Earnhardt Auto Mr. Ed Dept ripoff- very deceptive business practices Gilbert Arizona

Last January I was in the market for a car, knowing that I had credit problems in the past but had just paid a car off in full with on time payments. I contacted Earnhardt and was called back by a young lady who told me I was approved for a car and my car plus $100.00 down payment would put me into a new car. I explained that my current car was paid off but currently was not running and she told me that was not a problem that they would pick it up and tow it for me. I got to the dealership with 3 friends of mine.

The salesman proceeded to tell me I was approved for a loan of $14000.00 and I should go out in the lot and pick out a car. I chose a 1994 hundaielantra. We came back into the show room and he proceeded to do all the paper work and gave them a check for $100.00. I drove out with the car that night. They asked me to bring in all my pay stubs etc the next day which I complied with. About two weeks later I received a call from Mr. Ed department telling me that they were having trouble getting the loan approved but they had found a solution. They said if I came in with another $300.00 they would lower the price of the car and I should sign a new contract. I went in and signed a new contract and gave them $300.00 more dollars again left the show room. Another two weeks or so, they called again and said they still could not get a loan approved and I must bring the car back. I called the sales manager and thought I was working with him on a resolution and someone else called who said they were a manager and said if I don't bring the car in by 5:00pm they would report it stolen. He was very nasty and very rude.

I told him to go ahead and report it stolen since I had a sales contract and registration for the car. He hung up on me. I then contacted the manager who I was working with who told me they would never do anything like that and I should ignore the person that called me. Anyway they ended up offering me my choice of another car or my money back. Due to the fact I had my old car towed in and would have to get a tow truck to get it out, I agreed to take another car reluctantly. I was given a choice of about 6 or 7 cars that were less expensive. When push came to shove..I was sent over to the Apache Junction Earnhardt dealership and was told there that he only had one truck that I could have and I could take it or leave it.

I did take it but immediately filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I received an answer from Colleen Murphy of Earnhardt claiming she was Co-Director of Earnhardt Mr Ed. She told the BBB that I was mistaken and that no one ever told me I was pre-approved for $14000.00, I explained that I had 3 other witnesses that heard that. The dialog went back and forth between herself and someone named Kyndra Atkinson who claimed to be the customer relations manager. Please note that at no time did either of these people call me. Ms Murphy at one time had a salesman call me to see if this could be resolved.

Finally the BBB said they did not want any more letters in their files because this could not get resolved between the parties but they would keep a record in the file of all the correspondence. The point I tried to make to her was that Coleen Murphy was no where in the original conversation between the salesman and myself and my three friends so she could not have possibly knownwhat the salesman said. She continued to divert from that point and woujld not listen to my complaint and went off on tangents that had nothing to do with what I was saying.

I finally sent a certified letter to the executive offices of Earnhardt telling them I planned to picket outside for deceptive business practices. I received a call from someone who claimed to be Coleens partner who was very apologetic for the situation and was agreeing with me but in his own way was only trying to calm me down. He said he was sending me a check for $300.00 to make me happy. I did receive a check about 3 days later. My point is that I was lured in by saying that financing had been approved and then was told that I was pre-approved for a $14000.00 car and let me drive off in that car. Then tried to get an additional $300.00 telling me that they were reducing the priceof the car. If this is not deceptive business practice I have no idea what is.

I did endorse the check for $300.00. I am not sure if that constitutes a release but signed nothing else. I would never recommend anyone buying a car from EArnhardt dealership. I really believe they are deceptive and really try to lure you into the dealership under deceptive business practices.

Michael
Chandler, Arizona
U.S.A.