February 21, 2006

Hello Tony

I need help. I bought a Ford Expedition from Premier Mazda on February 12th. I gave them $1,500 in down payment money and signed all the papers.

They stated they needed to have copies of my check register to prove I paid my last mortgage. I gave it to them. I paid two actually to catch up. I then received a call on the next Sunday on my cell phone from the salesman stating they need a copy of my bank statement showing the payments went through.

I faxed it at 7:10 am Monday morning. Then receive a call at 5 pm telling me if I don't fax the statement in 2 hours they are coming to get the car. I went and faxed it again with the confirmation from earlier and called to confirm they received it. He had . . . no apology though.

5 minutes later they called and said my mortgage payments when they called the mortgage company were not caught up and we don't have a car deal. I sent them a bank statement showing I deposited $8,000.00 that month. What more do they want? I have late fees with the mortgage company so I wont show caught up.

I guess I don't get it; some people don't own homes and get cars. What the big deal? Can they come take it? I gave my other car to my brother-in-law. I won't have a car now. I'm stressed, can you enlighten me on my options please?

Thank you,

Dawna P.

Answer:

Hi Dawna,

First of all, you got caught up in what is called a "Spot Delivery." This is a lousy practice in the car business where they deliver the car before the financing is approved. The only reason they do it is so that you don't have time to change your mind about the deal. They want you to think the financing is all done. Obviously, in this case it backfired on them.

If the car dealer can't get you financed they have no way of getting paid for the car, so they naturally want to take the vehicle back. You do have other options; You can arrange your own financing at whatever bank or credit union you want to deal with. You don't need the dealer to do this for you.

You can find good sources for car financing - including car financing for people with bad credit at: Car Financing Tips.

Again, if you have a local bank or credit union you can try them too. The bottom line is that the dealer wants their money for the vehicle.

Good luck!

All my very best...

Tony Iorio

Thank you very much for your response. I am going to tell them they can come and get their car. I want $30 for the gas I put in yesterday. I want all my original signed paperwork with my private information, and I want my $1,500 in checks back when they arrive to get the car or I am not giving the keys back!

Thank you,

Dawna P.