FIRST TIME BUYERS BEWARE Worst experience of my life. Happened in 2007, but I feel obligated to warn others because of recent similar snake oil car salesmen. Don't let this happen to you. Ok so I went in to buy my first car, and I got hit with every dirty, sleazy, trick in the book. I saw a car I liked and went in to see the finance guy, told them I was in the military hoping to get a discount, didn't happen. I was sitting with the finance guy when a guy (probably the janitor) kept interrupting us with important matters that they couldn't be mentioned in front of me ("that thing" if I remember right). I guess it was to get me to sign quickly. So, I signed about a half dozen papers with the contract first. Last but not least, when I was walking out the door was asked to sign a final paper which was a blank contract (I vaguely remember it being a blank contract, and yes I know I shouldn't have sat down and grabbed my magnifying glass which I regret not doing). So I had all my paperwork I thought, and walked out of the office to wait for my car. Before I got my car the finance guy stuffed the blank contract, now filled out, into my envelope full of paper. So I drove home where I noticed the contract was different from what I remember it being. I talked to fellow servicemen when they told me I was ripped off. I cancelled my postdated check immediately, because I was angry. I talked with my command and they educated me about all the junk, $4-5 k (ex. $1000 prepaid maintenance, when all I wanted was gap insurance, $500) which wasn't part of the price of the car. They also told me to go back to the dealership and try to negotiate a lower price and to tell them that I couldn't afford the monthly payments. They also sent me to base legal, where I was informed that there was nothing they could do. I was then pointed to the better business bureau and other consumer organizations. I was notified a few days later by Centennial Toyota, and out of the good in their hearts wanted to lower my payments. Awesome, I was thinking, maybe my nightmare will go away. So I went, to Vegas and was offered a new contract (predated). It was approximately $70 less per month out of 60 months, but still had $2-3k worth of junk that wasn't part of the price of the car. I mentioned I knew I was ripped off and would like to return the car, that didn't work. I also mentioned I talked to base legal. I was then told that he (the finance guy) knew what he was doing, that and that he was in the business for many many years. "Tell your lawyers to call our corporate lawyers" was the response I got, so I eventually decided not to sign the contract hoping they would eventually budge on the $2-3 k of miscellaneous junk fees. I was called by Centennial again a few days later to go back to Vegas. Ok, maybe things will work in my favor this time. So I went back a second time the next weekend to renegotiate. This time the contract was only $30 less per month. Why should I sign I was thinking to myself, it was more than twice as much less a month the week earlier. I insisted they lower the price significantly. They did not budge. I was told "you are getting free maintenance". A total of $1000, which was clearly written on the contract, is free according Centennial Toyotas' agent. What a bunch of greedy d^&*ch bags. I continued to decline signing, when shortly thereafter they sicked about half a dozen of their smooth talking pit bulls on me. One after another came into the office; I stayed because I thought it was amusing. "As a friend I recommend you sign" said one; some friends at Centennial Toyota. I went home without signing and a few weeks later. Centennial Toyota, called my command told them I was to return the car because I didn't sign the paper. They also told on me that I cancelled a postdated check hoping I would get into trouble from my command. All I received was a small scolding to let me know I can't cancel a check. When I brang back the car, the last act of kindness they did for this young marine, was that they let me know they told the district attorney that I cancelled a check. Wow, I was so scared I almost signed the paper this time, tee hee To this day I wonder was it that they couldn't find a finance company to finance me at my credit score (as I didn't' have credit)? or perhaps it was because I cancelled the check which was half of the down payment. All this headache a few extra few thousand dollars. I think back upon this experience and I can only think man, I was warned the very first day I hit the fleet specifically about dealerships like this that screw over service members. "Know what you're doing when you buy a car". "I'll go along with you" said the good old sergeant. Oh it I'll never happen to me. Wrong. I was warned, now so you have been. Don't be suckered like I was.
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