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  • Report:  #131168

Complaint Review: Mitsubishi Motors Credit Of America - Cypress California

Reported By:
- Chandler, Arizona,
Submitted:
Updated:

Mitsubishi Motors Credit Of America
P.O. Box 6014 Cypress, 90630 California, U.S.A.
Phone:
888-648-7820
Web:
N/A
Categories:
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?
I purchaed the car at the Tempe Arizona Mitsubishi Auto Dealership. However, the Mitsubishi finance company (Mitsubishi Motors Credit of America) is in Cypress, California.

Below is a copy of the letter I sent to Mitsubishi Motors Credit of America on January 6, 2005. The letter contains all the details.

January 6, 2005

Account Number:

CERTIFIED MAIL

Accounting Department

Mitsubishi Motors Credit of America, Inc.

P.O. Box 6014

Cypress, CA 90630

To Whom It May Concern:

I am in urgent need of your assistance in lowering my monthly payment for my 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer. I am unable to make my January monthly payment of $505.99 so I mailed $250 today to:

Mitsubishi Motors Credit of America

P.O. Box 0555

Carol Stream, IL 60132-0555

I purchased this vehicle in February 2003 at the Mitsubishi Auto Dealership in Tempe, Arizona. According to my financial agreement:

-The total cost of the vehicle was around $18,000.

-I wasn't required to make any payments until January 2004.

-When my payments were due to commence, the monthly payment was set up to be $505.99 (10.9% interest)

At the time I purchased this vehicle, the Mitsubishi financial officer at the Tempe, Arizona Mitsubishi dealership (I wish I knew his name but I don t) told me very clearly that when it was time to begin making payments, I could go to my credit union and refinance at around 5% (my credit is excellent) which would make my payments between $250 and $300 per month.

Although, anyone would think that a person of my age (I was almost 60 at the time I purchased the vehicle) would have known that his claim was not true, I trusted his claim because after all, Mitsubishi is a reputable company. I didn't learn of the deception until I tried to get the car refinanced in December 2003 through my credit union. At that time, my credit union, informed me that the Kelly Blue Book value on my car was around $12,000 and since I owed $18,000, they would not refinance.

I was and still am shocked that a reputable company such as Mitsubishi would allow an employee to make untrue claims. Is it Mitsubishi s common practice to arrange such dishonest financing or am I missing something here? TV runs many advertisements showing new cars (even very expensive cars such as a 2005 Lexus) for sale offering payment plans with monthly payments lower than the amount I am paying for my little Mitsubishi Lancer.

Since I didn't want to ruin my excellent credit rating, I felt, at that time, that I had no option other than to go ahead and make the payments. I have now made 12 payments of $505.99, which equals $6071.88 for a vehicle whose value in December 2003 was around $12,000 and whose value according to a Kelly Blue Book quote (January 2005) on-line is below $10,000.

At this time, I am at the end of my ability to continue making this huge payment. I was diagnosed with breast cancer (copies of diagnosis enclosed) in early 2004. I continued to work until May when I had surgery to remove the cancerous tumors. At that time, I left my job and went on medical disability, which caused my income to plummet and the cost of my medical insurance to increase significantly. I knew that I would not be able to continue paying my mortgage payments, insurance payments, and my car payments, so I sold my house and moved in with my son and his family. Up to this time, I've been able to make my car payments by using my savings which I did thinking that I would be able to return to work after chemo and radiation and thus increase my income again. However, due to side effects (pulmonary fibrosis as a result of toxicity to the chemotherapy drug Taxol), it looks like I won t be able to return to work.

I love my little Mitsubishi and would love to keep it. However, I would trade down if this would resolve the problem. Of course, I can t do that because I owe so much more than the car is worth. I see only a few options that could possibly resolve this problem - I could:

-file bankruptcy,

-file a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General s Office-Fraud Division,

-contact one of the TV stations such as 3 on your Side , or - renegotiate a new financial agreement with Mitsubishi.

My preference is the latter.

Since I've already paid over $6,000, the car was worth around $12,000 at the time I began making payments (Jan. 2004), and the car is now worth under $10,000, it seems fair to me to arrange a new agreement. I can pay $250 per month for two more years which would total $12000.

I am asking for your compassion and mercy in my dire situation.

Sincerely,

Linda

Although I have not obtained an attorney as of this date (Feb. 12, 2005) I'll see if I can get an attorney for seniors. I did file a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General's Office today (Feb. 12) FYI, in both January and February 2005, I made a payment of $250 instead of $505.99.

I received a response to my letter dated Jan. 6, 2005, from Paulene Drake, National Account Service Center; Mitsubishi Motors Credit of America; P.O. Box 6014; Cypress, CA 90630 dated January 25, 2005. She does not address the questions I raised in my letter about fraud. Her letter is quoted below:

"RE: MMCA Account Number

Dear Ms. ;

We have received your recent correspondence and are very sorry to hear of your current health situation.

We regret to inform you that we are unable to make a change in the contractual agreement serviced by Mitsubishi Motors Credit of America, Inc. (MMCA)

Although we sympathize and recognize that you are experiencing financial and health hardships, as you stated in your letter, the contractual agreement remains in effect until the contract is satisfied.

Once the contract is signed, no changes can me made to alter the original agreement. The only way to lower your monthly payments would be to refinance the vehicle through another financial institution, as MMCA does not offer refinancing services.

Should you require additional assistance, please contact our National Account Service Center at (888)MITSU-2005 (888-648-7820). Our hours are Monday - Saturday, 5 a.m. - 8 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time).

Sincerely,

(signature that looks like Paulene Drake)

National Account Service Center

Mitsubishi Motors Credit of America."

Linda

Chandler, Arizona
U.S.A.

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9 Updates & Rebuttals

Stick

Phoenix,
Arizona,
U.S.A.
Linda PLEASE read this. You might find FRAUD that you never knew about.

#2Consumer Suggestion

Tue, February 15, 2005

Linda now it is my turn. Linda I am a Rip Off Report Consumer Advocate. I know of many car dealers that like to Rip Off car buyers and the auto lenders that do business with the car dealers. If you want to read about how car dealers Rip Off you and the bank in a under the table kind a way, Read this below Rip Off Report. www.badbusinessbureau.com/reports/ripoff131258.htm When you get to this above Rip Off Report look at all of the pic's that are posted. Can you say FRAUD? Read this report and you will have a better idea about auto dealer banking FRAUD! Linda contact your auto lender and ask for a copy of the credit application they got from your car dealer. Sometimes when car dealers do not have the ability to tell the truth, they also bend the real truth when they send your credit application to a lender for approval. Once you get a copy of your credit application that you filed out when you bought your car look for info that is NOT TRUE that is NOT IN your hand writing. The problem we have here is that banks that do auto loans do not have the ability to hire employees that have the ability to spot or stop auto dealer FRAUD! Next I have to tell all of you Rip Off Report readers that you are not informed about AUTO DEALER scams is because the media, Talk Radio, newspapers and local TV stations will not expose car dealer scams because I feel that they do not want to lose BIG advertising money that they get from new car dealers. Linda try my little test and you will see that I am right. Here in Phoenix we have a local Talk Radio station that I have been tuned in for about 12 years. They have a guy named Bruce Jacobs that will not chat live on the air about new car dealer Rip Offs and scams that car dealers use to take advantage of car buyers. Bruce will talk about what ever you want, But when it comes to new car dealers and their scams, THAT's OFF LIMITS! I do not care what state you live in, email bruce Jacobs and ask him if what I say is true! His email address is [email protected] Or if you live in AZ call hime up from 5AM to 8AM at 602-258-5394 and ask why he will not chat about auto dealer Rip Off Reports. Maybe you might want to email the others that work at KFYI and ask them the same question. Email these nice people and ask why the will not chat LIVE on the air about new car dealer Rip Off's and scams. If they email you with a reply, post it on this Rip Off Report. I would love to read what they all have to say as to why they will not help expose car dealer deception! [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Linda put these guys at KFYI to the test. Email them and and then post their reply on your rip Off Report. I would love to read it. I also know of a local KIA dealer that has sent a FRAUDULANT credit app to a bank for approval. I cought them red handed and they now have a law suit to deal with.


Cory

San Antonio,
Texas,
U.S.A.
Beg To Differ

#3Consumer Comment

Tue, February 15, 2005

One point I disagree with. The salesman was acting as an agent for Mitsubishi. They BOTH profited from the transaction. If their agent was acting in a fradulent manner, they are resposible. By the huge number of people posting on this site and others, that speil about refinancing, it must have been a standard sales pitch. When hundreds say the same thing, I'll bet we could find some documentation attesting to just that somewhere. The salesmen all didn't think it up themselves. It was probably a corporate pitch. That is fraud at a corporate level, with an attempt to deceive. And, look what it has gotten them. Good luck.


Paul

Anaheim,
California,
U.S.A.
Mitsubishi is not the fraud here. It's a lying, thieving damn car salesman.

#4Consumer Suggestion

Tue, February 15, 2005

That's how you got into this mess. Mitsubishi sold you a car. They told you the payments were going to be $500 a month. They told you the interest rate you'd be paying. I can't see any fraud. Mitsubishi even gave you a year to drive around in their vehicle while you paid nothing. Yes, their vehicles depreciate faster than others. You added to that by making zero payments while the vehicle is losing value every month. What did you expect? The lying, cheating car salesman is the cause of this whole mess. He knew d**n well you wouldn't get a lower rate. He told you whatever he had to in order to make the sale. Now, everybody but him loses. You lose. Mitsubishi loses. I only see one option here. Default on the loan. Give the car back. Whether you pay off the balance after sale or file BK is up to you. Perhaps, on your way to returning the car, you'll see this salesman standing outside. Perhaps, you will misjudge your braking distance as you pull up towards him. Oops, I thought you were 10.9 feet away. It turns out that it was only 5 feet. It's a common mistake. One that anyone could easily make. Sorry about that, sport!


Cory

San Antonio,
Texas,
U.S.A.
Shame On Them II

#5Consumer Suggestion

Tue, February 15, 2005

Computer timed out so didn't get to finish. When we go into a business we expect to be treared and dealt with in a fair and honorable way. Mitsubishi treated you and thousands like you in a dishonorable way. The second rebuttal was correct in the way he posted about about how at the end of the first year, you would still owe on the price of a new car price, albeit an overinflated price on a year old car with depreciation. I also don't believe that no interest crap. Instead of getting a 3.9 or 4+% loan, you ended up with a 10.9% interest rate. If I were in your position, Normally I wouldn't, but if I were in your position I'd say screw you. You dealt with me in such an underhanded, dishonest manner, I have more important issues to contend with, my health, come get your vehicle, have a nice day. There is such a thing as throwing good money after bad. If enough people refuse to pay on their Mitsubishi's, their public image will be right up there with Enron. Wasn't Joe Liar their spokesmen? Good luck and God bless you.


Cory

San Antonio,
Texas,
U.S.A.
Shame On Them II

#6Consumer Suggestion

Tue, February 15, 2005

Computer timed out so didn't get to finish. When we go into a business we expect to be treared and dealt with in a fair and honorable way. Mitsubishi treated you and thousands like you in a dishonorable way. The second rebuttal was correct in the way he posted about about how at the end of the first year, you would still owe on the price of a new car price, albeit an overinflated price on a year old car with depreciation. I also don't believe that no interest crap. Instead of getting a 3.9 or 4+% loan, you ended up with a 10.9% interest rate. If I were in your position, Normally I wouldn't, but if I were in your position I'd say screw you. You dealt with me in such an underhanded, dishonest manner, I have more important issues to contend with, my health, come get your vehicle, have a nice day. There is such a thing as throwing good money after bad. If enough people refuse to pay on their Mitsubishi's, their public image will be right up there with Enron. Wasn't Joe Liar their spokesmen? Good luck and God bless you.


Cory

San Antonio,
Texas,
U.S.A.
Shame On Them II

#7Consumer Suggestion

Tue, February 15, 2005

Computer timed out so didn't get to finish. When we go into a business we expect to be treared and dealt with in a fair and honorable way. Mitsubishi treated you and thousands like you in a dishonorable way. The second rebuttal was correct in the way he posted about about how at the end of the first year, you would still owe on the price of a new car price, albeit an overinflated price on a year old car with depreciation. I also don't believe that no interest crap. Instead of getting a 3.9 or 4+% loan, you ended up with a 10.9% interest rate. If I were in your position, Normally I wouldn't, but if I were in your position I'd say screw you. You dealt with me in such an underhanded, dishonest manner, I have more important issues to contend with, my health, come get your vehicle, have a nice day. There is such a thing as throwing good money after bad. If enough people refuse to pay on their Mitsubishi's, their public image will be right up there with Enron. Wasn't Joe Liar their spokesmen? Good luck and God bless you.


Cory

San Antonio,
Texas,
U.S.A.
Shame On Them II

#8Consumer Suggestion

Tue, February 15, 2005

Computer timed out so didn't get to finish. When we go into a business we expect to be treared and dealt with in a fair and honorable way. Mitsubishi treated you and thousands like you in a dishonorable way. The second rebuttal was correct in the way he posted about about how at the end of the first year, you would still owe on the price of a new car price, albeit an overinflated price on a year old car with depreciation. I also don't believe that no interest crap. Instead of getting a 3.9 or 4+% loan, you ended up with a 10.9% interest rate. If I were in your position, Normally I wouldn't, but if I were in your position I'd say screw you. You dealt with me in such an underhanded, dishonest manner, I have more important issues to contend with, my health, come get your vehicle, have a nice day. There is such a thing as throwing good money after bad. If enough people refuse to pay on their Mitsubishi's, their public image will be right up there with Enron. Wasn't Joe Liar their spokesmen? Good luck and God bless you.


Tom

Houston,
Texas,
U.S.A.
Feel badly too

#9Consumer Comment

Mon, February 14, 2005

I feel badly too that you are having such a tough time. Unfortunately, you made a bad deal by not financing the car through your credit union to begin with, the CU could have told you if it was over priced and given you a lower interest payment. By the time you started paying on the car, it was already a year old - so you were paying a new car price for a year old car which you agreed to do. There is no fraud here. This is a reason to NOT delay your payments. Since you signed a contract the company has every right to enforce it and it sounds like they are going to. This is regardless of your situation and they have no incentive to renegoiate. Sales people will say almost anything and most of it is garbage. If you could legally take them to court on their verbal lies most of the sales people would be in jail. I don't think you will have much luck with the Attorney General. Of course, the dealer will say the finance guy does not work for the Credit Union so how would he know what they would do. Sneaky. I sincerely hope Mitsubishi reviews your case does take some positive, constructive action for you.


Cory

San Antonio,
Texas,
U.S.A.
Shame On Them

#10Consumer Comment

Sun, February 13, 2005

I'm sorry to hear about the way things are going for you. You're in the same boat as thousands of others who fell for this 1 year, no interest, no payment scam from Mitsubishi. I didn't think Lancers were that expensive. They seem to be more of a 10 to 12 thousand dollars vehicle at best. Several rules of thumbs that might help people in the future. For every thousand dollars you spend on a vehicle it is going to cost you appoximately $25 dollars. Your vehicle cost you $18,000, so 18x25= $450 per month. No matter what those lying, cheating scumbag cars tell you. Second, as soon as you drive your new car off the lot, it's going to be worth about 25% less than you paid for it. $18,000 x .75= $13,500, as soon as you got home. Some cars are worth more, some cars take a 40% hit the first year. Last year, I bought a $30,000 truck and my payments are $505 for 72 months. Good luck.

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