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© 2002 Brian F. Schreurs
Even we have a disclaimer.

Man, it sure is nice to know those losers are out of business.

THE FACTS:

Devon Nissan, in Devon, Penn., listed a used Firebird for sale that had just the option package I'd been looking for. Since the dealership was some five hours away, I was not too keen on going to see it, but ultimately the fact that it was just the right car persuaded me to call. I met Bill Wendler in the used car department. He insisted the car was mint, but put off by the distance, I declined the car.

A few days later, I changed my mind; five hours didn't seem too unreasonable for a car that was just right. But the deal would have to be settled in advance so that there would be no surprises. I talked to Bill again, who again insisited the car was perfect.

With any car deal there are three major considerations: price, trade-in, and financing. Any one of these three could be a deal-buster. I handled each in turn.

The asking price was $19,990. I cut to the chase: "What's it gonna cost me to take it home?" He hesitated then replied "about $19,000." I figured that was reasonable, so I moved to the trade-in.

According to Edmund's, the Neon I wanted to trade had a trade-in value of about $10,500. But of course my book didn't really matter; what mattered was what his book said. So I asked. He got out his book we went over the specs on my Neon, and he came up with a trade in the low 10s. "Hmm, my payoff is $11,400," I remarked, "this could be a problem." Bill assured me that with the mileage adjustment, they'd be able to make the payoff. All that remained was the financing.

So I faxed in a credit application, which came back approved. Bill wasn't able to discuss percentage rates, but I expected that. I'd already gotten a quote from my usual lender, so I knew what to expect.

Finally, as a precaution, I pulled a CarFax on the car. It was clean. The price was settled, the trade was agreed, and the financing was set. The only thing that could mess this up was unreported accident damage. I put a refundable $100 deposit on the car via credit card to hold it until the weekend.

When I arrived, I found the Firebird to be in excellent shape, as promised, if somewhat dirty. I took it out for a test-drive and was pleased to find the car drove well. I knew my trade was immaculate -- in fact, cleaner than the Firebird -- so there would be no problems. I went in to sign the papers.

"Now, let's have a look at the numbers," Bill said, a strange statement considering we already looked at the numbers over the phone.

Well, that's what I thought.

Bill slid a piece of paper across his desk just like the stereotype. What was on it boiled my blood. the price of the car was apparently now $21,990 and my trade was now only worth $9,500. A five thousand dollar difference from what we had discussed not two days earlier!

He allowed that he might be able to "do something" and went to his manager. When he returned, he suggested that we could reach an agreement if I could "work with him".

I challenged him to honor his original deal. He refused. I walked. Or, more accurately, I drove five hours home in the same car I arrived with.

MY OPINION:

It takes a special breed of slimy, phlegm-brained lizard to back out of a deal at the last second. To deliberately make a false deal and then force the client to drive five hours with his family only to pull the switch puts the perpetrator in company with the gutter leeches that thrive by sucking the life out of honest and productive citizens of our community.

Bill Wendler's behavior is reprehensible, the sort of backhanded skullduggery one might expect from a street urchin. Whatever low opinion society may have for used-car dealers, this sort of deceit brings the trade to a new level of unethical behavior. That Devon Nissan would knowingly employ persons of this character certainly raises grave questions about the integrity of the entire operation.

Scams like this may have been the norm ten years ago, but this is the information age. Customers who have been wronged are empowered to speak out and warn the world where the gutter leeches find sanctuary. We no longer need tolerate their abuses of our open and free society. When you have been wronged, speak out! Let us all know of their deception.

Bill Wendler, you are a common prick. And Devon Nissan, you are a disgrace for harboring shysters like this.