- Report: #1195909
Complaint Review: Walters Used Car and Truck Superstore - Goshen Indiana
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Walters Used Car and Truck Superstore
2600 Elkhart Road Goshen, 46526 Indiana, USA
Phone:
574-350-2040
Web:
http://www.walters1975.com/index.htm
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Walters Used Car and Truck Superstore Some cold heartless people that are taught to steal from you Goshen Indiana
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Tuesday, December 2. We visited Walters Used Car and Trucks located in Goshen, IN. We were interested in looking at 5 Jeep Commanders that were posted on the site along with numerous GMC Acadias. Upon arrival we were told they must've sold within the last week but they had one Acadia and a Saturn, which was similar, left on the lot and we could check those out only after we filled out an application. They wanted copies of pay stubs and our licenses. We gave them this info. After hours of waiting to see if we could test drive a vehicle, leaving for lunch then returning to wait some more just so we could test drive a vehicle. Finally, Bryce stated the bank said we should look at the Acadia. At that point late in the evening we took the Acadia for a drive. After taking the vehicle for a test drive, we informed Bryce, the salesman that the vehicle had tight steering, and the vehicle was shaking upon stopping and the engine light and tire pressure light were both on. Bryce stated these things could be fixed. I also stated that I am not a mechanic and I am not interested in buying a vehicle with issues. He then stated he could get the vehicle serviced for us and fixed. We stated we'd be interested if it was fixed. We then talked about down payment and how much we could afford a month. Again, I made it clear that we'd only be interested if the vehicle was fixed. Zach and Bryce said that's not a problem. After we left, I realized they didn't return our check stubs or our licenses. I immediately called them to inform them of this and stated I'd be back in Wednesday morning to pick them up.
Wednesday, December 3rd. My Dad was in town so he met me at Walters where I had to return to pick up my license and check stubs around noon. I had my dad drive the vehicle that afternoon and when we got back from driving, we stated all the problems we noticed while driving, they were the same as the evening before. We were told the engine light wasn't a big deal and that they would fix everything wrong with the car prior to us purchasing the car. Bryce, our salesman stated he'd get it in the shop for a service and an alignment and we could return that evening. We also talked with Zach who was helping Bryce with this sale. Zach made a statement that the engine light was only an O2 sensor. Again I reiterated that I am not a mechanic and wouldn't be interested unless it was fixed! Again, they stated its not a problem to fix and asked us to return that evening.
That evening my husband and I returned thinking the car was serviced. Upon our arrival Zach stated he tried to call us but he left no voicemail, he stated that the car was not ready and hadn't been to the shop yet. We then talked about prices again with promises they'd fix the car. They wanted $1000 down and we told them we couldn't do that until Friday and asked if they could wait until then since we only had half. We were told by Zach that they didn't think they could do that and hold the car for us if we waited another two days so Zach insisted we start the paperwork and only make half the down payment right then and there. We were hesitant about doing this but they assured us it was ok and they would take care of the vehicle issues before we took the vehicle. Plus we were only 'starting' the paperwork. We went into the office thinking we were just starting the paperwork and signed papers. I questioned two papers they asked us to sign, one was similar to an 'as is' but didn't say as is on it and it stated there were no problems with the vehicle. I told them I wouldn't sign it unless they put down the vehicles problems. The gentleman said that this agreement had nothing to do with them in fixing the vehicle and that this paper was for the bank only. It was just to get the bank to approve the loan for us and that whatever the car needed would come out of Walters pocket. So we signed that paper because it was for the bank only and had nothing to do with Walters and that Walters would pay out of their pocket to fix the vehicle. Another paper I questioned was the down payment paper, it stated there was a $2000 down payment. I informed them the deal was only $1000 down. They stated that again, this paper was only for the bank and it was ok to sign. We were only responsible to put $1000 down. They said this was to just make the bank think we had put $2000 down. He also stated that when the bank calls for the phone interview that we need to tell them we put $2000 down, not $1000. Again, he said this is paperwork for the bank only. So we signed the paper. We asked for copies of the papers we signed and the man stepped out saying he'd get copies. At that time the subject was changed and Zach stated he'd get the car serviced and ready to go before Friday and he walked us out. We received no copies of the papers we signed that evening.
Thursday, December 4th. We called in because we had the rest of the down payment and to see if the car was fixed and ready for pick up. Bryce stated it was not ready.
Friday, December 5th. We received a phone call from Walters stating the vehicle was ready for pick up and was good to go. We arrived to find the vehicle sitting in the lot. Went inside and made the rest of the down payment and asked what other paperwork needed to be signed. They said it was all completed the other night. I said I thought we were only getting it started that night? He said, 'nope, it's all done'. We asked for a copy of the papers and again they changed the subject to, you asked for a spare tire so we put one in there although the GMC Acadia's have compressors built in. I asked Bryce to show me how that works. We then went outside to the car, Bryce showed us the air compressor on the car. He then said thank you and headed back in. I got in the car and noticed the service engine light on and the tire pressure light on. I immediately got Bryce out there and he said everything was fixed, they must have forgot to reset the computer. He stated it wasn't a big deal. I told him I am not taking this car with those lights on because I did not want to be responsible for fixing the car if they really didn't fix it. Bryce stated it was ok to drive the car and he assured me it was just an O2 sensor that had the light on and they replaced it and fixed the cars issues. Also he said the car was aligned at Dougs Alignment. Bryce insisted I take the car and stated he would make this right and service the car Monday and that I should feel safe taking the car. So I took the car with the expectations of the car getting serviced Monday. I took note of the mileage when I left the lot. As soon as I left the lot and hit the highway, the car started shaking around 60-65mph. I called Bryce immediately and informed him of this problem. He stated he'd get it serviced also. I asked if I could take the car to the tire shop to have the tires checked. He said that was fine. Every tire was out of balance by 2.50 or 2.75 ounces. And two rims were bent. Pictures to show. I informed him of this by phone. I paid out of my pocket to have the tires balanced.
Monday, December 8th. After class I went to the auto parts store and had the codes run. Four codes popped up, one relating to the steering position sensor and the three others relating to the engine performance system. None were about the O2 sensor! I took the car into Walters and gave Bryce a copy of the codes. He said he didn't have time to get the car serviced that day after telling me Friday he would get it that Monday. I then informed Bryce that if he made the appointment, I could take the car in for him because I couldn't be without a vehicle and I needed this done asap. He wanted to run this by his manager, so he stepped out and returned to inform me that all was good and he'd call me Tuesday, the following day with a time and directions to the shop in elkhart.
Bryce did not call Tuesday the 9th.
Wednesday, December 10th. I called into Walters and asked to speak to Bryce. The man that answered said Walters so I asked for Bryce and his response was Bryce who?! And then proceeded to shout out loud 'is there a Bryce in here' and replied to me that no, there wasn't a Bryce there. I then asked for Zach and he stated there was no Zach there either. So, I then asked to speak to the manager and again was told that the manager was not there, he was out. I explained my situation and asked if he could set my service appointment up, after being told no he could not help me, I asked to speak to someone else there. Gabriel said he'd talk to me in the background. I explained to Gabriel the situation and he said he couldn't help me either and that it had to be Bryce only that helps me since he's was my salesperson. He then said he would have my salesperson call me back that day. I never received a call from anyone that day!
Thursday, December 11. Still haven't heard anything. My husband, mother and myself went into Walters to find Bryce and Zach sitting in their office. They asked how I was and I informed them that I am not pleased with all these promises they keep making and aren't following through with them. They insisted I said I'd come in Friday to drop the car off. Not once had I mentioned dropping the car off because I need a car for transportation and had sold my other vehicle already. I reminded him that he told me I could take the car in myself and he was supposed to call me with a time on Tuesday and never called that day and he has since then been ignoring my calls. He stated that I could bring the car in the next day and leave it. Again I told him I needed a loaner. He said to bring it in the morning because they had an appointment for it to get serviced. They couldn't give me a time though.
Friday, December 12th. My mother and I take the car in only for the man there to tell me he has no clue about the car getting serviced that day. I told him what Bryce and Zach had said and he stepped out to call one of them. He returned telling me I could leave the car there but he did not have a plate to give me for a loaner. I also asked for a copy of the papers my husband and I had signed. And he told me that he could not give me copies of those papers. At this point I stated my frustration to this man by telling him I was tired of all the promises everyone was making and nobody was doing anything about it. I questioned him why I wasn't allowed to have a copy of the papers I am entitled to. This man then raised his voice and started yelling at me saying he is a nobody and has no clue what's going on and he can't get me copies as he kept getting closer to me pushing me back towards the door scaring me. I think he seen my fear as he then stopped yelling and took a step back calming down and introducing himself as Brian. Brian stated he and I had never met, just said hello a few times earlier in the week. He stated he would figure out what was going on and he would also check into getting copies of the papers we had signed. He insisted that I could take his word and his promise that he would call me within an hour of his boss's arrival. I received no phone call from Brian or anyone from Walters that day. This came as no surprise after all the previous lies I had been told from this company and from the reviews and law suits we had found out about the company this week.
In the meantime, my husband and I have been in contact with the bank since we first realized that Walters was trying to scam us. We made the bank aware of the situation of our incident and of other incidents from public records, BBB, and Online negative reviews of Walters Used Car and Trucks.
Monday, December 15th. After much thought, we decided that the best thing for us would be to return the junk car to Walters. They have put me and my family through so much emotional distress that it's best if we return the car to them so I don't have to keep worrying about the vehicles issues and spending time worrying about when they are gonna call me to fix the car they keep promising to fix. I didn't agree to buy a car for $15000 only to have to put more money in it. That was not the deal! I have been sick to my stomach ever since I drove this car off their lot worrying about the issues it has. There is no way they are going to keep ignoring me and telling me lies just so they can get their money from the bank and run. We returned the car to Walters only to find out that they must have left early. We drove by on our way home from out of town at 6:45pm and they were there. We went straight home, picked the GMC Acadia up and returned to Walters and parked the car in front. It was 7:45pm and no one was there. There was a mini van leaving from the back of the building but he didn't stop. Took pictures of the car inside and out and took note of mileage. We locked the car and placed keys in the gas cap area. This was the safest solution for me as I felt threatened the previous Friday when I stopped in there. I did not want to put myself in that situation again. I emailed Walters notifying them of the keys.
It is now Tuesday, December 16th and I have yet to hear from Walters. We did hear from the bank stating that they have called 4 times and Walters has not returned their phone calls either. The bank is hoping to get our down payment back. If not we will file small claims and get it back that way!
I officially understand why people sue for emotional distress!
This dealer needs to be shut down!
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2 Updates & Rebuttals
coast
Florida,Bamboozled
#2Consumer Comment
Thu, December 18, 2014
It is evident that you were ripped off but you could have avoided this by not making these multiple errors:
Filling out a credit application before viewing, test-driving, or selecting a vehicle is for suckers. This is an attempt to determine how much a prospective customer can afford to pay.
You displayed desperation by waiting several hours before being permitted to test-drive a vehicle.
Did you really believe the bank told the dealer which vehicle you should check out?
You should never have left the car lot or continued to operate the vehicle with the check engine light on. This is an indication of a major issue that requires immediate attention.
You knew the salesman lied about attempting to contact you, yet you still agreed to pay a deposit on the vehicle that had not been repaired.
You committed fraud by falsifying the amount of deposit on the loan documents.
You failed to exercise your right to receive a copy of every document you signed. When they ignored your requests you should have demanded they supply you with copies of the documentation.
You accepted the vehicle even though the check engine light was still on. This was a major mistake because they could have easily altered the agreement to an AS-IS sale because you did not have a copy of the documentation. This is likely to be your downfall in small claims court.
You should be aware that a used car dealer will always say, ‘it’s not a major issue’ but if it were a minor issue they would have fixed it prior to attempting to sell the vehicle. The customer must take charge and not let the dealer pull the strings. They are experienced at spotting weaknesses and taking advantage of them. Good luck on your next vehicle purchase.
Stacy
Goshen ,Indiana,
Lesson learned the hard way
#3Author of original report
Wed, December 17, 2014
If I honestley knew they were out to screw me, I wouldn't have signed anything. I honestly thought they were trying to help us get into a dependable vehicle that could fit my entire family in it. I had no reason not to believe them until I had the codes ran myself. The phone call we first recieved was the salesmen wanting to tell us the vehicle wasn't ready yet but he didn't leave a voicemail. I must have worded it strangely but he did call and did not leave a voicemail. I have learned so much through this car buying experience that I will never make this mistake again. I know now to stand strong and to not let them talk me into anything. This was a learning experience for me. They are the professionals, not me, so I trusted they knew what they were doing, as I would trust a heating professional to come into my house and fix my furnace in an honest way. As for the down payment issue, I see their old ads stating they'll put $1000 out of their pocket for a down payment to help you out. I now realize their tactics! Also, we had no intention of lying to the bank about what we actually put down. They said the bank would call for an interview, I was going to be honest and tell them what my cash down payment was. Like you said, the dealership knows our weaknesses and preys on them. I can't imagine how many others they have preyed upon and left those families in a terrible, stressful situation because they got sold a lemon. It's too bad there are greedy people out there. As for small claims, there have been so many similar cases such as mine and they've all won. Who knows, we may not have to go that route. We will wait and see. Thanks for your comment and I can definitely see your point of view but remember when you're the one going through a hard situation with no dependable vehicle, you tend to listen to what the 'professionals' have to say.
Lesson learned the hard way!
