Return Leased Vehicle During Covid

[mustang731]

My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: New York
According to the local GM dealership I couldn't return my leased vehicle to them by 4/16/20 when the lease was due back. After talking to the local dealership on 4/09/20 I called a GM financial representative and they told me no where in NY was taking back vehicles due to covid 19 and to leave it in a sheltered area until the dealership would take the vehicle back. I was able to return the vehicle 06/10/20. Recently Gm sent me a bill of almost $900 and when I called them about it they told me there is no call record from 4/9/20 and I would be responsible for the bill because I never reached out to them. My call record shows me calling the local dealership, this is when they told me they wont be taking cars back at this point. I called GM financial directly after talking to the local dealership on 4/9/20 at 10:23 am for 25 minutes. Because they don't have a record of me calling on 4/9/20 I'm still responsible for 2 months of payments because I supposedly didn't reach out to them. I definitely talked to them and have the call record to prove it.
What can I do?

[Zigner]

My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: New York
According to the local GM dealership I couldn't return my leased vehicle to them by 4/16/20 when the lease was due back. After talking to the local dealership on 4/09/20 I called a GM financial representative and they told me no where in NY was taking back vehicles due to covid 19 and to leave it in a sheltered area until the dealership would take the vehicle back. I was able to return the vehicle 06/10/20. Recently Gm sent me a bill of almost $900 and when I called them about it they told me there is no call record from 4/9/20 and I would be responsible for the bill because I never reached out to them. My call record shows me calling the local dealership, this is when they told me they wont be taking cars back at this point. I called GM financial directly after talking to the local dealership on 4/9/20 at 10:23 am for 25 minutes. Because they don't have a record of me calling on 4/9/20 I'm still responsible for 2 months of payments because I supposedly didn't reach out to them. I definitely talked to them and have the call record to prove it.
What can I do?

I would suggest that you escalate this matter at GM Financial because, technically, they are correct. You did not return your vehicle per your contract terms, but this seems like a force majeure matter.

[mustang731]

I spent all day escalating this with GM Financial. The supervisors will talk with the VP but it doesn't sound like they will clear the bill. They are stating I never attempted to return the vehicle because they have no call log of it. I called and did exactly what I was told by a rep from GM Financial, I have the call records to prove it. The vehicle has sat in a garage since December, I wish I returned it a few months early. Will it be worth it to take this matter to court?

[pg1067]

What can I do?

I'm confident that you can do hundreds of things, including the following:

1. Pay the amount demanded (or some lesser amount).
2. Pay nothing.

Beyond that, I'm not really sure what you're asking. Obviously, you and the other party have a dispute about relevant facts. That happens sometimes.

[mustang731]

I'm not sure about hundreds of things, maybe that was an exaggeration? I don't feel like I did anything wrong and I made an effort to return the car. If I don't pay them I risk taking a hit to my business credit. If I do pay them I'm admitting fault. I appreciate the feed back.

[pg1067]

Will it be worth it to take this matter to court?

There's nothing for you to "take . . . to court" because you haven't been aggrieved in any way. Whether it's "worth it" to the lessor to sue you isn't something anyone here can opine intelligently about. For now, all you can do is maintain your phone records and keep an eye on your credit report.

[mustang731]

Thank you for the response.

[budwad]

Why don't you send GM financial a letter and enclosed copies of your call records?

[mustang731]

Thats a great idea! I was kind of hoping they would ask me to email them this information.