear on the phone that NO penalties are to be charged and that was the deal over the phone. The salesperson said "no problem. People break leases all the time."I told himk if there were exhorbant fees I would just wait till my lease ends in a year and trun it in and not deal with mistubishi anymore.
So I took my car in. They wanted me to find a vehicle first before they would appraise it and I told them to please start the process of looking . I was given to another salesperson Jack since Jason was busy. I was under the impression it was going to be a simple swap since the salesperson states "no penalties." I decided on a nice Montero under the 0/0/0 program and was happy to be rid of the eclipse which had given me alot of problems.
I found a black 2002 Montero I test drove, liked and made an offer. They came back with a counter offer written on paper that said the asking price plus "tax and fees". I assumed fees included the typical TT&L, destination,etc. If theres a huge additional FEE it should be noted on the paper and not hidden or disguised as it was. They just had the price and then FEES. So I went back to my final offer since my credit is phenomenal and I will just buy another car somewhere else if they don't accept my offer. They came back and accepted and shook my hand. The whole process was great and easy up until I get into the finance office.
The gentleman (tall guy with a shaved head) did his typical sales pitch trying to get me to buy all this stuff like Gap insurance, extra warranty, etc.. and I told him no thanks but the numbers were off by 3000.00. I found out that my car was upside down $3,000.00 on my lease and they were adding it to the price, and not one person bothered to tell me this until I'm signing the papers.
I was upset and said this isn't acceptable and I want to speak to the finance manager who came in and apologized for the miscommunication and said I was going to have to add 3k in upside down equity to the car and I told her this was totally unprofessional as I made sure there were NO PENALTIES and that if there was a 3,000 upside down equity fee it should have been stated when they came back with their offer. They just simply wrote "plus FEES" which could mean an extra 10k for all they care.
I asked her why the sales person didn't tell me about the upside down equity and she said she didn't know but I should have been told. I also was concerned they were low bvalling me big time and not giving me blue book but thats another story. I asked for her to come down on the price of the montero to make up for this. She said she could not since they were already at a loss with my offer. So basically I could have said no and walked out but my car had already been cleaned out, plates taken off,etc.. so I told myself I would just have to tuck away moremoney each month to make up for it since I took the 0/0/0 program and will be refinancing in a year.
I asked the salesperson Jack why he didn't inform me about the 3,000 in upside down equity when he knew it was there and he said "I'm sorry I fogrot." He forgot. I took the montero home anyways which I love, but me and my friend that was with me were totally disgusted with what they sprang on me in the finance office. The extra 3k bumped the price up on the montero over 10% so now I'm paying more than I wanted but thats just the way it is I guess.
Word of advice, make sure you clarify "FEES".
Kim
Gilbert, Arizona
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Update as of 09/05/2002 ...YES they are a Rip-off!
#40
Tue, September 17, 2002
On 09/05/2002 out of the blue, I received a phone call from a very nice gentleman at Tempe Mitsubishi by the name of Mike. He was doing a follow up call on my truck I purchased, as the previous car salesman Jack-surprise, surprise-is no longer there and aparrantly parted ways with less than amicable terms.
He said Jack left alot of fires for other people to put out and wanted to make sure I was happy with my truck. I told him that the vehicle was ok, but that I was unhappy with what happened in the finance office about Jack simply "forgetting" the extra $3k in upside down fees.
I expressed my regret in buying the vehicle because of that dishonesty and told Mike if I could do it all over again I would not buy the truck and would have walked off the lot. Mike expressed some mild disgust with what the salesperson did and said that is one of the reasons Jack is no longer with the company. He truly felt bad about that experience but admitted he didn't know if anything could be done.
I told him when I bought the vehicle I expressed my dissatisfaction with Vickie (the finance mgr or something) and she apoligozed and offered me a free dash mat! Wow thats an expensive dashmat! I was so mad I stupidly just took the SUV home. Mike told me he would make sure somebody called me on this as he couldn't believe that Jack actually told me he simply forgot about the 3k.
Well, Mike was nice enough to call back again the following week to see if anybody had called me (mainly Vickie) and I told him I hadn't heard from anyone and again, he said he wanted somebody to call me just so I can have a little closure.
Here it is 9/16/2002 still no call!
My mistake is that I shouldn't have bought the truck. If the slimy salesperson is going to "forget" that he is adding $3,000 to the price of the truck and doesn't tell me until almost until the very end of the sales process, they do not deserve my business. I could have gone to another dealership, still paid the upside down equity, and got the SUV I really wanted-A Ford Expedition.
Thats ok. Next year when I pay my truck down enough to sell it, I'm getting rid of it and taking my 780 fico score and excellent income elsewhere. I'll never do business with Tempe Mitsubishi again.
Word to the wise-when something like this is sprung up to you at the last minute and not disclosed ahaed of time, WALK!
Kim
Mesa,Arizona,
response to rebuttal ..Why do you think everyone hates car salesmen?
#4Consumer Comment
Tue, June 25, 2002
Jim,
Just an FYI I asked the salesrep how long he had been there and he informed me almost 2 years.
My mileage was UNDER the allottment. I was given 15k per year and only used about 12-13k a year.
My issue is that the bombshell was dropped at the last minute, in the finance office and the salesman should have known better. What part of "I want to know ALL fees and penalties" did he not understand?
He did NOT do his job with the dealership if he is purposely hiding these fees in order to get the sale. I am in sales too and my job is too sell and I disclose all fees upfront. If I didn't I wouldn't have a job.
So you can do your job, or you can do it honestly and with integrity.
Why do you think everyone hates car salesmen?
Jim
Phoenix,Arizona,
Tempe Mitsubishi ...IS a rip off
#4Consumer Comment
Tue, June 18, 2002
You sir got lucky. I am positive that you got top dollar for your self described rough trade and you did not mention how many miles over the contracted milage you were.
Leasing a car is just like leasing a apartment it will cost you to break the lease early.
You were not charged a penalty at all. They just paid off your lease and you did not have to pay the lease termination fee (read the fine print on the lease contract).
I agree you should have been told about the $3K up front but don't blame the sales rep. we have very little to do with you get told once you ae in the door especally if your sales rep was new but he did do his job...got you in, landed you on a vehicle you liked and made a sale.
Oh by the way all who read this....dealerships will not really pay you blue book for a trade we can't stay in business if we did and you would pay 2-3 thousand more for used cars if we did.