This is for informational purposes only - no resolution requested or required
On the afternoon of April 24, 2012 I negotiated a sale with Tom at Dick Scot Motor Mall for a used 2007 Jeep Commander. Once the sales price and trade in value were negotiated a final price of $16,100 was agreed to by both parties, in writing. While the handwritten "worksheet" was in no way implied to be legally binding, it was still a verbal agreement between a buyer and seller.
While signing all the paperwork, once we reviewed the financing agreement, I noted that the price for my trade in was $500 less than what was agreed to, raising the final price to $16,600. I pointed this out to the employee that was performing the closing, who in turn called in the salesman Tom. Tom pulled out the worksheet which clearly stated $16,100 as the bottom line price, but claimed someone else (manager?) said he couldn't do the agreed to price. AT NO TIME prior to reviewing the financing agreement was this communicated to me. Had I not been dilagent in reviewing the document, I would have never known of the $500 increase. Tom said he had another buyer lined up and refused to honor the $16,100 price. I immediately ceased the transaction and left.
My concern is this is a very suspect action that could very easily not be caught by an average buyer considering the relatively small dollar amount and the vast volume of papers that are signed at a vehicle closing and the amount of numbers and fees that could (and do) confuse many buyers. This practice is borderline fraud at worst and shady business practice at best.
To anyone considering doing business with Dick Scott Motor Mall, caveat emptor, carefully and closely review your closing documents to ensure that the deal you sign is the deal you negotiated.
The sad part is, that I most likely would have agreed to the higher price had Tom been upfront, honest, and forthright with everything. Now they have lost a repeat customer for life
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