Consumer complaint received 2017-09-18
Company: NISSAN MOTOR ACCEPTANCE COMPANY LLC
State: NJ
Product: Vehicle loan or lease
Sub-product: Lease
Issue: Problems at the end of the loan or lease
Sub-issue: Excess mileage, damage, or wear fees, or other problem after the lease is finished

Complaint:
Prior to the conclusion of my lease contract with XXXX, I contacted my local dealer, XXXX XXXX, which is the same dealer I used when entering the lease, to discuss options available at the lease termination ( e.g., purchasing the vehicle, entering a new lease, purchasing another vehicle, etc. ). After some brief conversation, I was advised to stop into the showroom and discuss options in more detail and look at used vehicles on the lot within the price range I was discussing with the dealership ( the conclusion from the conversations with the dealership was that purchasing another vehicle would be best for my situation ). Before agreeing to stop into the dealership, I noted to the sales rep over the phone that I had not had the pre-inspection performed upon which I was advised not to worry about it. I stopped into the dealership that afternoon and test drove a few vehicles and started negotiations for one of the vehicles. Part of the negotiation was the removal of the {$390.00} disposition fee and the dealership agreed. Additionally, I raised again with the sales rep and the used car manager that I had not had the pre-inspection performed and was again told not to worry about it and that " we can take care of it. '' The vehicle I leased was 12k miles under the allotment I paid for over the term of the lease and was garage kept the entire duration of the lease ( i.e., it was in excellent condition ). 

I contacted XXXX XXXX twice within the first few weeks after turning in my leased vehicle to confirm that there were no end of lease obligations since I had not heard anything from XXXX. I was told that they were not aware of anything and that " no news is good news ''. After this, I assumed everything was fine with my lease termination and there were no additional costs ( this was in XXXX 2017 ). In XXXX 2017 I received a call from XXXX / XXXX XXXX notifying me that they were sending me to collection for the outstanding balance on my " end of lease liability statement ''. I noted that I had not received this statement and had inquired about such end of lease costs multiple times. XXXX / XXXX XXXX noted they still had my old address on file which is why I had not received the statement. Further, after having the statement emailed to me, I noted that XXXX had detailed a list of " itemized wear and use '' charges that totaled an amount due by me of {$390.00} ( unbelievably close to the {$390.00} disposition fee that was waived during my negotiation ... ). Upon review of these charges, not only were these charges false, but there were also items I was being charged for that never existed ( e.g., a missing front bumper cover ). I requested the inspection results that were apparently performed after I turned the vehicle in ( and was told not to worry about having the pre-inspection performed ) and was told that I would receive it via email within 24 hours. It has been over a week and I have not seen any inspection report from XXXX. 

I was aware of my responsibility to have an inspection performed prior to turning in the vehicle and noted that at least twice to the sales representatives at XXXX, but they were more concerned with the sale of another vehicle than my rights and convinced me that I had nothing to worry about in turning in my leased vehicle. Now, as I communicate with XXXX XXXX regarding the false claims of excess wear and use, XXXX XXXXXXXX has sent me to collection for these false charges and I have had to hire a lawyer to fight the charges.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation