Friendly Ford, Inc. Committed a crime to Rip Me Off! Desperate! Going Down! Join the Lawsuit! Don't buy from these predators! Internet

Friendly Ford's F&I Director used illegal sales tactics to force me to purchase Warranty, GAP, and Wheel and Tire Protection. Conversation recorded.

I am going to express other concerns as well. I'll get to the illegal business practices in just a second. First, Friendly Ford charged me $2,489.33 for a warranty, which is outright thievery in my opinion. They also charged me $750.00 for GAP protection, which again, is out of line in my opinion. They charged me $31,197.50 for a 2010 Ford Fusion SEL that has a MSRP of only $27,720.00.

The most alarming thing about the transaction is that the F&I Director required me to purchase the Warranty, GAP, and Tire and Wheel policies. If I didn't, he said, (and showed me on an illegitimate "menu") I'd be forced to pay 12%+ interest. He told me I could either pay for interest or the products. I asked him specifically if the rate would be increased to 12%+ if I didn't purchase the products and he said "Yes." Since I purchased the products, I received 5.60%.  All of this is recorded on a tape recorder that I had in my pocket when I bought the car.

This practice, I found out after much research and after speaking with my attorney (my brother, thank God) is illegal in Missouri and is a violation of certain Federal statutes. First, a dealership cannot "require" you to purchase warranty/insurance products. Moreover, it is a violation of law to offer a discount in the interest rate in exchange for the purchase of warranty/insurance products.

I'm confident that the F&I Director knew that he was in violation of laws, as he had me sign two (2) different "menus." One reflected the interest rate increase without the products and a 5.60% interest rate with the products. The other one simply reflected different terms (length of the loan and payment amounts) with the 5.60% interest rate. I am confident that the first menu was trashed and this guy knew exactly what he was doing.

To my pleasant surprise, I recently found out that Mike, the F&I Director for Friendly Ford is currently being investigated.  It is very possible that he will be facing criminal charges.  YES!!!