This was an unfortunate situation that occurred at Generation Kia in Medford, NY. I am writing to facilitate a change so that other consumers do not have the same disheartening, reprehensible and offensive experience.
These are the circumstances:
On 1/30/13 I visited Generation Kia, 1788 Route 112, Medford, NY 11763, to negotiate a sale of a vehicle. I informed the dealership that I had bad credit and asked if they could help me. I explained that I had been on unemployment for almost two years and am still having a difficult time making ends meet. I also advised that I could only afford a payment of $300.00 a month which is what I was paying for my 2005 Dodge Neon which I had brought in for a trade. I was told that they would attempt to get me a loan and I gave them $100.00 as a refundable deposit. They said they would let me know.
On 2/3/13 I got a call from them stating that I was approved for a loan and made an appointment for the next evening to finish up the paperwork and give an additional $500.00. On 2/4/13 I met with the Financing Manager 鈥淎lbert鈥?who advised me the only way I could get a loan is if I voluntarily surrendered my 2005 Dodge Neon which was financed with Capital One Bank and not to tell them that I financed a different vehicle.
The Financing Manager 鈥淎lbert鈥?then advised me that the payment was $528.36. When I objected reminding him I could only pay $300.00 a month, he said that Kia would send me a monthly check of $250.00 for six months, and that I should use the money to make the payments, so that I can rebuild my credit, and then after the six months he would have it refinanced with Kia to bring my payment down to under $300.00 at much lower rate. I called my Father who then spoke with the Financing Manager 鈥淎lbert鈥?who confirmed the details of the deal. So we moved forward. I left the 2005 Dodge Neon with Generation Kia for pick up by Capital One, which I was told was courtesy.
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One month later I received the first check from the dealership which I added to my payment and then I paid the bank as my first payment. The second month I did not get a check and called Financing Manager 鈥淎lbert鈥?who gave me many excuses why it was late and not to worry and call him in a week. Since the check did not come, I went to the dealership in person to see if this could be resolved. When I sat down with Financing Manager 鈥淎lbert鈥?he said that 鈥渉e didn鈥檛 remember the transaction鈥? (even though I received the first check). He then said that if I make the payments on time he would definitely be able to refinance the loan in August. He then promised a second check (which never came).and made many excuses for same. My father who was helping me get on my feet reluctantly loaned me the difference in the payment because he knew that I needed a vehicle to get to work. (My father鈥檚 only income is Social Security and he was financially drained as a result.)
I contacted Financing Manager 鈥淎lbert鈥?at the end of July to make the arrangements for the refinancing. He advised that I should 鈥渃all him back after 8/15/13 to set it up because the sixth payment had to clear the bank鈥? I contacted the dealership as advised and was told that Financing Manager 鈥淎lbert鈥?was no longer employed there and the new finance person (Don) advised me that the bank is not entertaining sub-prime financing and that I could try back in a few months. I left several messages for both the Manager and Owner with no response.
My problem was the following: My father, who is going to be 80 years old, can not afford to give me the additional money to make the inflated payment. I can afford to pay the original $300.00 which was what I originally intended anything more is financially impossible.
I feel that I was deceived with misrepresentation not only by Financing Manager 鈥淎lbert鈥?but also being disregarded by the Owner and Manager of the dealership who is the representative of Kia Motors. It was my hope to get some sort of reconciliation which would have enabled me to retain the vehicle for $300.00 a month which was originally agreed upon.
This put me a position that jeopardized my job and destroyed my financial credibility, which I was attempting to rebuild. I am the mother of two daughters and this series of events has caused emotional and financial distress.
After exhausting every avenue to keep the vehicle(Santander, Kia Motors, Generation Kia, Other Dealerships, Friends and Family) I was forced to surrender the vehicle to the bank, Santander Consumer USA, who sold it, and is now requesting the surplus deficiency of $13,408.66(which can be provided upon request).
My reason for writing this letter to you is to explain that I am not a vindictive person. I feel as if I no longer have a choice and have been forced to take any action necessary, legal, public or any other remedy I can find.
In conclusion, I sincerely hope that appropriate action is taken, so that changes can be made, and that other consumers can avoid such a disheartening, reprehensible and offensive experience.