Can they really force me to pay more after Ive signed?

[RockinZ28]

Theoretically if they can do that, couldn't they just say they decided, "Your car is worth $1, you owe us $8,999 more"? People would make a serious stink about that though.

Seems they make their extra bonus tax low enough that most people will concede to their threats, rather than look at all the options and fight.

 

[senseamp]

Get temporary paint and write "Sound Ford Screwed Me!" In big letters on your car and leave it in a legal parking spot somewhere near the dealership entrance.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Get temporary paint and write "Sound Ford Screwed Me!" In big letters on your car and leave it in a legal parking spot somewhere near the dealership entrance.

Why? He can carry a big honkin sign and stand at the entry way of the dealership on the sidewalk.

 

[SilthDraeth]

I feel for you OP. I am out of the dealer game now. I won't ever buy another vehicle on credit. I don't plan to buy a house ever on credit either.

I am of the mind that anything that takes more than 2-3 pages worth of legal mumbo jumbo is conning the shit out of me. And 2-3 is a lot of space to squeeze in stuff to confuse you.

I am pretty sure most of us here could write out a 1 page document that explains what most of us think we are doing when we are buying a car.

But alas, the contracts are written so obfuscated you need a lawyer to sort out what you are actually signing.

 

[NutBucket]

Is it me or does it seem like most the stories about people getting screwed usually tend to have something to do with a trade in?

I've bought 4 cars and the worst that has happened to me is a salesman that tried to charge me for their crappy Karr "alarm" that I specifically declined. I noticed the price discrepancy in finance and the lady removed it without any fuss.

 

[mvbighead]

Is it me or does it seem like most the stories about people getting screwed usually tend to have something to do with a trade in?

I've bought 4 cars and the worst that has happened to me is a salesman that tried to charge me for their crappy Karr "alarm" that I specifically declined. I noticed the price discrepancy in finance and the lady removed it without any fuss.

Yeah, I read earlier in this thread that a trade in allowed the guy to wiggle more off the MSRP by upping the trade-in value. That is about the only benefit one could ever get from a trade in.

Elsewise, all a trade-in does is adds one more layer of complex bullshit for the dealer to hide something in.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Try contacting the Washington State Bar Association. They have programs for "moderate means" individuals (which is people who are middle class but really can't afford spending a few thousand on a lawyer) where lawyers volunteer time with discounted rates. I don't know for sure if they'd have someone who could work with you, but I'd definitely call and ask. You can't end up worse off and the call to the bar association is free.

ZV

 

[Insomniator]

Wow necro bump.... any more updates? This dealership out of business yet?

 

[KeithP]

If they want you to sign something new, that to me says that whatever you signed before does not give them the right to take $1000 from you, and they are trying to screw you.
Find out if there is consumer protection agency, BBB, or attorney general or whatever and contact them. Go on Yelp and leave a warning for others of the dealer's shady practices too.

This is my feeling as well. If the contract you signed gave them the ability to adjust the price there would be no reason to sign a new contract. You would just get a bill for the difference.

They wanted you to sign a new contract because after that is done, their story would change about what happened and then they would simply point to a new contract.

At this point I would design a flyer detailing your experience with them and start handing it our on the sidewalk in front of the dealership. Probably should get a large sign made to carry as well to attract people's attention.

I would also watch the newspaper for special sales/events where they are trying to attract attention. Those would be good times to show up with your fliers and sign.

A Facebook page or web site might be a good idea as well. Don't forget to include the experience of the other person that it happened to.

-KeithP

 

[unokitty]

Is it me or does it seem like most the stories about people getting screwed usually tend to have something to do with a trade in?

There is a similar scam that is played with finance rates.

The way it goes is that the contract you sign has a clause saying that the finance rate is dependent on their bank (or other group) approving your credit.

Then, they sell your trade-in and contact you several days later to say that you are not eligible for financing with their preferred group. But for a higher rate they can finance it through a different group...

Best of luck to the OP,
Uno

 

[SparkyJJO]

Um this thread is 1.5 years old. Does no one check the OP's date? And what was SilthDraeth searching for to come across this?

 

[bwoody2016]

2 year old tread revived.. ROFL

 

[Arkaign]

Don't trade in EVER, always sell it on your own.

Read what you sign, mention a lawyer in the next phone call, and don't sign any new docs.

This x100000000000

ALL car dealers are soulless sacks of rat excrement that deserve to have their arms and legs ripped off and kicked into fire ant mounds and covered in melting oil.

Never trade in.

Never lease.

Avoid financing if at all possible, buying with straight cash for an agreed price is bar none, absolutely the best way to go. If you do finance, if you have great history with your bank or better yet a local credit union, then getting a super low interest personal loan and then paying cash is the next best thing. I realize that is difficult to impossible for many though. Really the auto industry AND banking industry is filled with total assholes, but them's the breaks.

 

[Doppel]

I know this is an old bump but ER is still here--what ended up happening?

 

[Ns1]

I got 30 posts down and then saw the date...

 

[Mermaidman]

I know this is an old bump but ER is still here--what ended up happening?

He Spydered us.

 

[Pacfanweb]

 

[LTC8K6]

I know this is an old bump but ER is still here--what ended up happening?

That was revealed early on. The contract had the clause in there, and he signed it.

 

[WackyDan]

First...

I find that many people rush into buying vehicles... they don't take their time, don't leverage multiple dealers in the negotiation process... They still owe on their trade in... etc...Just a lot of poor decision making on their part - for a large percentage of them anyway...

Second...

- Sounds like we are missing part of the story, but bottom line is he signed a contract - lesson learned.

Third...

Mods do not increase the value of a vehicle. Ask any hot rodder who dumped a ton of money into paint, motor and other mods... the investment is personal choice and emotional and a very slim number of potential buyer will be interested in your personal modifications regardless of any claim to improving performance, efficiency and so forth... because that is all in the eye of the beholder. I see this all the time in the motorcycle community... Someone adds thousands of dollars in custom seats, wind shield, chrome, etc... Best advice to those with mods on any vehicle? - Take them off and sell on forums for that vehicle - return your trade or private sale to stock... You will make more money.

 

[mvbighead]

First...

I find that many people rush into buying vehicles... they don't take their time, don't leverage multiple dealers in the negotiation process... They still owe on their trade in... etc...Just a lot of poor decision making on their part - for a large percentage of them anyway...

Second...

- Sounds like we are missing part of the story, but bottom line is he signed a contract - lesson learned.

Third...

Mods do not increase the value of a vehicle. Ask any hot rodder who dumped a ton of money into paint, motor and other mods... the investment is personal choice and emotional and a very slim number of potential buyer will be interested in your personal modifications regardless of any claim to improving performance, efficiency and so forth... because that is all in the eye of the beholder. I see this all the time in the motorcycle community... Someone adds thousands of dollars in custom seats, wind shield, chrome, etc... Best advice to those with mods on any vehicle? - Take them off and sell on forums for that vehicle - return your trade or private sale to stock... You will make more money.

First - Absolutely true.

Second - This is the first time I have heard of something like the OP described. In my mind, a contract is a contract for sale. If the prices are determined and agreed upon before the sale, how the hell can the supposed expert in the deal come back a week later and demand $1k more for his screw up? I do not buy it for one second, as a car dealer sells/buys cars every day. Most consumers do it once every 2-3 years.

Third - While it was mentioned in the OP, it isn't really the point of this thread. The terms were agreed upon. You're right though, most mods are worth jack and shit to the new buyer. Return to stock and sell parts if they're worth enough to do it.

 

[Greenman]

First - Absolutely true.

Second - This is the first time I have heard of something like the OP described. In my mind, a contract is a contract for sale. If the prices are determined and agreed upon before the sale, how the hell can the supposed expert in the deal come back a week later and demand $1k more for his screw up? I do not buy it for one second, as a car dealer sells/buys cars every day. Most consumers do it once every 2-3 years.

Third - While it was mentioned in the OP, it isn't really the point of this thread. The terms were agreed upon. You're right though, most mods are worth jack and shit to the new buyer. Return to stock and sell parts if they're worth enough to do it.

This happened to me. Purchased a new car, a few days later the dealer called and said there was a problem and needed me to stop by. They had new loan docs for me to sign, at a higher interest rate. I refused to pay a cent more, they ate the difference.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Mods usually don't add to the value, it's true.

And one other thing to remember about trade-ins: You are getting ROUGH book value. That's what your car is worth to the dealer, no matter how nice/clean/well-kept it is.

They are still going to have to put it in their shop, check it out, detail it, etc, in other words, spend money on it, and still turn a profit.

You don't get more than rough book for a trade unless you are getting a VERY special deal.....I know for a fact that the overwhelming majority of people that think they drove a hard bargain and got more for their trade, didn't.

They all leave thinking they held the dealer's feet to the fire and got more for their trade, but without access to ALL the numbers, they don't know that they really did not. They showed the trade value as one number, and made it up somewhere else, but when they go to sell the used car, the actual cost will be a lot less than what the customer that traded it thinks they got for it.

 

[SilthDraeth]

Um this thread is 1.5 years old. Does no one check the OP's date? And what was SilthDraeth searching for to come across this?

Wow. Didn't realize I necroed. I thought this was on the front page... I think I was searching "Bed liner"...

Sorry for the necro.

 

[redgtxdi]

That's ok cuz this post was worth it.