Gary Barbera ripoff False Advertising Bait and Switch You COULD be next Philadelphia Pennsylvania

I am writing today about a horrible experience I just had recently. Im a first time buyer of a newer vehicle after obtaining a college degree.

After 1.5 years Ive decided to buy a vehicle at a lower price that I could afford so that I can pay off car within a year and concentrate on paying off my high student loans.

Being that I was relatively new to the area I decide to go to a car dealership that is advertised quite a bit in the Philly and surrounding areas.

Gary Barbera was my choice to seek a newer vehicle. After browsing on Cars.com I found two vehicles priced at around 8k with three 3k down. This was a little higher than I had wished for, but if this dealership was a GREAT as they advertise, I may be able to get a decent deal.

I emailed the internet manager during the weekend and did not hear back, so I called in and asked if the vehicles were available. I was put on hold by Ms. Doreen McComber (GBIS01@aol.com) and she returned five minutes later and asked who she was on hold for. I told her I was on hold for her to ask if two vehicles were available that were online. She sounded like she was running around so I asked if she would rather I email her and she said that it would work.

I did not hear anything over the next day and a half so I called and asked if the vehicles were available. Kevin suggested that I come in and see him or Terrance the next day (Wednesday), but seeing that cars were selling at a few other dealerships I re-emailed my email to Ms. McComber with questions I had on the vehicles and she gave me a contact of Bill Brenner who could help me.

I contacted Bill and he stated that there was a hold on one vehicle and other was available, so I decided to go in Tuesday night before the two cars were sold.

Once I arrived I waited for a bit until Bill was available. We went to look for the one that was left, but it seemed that it was sold a few hours earlier.
He then showed me a red Jeep Liberty that was on their lot. No price was listed on the vehicle, but while he went to get the keys for the test drive, I wrote down the vin no. and stock no. so that I could check it out online.

Stock: 7C575OA
VIN: 1J4GL48K45W532515

No price was given to me until we sat down to speak numbers. I was looking within the MAX range of 10K and wanted something more within 8, unless it was a GREAT deal.

Bill gave me a rough offer of 17,490 with 5k down for tax and tags. First amount a month was 289. It then was talked down to an amazing payment of 177. He stated that is was a deal because it was the end of the night and they sold so many cars, that there were willing to budge.

There was no talk of what the interest rate was or for how many months. I knew off the top of my head that I would get a great rate, but spread over so many years and a higher cost than I wanted, this was NOT a good idea or a good investment.

I went with my gut feeling and turned it down. After 1.5 hour drive home, I arrived and looked up the vehicle online. This is the link to the vehicle:

(((ROR REDACTED LINK FOR SECURITY PURPOSES)))

To my SHOCKED surprise, the cost of the same vehicle was at a much lower price. Then in the morning I got a call from the dealership about the vehicle.

I explained that I did not need to speak with my father because I was highly upset about what they were trying to pull.

He asked, what was a matter? I explained that the vehicle that was being sold to me at a deal of 17490 and it was possible to bring it to 16,500 or 16900, if the big man said it was ok was listed ONLINE for 11,950. He stated that the price online is with 3k down. That is correct, but that is the case on Cars.com, not on their site.

The reason they do that on Cars.com is so that people see a lower rate when searching by price and go there and check out their vehicles, I already knew that. NO WHERE on their site does it state with 3k down.
The following is an example of the car I WENT to look at:

(((ROR REDACTED LINK FOR SECURITY PURPOSES)))

If they wanted to give me a deal, they would have taken the 11,950 and sold it to me for 10k or less; thats a deal!

He then stated, Well, we needed to start somewhere. They wasted my time by trying to sell me a vehicle that was too high priced. For 17K I could buy me a new Toyota and go on a cruise for a week.

This dealership took advantage that they post on price online and then nothing is posted ON the vehicle.
Bill tried to tell me that the vehicle was still under factory warranty, but when I was looking at the car, it stated on it that it was 30 days of 1k miles, which ever came first; to me, that is NOT factory warranty.

He stated that if I did not take the 177 payments a mo.:

I was never going to buy a car.
Never make a decision on my own
I used the excuse that I needed to speak with dad.
I should take the notebook I had notes in and just toss it in the fire.
I would never own a home.
Which I do with a friend.- investment
It was an idiot payment
There is nothing to think about.

When I was about to walk out and stated thanks, but no thanks; they just looked at me like whatever just rolled their eyes and really were not very business like at all.

As I was leaving, Bill did come to my car in the rain and asked what way I was going home, and suggested I go take the turnpike back home, which was nice; but I was sticking to the way I came and know. He also stated that I should consider the offer and that he was off for a day and he would see if he could keep the deal on the table for me.

I understand that it's lower on the vehicles on Cars.com, for when a price search is done that people see a lower price and their attention is brought to the business. In this instance it's the price on the Barbera site. If that price is a LOWEST cost site, it really should not contain a stock nor vin no., the listing should be generic. I understand its a business and a profit needs to be made, but not in this fashion.

I honestly think that businesses like this need to be kept a close eye on. I cannot believe there are American businesses like this. I am learning from my experience and I am just shocked at what I almost got myself into.

Always trust your gut.

Thank You,

Matt
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.

CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.