Volkswagen Riverside CA Riverside Metro Completely Mislead Riverside, California
I was currently towards the end of my lease on my Honda. Honda had been
calling me wanting my lease back because someone was looking for a used
white Honda Accord Crosstour but couldn't afford a new one. Honda told
me that I can return the Crosstour and that they can put me in a new
CRV-No lease. The offer was good but I did not want a CRV. I had been
really interested in the VW Tiguan so I called VW Riverside and
explained to them my situation. They said that they would be able to get
me out of lease and put me into a brand new Tiguan since they are
indeed affiliated with Honda(same owner owns VW and every other dealer
in that center.)So I drove down there, and they first tried to put me in
a used at full price! I of course said NO, when I had called they told me that they can put me in a NEW car! They then asked if I had any idea what the payoff was on my lease. I
really had no clue. They kept asking what a ball park figure was so I guesstimated a price, and then told them many of times that it was a guesstimate and that I really had no idea, but surely you will find out. After a long negotiation, and back and forth with the so-called manager, they
said that all was good, and that they will pay off my lease and put me in the new Tiguan. Now I have dealt with many dealers in my life, and every dealer gets a payoff quote before agreeing to buy out that persons lease. They told me that all was good, so I drove off in my new car. First thing I do when I get home is figure out of curiosity what the payoff was on my Honda. Come to find out that there was a $3,000 difference then what they had made me guesstimate. Being the honest person that I am, I called VW the next morning to verify that they did get my actual payoff and that we were all good. They told me that they never called cause they got too busy! What dealer
does that! ! I told them that there was a 3k difference then what I had verbally guesstimated, but surely you did not go off of that number cause I told you that I really had no idea. They then said that they definitely went off of that number, and that they were actually going
to bill me for the 3k! Pissed, I drove all the way down there to return the car and get back my Honda. They said that I am stuck with the new car according to their contract, and that they can lower the price of the car 1K, but I still have to pay the 3K and they had to increase my interest rate %.25! I have never dealt with a dealer that had not done their due diligence on payoff amounts and have their customers pay for their mistakes! Even their financial guy said that VW has done this before with their customers, and of course no one was happy! Also, their is usually a 10 day grace period to return the car and VW Riverside does not offer that. So I am stuck with this car, and actually have to pay more than what it's worth! I should of stuck with Honda!
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Brooke
California,United States of America
Unjust
#3Author of original report
Mon, September 24, 2012
Jim,
Please note the website that you are on. Ripoff Report. I indeed was ripped off!
I am assuming that you are a car salesmen. When a dealer tells you that they have it taken care of your lease, and they write their own payoff number down, one would think that the dealer did their due diligence on calling for your payoff. I have dealt with many of dealers, and in fact was married to one, and they have all gotten my pay off before they agreed to sell me a car. VW financial actually called me today to apologize and agreed that what happened to me was unjust, and offered me
a better interest rate today. Now I agree that I should of known what my payoff was before going there, but after being told that "all was good" with my lease by the salesmen and 3 managers, I figured that "all was good." Of course I have learned my lesson and will never take a salesmens word for it ever again, but the fact of the matter is that what they did was completely wrong and I was swindled. My lack of not knowing what my payoff was will never make this just.
Jim
Orlando,Florida,
USA
Leading With Your Chin!
#3Consumer Comment
Sun, September 23, 2012
You told them even before you walked in you wanted a NEW car. The first thing they do is try to play the bait and switch and try to sell you a used car at a new car price. Umm, does that tell you anything? Right then and there you had enough info to know what you were dealing with but you stayed. Then incredibly you go there not having a clue as to what the payoff was on that FLEASE! No matter what it was, do you actually think the amount just disappears?
If its 1000 or 5000 the amount the dealer pays to end the FLEASE gets charged back to you! How can you even evaluate the quality of the transaction if you don't know what the numbers are? They knew that and based on your lack of knowledge of being a smart consumer they moved in for the kill. I can't imagine what kind of bogus, add on, phoney fees you paid. Did they take advantage of you? Probably. Should they have taken advantage of you? No. In the end, you allowed them to by your lack of knowledge of the numbers involved here. Incredible.