Hemborg Ford Rip-off .. 8,000 owed and I own no vehicle. mislead by false and empty promises. Norco, California

On Monday, October 8, 2001, around 6:00p, I had my 1996 f-150, with 75000 miles towed, by Hammner Towing, to Hamburg Ford. I spoke with Thomas. I had advised him that I heard a snap noise and lost all power, we filled out the proper paper work and Thomas said he would contact me and let me know the service department's findings.

On Tuesday, October 9, 2001, at about 2:00p I received a call from Thomas. Thomas advised me that I had a broken cam shaft gear, and that the repair was going to run about $750.00 to get my truck back on the road. I said ouch. What would cause that to snap? He said he wasn't sure, and, he would have to ask the tech. I said ok go ahead and fix it. I need my truck, so that I can get to work.

On Wednesday, October 10, 2001, I received a call from Hamburg. He stated that my truck was fixed and ready to be picked up. I arrived at the dealership at around 5:00p and he advised me that it was a little bit less expensive, $749.46, I paid the cashier and left.

On Thursday, October 11, 2001, I returned to Hemborg to advise them that my check engine light was on; I spoke with a gentlemen named Rudy. He said that he would have them check it out. I received a call from Hemborg that the tech had found some vacuum leaks and a burnt EGR hose, nothing major but, it was going to cost about $200.00 for this repair. I asked if it was covered under the previous repairs and why these repairs were not corrected on my recent repairs on the 8th He said it was not covered and that the needed repairs were not of an urgent nature.

On Thursday, October 18, 2001, I was returning to the doctor and heard a snap and slapping noise. I had my '96 f-150 towed back to Hemborg Ford dealership. I spoke with Thomas, again, and I was issued a rental car furnished by Enterprise.

I received a call from Thomas; he left a message on my answer machine, on Friday the 19th, stating I needed to contact him. When I contacted Thomas he advised me that there is something wrong with the inside of the engine, and that they needed to pull the engine out of my truck in order to diagnose the problem. I said go for it. Thomas said that in order for them to pull the engine it was going to cost me $1000.00 just to pull the engine and about $2000.00 to $3000.00 to repair what ever it needed on top of the $749.46. I asked if this is covered by the $750.00 repair completed by Hemborg on the 8th. He advised me that the repairs that they had done on the 8th were at the front of the engine and that these repairs seemed to be more internal. I told him I would call him back.

I contacted a lady by the name of Christina at Fords 1-800 # and asked if this was Ford company policies and practices. She said that this sounded odd to her. I told her that I would consider a new vehicle as opposed to spending $4000.00 + on a truck that was worth about 6 or $7000.00. She said that she was going to contact Hemborg to inquire about this situation. I received a call from Hemborg that afternoon by a salesman, I believe, who had been notified by corporate and was aware that I was unhappy regarding my recent repairs, and that I may be interested in purchasing a new vehicle. I said sure if u guys give me Kelly blue book for my truck. He said come on down and we'll figure something out.

On the 22nd of October, I arrived at the dealer, putting my trust into them again, and was to speak with the sales manager; I was greeted by the assistant manager. After I had told him the details of my situation regarding my '96 f-150 he said well lets see if we can't make you happy. If I can get you into a new truck tonight, will you be willing to sign the papers tonight? He asked. I told him; sure if you give me blue book for my '96 I would be more than willing. I told him if he wasn't going to give me blue book for my 96 then this whole sales thing is a waste of his time as well as mine. He asked me to look at the vehicles on the lot and see what I might be interested in. I told him, no need, White F-150 with a long bed. He began his sales tactics and I informed him that I wasn't in the market for a sales pitch. I said if you can't give me blue book then I need to go back to the service department and deal with that issue.

I then had to remind him that they called me and that they (Hemborg service department) have my 96 F-150 which I had just spent $750.00 to repair a week ago and that the service department now does not want to fix it without more out of pocket expenses from me. I once again explained to him (assistant manager) that if they (Hemborg sales) were not going to give me Kelly blue book for my '96 ,then, I would go back to the service department and hash this situation out with them. The assistant manager asked me what is blue book for your truck? I told him 1996 F-150 w/ 75000 miles, $5800.00 to $7200.00. He said give me a minute.

He returned with a piece of paper and began asking me questions about how much it was going to cost ,according to the service department, to repair my '96. I told him just what the service department had told me. $1000.00 to pull the engine and then what ever the repair cost were once they had determined what was needed, but that didn't matter because I was firm on blue book value. He says well if your truck is worth, let's say, $7000.00 and it needs $5000.00 worth repairs, then your truck is only worth $2000.00. I said, I agree, but my truck didn't need $5000.00 worth of repairs until your (Hemborg) service department had worked on it. He said if I give you Kelly blue book for your 1996 F-150 can we make a deal? I said give me Kelly blue book and you have got a deal.

Once again, I foolishly put my trust into Hemborg Ford dealership. I didn't expect to be taken advantage of by the company I and my immediate family had purchased 5 NEW cars within the last 10 years from. I didn't notice that Hemborg had only giving me $300.00 as a trade-in not blue book value as I was promised for my '96 F-150. When I returned on November 4, 2001, to have them (Hemborg) explain to me why I only received $300.00 for my '96 and asked if there was a new truck rebate? I was told, your'96 f-150 with a blown engine is only blue book valued at $300.00 and then he said you're a grown man, and you signed that contract.

At that time I stood up me,I thanked the assistant manager for his time, and handed him the 2 sets of keys that belonged to the 2002 F-150 and said here are your keys to your new truck and its parked right outside that door. I began to walk outside, and he screams, you know what's going to happen don't you? I said, yes I do, you are going to sale the 2002 to someone else, keep my 96' and ruin my perfect credit, he said no. I am going to push it (2002) out in the street and it will be towed away at your expense. I said do whatever you want, it's your truck and you guys seem to do what ever you want anyways.

Tuesday, November 6th I received a call from gentlemen who was the sales director for Hemborg Ford. Julio is the name he gave me. Julio started the conversation with, I understand that you left your vehicle on our property on Sunday? I said no, I left your new 2002 on your dealership property and your assistant manager has the keys!! He asked if there was any thing he could do to resolve this issue. I said yah fix my '96 or give me blue book like your assistant manager and I had agreed on. Julio stated that there was no way that he could give me more than $300.00 for a '96 F-150 with a blown engine. He asked me how old I was. Then he said did you read the contract? Well Kevin you're a grown man and you signed it.

I informed him that this was not the deal we had agreed upon. And that I felt I had been taken advantage of. I told Julio that I was willing take a hit to my credit rating with a voluntary repossession as opposed to being gouged for 5 years... Julio said let me see what I can do for you; let me talk with my boss. Call me by the end of this afternoon. I said ok. When I called back Julio was gone for the day, so, I left a message on his voice mail.

The next time I spoke with Julio, he said he had figured out a solution to the situation. Julio offered to sale me back the 1996 F-150 (trade-in) for $300.00, and that I could fix the engine myself , then sale it out right to a private party to help pay for the payments on the 2002 F-150. I advised him once again that I never would have spent the $750.00 on 10/8/2001 if I wanted to repair it myself, and that I never would have entered into a contract with them if I had not been mislead by false and empty promises they had made to me regarding their claims and agreements as to trade-in values. I explained to Julio that my '96 was paid for and that I was not shopping for a truck, but if they were going to give me blue book then I would be willing to a new purchase, just trying to make this easy for everyone, but I guess the only people this was easy for was HEMBORG FORD.

I have since recieved a letter of repossesion of the 2002 for late payment(6 days prior to first bill due date) and now they have sold the 2002 at auction and i owe $8000 and now have no vehicle , a repossesion on my flawless credit,a bill from towing co( that supossibly repoed the truck) and a extrememly hostile home life.