Consumer complaint received 2025-09-23 00:00:00
Product: Vehicle loan or lease — Loan
Issue: Getting a loan or lease — Changes in terms mid-deal or after closing
Company: FIFTH THIRD FINANCIAL CORPORATION
State: MA

Complaint narrative:
I purchased a truck on XX/XX/year> from XXXX XXXX of XXXX, walking into the facility around XXXX a.m. and finally being able to leave after XXXX XXXX. Ultimately, I encountered several issues that appeared to be intentionally deceptive, predatory, and overall unethical. 

A general sales manager ( XXXX ) and salesman ( XXXX XXXX falsely insisted I had to pay a sales tax to the dealership, despite New Hampshire not having a sales tax, taking advantage of me being a Massachusetts resident to inflate the price above what was listed by ~ $ XXXX. This can be seen between the XXXX alleged final 'preliminary agreements ' where " Total Taxes '' is added to " Amount Financed ''. At XXXXXXXX XXXX., I texted the co-signer I dont actually get to benefit from the no sales tax because im not an official NH resident- which is exactly what I was being was told. That message confirms I was being misinformed at that critical point in the transaction ; only about XXXX minutes before I would leave the facility. 

I was charged $ XXXX ( {$480.00} and {$1500.00} ) in XXXX purchases that I never consented to. Additionally, the only XXXX products ever discussed were for {$1300.00}, and I made it known I had no interest. The XXXX paperwork is completely lacking my signature, initials, or anything to suggest I knew it even existed. 
The sales tax issue came to light when registering the car, since then many of these other discrepancies have been identified. Also, let it be known, the co-signer was not involved in any negotiations or discussions- she merely agreed to sign. She trusted that she was signing the paperwork featuring what had actually been agreed to, what I communicated to her- but as text messages reveal, that was not the case. The paperwork was mailed to her, which the dealership insisted on doing after I offered to bring it to her. This restricted our ability to properly go through and discuss the paperwork together. 
When I confronted the other sales manager, XXXX, I realized there was a massive problem underway and I moved the conversation to text. First he gaslit me over the sales tax issue, and then he blatantly lied to me about allegedly purchasing the XXXX products. He said ( over text ) that he would send a check to the bank to 'cancel ' the XXXX purchases ( which I never consented to ) ; but have yet to receive any evidence that a check ever went to the bank. He also apologized ( over text ) for " confusion '' over the 'sales tax ', confirming there was, at the very least, confusion when there should not have been any. 

After the purchase, the dealership may have sent over altered requested documentation in an attempt to alleviate my concerns. I believe the dealership may have also altered the listed price of the vehicle at XXXXXXXX XXXX the day of purchase, as their logs show the vehicle 's description was updated at that time. This would be about XXXX hours after I first entered the facility - and XXXX minutes * after * 'preliminary agreement '. Also worth mentioning that the final 'preliminary agreement ' was printed out a half hour * before * the co-signer submitted their financial information at around XXXXXXXX XXXX, raising concerns about the sequence and validity of the documents presented. The timeline and discrepancies in the documents strongly suggest that not all versions of the 'preliminary negotiation ' document were disclosed to me, giving me reason to believe they XXXX have been altered and others withheld. 

The majority of the paperwork such as the XXXX XXXX XXXX, and every alleged previous draft of the 'preliminary agreement ' shows the price of the vehicle at {$35000.00}. The Registration and Title Application ( which I was told would take care of the sales tax ) have the price at {$36000.00} ( {$35000.00} plus a {$590.00} documentation fee ) ; and yet it appears as {$37000.00} in the Vehicle Invoice and I was told the increase was the sales tax. Also, notice the unauthorized XXXX products. 
'Preliminary agreement ' and other dealership provided documentation such as the questionnaire, also shows me seeking a lower loan duration, and yet I ended up with a 75 month loan. the fact I don't have a credit score is further proof that I avoid debt and would not want a 75 month loan. This 75 month loan duration appears out of nowhere ; and I believe their tactic was to get me to agree to a 72 month agreement so they could then sneak a 75 month agreement by me. 

I texted the co-signer the terms I thought I had agreed to at XXXX XXXX  : " Still finalizing but probably around {$470.00} ; 6 years $ XXXX down ''. Additionally, a few days later I would tell a friend via Instagram message that I paid " XXXX down, XXXX over 6 years ''. This is consistent with my story and inconsistent with the 'preliminary agreement ' as well as the final paperwork. 

I asked for all the paperwork on XX/XX/XXXX, and upon receiving their response I immediately asked them to confirm that what they sent me was everything ; but 2 days later ( on XX/XX/XXXX ) was sent XXXX documents ( the vehicle pricing log recently mentioned, and allegedly all of the earlier drafts of the 'preliminary agreement ' that was signed by XXXX and myself )- but only after continuing to press sales manager XXXX about the original price online being {$34000.00} and demanding to see the 'deal timeline ' ; which I believed would show a price of {$34000.00}. Additionally, they have since sent me ( unexpected/random ) revised versions of the Vehicle Invoice that feature all the same information, including the date on the paperwork, except they removed the XXXX products between versions. 

Final paperwork was rushed after : more than XXXX hours at the dealership about XXXX hours of sitting around after the test drive, the first draft of the 'preliminary agreement ' was printed before noon. 
over XXXX hours after the alleged 'preliminary agreements ' was printed out They strategically delayed after I mentioned wanting to go to the gym ( XXXX XXXX XXXX and get a workout in before it closed at XXXX, even though I pleaded to try and speed the process up so I could do so. I can prove I intended on going to the gym earlier that day, that I went to the gym and 'checked in " at XXXX to get a workout in. 
After prolonged delays, the dealership rushed me through the paperwork, giving me no reasonable opportunity to review the final contract terms. 

The terms to the contract that was rushed by me were not the discussed, agreed upon terms. they not only inflated the price of the vehicle, but the duration of the loan- without my consent or knowledge. 

Evidence for any and all claims can be substantiated with texts, emails, paperwork, and more. 
Texts between me and co-signer exist from when I was at the dealership validate timeline of events and reveal insight into what's being said by dealership staff. Other texts and email exchanges after the day of purchase, including to the co-signer, sales manager XXXX, and others - help substantiate my claims as well. 

I have yet to pay the first monthly payment and am holding off on doing so for now, because of the reasons mentioned above ; and maybe could have sent a 'better ' write up given more time, but due to concerns over potential credit impact to my co-signer, I felt it necessary to submit this complaint as soon as possible. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation