This past Friday; I took my father and mom (87 & 86) to purchase a new vehicle. I tried to convince my dad to buy used, as that is what I always do - but he wouldn't have it. He had to have a new car! "This is probably my last car before I die." He is the type of person who hounds you to death, until you give in. A real grown baby! So; I finally broke down, and drove him to the dealership. To cut to the chase, the finance guy loaded up the sales contact with extras, that he claimed came factory from Chrysler (the vehicle is a Dodge Grand Caravan). For example: remote start, car wrap... totaling over $3,000 in options he doesn't need. They also tabed on $1,000 over the agreed upon sales price of the van. I was in the finance guys office with them, but had to sit behind my parents, as we all couldn't fit in the small office. I wish I would have kept mom at home, as I could have then sat next to dad in the office, and seen all the fluff charges on the sales contract.
I was at a motorcycle safety course (motorcycling is my respite as a caregiver) on Saturday for 10 hours, so I didn't go over his contract until today. That's when I realized all these "factory included options," where not factory included. When we came home from the dealer on Friday, we had a severe rainstorm (or I would have read the contract then - all the paperwork was in the glove box of the new van).
So; I put a stop order on the $8,000 down payment check with our bank, today. The new mini van is here at our home, with a total of 20 miles on it. I took a picture of the odometer with a date stamped digital camera, in case I have the dealership pick up the van. I emailed the finance guy today, stating the above issues (can't get him on the phone) - with a threat to go to our personal Lawyer, as well as the IL States At tourney office. My Dad is a WW II and Korean war vet - so the American Legion might be an option for fraud help? Anyone else have any helpful input, for a situation such as this. I informed the finance guy in my email that I would like the sales contract re-written (without all the extras, which haven't been installed by the dealership yet), or they can come and pick up the damn van. I am going to try and call Chrysler Corp direct as well, as complain about the dealership. Found out today, they have a C rating, with the Better Business Bureau. I am the POA and caregiver for my parents. My Dad is the only one who signed the sales contract. After this incident; I may have to have him declared incompetent - so this doesn't happen again. He's not too good with figures etc. anymore. He always wants to take charge when he buys anything. Any helpful input regarding what I can do with this situation, is greatly appreciated! I live in Cook County IL if that makes any difference.
Bill has HAPPILY RESOLVED this matter as of 9.04.13
I remember years ago a dealership that my parents bought a car from did about the same thing to them and they even traded in their car for x number of dollars but instead of subtracting that from the price they ADDED ON the trade in amount to the cost of the car. It turned out to fairly easy to correct once my father chewed the guy out real good.
My mother hired a contractor who was the husband of a woman my sister worked with to put in new flooring in her/our house. We helped pick out the carpet and tile but this guy wound up doing horrible work and the carpet must have been "seconds" with flaws because it looked like the carpet was woven tighter in areas and it changed the color of the carpet. The tile he put down was not what we ordered, he charged her for double the amount he used, then we found out there was a crack in the concrete floor in the family room so he could not lay tile there but he could not take it back because he said he had removed it ALL FROM THE ORIGINAL BOXES. You name it and it went wrong. I was taking pictures every single day and documenting what was happening. I tried to call our Contractors State License Board and they told me there was nothing they could do!!!???? REALLY? WHAT THE--- ARE YOU THERE FOR THEN???
I went to the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office and told my story and asked if they could help me, since the Contractor's State License Board would not. I got back a resounding YES, and YES THE CONTRACTORS STATE LICENSE BOARD WILL BE HELPING YOU, I WILL SEE TO IT!
I did a lot of work to document everything and it paid off, with the Attorney's help we got back every cent and 30% more.
Now I know this is not a car but you can make a difference if you get in there and fight! You have already begun in magnificent style, keep it up!! Pay an attorney $150 of whatever it costs to have them shoot these thieves a letter of intent. We have consumer advocates on TV here and I have used them as well to help me get matter like this resolved, they do not want negative publicity and especially when you threaten to tell everyone they are ripping off seniors!!!!!
You do not say if your father has dementia but if he is not making wise choices, you may have to tell Dad that from now on you will be doing all negotiating and purchasing for him. My Mom did not like it when I finally had to tell her I was taking over, but a person with dementia believes they are fine and able to make decisions that their actions prove they are NOT. It may be time for you to take over.
Good Luck, you are doing great!!
I'm really glad but the financial and if things work out for your folks and you. It goes without saying that no one should be ripped off and that certainly was the case here.
My concerns are more that you are very alert now to watch your dads behavior and abilities as far as driving is concerned. If he was not capable of making sound financial decisions and understanding what was being done to him, his reaction time when behind the wheel and ability to make good driving judgments is probably also heading in the direction of some kind of impairment.
If they are unable to recognize their mental disability - and this is more often than not the case - then "taking away" the driving privileges is one of the hardest things we have to do to our elders and something that causes deep anger and aggravation because it decreases independence.
My dad use to repair and race midget race cars. He drilled into me how getting behind the wheel is driving a weapon. Yet, even with his experience, when the time came that he should no longer be driving, he was unaware of it. My mom and I had to disappear the keys. Your dad is already quite senior, so just watch closely and be prepared. You wouldn't want him to hurt or kill anyone or themselves.
My parents in their 80's bought a home in 2009 with a 30 year loan. Is that insane? Stepdad died Feb. this year and mom couldn't make payments, much less live alone. Got the bank, with help, to take less than she owed for a quick sale. I must have made 100's of calls and sent off dozens of papers. ( I had POA, which made me able to take care of it.).
Unfortunately, our laws are only as good as those in authority are willing to enforce them.
That said, I would not threaten with a lawyer - I'd GET ONE! Right NOW!
I hate it when these sob's prey on the elderly. Often there's no justice and no satisfaction, but do your best and try anyway.
Make sure you have full coverage on that van in case you're stuck with it for awhile.
The dealership is in business to sell cars, and there could be a fine line between aggressive sales tactics and a customer's poor judgement and understanding of the terms.
You could take the issue to social media and online consumer review sites, such as yelp, but be careful that all the facts are correct.
Good luck with this.