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  • Report:  #423320

Complaint Review: Russ Milne Ford Dealership - Macomb Michigan

Reported By:
- Clinton Township, Michigan,
Submitted:
Updated:

Russ Milne Ford Dealership
24777 Hall Road Macomb, 48042 Michigan, U.S.A.
Phone:
866-353-5840
Web:
N/A
Categories:
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?
On January 21st, 2008 I turned in a leased vehicle with three payments remaining to Russ Milne Ford in Mt Clemens and leased a new vehicle. Salesman Phil Bryant @ Russ Milne Ford agreed to make the 2 final payments on the truck I was turning in and 1 payment would be rolled into the new vehicle. The terms and conditions were zero money down and security deposit rolled into the monthly payment. These terms and conditions were agreed upon and the contract was signed. I signed over my old truck and drove off in a new vehicle.

The following day I received a phone call From Salesman Phil Bryant who stated; they (meaning him) had made a mistake and I would be required to return the vehicle or cut the dealership a check for $949.00. My response was of course no way, I signed a contract. Apparently after the contract was signed, the "dealership" had determined that I was not eligible for the "early bird special" because of a lease extension I had on the old truck. Salesman Phil Bryant was aware of this situation and assured me it was not an issue. According to Ford Credit, salesman Phil Bryant never confirmed that this was acceptable before having me sign a contract.

Ford Credit is now attempting to collect a debt which I do not (in my opinion, or that of other legal counsel I have spoken with) owe. My credit is now damaged with this debt in collections and any future financing through Ford Credit has been compromised.

I have spoken to Ford Credit who is willing to settle for a lesser amount and have discussed this issue several times with salesman Phil Bryant, the General Sales Manager and Russ Milne (owner) with no success. Ford Credit representatives have also talked to Russ Milne who continually refuses to pay. Russ Milne was extremely dismisive each time I spoke to him and would continually say " I have attorneys that handle this kind of stuff". (Must be a frequent problem) I have spoken with an Attorney to resolve this issue but due to a deployment to Iraq, and strict guidelines from my employer regarding a security clearance and bad credit, I was forced to settle with a collection company resulting in a damaged credit history. These unethical sale practices have had a lasting effect on my credit and my decision making on what types of vehicles I will buy in the future.

Phil Bryant and Russ Milne should be very proud, they managed to scam a few extra dollars from a Veteran, former Ford employee, and until now, a dedicated Ford owner.

No more Ford Motor Company

Clinton Township, Michigan

U.S.A.


4 Updates & Rebuttals

ShampooMohawk

United States of America
Ford Credit?

#2Consumer Comment

Fri, January 15, 2010

To whom it may concern,

It sounds to me like the consumer needs to take their complaint where it belongs - to Ford Credit. 

I have been a Russ Milne Ford customer since 2001 and have never experienced problems like the OP.  Phil Bryant has been my salesman for 2 years and in that time he has been patient with my eccentric requests and has always provided solutions to any problems that have come up due to my failure to research all the details.  I also financed through Ford Credit as did the OP - and I can tell you that they are not the easiest company to deal with - but not horrible.  (The Ford Credit website is obtuse and it's difficult to get a human on the phone.)

Mr. Russ Milne and Mr. Phil Bryant have always treated me fairly and with respect. 

I have been buying Ford cars for over 25 years and, to date, Phil Bryant has provided the best sales experience that I have ever encountered.  This includes meeting me after hours and coming to my workplace so that we could discuss, review and sign any documentation without my having to take time away from work to complete same.  Most importantly, Phil has never tried to up-sell me on anything I didn't want while explaining to me all potential options.  He's a "no pressure" sales professional.

After the sale, with a brief phone call to Phil, he arranges all my routine maintenance and meets me at the service counter at the scheduled time.  When the work is complete he walks me to the cashier and always makes certain that everything is complete and correct.  His attention to detail and commitment to customer satisfaction is commendable and highly recommended. 



Sincerely,
A very satisfied Phil Bryant customer (Russ Milne Ford)




Whistleblower

Windsor,
Ontario,
Canada
Go Right To Small Claims Court

#3Consumer Comment

Mon, April 06, 2009

I agree with the last comment about taking this dealership to court. In small claims court, there is no attorney's representing either party. When Russ Line siad this to you, he's probabaly trying to use scare tactics to dissaude you from persuing legal action against him. Crooked business people are skilled at how to lie and manipulate. I would charge whatever court fees I had to pay, against him. If yuo lease had 3 payments waiting, it would have been best to wait out the lease. You can "NEVER TRUST ANYONE IN BUSINESS." Most businesses are professionals are scamming people. When the lease is all done with, you go in owing nothing to no-one which works in your favor. Also, for anyone reading this, make sure you read the entire contract of a business deal. Don't just sign on the dotte dline. If they try and persuade you to do so, there's a reason for that. There is something that they don't want you to see.


An Ounce Of Action

Ferndale,
Michigan,
U.S.A.
A dealer issue, not a Ford issue

#4Consumer Comment

Wed, April 01, 2009

I would take Russ Milne Ford to court since it is their error/fraud and get a judgment against them requiring them to pay Ford Credit and insure that your credit is not damaged. If that settlement is not acceptable to the court them sue Milne for the max possible not only to collect to pay off Ford Credit but also for damages to your credit.


In My Opinion

Baltimore,
Maryland,
U.S.A.
Some Things to Consider

#5UPDATE EX-employee responds

Fri, February 13, 2009

I worked for Ford Credit in collections for 6 years. I left on good terms .... The service center closed down. A lease is very different. I am assuming that you did not trade at the original dealer. There are some rules that apply. 1st, the original dealer has to approve you turning in a lease at another dealer. The vehicle does still belong to them. You signed another contract that included a vehicle that was not yours to be included in that new contract. 2nd in your report you did not state any thing about the possible additional charges. Remember, lease vehicles are only allow so many miles per year & you are required to pay for the over miles. Also, if you had extensions ... the miles DID NOT extend!! You would still have had to stay under the original alloted miles. Plus you could have been charged for excessive wear & tear. If there were any tickets on the vehicle you would be responsible for them too. Insurance could have been a factor as well. Remember, technically you are "renting" the vehicle for a period of time & it is not owned by you ... so if the insurance lapsed .... the owner may have had to pick up insurance. I know that some or none of this may apply to you situation. As far as the salesperson ... He probably did not really know or really care. A lot of times they don't really probe enough or just don't give the correct information. He was just to concerned about getting a sale at all costs. I have experienced this many times Salespeople/Dealers telling the customer false info .. just to get the sale Sorry this happened to you.... If you ever lease again ... call the original dealer to see what their steps are for a turn in or a trade in.

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