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Be Suspicious Of Salesmen Thumping Their Bibles... (And Never Let Anyone Exclude You From Any Type Of Sales Or Financing Discussions!!!) Plus: Don't Let The Hot Weather Burn Up Your Budget With Huge Automotive Repair Bills
July 31, 2003
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Dear Ben: My sister was in the market to purchase a new automobile and took my mother along to (supposedly) co-sign for the truck. My mother ended up being the only one that signed on the truck note. The financial reps at the dealership wouldn't allow my sister to sit in on the conversations regarding the payments or signing of the sales contract. The salesman also got my mother to sign a document, waiving her right to return the vehicle (reversing the transaction) within three days. My mother is 74 years old and didn't understand all the information presented to her...especially the fact that the price of the truck was extremely high and outside my sister's financial reach.
My mother is a Christian lady: The car salesman displayed a Bible (on his desk) and as a result, my mother trusted him. The payments ended up around $650 a month; my sister drives a taxi and can't afford the payments. My mother lives on a small pension and can't afford them, either. The next day, my mother called the dealership and attempted to cancel the deal. The dealership wouldn't allow it. My sister stopped making the payments (she made the first two and then gave up) at which point the dealership began harassing my mother. She told them where the truck was and that they should go get it, and that neither she-nor my sister-could afford it.
Since then, the dealership's sold the account to a collection agency. The agency is taking my mother to court-demanding $17,000-and there's no way my mother can pay this. The only thing she has other than her pension is a small house (for which she collects a small amount of rent) and a few shares of stock currently worth about $6,000. Meanwhile, my mother suffered a heart attack over this and is beginning to stress over the upcoming court date of August 15th. Do you have any ideas for a resolution? The court date is looming and my mother's health is in jeopardy again.
JRH, via e-mail
Dear JRH: There are dozens of lawyers across North Texas salivating as they read this right now. It sounds like the car salesman and finance department representative crossed the line on many levels: Your Mom will make an incredibly sympathetic witness if it ever gets into a courtroom. I suspect the minute a qualified attorney contacts the owner of the dealership (via Certified Mail, of course), lays out the facts surrounding your Mom's case and points out the many ways they're going to take them apart in court, they'll quickly settle the case.
In the mean time, there are several lessons to be learned from this mess.
Number 1: Anytime any type of salesperson "bans" a friend or family member from sitting in on sales or financial discussions, turn around and walk-no, run-out of there. This is always a huge red flag that you'd better not ignore.
Number 2: A Bible on the desk obviously didn't matter much to this clown, but it certainly worked on your Mom. The next time this shyster sees a Bible, it'll be when he puts his hand on it as he's sworn in on the witness stand in court.
Dover's Rule? I'm suspicious of anyone that tries to use their religious beliefs as a sales or marketing tool.
Number 3: Never give up your rights when buying a vehicle, especially when it comes to waiving a three day return policy. There's never any advantage (to the consumer) for doing this...so don't.
Finally: Nothing's worth having a heart attack over, especially money-related problems. Mom needs to immediately hire an attorney and go on offense. (Relax, they'll get their legal fees out of the car dealership!) The National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) website is loaded with attorneys, classified by area of expertise and geographic location: or call them (202) 452-1989.
Dose of Dover For The Week: The only thing that makes me hotter than the situation JRH's Mom's facing are the countless, summertime-in-Texas horror stories: From overheating vehicles to air conditioners that have stopped working or suddenly-dead batteries. Instead of feeling like the mechanic's holding you hostage, a little advance knowledge may save you hundreds (even thousands) of dollars: www.bendover.com/mechanic.asp.
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