Complaint Review: Gateway Chevrolet - Chicago Illinois

I sent an internet response to the carloans' website and received a response to contact Tony Salemi at Gateway Chevrolet. I set up an appointment thru Kathy, his assistant, who indicated to me that I needed to bring my recent pay stubs, a recent utility bill, drivers license, a copy of my bankruptcy filing and the names and addresses of 5 references.

I was called the day before to confirm my appointment. My boyfriend and I went in and I was given a rep named Sammie Hassan. He took down all of my information, had me complete an application and basically told me what to say on the application, much of which was untrue. I was told to lie about what I paid for rent and some basic job information. They showed me my credit report and told me I needed a co-signer. I told them I did not have anyone that could do so and they told me to call my relatives and they could convince them to cosign.

They asked if they could run a credit check on my boyfriend, who stated he would not qualify because of a tax lien. They kept pushing so he said ok to prove a point and didn't they say he qualified for a loan! A person who was unemployed and had bad credit qualified for loan!

We should have walked then, but they insisted I would be able to get financed. After I convinced them that I did not have a cosigner, they proceeded to show me a vehicle, a 1999 Blazer and after a $1400 DP, I drove home with the vehicle. This down payment was in the form of 2 checks, dated 2 weeks apart. 3 weeks later, they called and left a cryptic message on my cell phone saying to call the Finance Manager. I immediately called him and was given an alternate number to contact him.

I tried this number several times and was hung up, put on hold and I never got to speak with the person. I called Gateway back and tried to find out what was happening and told them I would be in to see the Finance Manager. The next night at about 8:30PM, my doorbell rang and I was told my truck was being reposessed! The guy was sympathetic and allowed me to remove my personal belongings from the vehicle.

The next day I travelled into the city by bus to find out what was going on and was told that the financing was not approved and they had to take the car. I then asked for my money and the second check and I got a complete run-around that the check had not cleared and the person who issues checks was not in that day. It was a Saturday no less and I originally purchased the vehicle on a Saturday and told them that they could take your money on Saturday and the Finance Department was available then so why not now. I was asked to return on Monday and they would have my check ready.

I returned again by bus on Monday with a copy of my bank statement and cancelled check copy. When I told them why I was there, they gave me the same story again and that they couldn't issue my check because the check had not cleared. Before she could finish this lie, I pulled the copies out of my purse because I knew they would try that line again. Then, she asked for the documents, which I told her she could have a copy of. She then left for about 40 minutes. After she returned, she did come back with a check for the $700 and returned the second uncashed $700 check.

This place was packed with people on both occasions that I went there. They did not even have a showroom with cars! All of the cars were outside, including the brand new ones. The place that would normally be a showroom was filled with desks and computers like an office instead of a car showroom! This place should not be allowed to run this scam on innocent people. I should have known better but this preying on the innocent needs to be stopped!

I hope this will help anyone thinking about going to them for help in buying a car! DON'T!

Debra

Arlington Heights, Illinois
U.S.A.

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