My Husband went here with an award certificate promising $11000 off a new car. We had a d/p elsewhere, but decided to check it out. We specifically requested to see only the cars that the award certificate applied to. Most of the cars were in poor condition-one Taurus even had a battery on top of it.
Since we didn't like any of the cars, the Salesman Joe Dukens said he wanted to see if our credit even passed. So we went to his office. Again I was unemployed, awaiting disability, with a newborn. So it was my husband's credit, and supposed contract - if we found anything suitable. We wanted an SEL/middle of the road model with extras. The salesman said I needed to
fill out something, because we were married. When I questioned why they would need anything from me. The form was supposed to be for Ford Credit at 0%, 2.9 %, or 4% financing, for my husband. I noticed they put this car down that we did not want. I didn't like it at all, as I saw it in the showroom. It was just a basic Freestyle, with very uncomfortable seats (I have a back problem). Husband at the time was asking a friend for advice via cell phone outside. The man told me that IF we passed for the credit, he would get us whatever model we wanted, plus add extras for Free if it was on his lot and didn't have them. He just put that make and model down "to see if we were eligible for credit." After hours of waiting, and telling him we had to leave, and being put off by him saying "just a few more minutes" - they come out and tell me-I have my car. MY car?!!? There was some conflict as I said it was my husband's contract-if we had decided on anything. My husband said there was nothing we could do. Because it was a contract. It wasn't what I wanted, and neither of us test drove it. They said we saw it in the showroom. We took the car home, and I did not drive it. As I wanted to take it back. The Moday after that Saturday (when this nightmare began), I get a call from Popular Ford. I am told my contract was invalid. I need to come in immediately to sign a new one. My husband said a friend told him to go in with me, and disagree to the new terms, etc. They wanted more money. I think it was also because the salesman said he wasn't signing the form-because it was just a "sample contract to see if the credit passed."
So I brought the car back, handed the guy Jerry the keys, asked for my husband's trade in, and said I am disagreeing to terms. They said the would say that the original contract was binding. Then when I said I was going to take the new car, and original contract, and contact the Attorney General-he proceeded to threaten me, and my family. He had my driver's license with my Mom's address, my new address (from husband's driver's license), etc.
He also said when I left the lot, he would have me arrested. I had my newborn with me. I was frightened and upset, and signed the new contract. I immediately called the police to see if I could have been arrested-who said not with the original contract in my possession. I also immediately contacted the NY Attorney General's office. Nothing was done. I am not bound to a Chase Auto Finance Contract-not even Ford credit. With way more interest. I am or was(car was repossessed)paying $484 per month for a 2005 with I think 9% interest.
I never got the promised $11000 off. I was in fact eligible for Ford Credit, as I checked with another dealer.
I have told Chase numerous times about being threatened. But they said that
it didn't matter-because I shouldn't have made any payments-which I thought I was bound to. They also said if I returned the car, I would still have to pay. They wouldn't even negotiate terms. I believe the total price for the car ended up being $31,000 which it clearly was not worth.
The attorney general was given all the paperwork.
It is a sad day when you can be threatened and coerced into a contract, and not be able to do a thing about it. The fact that so many people have complained for years, and nothing is being done about this-is just plain injust.
Oh and I should mention two last things: Damian who was also in on this had to tell Jerry that he HAD to give me a copy of the new contract. As Jerry blatantly refused. But did when Damian told him to. This was about a week later. Jerry's reason was that I wanted to keep the first contract for the A.G.
The other thing is: When in the office being threatened, Jerry said to Damian
"Why don't you call your friend from Chase." I think that it may be possible that I didn't get Ford credit, because of Damian was friends with someone at Chase or something. So if that last part has happened to anyone else feel free to state it here. I for one would love to know. As well as if anyone else was given the wrong financing. And again this was all supposed to be my husband's IF we decided to purchase there. He had a down payment elsewhere. It was his car he had to put down for the trade in-not mine.
His award Certificate.
Madwoman128
Albrightsville, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
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