On March 9, 2005 I purchased a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 used vehicle at this dealership that was advertised in the Houston Chronicle for $17,125.00. The salesman, Andy Patrick, added a fee noted as security coding as an additional item on the buyers order. This was for Auto Trac, a vehicle protection plan. I stated I did not want this, but was told VIN numbers were already etched on the vehicle glass, it could not be removed and the addition of this option was factored into the selling price of the vehicle. In other words, I had to buy the vehicle protection plan as a condition of getting the advertised price of $17,125.00. I repeatedly said I did not want this and Andy said he was between a rock and a hard place since the sale price of $17,125.00 was based on also selling the security coding. I also complained to finance officer, Sharon Shultz, as we finalized the sale documents. I specifically asked the salesman and finance officer So I must buy the security etching to get the advertised sales price of the vehicle? and was told yes by both of them. I told them I did not think this was right or legal.

I was so upset about this, on 03/10/2005 the day after I purchased the vehicle, I typed a letter explaining my concern and mailed it via Certified Mail to West Houston VW. On 03/11/2005, a man named Mike, who said he was the finance manager, called me on an unrelated matter. I told him about the requirement that I had to buy window etching to get the advertised price and I believed this was in violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices. He said he would say something to management, but he disagreed with my claim that this was illegal. The Certified Letter was received on 03/14/05 and as of today 03/18/2005, there has been no response. I intend to pursue this matter through the courts if there is no response in 60 days.

This is in violation of Section 17.46 (a) and (b)(9) of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices. More specifically, West Houston VW engaged in an advertising scheme in which they advertised a vehicle at a certain sales price, but sold the vehicle for more than the advertised price by charging for an accessory (i.e., etched VIN numbers on glass) that was installed on the vehicle prior to sale and was required to be purchased to get the advertised price.

Brett

Brookshire, Texas
U.S.A.

Click Here to read other Ripoff Reports on West Houston Volkswagen

6 Updates & Rebuttals

Steve Palmisano

Houston,
Texas,
USA

Change of Ownership

#2UPDATE Employee

Wed, September 30, 2009

West Houston Volkswagen was sold November 22, 2005. I am the General Manager and have been since the NEW companies inception. Our Customer Satisfaction Ratings have been stellar since that time. We hope that anyone that reads this will take this into consideration.

Thank you,

The Management

Brett

Brookshire,
Texas,
U.S.A.

West Houston Volkswagen resolved my complaint

#3Author of original report

Tue, April 19, 2005

A week after I sent a certified letter stating my intentions to file suit for economic damages and mental anguish as allowed by the Texas State Decpetive Trade Practices Act I received a complete refund for the "security coding/window etching" and a letter from the general manager stating he was sorry I did not see the value in the product. They did resolve this in a professional manner, but it never should have gone this far. P.S. I love the truck!

Liz

Wichita Falls,
Texas,
U.S.A.

Why Ask Why is insulting

#4Consumer Suggestion

Sat, April 16, 2005

The question of Why is insulting. He bought the truck for the same reason that all of us have found our way to the rip off report. We have all been duped deceived and in some cases total victims of fraud. We are all at the mercy of business owners and manufacturers. Not a one of us has time in our busy lives to learn the ins and out of every aspect of every business transaction we will ever take part in. The public relies on the laws to enforce what should be common decency in business practices. Brett, File a complaint with The Texas Attorney Generals Office and the Federal Trade commission. Also write an editorial in your local news paper. The idea is to complain to anyone who will listen. If we all complain we will all see results. Why do we allow the auto industry to continually lower our expectations?

Tom

Houston,
Texas,
U.S.A.

Window etching is a total waste of money

#5Consumer Suggestion

Sat, March 19, 2005

Windown etching is a total waste of money. Why? Because if a thief steals your car what is the first thing he is going to do? Break out all the glass? Of course not, simply buy an etcher for $12 from K-mart and etch over the numbers. Twenty minutes work at most and the numbers are obliterated. So much for a security system. But why did you buy the truck? Why didn't you tell them you were not going to pay for the etching and just walk out? I think you are out of luck. You paid them, you signed the contract, you took possession of the truck. What are you going to sue about - you might have before you bought the truck. But now you have agreed with all their terms.

Hueston

Oxford,
Ohio,
U.S.A.

Don't reward dealers for this

#6Consumer Suggestion

Fri, March 18, 2005

Why did you buy the truck? This scheme works, ( you bought the truck), so they keep doing it. The only way to end these deceptive practices is to not reward dealers who use them. By buying that truck you reinforced to the dealer that thier "add on" practice can gereate profits. Oh, and I bet they never etched anything onto any of your windows, and that fee was likely straight profit. WHO-DEY

Robert

Rochester,
New York,
U.S.A.

so why?? Did you buy the truck

#7Consumer Comment

Fri, March 18, 2005

Did you buy the truck? If your gut tells you that you are being ripped of, YOU ARE! You should have got up, told them that you dont want the vehicle and walked out.

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