Crown Toyota of Long Beach is the poster child for the rip-off report - liars *UPDATE+ .. Justice was done! thank you badbusinessbureau.com

On 2/18/01 My fianc and I purchased a 1998 Honda Accord at Crown Toyota. We did not anticipate the amount of difficulty we would encounter upon purchasing the vehicle.

A week after were contacted by the finance manager, she told us we could not be financed at the rate we signed for and that we would need to come sign a new contract with an increased A.P.R. of almost 20%. I then informed her that that was not possible, due to my budget.

I was then told my only other option was to return the vehicle and I would be refunded the entire amount of my down payment ($7,000.00). I then went to return the car on 3/5/01. On my way from Oxnard to Long Beach I called the finance manager to assure that I was on my way and to have my refund ready.
She then told me the person who would issue the check was not there, but we could return the car and they would provide us with a receipt for the refund.

We arrived at the dealership within 20 minutes of calling her, as we prepared to turn over the key the finance manager stated we were approved. We stressed we no longer wanted the vehicle, because they had told us we were going to be refunded. We simply did not want to do business with them due to their poor service (we also found a dealership who would offer us an
extremely better deal on the same type of vehicle). They then threatened to call the Police if I did not leave the establishment.

I requested the name of the finance company that approved our loan, they first gave me an incorrect number, then upon contacting the financial institution (WFS) I was told we were never approved! I returned to Crown Toyota on 2/6/01 to cancel the warranty on the car, I was told that I could not.

The contract states I have 60 days to cancel. I do not want the
vehicle, and am in need of any assistance I can possibly attain. This is the 1st car I have purchased and am appalled with the type of business they conducted.

Any advice or assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

I feel they should take back the car as they agreed, cancel the contract, and get my entire refund, just as they told me they were going to do. I did not agree to the interest rate and do not trust them to do business with them. To threaten to use the police department on us for disagreeing with them!

Tracy Kesterman is the finance manager (who has supposedly been HELPING us)

WFS is the bank that supposedly financed us (according to crown) but, when we spoke to them they said we were not approved.
I spoke with Maureen Trujillo
1-714-736-7700 x7732
she directed me to the person who deals directly with finance at crown Toyota (unfortunately, I do not have her name)

I am a 20 year old student who cannot afford to pay for 2 cars and or a lawyer! (did I mention I bought another car on 2/4/01, thinking I was going to get my a dilemma on my hands, and I really appreciate badbusinessbureau.com taking the time to at least hear me out.

Thanks

~April