Car Dealership Vent

[AuntMinnie12]

After much debate, we had to purchase a new car. My DH signed the paperwork yesterday and I had to go in today.

About 30 minutes later, the dealership called me and said they made a mistake on the paperwork and we had to come in again. They put the wrong VIN number on the paperwork (for a slightly more expensive model)....but we have the less expensive model in our possession.

So I asked what the price difference was, so perhaps we could just strike a deal and pay the difference....and not redo the paperwork. It took them 6 hours to get back to me even with the price difference. Then they said full MSRP on the difference...which I found really strange.! They won't budge.

I'm just frustrated as now we have to take time out of our day tomorrow to correct this.......and it was their fault!

I feel like dropping off the car, getting our traded-in car and leaving!!!

Thanks for letting me vent!

 

[honeybunches]

Oh, how frustrating. I probably would go to another dealership. With most large purchases like that you have 3 days to revoke your purchase. Yes, you will have to sit through the paperwork on whatever car you eventually decide to purchase but IMO life is too short to give my money to a dealership that doesn't appreciate my business. I also consider their attitude when I have a problem with the car in the future. What does your DH say about it?

Your request was very reasonable BTW. Even if there is a situation with the other car, they should offer you something to make up for their mistake and the amount of time you are devoting to fix it.

 

[Disneylover99]

That is so stressful! I don't blame you for wanting to take your business somewhere else!

 

[kellyjeanie]

That sounds like they are trying to scam you!

 

[scbelleatheart]

I came so close to doing something similar, although not on a new car. Decided I wanted the car but a salesman had it at the time. They got the car in. Filled out all the paperwork. Ready to go. I got in the car and it did not have the remote key control. I had specifically asked about the keys because a Lexus key is pricey to program.
Nope they couldn't find the keys with remote so I told them to cancel the deal. Give me my trade in back and I am gone. I am sure my trade in was long gone.
They came back with an offer. 2 keys with remote and automatic start for in the winter. Their cost was well over $600 for the 2 keys but I was ready to walk. DH could not believe I was so hard headed about a car I really wanted.
Stick with your gut feeling. Find another dealership.

 

[msmayor]

After much debate, we had to purchase a new car. My DH signed the paperwork yesterday and I had to go in today.

About 30 minutes later, the dealership called me and said they made a mistake on the paperwork and we had to come in again. They put the wrong VIN number on the paperwork (for a slightly more expensive model)....but we have the less expensive model in our possession.

So I asked what the price difference was, so perhaps we could just strike a deal and pay the difference....and not redo the paperwork. It took them 6 hours to get back to me even with the price difference. Then they said full MSRP on the difference...which I found really strange.! They won't budge.

I'm just frustrated as now we have to take time out of our day tomorrow to correct this.......and it was their fault!

I feel like dropping off the car, getting our traded-in car and leaving!!!

Thanks for letting me vent!

It makes no sense at all for them to agree to give you a "deal" on the upgraded model and take the lesser model you already drove off the lot. They notified you in 30 minutes...I don't really see how hard it would be to just drive back so they can fix the paperwork. For your trouble, ask them if they would throw in a couple of free oil changes or something to cover your gas and time...that's more than fair.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Tell them your hourly billing rate for professional services. Explain that you will come ijn but will track from the time you leave your house until your anticipated return home. And tell them you prefer cash, but will accept a check.

 

[Sagginit]

i have never bought a new car, but they filled out paperwork and on paper (legal binding papers?) sold you a more expensive car and now want you to come in and sign for papers for the lesser priced car? is there more than a VIN on those papers that distinguishes the car that you bought? i mean i'm an honest person but isn't the error in your favor then? why aren't they doing anything for the inconvenience and you being nice enough to just redo the papers and not ask for the car they sold you on paper?

 

[sonnyjane]

I bought a new car in April and 4 weeks later I got a call that when "copying" my contract, the machine ate it and that I would need to come down and fill it out again. I said no way and that they could mail it to me with a self-addressed envelope instead. They also lost my husband's military paperwork that we provided to get a discount and I had to resubmit that again as well.
Add on top of that the fact that my pushy salesman called and emailed me a combination of 6 times in the first week I owned the vehicle reminding me to give him a "5 out of 5" when Honda corporate called to ask me my rating of the whole experience. Needless to say I blasted them on my review...

 

[goofyredraider]

That sounds like they are trying to scam you!

Um no. It happens all the time and is just a clerical error probably by the finance manager.

 

[kellyjeanie]

Um no. It happens all the time and is just a clerical error probably by the finance manager.

Sorry, I thought I remember reading a similar thread (not here) about a common car dealership scam - my bad. Carry on.

 

[goofyredraider]

It makes no sense at all for them to agree to give you a "deal" on the upgraded model and take the lesser model you already drove off the lot. They notified you in 30 minutes...I don't really see how hard it would be to just drive back so they can fix the paperwork. For your trouble, ask them if they would throw in a couple of free oil changes or something to cover your gas and time...that's more than fair.

Bingo!
More than likely they will do something along these lines to compensate for their error, but wiping several thousand off a vehicle, no..and that's just unreasonable.
People make honest mistakes all the time - it's what makes them human. Just because it's a car dealership doesn't mean they are all swindling slime balls, seriously.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Um no. It happens all the time and is just a clerical error probably by the finance manager.

1) Although IT COULD BE an error, chances are not.
2) This is a way to get you to take as more expensive car.
3) This happens frequently, and is taught by the F&I association.
4) It simply givers them a second shot at you.
5) As mentioned above,
. . . tell them to bring the papers TO YOU
. . . or charge them time and mileage for your expenses
. . . mileage at 55½ cents per mile
. . . hourly at your rate from home-to-shop-to-home
. . . and partial hours count as full hours
. . . they should also bring cash

NOTE: If their paperwork is in error, THIS IS A BIG DEAL. Each
dealer "floor plans" (finances) the car from the manufacturer until
it is sold. If they are wrong in numbers, the loans are "out of trust".
This could void all the loans for all the cars and put the dealer out
of business. Additionally, if you have a car loan, it is invalid because
it is on a car which the dealer has and not you. In other words, you
got them by the short hairs.

 

[goofyredraider]

1) Although IT COULD BE an error, chances are not.
2) This is a way to get you to take as more expensive car.
3) This happens frequently, and is taught by the F&I association.
4) It simply givers them a second shot at you.
5) As mentioned above,
. . . tell them to bring the papers TO YOU
. . . or charge them time and mileage for your expenses
. . . mileage at 55½ cents per mile
. . . hourly at your rate from home-to-shop-to-home
. . . and partial hours count as full hours
. . . they should also bring cash

NOTE: If their paperwork is in error, THIS IS A BIG DEAL. Each
dealer "floor plans" (finances) the car from the manufacturer until
it is sold. If they are wrong in numbers, the loans are "out of trust".
This could void all the loans for all the cars and put the dealer out
of business. Additionally, if you have a car loan, it is invalid because
it is on a car which the dealer has and not you. In other words, you
got them by the short hairs.

My husband has been in the business for almost 20 years (sales, finance, service, and management), so you aren't going to teach me anything, but thanks.
I had the very same issue with my last set of paperwork just in April.
It also happens with mileage etc- and most of the time is a very quick process to fix.

Eta: I know you have experience in the field as well.

 

[AuntMinnie12]

OP here ..... Difference was a bit over $1100 MSRP. I offered to split the difference and pay cash for the difference.

Only the VIN was listed on the loan paperwork, the contract and two other papers.....no description.

I didn't feel like I was trying to take advantage of them. Especially since it took them so long to get me a price difference.

And they already have lifetime free oil changes.

DH really likes the car but is fine walking away.

 

[goofyredraider]

OP here ..... Difference was a bit over $1100 MSRP. I offered to split the difference and pay cash for the difference.

Only the VIN was listed on the loan paperwork, the contract and two other papers.....no description.

I didn't feel like I was trying to take advantage of them. Especially since it took them so long to get me a price difference.

And they already have lifetime free oil changes.

DH really likes the car but is fine walking away.

The contract has no vin number? Make, model, year, etc?
That is crazy, and if so, your salesperson or finance person made a HUGE mistake.

Eta: when you called, did you speak with the salesperson or manager? Also, who called you back? (If you don't mind me asking)

 

[jperrot1]

Was the only mistake they made the wrong VIN stated on the contract? Did you get a good price on the car you drove off with, or did they charge you for the upgraded car already? If it was only the wrong VIN, I don't see why they can't just make the change to the sales sheet, mail/fax to you and then you can mail/fax it right back. You got a good deal, you fix the paper work, and done.

But..... if they charged you for the upgraded car then I see a problem and I'd say get back to the dealer ASAP and renegotiate based on being overcharged.

 

[AuntMinnie12]

Paperwork has the correct loan/finance info listed but the wrong VIN.

The VIN listed is for the more expensive car.

 

[AuntMinnie12]

And sorry.....the salesperson called to notify me of mistake. I requested from him the price difference verbally and via text. Then I never heard from him again.

Six hours later a sales mgr called me back but still didnt have the answer. He finally called back again with the MSRP on more expensive car.

 

[Mama Who]

If you have a bad feeling, walk away. Better to trust your gut.