Tom Benson Nightmare (and a happy ending) - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

firstmate · 06-03-2009, 07:43 PM

I just posted the same/similar issue, my dealer read my post and said he was putting my car up for sale, and was sending my money to me via FEDEX... I am starting over from scratch, and hoping for a better experience by using a dealer that is listed here as honorable.

Good luck!!!

Hylton · 06-03-2009, 07:47 PM

The only thing you can do here is to try to talk some sense into them. Otherwise it's time to start shopping elsewhere.

SSOOCH · 06-03-2009, 07:48 PM

if you really want it, $4K is nothing..just buy it.

ShAgMaN · 06-03-2009, 07:53 PM

The problem gets worse. The saleswoman who no longer works for the dealer is the one who assured me the price would stay at MSRP. I don’t want to drop names (fear of getting banned), but if anyone knows of her, the salesman who took over for her, or the dealer and has the same issue please PM me. If there is a group of us that gets screwed, maybe it would be more affordable and a better case in court proceedings. I want my Camaro, not the Challenger, but I don’t want to deal with a company that doesn’t give a crap about their customers. Maybe getting rid of the Tahoe is meaningless, but right now I have serious resentment. I'm just really confused.

LadiesMan217 · 06-03-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSOOCH

if you really want it, $4K is nothing..just buy it.

Man, some people just have money growing in their garden huh?

You realize if you finance $4000...you're paying roughly $80/month more.

ShAgMaN · 06-03-2009, 08:05 PM

I wish 4K was nothing to me, but its the only reason I wasnt able to buy a 2SS right now. I'm happy with a 1SS, and that is what I agreed to. They arent even arguing the cost agreed on, just telling me there is a market demand mark up (or something like this - cant remember the exact b.s. verbage)........they say anyone who buys from them will endure this. They also said most dealers are marking up 5K and they are only at 4,100 + a GM adjustment of around 1K, which I didnt even get into. I talked to the sales manager and he said he would talk to the salesman and get back to me, this was 3 hrs ago.

Vash · 06-03-2009, 08:07 PM

Sorry to hear about it. Work the local media.

Send out some letters to the Chamber and the dealership.

jdanza · 06-03-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikenmar

Why is that a joke? It's a simple breach of contract claim.

If I had a sales agreement in writing (in most states it must be signed as well), and the dealer wanted to charge more than the agreed-upon price, I would file a suit in small claims court for the difference between the agreed-upon price and the market value of the car.

So, if you agreed on a price of $30,000, and the dealer ended up selling it to someone else for $35,000, you could sue for $5,000 in money damages.

In most (all?) states, you'd need a written, signed agreement to do this. (This is required under the Statute of Frauds, which varies slightly from state to state.) But it only needs to be signed by the party against whom the lawsuit is filed (the dealer or his authorized representative. e.g. the salesman).

Furthermore, you don't need a lawyer to file a suit in small claims court, you just fill out the forms. And here in California, you can even serve a subpoena. I'd subpoena the salesman who made the deal with me, and any documents they have pertaining to the sale of the car to someone else.

Yeah, you could go thru all the time and trouble of going to court but that will not get you the car.... I'm not even sure you can have a valid sales contract without the VIN #.
The best way to resolve it is all the members of this site call or email the dealer and complain to the dealer, it's worked before. I will do it if the member wants us to, and I hope others would do it for me.

I think you wasting your time with a lawsuit

Legend · 06-03-2009, 08:23 PM

Wow...not what I expected from Tom Benson!! I bought from them as well, was #1 with them. Did not experience this when I got my car???

Not anything I could do but I'll try to make a call for you and see what they say?

John Farnen · 06-03-2009, 08:29 PM

I'd talk to the dealer, then I'd tell the newspaper, local TV etc, then I'd find a new dealer. A neighbor has the Challanger, trust me, you'll like the Camaro much more. I wouldn't pay 4K over, that's nutz.

Vash · 06-03-2009, 08:29 PM

How far up the Benson food chain did you go?

Could be they are just trying to see if you'll bite. Fight back and be polite but firm. Tell sales mgr they should honor the deal.

If not walk and just wait. Don't give up on the car cause of idiots.

ShAgMaN · 06-03-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I am Legend

Wow...not what I expected from Tom Benson!! I bought from them as well, was #1 with them. Did not experience this when I got my car???

Not anything I could do but I'll try to make a call for you and see what they say?

So weird Legend cause the sales manager told me you were asked to pay the mark up increase but went to the GM or GM (was unclear on that) and it was decided you were a "special case" - so this guy is totally full of **** huh?

sykb47l · 06-03-2009, 08:49 PM

Wow this sucks, i've heard Tom Benson was pretty good. Guess I heard wrong.

My salesman at Freedom Chevy signed the MSRP contract and had the general manager of the dealership also sign it.

Treadstone · 06-03-2009, 08:55 PM

You guys saying a signed paper won't matter are wrong. It's a breach of contract a simple "slam dunk". He would win in the courts, and more than likely the dealership would be forced to pay his lawyer fees (a couple of thousand). Plus they'd be forced to put in a similar order.

Point is, the dealership would lose, and it's not worth the mark up they would gain on a 1ss.

06-03-2009, 07:43 PM	#15
firstmate Drives: 2010 Blk/Gry SS/RS M6 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 453 View My Garage	I just posted the same/similar issue, my dealer read my post and said he was putting my car up for sale, and was sending my money to me via FEDEX... I am starting over from scratch, and hoping for a better experience by using a dealer that is listed here as honorable. Good luck!!! __________________ Ordered 10-13-08 2SS/RS M6 BLK/GRY VIN #2386 Delivered 6-11-09 - Woo Hoo!!! Hey Houston locals-------- Join the H-Town Camaro Club www.H-TownCamaroClub.com

06-03-2009, 07:47 PM	#16
Hylton Drives: fanboys and ass kissers crazy. Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 7,275	The only thing you can do here is to try to talk some sense into them. Otherwise it's time to start shopping elsewhere. __________________ "BBOMG - More than just a car show.... It's an experience!"

06-03-2009, 07:48 PM	#17
SSOOCH Camaro SL,UTs Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS #16429 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Jordan, UT Posts: 7,357 View My Garage	if you really want it, $4K is nothing..just buy it. __________________

06-03-2009, 08:55 PM	#28
Treadstone Drives: Z51 BABY! Join Date: May 2009 Location: LSFREE~!!!!! Posts: 786	You guys saying a signed paper won't matter are wrong. It's a breach of contract a simple "slam dunk". He would win in the courts, and more than likely the dealership would be forced to pay his lawyer fees (a couple of thousand). Plus they'd be forced to put in a similar order. Point is, the dealership would lose, and it's not worth the mark up they would gain on a 1ss. __________________

06-03-2009, 07:53 PM	#18
ShAgMaN Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS SIM Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 250 View My Garage	The problem gets worse. The saleswoman who no longer works for the dealer is the one who assured me the price would stay at MSRP. I don’t want to drop names (fear of getting banned), but if anyone knows of her, the salesman who took over for her, or the dealer and has the same issue please PM me. If there is a group of us that gets screwed, maybe it would be more affordable and a better case in court proceedings. I want my Camaro, not the Challenger, but I don’t want to deal with a company that doesn’t give a crap about their customers. Maybe getting rid of the Tahoe is meaningless, but right now I have serious resentment. I'm just really confused.

06-03-2009, 08:05 PM	#20
ShAgMaN Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS SIM Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 250 View My Garage	I wish 4K was nothing to me, but its the only reason I wasnt able to buy a 2SS right now. I'm happy with a 1SS, and that is what I agreed to. They arent even arguing the cost agreed on, just telling me there is a market demand mark up (or something like this - cant remember the exact b.s. verbage)........they say anyone who buys from them will endure this. They also said most dealers are marking up 5K and they are only at 4,100 + a GM adjustment of around 1K, which I didnt even get into. I talked to the sales manager and he said he would talk to the salesman and get back to me, this was 3 hrs ago.

06-03-2009, 08:07 PM	#21
Vash Drives: 00 Blazer Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 5,100	Sorry to hear about it. Work the local media. Send out some letters to the Chamber and the dealership.

06-03-2009, 08:23 PM	#23
Legend Hello! Drives: 2008 JSB Z06! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 2,624 View My Garage	Wow...not what I expected from Tom Benson!! I bought from them as well, was #1 with them. Did not experience this when I got my car??? Not anything I could do but I'll try to make a call for you and see what they say?

06-03-2009, 08:29 PM	#24
John Farnen Drives: 1969 RSSS Convertable Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Belpre, Ohio Posts: 228	I'd talk to the dealer, then I'd tell the newspaper, local TV etc, then I'd find a new dealer. A neighbor has the Challanger, trust me, you'll like the Camaro much more. I wouldn't pay 4K over, that's nutz.

06-03-2009, 08:49 PM	#27
sykb47l Drives: 73' VW Bug Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 761	Wow this sucks, i've heard Tom Benson was pretty good. Guess I heard wrong. My salesman at Freedom Chevy signed the MSRP contract and had the general manager of the dealership also sign it.