Worthington Ford ripoff Long Beach California
I went to Worhtington Ford to purchase and Explorer XLS Sport Package Vehicle. I have owned 2 previous XLS's (1999 & 2000 versions) both sport package which included fog lights and step bars.
The reason I have had fog lights (I lived in Texas and now that I live in California I travel to Texas and intend to go back after my husband's tour in California is over, ever lived in Texas and you'd understand the reason for fog lights.)
The reason I have had step bars is because I have fibromyalgia and getting in and out of the truck causes me pain.
When I went to look for a new Explorer, I expected the same vehicle, I didn't know that the 2003 Explorer XLS Sport did not come with fog lights, so I agreed to take the XLS without them but was told I could add the fog lights, paying extra for them.
When I showed up to have the fog lights put in I was told they couldn't do it on my vehicle. I waited a couple of hours for the finance person to show up. When he did and explained the situation for me he told me that the XLS can not be purchased with fog lights and he would give me my old Ford back. I asked why they could not give me another Explorer that had everything I wanted. He went to talk to someone, I heard the conversation, she said that to get what I wanted I would have to get the XLT.
So they said I could have the XLT but I would have a higher monthly payment which I did not want so I asked if they could lower the interest rate, they did but I still end up paying $20.00 more a month over my 6 year loan. And for what I thought I was getting I considered it a good deal.
I did go out to look at the truck but the only thing I really saw is that it had fog lights, because I expected the vehicle to have everything my XLS Sport had.
After signing all the paperwork and closing the deal, I walked out to get in my truck the first thing I noticed was it did not have step bars. I mentioned it to the finance person and he said there was nothing he could do. California has a law that say once you have signed a contract on a vehicle you can not change your mind. Texas gives you three days.
I was so upset about the situation that as soon as I got home I wrote three letters to the Ford company. They did respond, but the situation was not resolved. The woman I spoke to was sympathetic and suggested that I could pay to have the step bars put on but she didn't know whether my warranty would cover it.
I wrote a leader to the sales associate at Worthington Ford, which included the following 2 paragraphs.
"I was disappointed that I was not offered a similar vehicle (meaning a Sport version of the XLT, since the XLS I purchased was a Sport version). The only thing missing from my XLS Sport was the fog lights and I should have been offered a vehicle that had everything I had on the XLS Sport with the fog lights added. I did not expect to do with less.
If I had noticed that there weren't steps I would have either not taken the vehicle or at least paid to have them put on. The reason I had a vehicle with steps is because I have fibromyalgia which leaves my body in a lot of pain and climbing in and out without step bars intensifies my pain. I remember daily that I have paid for a vehicle that I am not completely satisfied with."
The response I received was a letter from Kathy Kelley, Fixed Operations Manager at Worthington Ford. There was one part of the letter that made me scream. It said: "The XLT has more equipment/options than the XLS; therefore you have not done with less. Unfortunately, it did not have the equipment that you wanted"
Because the vehicle did not have want I needed I most definately have done with less. Notably more pain because of no step bars.
Just like I did with the fog lights that were not on the XLS I would have paid to put step bars in if I had realized that it didn't have any. It would have been easier to include the price in the contract. I can not afford to pay to have them put on now and don't know when I will be able to.
What I want now is for Worthington Ford to put the step bars on my vehicle for free because I believe after all this that they owe me.
They caused the problem and Kathy Kelley's words were demeaning, both times. Maybe I wouldn't be so angry if someone at Worthington Ford had admitted that they should have offered me an XLT Sport to replace my XLS Sport.
Jennese
Seal Beach, California
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Ford and Ford Dealers
8 Updates & Rebuttals
Rob
W. Hollywood,California,
U.S.A.
In California, the DMV regulates car dealerships
#9Consumer Suggestion
Mon, November 24, 2003
In 2000, i had a situation dealing with extremely unscrupulous business practices at a dealership in Fontana, CA. They were nasty and i felt completely at their mercy, and they loved it. I knew that what they were trying to do was wrong and possibly illegal so i did some investigating to find out who THEY had to answer to, in other words, who were THEY afraid of and who could do some real damage to their business. I found out that in Califormia, the DMV regulates car dealerships. after calling the DMV, I found out that i needed to speak to the DMV official (I forgot his exact title) in San Bernarding County. I spoke to him directly and told him exactly what was going on and he told me that what they were trying to do was illegal. He knew the exact dealership that I was speaking about and even used the owner's first name saying, "He knows better". He told me to call the dealership again and ask to speak to the owner. When I told him that I had done that already MANY times before and they wouldn't allow me to speak to the owner, he said, "you tell them that you've spoken to (I forgot the DMV official's name) and you'd like to speak to the owner. I said, "And they'll know who you are?" and he said, "Oh yeah, they'll know who i am." So I called and did what he said. In short, they connected me IMMEDIATELY to the owner, i told him about the conversation I had with the DMV official (I mentioned him by name)and my problem was solved, completely to my satisfaction. As a matter of fact, the owner caterred to me personally to make sure that I was satisfied.
Maybe you can call the DMV, tell them your story and see if there really is something that can be done. But be prepared if they tell you that the dealership did nothing wrong. You should take ownership of your mistake of not inspecting every aspect of the deal before signing the contract. But I'm sure there is possibly more to it (i.e. verbal agreements, promises etc.) that we don't know about, so I am in no way disrespecting your judgement in signing the contract.
I hope this helps some of you out there. good luck.
Kirk
Vacaville,California,
U.S.A.
Ex-Worthington Employee Speaks Up, They tried to rope me in, purchased an IROC at another dealership
#9UPDATE EX-employee responds
Mon, November 17, 2003
When I was 23 years old, I went to Worthington Chevrolet in Sacramento, CA to look at IROC Z28's. Having finished college with a great job, making big $$$, it was time to trade in the old Ford. Having never purchased a "new" car before, I thought this was going to be easy. Your first time for everything should be "special", right? This was special all right!
They tried to rope me in with a payment of $750 per month, saying since I didn't have any credit to speak of other than one Visa card I obtained when I turned 18 and although that was good credit, I was a big credit risk and my interest rate was going to be 18.5%. I thought, yeah, right! As I rose from the sales managers desk, and went to pick up my key's to the old Ford off his desk and bid my farewell, he snatched them from my hand and said, that we wern't finished negotiating. I said, yes we were and asked him for my key's back. When he refused, I had to call Sac. PD to assist with getting my key's back.
This just goes to show you what kind of character these dealerships have!
By the way, in case you were wondering; I purchased an IROC at another dealership with a payment of $325 mo. at an interest rate of 7.75% (not bad at that time)
Jennese
Seal Beach,California,
U.S.A.
Thank you for all you comments
#9Author of original report
Thu, October 23, 2003
Thank you for all you comments. Some have been helpful.
To Rob of Arlington: Even though you have lived in Arlington for 20 years, I lived in Ingleside and Corpus Christi for 6 years, which just in case you don't know is right on the bay.
There is hardly a day (especially early morning) where there is no fog.
And the trip from California (and we live on the coast here also) to Texas puts me through areas where they don't use many street lamps.
Even if there was no reason for fog lights, I did have the right to purchase them even though my reasons are sound.
As for the step bars, I didn't notice them the first time but when I went to go get in the truck before I even started the truck to leave the dealer I told the salesman that it didn't have step bars and asked if there was anything we could do about it.
He said NO.
Rob
Arlington,Texas,
U.S.A.
WORTHINGTON FORD OWES YOU NOTHING
#9Consumer Comment
Wed, October 22, 2003
Why should Worthington Ford install side steps on your Explorer for free? When in your own words: "I did go out to look at the truck but the only thing I really saw is that it had fog lights, because I expected the vehicle to have everything my XLS Sport had." So if you went out and looked at the Explorer then you whould of noticed that there were no side steps. Then you could of brought that to the attention of the sales rep or finance manager requested to have side steps to be added and avoided this entire ordeal.
Also I leave in Texas and have lived in Texas for 20 years, and I don't see the need for fog lights. When in Texas the main requirement for a car is a/c and nothing eles.
Joe
Bath,Maine,
U.S.A.
Never trust the F&I manager or a car salesman! They will do anything to get your money.
#9Consumer Comment
Wed, October 22, 2003
When you walk onto a car lot, you have to realize they don't care about you only your money. When they promise something MAKE SURE YOU HAVE IN WRITING. I a salesman says car has these features get the VIN# and PHYSICALLY go inspect the car. Make sure the VIN# is the SAME on the contract and on the vehicle because they will sale you a cheaper model for more expensive price. Most dealers only care about their commision check. After they get your money the custmer service is over. Next time you go buy a car take a micro tape recorder to record the transaction so when the next dealership you so you will have EVIDENCE fraud. Fraudelent dealerships are the rule and not the exception. NEXT TIME APPLY FOR FINANCING ANY WHERE EXCEPT A DEALERSHIP F&I OFFICE! The ugliest deceptive and unfair practices occur in the F&I office. Their is NO cooling off period for cars EXCEPT WHEN A SALEMAN COMES TO YOUR DOOR LIKE A MAGAZINE SALESMAN and sales you a car at your home. Remember the "friendly" salemen at the dealership are not your friends they only want your guard down so they can bend you over and slam you hard.
Krista
Wichita,Kansas,
U.S.A.
Right of Recission
#9Consumer Suggestion
Tue, October 21, 2003
Regulation Z applies to home loans...
Even the FTC website tells you that you are obligated once you sign the contract so
RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!!!
Valerie
Apache Junction,Arizona,
U.S.A.
"Cooling off period"
#9Consumer Suggestion
Mon, October 20, 2003
It is called a 3 day right of recission (excuse me if spelled incorrectly).
More states than not have this....I am not familiar with Texas or California, but it may well be worth checking.
Good luck & try to not give up!
Krista
Wichita,Kansas,
U.S.A.
NO state gives you a "cooling off period"
#9Consumer Comment
Fri, October 17, 2003
I noticed you said that Texas gives you three days. NO state gives you a "cooling off period" it is dealer choice to cancel a contract after written.