Cory
San Antonio,#2Consumer Suggestion
Sat, April 03, 2004
Returned a F-150 in Dec. 03. On the back of the contract it spells out exactly what has to be done at the end of your lease. First, don't wait till the last minute. Went in 2 weeks prior to the due date to let the dealer inspect the vehicle. That way if he finds something wrong with it you have the time to get it fixed at another place at a much cheaper cost. My tires wouldn't have passed so instead of letting the dealer put on $800 worth of tires I spent $200 at Discount Tire, they had to have 4 matching tires they didn't have to be top of the line. If there had been anything else I could have taken it to my mechanic who is much cheaper. I have heard of several people who have waited too long and paid out the a*s. It is your responsibility to live up to the terms of the contract but don't allow the dealers to screw you over. Also if the dealer thinks you might lease another vehicle from him he might just disregard some of those minor flaws so keep him guessing.
Jim
Orlando,#3Consumer Suggestion
Sat, April 03, 2004
Understand, I want to help you (and any others dropping by). There's not a whole lot we can do now but perhaps this situation can be avoided in the future. Later in your posting you used the word "purchase". This leads me to believe you might not be fully aware of what you got into. This was a CAR FLEECE. You didn't "purchase" anything. Do your self a favor in the future...no matter how great they make it sound, stay away from a CAR FLEECE. What you experienced would not have occurred if it was a purchase. The reasons everybody needs to stay away from car FLEECING are: Many official sounding fees used to pack the deal; your insurance rates will most likely be higher, you need to watch your odometer like a hawk and the WIDESPREAD practice of grossly exaggerating the wear and tear charges when you turn the car in. Dealers love FLEECING because there's much more profit in it for them. They're not cutting you a "special deal", they are looking at you as an uninformed sucker who only thinks of a monthly payment. When you run the numbers a CAR FLEECE always costs you MORE. No recognized personal financial advisor that I know of approves of CAR FLEECING. The cards are so much stacked against you, it isn't even funny. Remember, car leasing is CAR FLEECING and Y-O-U will be the one who gets sheared!