Complaint Review: Showcase Pontiac GMC Mazda

Two years ago My husband Carlos and I leased a 1998 GMC Sierra 4x4 from Steve Dancy at Showcase Pontiac GMC. We wanted to buy the truck but were told by Steve that it took more credit to purchase than to buy (which turned out to be a lie). So we leased the truck and were told we had 24,000 miles and after that we would have to pay 15 cents per mile unless we purchased the truck or another vehicle from them. The lease was due February 20, 2000 so we went at the end of January and were looking at cars so we wouldn't have to pay $3,600 in fines because we put 48,000 miles on the truck. Joe Davis was the original salesman who helped us and I explained to him that I either wanted to purchase the truck or another used vehicle so that we wouldn't have to pay any penalty points. He said he didn't know because he was brand new so he asked another salesman and the other salesman said, as long as you take a vehicle from us then you don't have to pay.

We finally decided on a used 97 Nissan Maxima, we went inside and were haggling over the price. An assistant manager named Dan Evers was helping as well as a more experienced salesman Mr. Liddycoat. I told Mr. Evers that we would think about the deal he had offered us and come back on Friday. He then went in the backroom and came back a while later and gave us a better deal. So we agreed to purchase the vehicle right then and there. He took all the information about the truck and began filling out a paper with that information.

I then asked him, "Now you're sure the penalty points for the extra mileage on the truck are taken care of?" He looked surprised and said, "Oh I didn't know about any extra mileage, I'll have to go check on that." Mr. Evers then went to the glass room again and came back 15-20 minutes later and said, "Oh, it's all taken care of." I told him, "You're sure because I could just buy the truck if there is a problem" He said, "No, it is all taken care of." We then proceeded to sign a bunch of papers and then I asked him if I needed to go bring the truck in and he said not until the 20th of February. On the 16th of February we tried to take the truck back and we were told we would have to pay $3,600 in fines for the mileage. I went to speak to Joe Davis, Mr. Liddycoat or Dan Evers and none of them were there.

I was told to come back on Friday the 18th and speak to the manager James Salas. I spoke to Mr. Salas on the phone on Friday before we went in and he basically told me that all the express promises that I had relied upon were no good because I didn't have them in writing but to come in and he would see what he could do.

We went in at 4:00pm and I told Mr. Salas the whole story again and he said he would speak to the general manager, Coy, because "they didn't condone that type of thing."(I have this conversation on tape) On Saturday I called Mr. Salas and he said that Coy, the general manager, was just going to purchase the truck from the financing agency so that there would be no mileage penalty and to bring the truck in on Sunday. We brought the truck in and I asked Mr. Salas if everything was taken care of and he said yes(I also have this conversation on tape).

I called Mr. Salas this morning (Monday the 21st) because I forgot to ask about my $400.00 security deposit and he said that I wouldn't get it back due to the excess mileage. I told him that is not fair because your assistant manager said the mileage was all taken care of and Mr.Salas told me that all three people that I dealt with during the purchase of the Nissan deny saying anything about any extra mileage and that Coy was doing me a favor by purchasing the truck and I should be grateful. I told Mr. Salas, "So you're calling me a liar?" He told me our conversation is over and hung up.

I think I shouldn't have to pay any money and that my security deposit of $400.00 should be returned to me because other than the extra mileage the truck was in perfect condition and we had added on a brush guard, side rails and a bedliner which we could have taken off and sold, but we left them on. I feel as if we've been screwed over and it just isn't right. Please help me get my money back.