LOML Is On The Warpath

[cabinetman]

Last night we went back to the Ford dealership to get the car. When all the paperwork was done and the salesman took us for a ride to explain the controls and goodies, he avoided explaining the heated seats, because there were no heated seats. Heated seats was one of the options she wanted as she uses that option every day for her back while driving. There was no owners manual in the car as they said the manuals are removed when the car is on the lot. It was late by this time and the managers office was locked, and no book.

When we got home, we realized that this car is not the same car as we first drove. That was the car we wanted. We also realized that the paint on this car was different than the first car. They were both white, but the first car had a pearlized white.

So, here's what happened. They sold us a different car. She is over there now, to complain about the switch, and will ask for a remedy. She didn't want me to go because she knows how I can get. We both feel we've been hoodwinked. Other than those two differences, the cars are identical except for price. We were quoted a deal on the first car (which was more expensive) and got this one instead.

That salesman is off today, so we may have to go back tomorrow. She is going to want them to get the car that was initially shown to us. It will be interesting to see what they will do.
.

[eezlock]

LOML is on warpath

Kinda, sorta, sounds like that dealership and sales flunkie have pulled one of the
oldest car dealer tricks in their playbook. It is called a bait and switch routine!
Hook you, on one car, when you aren't looking, put you in another one!

Cabinetman, do you know how to tell when a car dealer is lying? His mouth is moving..........
I don't trust car dealers any further than I can throw one of them! If you have any more
problems with them, go straight to the owner of the dealership, or call Ford's area zone rep. for sales
things will take a fast turn if that happens.

[Richard in Smithville]

If you really have issues with the dealer/sales, the local news would love to have a story like this.

They have most likely pulled this before and never been caught.

[Uncle Cracker]

I believe that you are allowed, by law, something like 72 hours to return the vehicle. I would do exactly that, or get a lawyer, now. It also pays to make sure that the paperwork you sign at purchase has the same VIN as the car you tested, as well as the options you requested spelled out in writing. That way, you know you are getting taken for a ride before you sign on the dotted line.

[tseavoy]

Like a previous post said the salesman is a flunky. Go straight to the manager or owner of the dealership and avoid the weasel that sold you that car. Remember the squeaking wheel gets the grease.
Write down your assertions very plainly like a bullet point presentation.

Tom

[cwsmith]

Let us hope that this is just some mistake on the part of the salesman/dealer and they they quickly make it right by you. Nothing worse than someone pulling a deal like that and now you are faced with making an argument.

If you are financing this deal, don't hesitate for a second to contact your bank... they too will be on your side and with much more clout, as they probably handle quite a few finances that benefit car sales as that dealership.

I'm not sure how Florida is, but here in NY State, our Attorney General's office would be all over this in a matter of a few days, if you give them a call.

Hopefully you won't have to resort to legal action,

CWS

[sparkeyjames]

When buying or leasing a vehicle I always ask for or write down the VIN of the vehicle I have selected. If I get a different one there is h*ll to pay. Don't forget to actually check it on the car/truck itself before leaving. It's on the dashboard just above the steering wheel facing up through the windshield. It happened once to me and the dealer corrected it immediately. Seems the guy who brings the vehicle to final inspection and wash before presenting it to the customer grabbed the wrong vehicle (same color and options) and no one bothered to check the VIN. At least the correct vehicle was not sold to someone else.

[JimD]

Wow!!! I don't trust dealers much but I've never heard of this. The fact that the salesman knew you wanted heated seats and didn't bring it up is suspicious. Suggests they thought twice about the discount and decided to take it away, effectively, by giving you a similar but not the same car.

There could be a simplier explanation. They could have looked at the price and "assumed" it was the less equipped car. I've watched conversations between salesmen about cars and it was a bit scary. They make big assumptions and don't simply look.

I hope you have some paperwork that shows what you were supposed to get. If you don't, I hope you can just give it back and cancel the deal. They do not deserve the sale at this point.

Good Luck!

Jim

[crokett]

Was this the same salesman you dealt with earlier? If not, it might have been an actual mistake since the cars were similar enough that you didn't notice the difference. I would not wait to talk to the salesman, I would talk directly to the manager. Also, whatever you do, be nice. Firm, but nice. I've learned that in situations like this, being nice gets better results than a lot of yelling and screaming.

[cabinetman]

Was this the same salesman you dealt with earlier? If not, it might have been an actual mistake since the cars were similar enough that you didn't notice the difference. I would not wait to talk to the salesman, I would talk directly to the manager. Also, whatever you do, be nice. Firm, but nice. I've learned that in situations like this, being nice gets better results than a lot of yelling and screaming.

It was the same salesman. By the time we went out to the car, it was dark and we couldn't see the difference in the paint. I'm going in there tomorrow morning first thing when the salesman gets in. Don't want to give them much chance to get a game plan together, and arrange a bevy of employees for an excuse. BTW, I don't do a lot of yelling and screaming.
.

[Richard in Smithville]

Good luck to you tomorrow C-man.

[Pappy]

As a LAST resort, drive it through the showroom window and excaim, "At least Toyotas only have accelerator or brake problems, not both, on each car".

[os1kne]

Good luck! Anxious to hear the outcome.

[woodturner]

I believe that you are allowed, by law, something like 72 hours to return the vehicle.

Some dealers in this area offer that option, but it's not required. It's likely local code if it is law in one's area.

Every time I have purchased a vehicle, the contract specified the VIN number. My question is, does the VIN number of the vehicle match the VIN in the contract? If they match, he received what he bargained for. If they don't match, he hasn't received delivery of the merchandise specified in the contract.

If the VIN numbers don't match, should be simple to resolve, and the dealer would not have much basis to support delivering different merchandise than promised.

[gsmittle]

As a LAST resort, drive it through the showroom window and excaim, "At least Toyotas only have accelerator or brake problems, not both, on each car".

Pappy, you're evil! I like that in a person.

g.