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 Deceptive Practices of Sutton Ford
Posted Sat April 18, 2009 12:00 pm, by Victoria J. written to Ford Motor Company
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Several days ago I took a chance and applied online through Cars.com for auto financing. I knew beforehand that my credit was in bad shape, but took a chance anyway. The next day I received a call from a woman at Sutton Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Inc. in Matteson Illinois, and she told me she had received my information and assured me they (Sutton) could put me in a car. I explained to her that my 1994 Camry had "died" and I was without transportation, but also that I didn't have any money saved for a down payment. Again, She assured me that I wouldn't need a down payment and they could get me in a car. I told her I would let her know when I could get a ride to their dealership.
On Wednesday, April 15, I called and set up an appointment to come to Sutton at 6:30 on that day. I again asked for confirmation that I would not need any money, and was assured I did not. I was told to bring paystubs, my license, proof of insurance for my current car, and mail with my address on it.
I asked my 84 year old uncle to go with me because he knew a lot more about cars than I did, and when I arrived a different woman assisted me. She said she had my information, everything was fine, and asked for my paystubs and 6 personal references. When I provided these, she sent me and my uncle to the lot to pick out a car. One of the cars I chose was a 2004 Honda, and the three of us went for a test drive.
Upon returning to the dealership, she told me everything was set and she left to speak with her manager. When she returned, she handed me a hand-written piece of paper that said "Bank Approved - OK" across the top, and $4500 down with the choice of payments being $391 for 60 months or $443 for 48 months. I was shocked! I first asked her how much this car cost, and she couldn't/didn't answer it, saying the manager didn't write it down. Then I explained to her that we have wasted time coming because I told them beforehand that I did not have a down payment and truly couldn't pay $400 for a car note. She indicated it was because of my credit, and I responded that we both knew my credit situation beforehand as well.
At this point she turned her attention to my uncle, asking him to be a "co-buyer" on the loan because he "looked like you have good credit." He said no. She then went on to ask if he wanted his niece to be safe instead of taking the bus and walking, and he still said he was not co-signing a loan. When I told her that I would speak with my brother about possibly co-signing, she continued harassing my uncle about how the bank couldn't touch his Social Security check, if that were his concern. She then went to get her manager who offered my uncle $200 in cash to co-sign, and they both continued trying to convince him to sign for this car. She also told my uncle that I could sell or trade the car in a year or two and get his name off the loan, which we both know is unlikely. If a person is paying 20% interest on a car for 5 years, they would not be able to sell the car in 2 and have anything to work with. In fact, they would most likely owe.
I was livid. Not only did they use deceptive practices to get me to come in by assuring me I would not need money down, even with my credit situation, but their unending harassment of my uncle made it look like I asked him to accompany me for this purpose, which I had not.
When I didn't call her on the next day, she called me at my job and left a message to please call her. First, I had indicated that my preferred method of contact was through my cell phone, not my work phone, so I did not appreciate a call to my place of business. I called her back and left her a message that I was not going to use my brother and expressed my displeasure at the tactics they used in getting me there and trying to get my uncle to sign a loan for me. I let her know that, because of this, I would not use them even if I had a co-signer.
I know that car dealers are hurting just as much as individuals losing their jobs and homes, but deception is NOT the answer. I would have much preferred them to have told me up front that I would need a substantial down payment in order to get a car, and I would have saved myself, my uncle, and them some time.
I have definitely made some financial mistakes that have impacted my credit, and I take full responsibility for that. I needed a car and I was honest from the first communication with this staff. I cannot say the same for them.
I think Sutton Ford should apologize for the way they handled this. I also feel they should apologize to my uncle and assure him that their pleas to him to be a co-signer were not of my doing and that I was, indeed, told I could come in and get a car without a down payment. More importantly, though, Sutton Ford should stop this practice of telling people whatever they need to, even if it's a lie, to get them to come in. What Sutton Ford did was what you would expect from one of those corner car lots that prey on people with bad credit, not from a supposedly reputable dealership.
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by MA Cunningham Posted Tue April 21, 2009 @ 12:31 PM
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this is pretty typical these days. The less reputable dealerships
prey on people surfing Cars.com (that's why you NEVER apply for credit
online - you're just asking to be taken for a ride!)
They will never tell you what the car costs because they want to know
what your credit will allow you to afford and then they "steer" you
towards a car that they can inflate up to the price range.
The best thing to do is to stash away a little money each pay as if
you were making the car payment and then use that as a downpayment or
to purchase a privately owned car for cash. OR Contact your personal
bank and talk to them about getting approved for a loan so you don't
have to rely on the dealership to "find you the best deal."
They get kickbacks for steering people in situations like yours
towards unreputable, high cost financers. Don't leave your credit and
your car up to a dealership.
It would be great if every company operated ethically, but they don't
and the only way to make them do so is to hit 'em in the wallet -
don't do business with them. & always research any copmany before
handing over your personal credit information. Not every company
deserves your business. It's up to you to figure out who does.
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by Cubjunkie Posted Mon April 20, 2009 @ 7:18 AM
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FYI everyone Sutton Ford has been written up in Chicago papers and
talked about on Chicago radio and TV as a place you should never do
business with.
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If you cannot afford to pay cash for a vehicle, you cannot afford it.
You admitted to financial mistakes, which is probably what affected
your credit. Signing up for more debt is how you got there in the
firt place.
Sounds like you may need to save up some money by selling your car,
and taking the bus til you save up some money. Save up for something
you can pay cash for.
Remember, they can never repossess a paid for car, or foreclose on a
paid for house.
My wife and I make good money but still buy good, used cars. My last
one cost about $8000. It was used, but had low miles. My wife does
the same thing.
I could afford to pay cash for a Corvette or an Escalade but why do I
want to use my hard earned money on something that depreciates and you
ultimately destroy in a few years. To look good, to have the
neighbors think better of me??? That is stupid. I am not normal, I
know. Normal people are broke.
I would rather pay cash for something is a good car, Honda, that is a
balance of good car, and good price. Anything more is a waste of
money.
There are alternatives to financing debt, you just have to be smart.
Good Day
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Correction
by ♫Venice♫ Thu April 23, 2009 @ 8:15 PM
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Wow. I'm glad your uncle refused to cosign (smart guy) and that you
realize that these people are immoral, unethical snakes. She didn't
know what the price of the car was? Bull.
I'm glad you will take your money elsewhere!
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Honestly
by April S. Sun April 26, 2009 @ 11:42 AM
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by Casmly Posted Sun April 19, 2009 @ 8:42 AM
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I think that the practices this car dealership used were horrid. My
only question would be, why did you not walk out on the dealership as
soon as they handed you the figures? You had to know that the numbers
they were giving you were outrageous! You also said you couldn't
afford to put a down payment. In my mind, you should have walked out
at that moment, or the moment they started harassing your uncle. To
me it seems the more you let them harass him the more it looks as if
you wanted him to say yes to cosigning.
On another note, my husband took a job last summer here in the south
and left the kids and I up north for a few months while he settled.
He was going to need a car, so he asked his uncle what he could do for
us. (His uncle was then selling cars two or three at a time on a
little patch of land) We were able to purchase a Pontiac Sunfire for
$1,000. I believe this was without any discount. It's never let us
down once since we've had it. We know it won't last us forever, but
at $1,000 we know it doesn't have to. You might consider waiting a
bit, making a few "car payments" to yourself, and then get your car
fixed or purchase a cheap used car.
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by ♫Venice♫ Posted Sat April 18, 2009 @ 5:09 PM
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This letter is so well written that I would agree with you even if I
thought you were wrong. But you aren't wrong. What a sleazy way for
a Ford dealership to do business. Maybe this is why Ford doesn't need
a bailout. And I am so impressed that you are only asking for an
apology, especially to your uncle. I don't have any advice about
finding a car, but I'm glad you're smart enough to stay away from
Sutton Ford. You seem to know what you're doing, and I hope you find
a car to suit your needs and situation.
Good luck!
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Bailout
by ♫Venice♫ Sun April 19, 2009 @ 1:29 AM
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