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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    4

    Default Bait and Switch?

    Today we went to a local Saturn Dealership to just test drive a car. Car was on special for $25K (one at this price). sales guy ran figures. We said we would only do it for $350 per month or less for 5 year term. He went to whoever it is that makes that decision. The guy came back and shook our hands and said "congratulations you just bought a car". We clarified again in front of all parties "$350 for 5 years?" He said "yes". We go into finance and now the contract states $350 for 7 years. We expained that this is not what we agreed to. NOTE: This dealership audio records all transactions in the finance dept so we knew we were being recorded and had agreed to such. We asked for the sales manager and sales person to come in office and asked each of them if they shook our hands and agreed to $350 for 5 years. They both said "yes". A head honcho came by and asked to see them in his office. Finance guy came back and apologized saying there was some "miscommunication". I explained this was a bait and switch and that they had already obligated themselves to the terms. He gave me name and number of general manager who won't be in for a few days. Do I have a leg to stand on in expecting them to abide by the deal they agreed to which was audio recorded? Thanks in advance

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    435

    Default Re: Bait and Switch?

    nope, b/c it's all dependent upon financing. and you'd have to put 5 grand down and get zero percent to have the payments less than 350 for 60 months.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Bait and Switch?

    The dealership was willing to accept our current vehicle as a trade in for $8000 (we owe less than $3500 on it). So that would certainly be close. I guess I can see why it wouldn't work out but geez, it sounds so unethical

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Bait and Switch?

    Possibility 1: The salesman is an idiot.

    Possibility 2: They tried to play you. They get you tantalizingly close to buying your new car then... a problem, "but if you pay a bit more per month everything's fine."

    I'm betting on #2. (Did you buy the car?)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Bait and Switch?

    We did not buy the car and I was quite upset at the ordeal. I asked for the names of the parties involved and got the name and number of the general manager. I know the car would have been a spectacular, out of this world deal but I also doubt it was just an oversight. This happpened to my mother. She agreed to buy a car at a rural car dealership. When they shipped the car it wasn't the one she ordered. It had all the bells and whistles on it. They tried to tell her she was obligated to buy the extras but she said "no way" and after haggling with the manager she got it at the price they quoted her originally. I will try and resolve this issue with the GM and/or contact the BBB. I doubt the dealership will budge but the fact that all details were recorded may be beneficial.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Bait and Switch?

    An UPDATE....

    I received a call today from the General Manager (returning my phone call). He asked for the details and then said he would call back after he spoke to all of those involved. He called back about 30 minutes later and apologized profusely. He said that it appears that someone was unethical and that they do not do business this way....yada yada yada. He said that corners were skipped perhaps intentionally in presenting the actual offer to me and that he would be swift and severe in the consequences for the person involved. He said that even though the whole conversattion was audio recorded it is not binding and they couldn't give us that offer. I will still contact the BBB to double check. He said had they accepted the offer which was verbally presented to me the dealership would have LOST $5000. Oh well it is worth a try.

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