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  • Report:  #44138

Complaint Review: Ray Catena Mercedes Benz Tony Rodriguez - Edison New Jersey

Reported By:
- Knineville, New Jersey,
Submitted:
Updated:

Ray Catena Mercedes Benz Tony Rodriguez
Route 1 North Edison, NJ Edison, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Phone:
732-549-6600
Web:
N/A
Categories:
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?
Even though I think I paid a little too much for this mercedes benz automobile (you can get a much better deal on EBay!), I lost part of my down payment as well!

Salesman Tony Rodriguez is who I dealt with, but perhaps other salesmen at the dealership engage in this too.

Here's how it happens: After learning that you will be paying for part of the car in cash (I financed the balance), you are taken into a windowless room where the salesman counts the cash. He instucts you to sit on the opposite side of a large round table (about the size of the one you see on Charlie Rose (about 7 feet in diameter)). The lights are dim and the woman he brings in to count the money is even dimmer.

She gets confused several times, starts making several stacks of the money and then, get this, drops a pile of the cash on the floor. It is out of my sight for about 10 seconds. As I lean forward, I'm told, "relax". She then drops it again about 2 minutes later. Again it is out of sight for about 10 seconds. I believe the table may have a secret compartment where they stash the cash as I did not see any money on the floor when I got up.

All told, the amount they counted came up $700 short of what I *KNEW* to be in the envelope.

As far as car salesman go, I think he is more dishonest than most, as I learned when I took possession of the car. Although the ensuing events were not strictly fraudulent, it did make me realize that the previous event probably was because I realized that I was not deeling with an honest person. If you must pay for any large purchase in cash, always bring a trusted friend or relative. Never take your eyes off of the money and count it twice before even arriving at the store/showroom etc. I'm sure there are other stories out there like this. I learned my lesson; luckily it was only $700.00.

Bundas

K-nineville, New Mexico
U.S.A.


7 Updates & Rebuttals

Paul

Anaheim,
California,
U.S.A.
A crooked car dealer? Gee, that's something you don't see every day!

#2Consumer Suggestion

Tue, December 07, 2004

Fake compartment in a table? That's a new one! What's the matter, can't they cheat their customers the old fashioned way? In a public forum like this, one never knows exactly what the real truth is. But, one thing is certain. New car dealerships use some of the most deceptive and misleading practices you can think of. I'm surprised the public actually continues to buy. I'm more than content to recycle the used supply of vehicles over and over. Anything to avoid a crooked car dealer. Now, before you dealers out there get all riled up, let me state one thing. You're perfectly entitled to a reasonable markup that allows both you and the company a fair profit. So, why can't you ever manage to do that? Why does it always come down to a long, drawn-out negotiation process? Why can't you idiots simply do the math? You pay $25,000 for the vehicle. You mark it up 12%. Total price is $28,000 plus sales fees. I think the answer is simple. Car dealers aren't happy with $3,000 a unit. They'd rather steal someone's trade and cheat them on the interest rate. That way, they walk away with $8,000 instead of $3,000. Now, you see why the profession has such a bad reputation? If you don't want people calling you a crook, then DON'T STEAL!


Paul

Anaheim,
California,
U.S.A.
A crooked car dealer? Gee, that's something you don't see every day!

#3Consumer Suggestion

Tue, December 07, 2004

Fake compartment in a table? That's a new one! What's the matter, can't they cheat their customers the old fashioned way? In a public forum like this, one never knows exactly what the real truth is. But, one thing is certain. New car dealerships use some of the most deceptive and misleading practices you can think of. I'm surprised the public actually continues to buy. I'm more than content to recycle the used supply of vehicles over and over. Anything to avoid a crooked car dealer. Now, before you dealers out there get all riled up, let me state one thing. You're perfectly entitled to a reasonable markup that allows both you and the company a fair profit. So, why can't you ever manage to do that? Why does it always come down to a long, drawn-out negotiation process? Why can't you idiots simply do the math? You pay $25,000 for the vehicle. You mark it up 12%. Total price is $28,000 plus sales fees. I think the answer is simple. Car dealers aren't happy with $3,000 a unit. They'd rather steal someone's trade and cheat them on the interest rate. That way, they walk away with $8,000 instead of $3,000. Now, you see why the profession has such a bad reputation? If you don't want people calling you a crook, then DON'T STEAL!


Paul

Anaheim,
California,
U.S.A.
A crooked car dealer? Gee, that's something you don't see every day!

#4Consumer Suggestion

Tue, December 07, 2004

Fake compartment in a table? That's a new one! What's the matter, can't they cheat their customers the old fashioned way? In a public forum like this, one never knows exactly what the real truth is. But, one thing is certain. New car dealerships use some of the most deceptive and misleading practices you can think of. I'm surprised the public actually continues to buy. I'm more than content to recycle the used supply of vehicles over and over. Anything to avoid a crooked car dealer. Now, before you dealers out there get all riled up, let me state one thing. You're perfectly entitled to a reasonable markup that allows both you and the company a fair profit. So, why can't you ever manage to do that? Why does it always come down to a long, drawn-out negotiation process? Why can't you idiots simply do the math? You pay $25,000 for the vehicle. You mark it up 12%. Total price is $28,000 plus sales fees. I think the answer is simple. Car dealers aren't happy with $3,000 a unit. They'd rather steal someone's trade and cheat them on the interest rate. That way, they walk away with $8,000 instead of $3,000. Now, you see why the profession has such a bad reputation? If you don't want people calling you a crook, then DON'T STEAL!


Paul

Anaheim,
California,
U.S.A.
A crooked car dealer? Gee, that's something you don't see every day!

#5Consumer Suggestion

Tue, December 07, 2004

Fake compartment in a table? That's a new one! What's the matter, can't they cheat their customers the old fashioned way? In a public forum like this, one never knows exactly what the real truth is. But, one thing is certain. New car dealerships use some of the most deceptive and misleading practices you can think of. I'm surprised the public actually continues to buy. I'm more than content to recycle the used supply of vehicles over and over. Anything to avoid a crooked car dealer. Now, before you dealers out there get all riled up, let me state one thing. You're perfectly entitled to a reasonable markup that allows both you and the company a fair profit. So, why can't you ever manage to do that? Why does it always come down to a long, drawn-out negotiation process? Why can't you idiots simply do the math? You pay $25,000 for the vehicle. You mark it up 12%. Total price is $28,000 plus sales fees. I think the answer is simple. Car dealers aren't happy with $3,000 a unit. They'd rather steal someone's trade and cheat them on the interest rate. That way, they walk away with $8,000 instead of $3,000. Now, you see why the profession has such a bad reputation? If you don't want people calling you a crook, then DON'T STEAL!


Richard

Edison,
New Jersey,
U.S.A.
WHAT??

#6Consumer Comment

Mon, December 06, 2004

I have known this dealership for several years and have to say this is the most insane thing I have heard. They have always been more the professional. I'm sure they would have taken care of this had it been reported. As for the comment from Joe: Are you insane? It is better to finance through a bank or credit union because of the lower interest rates? Lower then Cash? I assume you do not have the cash to purchase a car outright but think about this before you speak. I pay cash, I have NO interest and the car is mine.


Joe

Bath,
Maine,
U.S.A.
It is the consumer that is always considered guilty until proven innocent.

#7Consumer Comment

Mon, May 05, 2003

It would not surprise me if the "alledged incident" happened. First consumers should never bring cash to any dealership. Second it is better to finance through a bank or credit union because of better interest rates. The risk of buying a car is alway resting on the customer. I'm sick of car dealers hiding behind their lawyers after ripping off their customers. Justice in court is determined by which party is the richest. The auto industry needs to be regulated like real estate.


James E. Buchanan - SALES MANAGER

EDISON,
New Jersey,
U.S.A.
We have the most ethical and professional sales consultants in the industry.

#8UPDATE Employee

Mon, March 03, 2003

Dear Mr. Peterson @ Rip-off Report; First, thank you for getting back to me. As you can see I am very upset about this situation. In 47 years we have never had a situation like this. I must say this: We have the most ethical and professional sales consultants in the industry. I believe this customer has another issue because he said he could've gotten this car on eBay cheaper. I'm sure eBay will service, provide free loaner car transportation, free car washes, etc. better than the second largest Mercedes dealership in the U.S. Next, we never count large denominations of money unless it is infront of the customer, along with another employee and sales consultant. No Secret Compartments, and absolutely No Dimming of Lights, how obsurd! If this was a problem it would have been resolved that night with a manager, or the next day. I'm sure if this was your money you would have complained to a manager. What I do see is your company taking the side of a person without notice to our company. In a court of law your innocent until proven guilty. Well you have already proven the most reputable Mercedes-Benz Dealer guilty without due justice. This is nothing more than "Defaming our Character" and will now go to our legal council unless we are given full recourse, and this person calls me or emails me directly. I look forward to your immediate and proper attention on this issue. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Ray Catena Mercedes-Benz (732)549-6600 [email protected]

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