Help With Credit Problems Due To Car Loan Misrepresentation

[dlbomber2007]

In the month of July of 2006 I went into Crossroads ford with a 23k pre-approved 7% interest loan from my credit union, a 2500 rebate with what they call the “X-Plan” from the partnership from my company along with the intentions of obtaining an additional $2000 on public rebates on this particular 2007 Ford Escape. I basically got lied to saying that in order for me to receive the xplan and rebates I had to sign the initial contract with Ford motor credit even though I had a pre-approved loan. I found out later from the partnership that this was incorrect and I pursued this the very next business day only to get sent around from person to person then eventually noone taking my calls. My bank got involved and checked into the FMC contract to buy it out only to find out that they opened it with 18% interest and it was an additional 2500 more then what they could pay off. I contacted the better business bureau because noone would take my calls and they responded back saying that I didn’t have a pre-approved loan and also that I openly signed the contract. I was instructed to contact the NC attorney general which wrote them a letter in which their attorney returned a letter which contradicted their BBB statements and then strategically tried to explain why they said the incorrect statements. During this time the payments of the vehicle were supposed to be 380 which now were over 600 bucks. I have a close relationship with my credit union and they gave me the loan in accordance to my budget. Now this was way over my head which I contacted FMC before I was delinquent explaining them the situation which they said didn’t matter to them. I got my credit union to call them and they agreed to put up the pre-approved loan of 23k for the vehicle and asked if they could release the title and id make a deal to pay off the 2000 indifference, they declined the offer and eventually repossessed the vehicle and also sold it for 13k and charged me the deficiency even though they were offered the larger amount. I was told by the attorney general during this period that he could not represent me but suggested highly that I seek counsel and pursue this matter. But now my question is who do I get to take this case and so far anyone I have spoken to charged a retainer fee of 2500 dollars and higher. This matter has already put me in debt, ruined my credit rating and also my financial situation has been in shambles since this occurence. I was looking for a good attorney who would work with me to try to get this started and try to take on this matter. I was told by an attorney who could not take the case but offered free advice to go to another Ford dealership to see what thier normal policy for the rebates and the xplan would be and I did just that and got the exact same vehicle and within my range for my preapproved loan and did not get the runaround and dishonesty I did at crossroads and was told to filie a complaint with the owner which I did. In the meantime another attorney has been pursuing me and sent a summons etc….. for the difficiency. Help I need advice!!!!

[Mr. Knowitall]

The proverb, "Closing the barn door after the cows are gone" comes to mind. You needed to be asking for help when you first had trouble with the dealership. Now it's a much bigger, much more complicated mess, and there is no obvious way out. All I can really do, if you're suffering from sticker shock from the first lawyer, is suggest you call around to see if you can find a more affordable firm (that you trust) or find a lawyer you will take the case on a contingency fee (percentage) basis.

[dlbomber2007]

How do you find the contingency attorney? We have a referrel service but thats not one of theoptions they ask you for. I did try to do stuff but I was told by attorneys to let the attorney general handle it before you seek counsel, and time went by and then the attorney general said oh ok well u need to get an attorney I cant represent anyone.

[aaron]

You call law offices and ask the terms upon which they will take your case. No lawyer has to offer a contingency fee, and the lawyer would want to be confident of recovering sufficient money on a case to cover his costs and fees before making such an offer.