Complaint Review: Cheap Heaps - Lancaster Pennsylvania

 I went to Cheap Heaps with $800 which is what I was told I needed to put down. Upon arriving, I was told to go out on the lot and pick out vehicles that interested me and write down the stock numbers. I did this and I was then informed of the two vehicles that I could get financed. They were two that I didn't choose. I needed a vehicle so I chose one. There were wires hanging out of the driver's side mirror. The vehicle was a 2000 Cadillac Escalade. They looked at it and came back inside and told me it was fixed. This took about 2 minutes. I was told to get this vehicle, I needed $400 more. What I can't understand is why I couldn't get a cheaper vehicle. This vehicle retails for around $6000 in excellent condition. They sold it to me for $11600 before taxes. Funny, how dealerships thrive on customer's bad financial situations. They told me that this vehicle and one other vehicle, a junky Blazer were the only two I could get financed.

I never got to test drive the vehicle during the daylight because of the shorter days and how I work. I did get to drive it around the block.  I came up with the $400 and went on a Saturday morning to pick it up. Conveniently the vehicle was not on the lot but out getting cleaned. I couldn't check it out in the daylight inside  but I was assured it was indeed being cleaned up. I got the papers signed and the vehicle then appeared on the lot. When I went to get in it, I tried the key in the driver's door instead of using the keyfob and it wouldn't go into the lock cylinder. I was told it would be fixed. When I got into the vehicle, it was filthy. All the trim and knobs were had a dirty film on them that won't come off and the headliner is dirty. After checking  the back deck at home, I found a dirty carpet with rust spots like it was used for hauling junk. I discovered that both rear window switches were broke which should have been caught if the vehicle was cleaned inside. Cheap Heaps was informed and said they would fix it. I discovered also that the rear defogger grid on the driver's side rear door doesn't work and those wires hanging from the passenger side outside mirror are for the heated mirrors which this mirror's doesn't work. The vehicle handles like crap even for a suv and there is a slight shudder on takeoff. It is supposed to be checked on12/10/ I want to see how much of these repairs I will have to pay for. The vehicle was purchased as is with an extended warranty but the dealer said they would fix these issues.

 What really upsets me is that after going to the web site of the financial institution that financed my vehicle, I find out they approve every one submitted to them and that the dealership decides what vehicle id delivered. Cheap Heaps decided what vehicle I could get, not the finance company. They must have wanted to get this Escalade off the lot. It was sitting there for quite a while judeging by the cob webs under the hood when I lifted the hood at home to jump start it. By the way, they did replace the battery. God bess them. 

 Bottom line, stay away from Cheap Heaps, you will end up with what they want you to have, not what the finance company says will work for you. How many dealerships can you have $1200 down and only have for all purposes, one choice.