Superstition Ford - Alarm system addon over advertised price/financial shenanigans RIPOFF Apache Junction Arizona

Michael understand where you are coming from on the guy you tried to help. I know just like you know that many with bad credit histories that want more then they should buy. Most, not all people with bad credit are always looking for that next temporary emotional fix. I know a guy here in Phoenix what is always crying he has no money. Every time he gets a good paycheck time to go buy something. Can't save a dime.

You and I both know that there are some car buying consumers that you CAN NOT help no matter what you do. I think that you should have kicked him to the curb. Maybe a good LOT DROP! Many car buyers just want a fair shake, sounds like this guy wanted the world for a $200 per month car deal. Some car buyers do need a "Check Up from the NECK UP and a new set of battery's in their calculators.

We both know that on the other side of the fence many car buyers get the big one and no body does anything about it.

It is a well known fact that car dealers are out to make money, But who in the auto industry is out there for the car buying consumer? who is protecting the car buyer from the scammers in the auto industry?

Michael go to this below Rip Off Report and read it real good. Who was out there to protect this lady from having her TRADE IN falling into a DEEP REPO HOLE?

I feel this lady got JACKED! We also must not over look that her credit application was tampered with before it was sent to a lender. I had a meeting with this car buyer and I posted all of the photos.

www.badbusinessbureau.com/reports/ripoff52158.htm

A car buyer can't go to AAA and get help after being jacked, They can't go to the auto maker and explain what happened. They, the car makers do NOT want to hear the car buyer's troubles.

I at one time tried to help car buyers. I wanted them to feel that they had someone on their side that would not let them sign anything until they understood what was in front of them.

You and I both know that there are many companies out there that train car dealers sales people to make BIG GROSS car deals. I could email you a very BIG list of web sites that train car dealers and their sales people to make or take more money.

You nor I can name a company that is out there to PREVENT car dealers from ripping a car buyer a new one. I wanted to be that guy that was out there for the car buyer. Not once did I EVER GET any Bird Bog fee's. I was always on the car buyer's side of the fence.

I no longer help car buyers because I do not have the time to look for the ones that truly want help.

have any questions as to how the Editor of this web site feels about me, Email him and ask away.


Good day

Problem solved! Manager refunded alarm system price...and straightened out financing. Please remove this item from your files. (rebuttals have gotten way off base, anyway?)
Thanks for constructive advice all.

Stick, my issue isn't with your practice so much as it is your preaching. I have been in this industry for many years and I would be the first to admit this business needs to be changed. I only have my tiny little corner of the car business to 'make right' plus the post or two I make here on Ripoffreport.



My issue is with the practice of charging people a 'terror' fee to go to a car dealership to help them buy a car. If you say you no longer do this, then I no longer have an issue with you. Being hired by an attorney to present in a case if fine as well, provided you can display you are an expert as it pertains to the testimony. Presumably you have, so again, no issue.



My issue with you isn't so much what you do, but your 'delivery' as it were. You come off as alturistic in your decrying of car dealerships and their underhanded practice, but then in the next breath state you charge people money to go to dealerships with them as 'protection'. This sounds like someone paying one school bully to protect them from another school bully. It doesn't matter if you're in collusion (which I never suggested you were) with the dealer or not, it just strikes me as pretty underhanded is all, trying to make someone pay you to sit there and say 'no' a lot.



I'm all for dealers making a profit, as you must be as well, because without the dealer there is no way (at least right now) for someone to take delivery of a car. But that profit must be fair and above-board. FULL disclosure on any contract. I strongly believe in extended warranties, I strongly believe in Gap Insurance (if the situation calls for it, of course), I strongly belive in Life and Disability Insurance. But all these things must be discussed, explained, disclosed, and priced out in a way the consumer understands. If a customer doesn't believe they need it or doesn't see a value to it, then they don't have to buy it. It's no different than the purchase of the car itself - if you don't want it, you don't have to buy it.



Let me give you a reverse scenario however, if nothing else, you should find it interesting. A few days ago I had a customer in my showroom who had some credit issues. As it turns out, they were pretty severe. I sat down with the man and discussed his situation, we talked about his budget. He stated to me he could afford nothing higher than $350.00 per month on his payment. I then told him he needed to look at cars, with his downpayment of $2000 in mind, somewhere in the $12000 - $15000 range. I pointed out a few of the vehicles I had in my inventory which met these numbers and asked him which made sense to him. He picked out a Sport Ute (after I told him it was a bad idea with gas prices being what they are). He said he liked it, but the window price of $17000 would most likely be out of his budget. I told him, right then and there, I'd discount the car for him, but hold on a minute, I wanted to show him exactly what he'd be paying.



I went and got his deal approved for him, printed a contract, and sat down with him and started going over the contract line by line. I had discounted his car to the point where the dealer was only making a few hundred dollars (we'd had the truck for a month and had appraised it before the SUV priced dropped so drastically), the price was well below Kelly Blue Book retail numbers. I got about half-way through the contract when he stopped me and said, "Hey, what about negotiating for the price?" I told him I'd already discounted the car a few thousand dollars, what did he mean by negotiating. He said, and I quote:



"But every delaer I've ever been to we did that back and forth thing with the manager in the office. You're not doing that! I didn't come here to take it in the @$$ from you guys!"



He then leapt up and bolted out of the showroom. I tried to follow him to calmly explain exactly what I was doing and why, but he tore off in his own vehicle. He later called me and said some very disparaging remarks and even threatened me.



Every single thing I did was above-board, reasonable, legal, and with full disclosure, line by line explanations. I treated this man with nothing but respect and understanding as to his situation. Just because he's had credit issues he should still be treated just like anyone else.



What does all this mean? I'm sure I'm not qualified to say, but it seems to me we still have a society which wants the 'old way' of doing business. No matter what any of us does, it looks like the old method of buying cars is here to stay, at least for the time being.

Thanks all... for your response to our problem! Finally got in touch with store manager and he "took off" alarm system (if there was ever one on there since it has factory system?) refunded our money and magically straightened out our financing. I suspect maybe a complaint to Attorney general might have instigated some of that but whatever...It is solved. Just glad it is over with. Thanks again.

Michael -in Barnegat, New Jersey it sure seems to be that you have no idea as to what I did do or what I do right NOW!



Many car buyers are getting ripped off because of info that the media will not bring to the car buying consumers. No newspaper, no TV station, or talk radio station deliver this helpful car buying information to the consumer. Most car dealers have scams that many consumers do not know about.



There are a few law firms in Phoenix that have hired me to come in and review documents pertaining to car deals and help them prepare for a law suit against a car dealer. I have stood up in court to testify in front of a Judge and jury to protect a car buyers. Has a lawyer tried to find you, hunt you down to help with a law suit? Has a lawyer ever hired you to be an expert witness to stand up in court and explain how a car buyer got ripped off by the car dealer?



Lawyers looked me up and have paid for my EXPERT service. I did get paid hourly of $100 an hour. I use to charge $350 to assist in a car deal so the consumer would not get ripped off...hummm, I think that is a small price to pay to protect the buyer.



How many hours do you think most car buyers spend looking for a car that they want? Or for that matter, that they can afford? How much fear does a car buyer feel as soon as they drive on the lot. My goal was to prevent as much of the car buying pain that I could for all of my clients. $350 is a small fee to pay for true protection from a car buying scam. It is also much cheaper then hiring a lawyer to escort a car buyer to a car dealer. Most lawyers don't know about all of the car dealer scams that are currently in play. That's why they hired me to help them win their law suits.



I do not go to dealers with car buyers any longer. Most are not willing to pay to have someone on their side to protect them, besides, I can make more money assisting the lawyers once the suit is filed. Nor do I call car dealers and try to make insider connections to help anybody. I do not nor have I ever tried to ride the FENCE. Nor have I ever received a "Bird Dog" FEE. EVER!



You want me to post some pictures of people that I did help? You want me to post word for word the thank you letters I have in my filling cabinet that were sent to me after helping people that I did help?



Don't try to bash be until you know what you are talking about. I have been posting helpful information on this web site for over 4 years. During that time, I have NEVER received a dime. I am not here to try to find people that I can make money from. Nor do I have any plans to try to make any money from the people that file Rip Off Reports.



Michael go ask Consumer Reports in New York City why they sent a reporter and a camera crew to meet with me for 4 hours interviewing me for a story they ran on their TV show and printed in their magazine! Go ask the local lawyers that have paid me $100 bucks an hour if they feel that they got their money's worth.



Now I ask you a few questions. Why is it that nobody in our government has gone to this dealer and ask about the photos in this Rip Off Report. No MSRP on a new car is breaking a FEDERAL LAW. You know what law I am talking about?



www.badbusinessbureau.com/reports/ripoff38266.htm



Michael you think this car buyer got a fair shake? Any laws broken?



www.badbusinessbureau.com/reports/ripoff52158.htm



Hey Michael You think this Kid should have had to go through what he went through to get his Down payment of $2000 bucks back? I took the photos posted on this Rip Off Report. I went to help this Kid get his $2000 back. And No I did not charge him a dime for your INFORMATION.



www.badbusinessbureau.com/reports/ripoff138219.htm



If not for the Editor of this web site, this web site and people like me many would not get any help. So don't be too fast to bash me. By the way, Go ask FHM Magazine in New York when is the September issue coming out. Maybe you can get some more helpful info from me.



Dude Don't bee too fast to bash me! You do not know me.



Michael are you able to provide people with any kind of valuable help?

On several occasions friends and acquaintances have asked for my assistance in negotiations with vehicle purchases. These people also were very willing to pay for this kind of assistance. I always refused payment, though the mother of one of my daughter's friends did mail me $200 for assisting with their purchase. The fact that Stick has in the past offered this kind of service for a fee does not mean he is ripping people off or reducing himself to the level of the typical car salesmen.



Many people are intimidated by the whole process of purchasing a vehicle. The high pressure sales tactics and lack of knowledge of finance options, vehicle pricing, etc. can be overwhelming for the first time buyer. Even those who have purchased many vehicles get frustrated with the process and all the BS dealerships throw at them. Even if you were to purchase a vehicle every two years, the game seems to change frequently to keep the consumer off guard and allow the dealership to have the upper hand.



My most recent auto purchase was 2 months ago. I spent approximately 4 hours researching vehicles, options, and pricing via the internet. I walked out of 2 dealerships because I didn't like the deal offered, spoke with at least 5 other dealerships by phone and 10-12 more via email. I was willing to travel to get the best deal (travel expenses were factored in). It was very time consuming but I got what I wanted for the price I was willing to pay. Had I financed the auto, I would have spent even more time to get the best deal.



So where is the harm in someone like Stick offering their expertise and knowledge to benefit the consumer for a fee. I can assure you, that a fee of $350 is well worth it if he saves the buyer from the many pitfalls that could cost them thousands of dollars.



How is this kind of service different from using a tax service to complete your taxes and to find savings that you might have missed? The average taxpayer does not have the time or the inclination to learn all the ins and outs and constant changes in the tax code. So why not hire an expert for a fee? The same applies to the average car buyer. It can be very time consuming to do the research necessary to get the best deal on a car.



No one is forcing anyone to use this kind of service. He offered a service for auto buyers just as real estate agents assist home buyers.



Why don't I offer this kind of service myself for a fee? I hate dealing with car salesman and dread having to even deal with them for my own vehicles.

My son-in-law bought a car on Saturday. I buy and sell many vehicles. My SIL had gone done to the dealer Sat. morning to buy the vehicle. I didn't get down there until 3 pm and he had their "best" deal, which they'd been trying to get him to sign on for a couple of hours. I'd told him not to sign anything until I got there. After I looked at the deal, said we'd let you know and got up to leave. After a short time, they came off another $2,000. I'm glad I could help. Don't know about the $350, but it might be worth it. I've noticed the car guys don't try and fleece those who know what they're doing. I enjoy sitting around cardealers and hearing their pitches. Sometimes it's sad hearing how they're screwing people over.

I have researched the alarm system angle and find that many attorney Generals have prevailed on this item. Car was advertised on Aug 25 and 27th at price we paid...but no alarm system add on is quoted!!!



Advertised price is what drew Hubby into dealership in first place!



(Thanks, Stick. Would have done all that homework as I am computer literate and ex Broker...if I had been given opportunity to do so?) I also would not have sat through five minutes of their high pressure stuff, etc.

Do you really attempt to charge people to let you help them buy a car? Dishonest dealers are one thing, but that's just pathetic.



Every single time you post you come across as this sanctimonious blow-hard who just hates what the evil car dealer does to the poor consumer. Yet how is it really any different from what you do? Something tells me every time you're about to 'close' your $350.00 fee, you access Ripoffreport.com and while thumping a printout of Ford's phone numbers, yell, "Do you want this to happen to you?!?" Maybe I'm wrong in the exact method, but you just strike me as the type to use these terror-tactics to get people to pay your 'fee'.



Stick, I mean seriously, we both know that $350.00 is a waste. All you have to do is call the dealership, speak with a Sales Manager, explain who you are and what you do, and the Sales and F&I Department will most likely behave themselves and give a fair deal. Ask them to fax you a copy of the buyers order and finance/lease contract, and give it a once over. This will take a grand total of about ten minutes of your time. Is ten minutes of your time really worth $350.00??



You might have left the business Stick, but I see the business has been left on you as well. You're no different than the car dealer, you just sit on the other side of the desk with the customer and take their money for nothing. At least the car dealer is giving them a car. You're just selling fear.

Can't say who was right nor can I say who was wrong. Can't say anybody was wrong. But I can say Earnhardt Ford goes to court a lot. You read and YOU be the judge. Car buyers of all ages need to do their home work before going to ANY CAR DEALER!



Not here to bash or bad mouth. Just here to provide you with some informative reading so you can be the JUDGE!



http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/docket/civil/caseSearchResults.asp?page=1&LastName=&firstName=&bname=earnhardt%20ford



http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/docket/civil/caseSearchResults.asp?page=2&LastName=&firstName=&bname=earnhardt%20ford



http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/docket/civil/caseSearchResults.asp?page=3&LastName=&firstName=&bname=earnhardt%20ford



http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/docket/civil/caseSearchResults.asp?page=4&LastName=&firstName=&bname=earnhardt%20ford



Most car buyers are sleeping when they sign documents. If you DO NOT like something GET UP and WALK! Go home and read the Rip Off Repeorts.



At one time I go paid a fee to go with car buyers to the dealer of their choice and over see all of the deal before the buyer would sign anything. Most car buyer are NOT willing to pay for protection from ar dealer Rip Off's. So I stoped escorting car buyers to car dealers.



Many thought $350 was a Rip Off. I say small price to have someone on your side that knows how to protect car buyers from scams in the auto industry. Some car dealer scams can cost the buyer more then $3500.



Not saying Earnhardt Ford is a bad car dealer. I am saying GET GOOD reading before going to any car dealer.



Mrs. Paul I hope my posting helps you.

One of the points you raised is that only your husband signed the contracts.



Arizona is a community property state. Generally, either spouse can enter into a contract that is binding upon both. The big exceptions are the purchase of real estate or entering into a long-term real estate lease; in those cases both spouses must sign.



The fact that only your husband signed is irrelevant. Sorry.



I lived in Phoenix for about 30 years and Earnhardt's is the last place I would go for a car. I have never heard of anyone getting a fair deal from them.