Tom Benson Nightmare (and a happy ending)

[ShAgMaN]

Ok, so after some rather harsh post attempts – all which were blocked – let me explain how I’m being screwed over by Tom Benson in San Antonio. Oh, and by the way, I sold my cherry 67 SS 350 Camaro to buy a 2010 1SS Camaro.

In December of 2008 I sold my beloved 67, and ordered a 2010 in January. I ordered my Camaro at MSRP and was assured it would remain at this price. This Monday I received a call that my Camaro would be delivered within the next ten days. Today I called my salesman and asked if I could get the VIN, which he said he would send on Monday but forgot. While talking, he mentioned the price of 35,700 and some change…………..huh?

I specifically ordered a Camaro that had an MSRP shy of 31K. It was a 1SS with the only option of the polished wheels. I’m so flipping pissed I cant think straight and don’t know what to do. I have worked my @ss off to get this car and now my dream is fading.

I’m now considering saving to buy a Challenger and selling my Tahoe to spite GM, which may be wrong, but I’m emotionally disturbed.

Help………………

[ljustin293]

Originally Posted by ShAgMaN

Ok, so after some rather harsh post attempts – all which were blocked – let me explain how I’m being screwed over by Tom Benson in San Antonio. Oh, and by the way, I sold my cherry 67 SS 350 Camaro to buy a 2010 1SS Camaro.

In December of 2008 I sold my beloved 67, and ordered a 2010 in January. I ordered my Camaro at MSRP and was assured it would remain at this price. This Monday I received a call that my Camaro would be delivered within the next ten days. Today I called my salesman and asked if I could get the VIN, which he said he would send on Monday but forgot. While talking, he mentioned the price of 35,700 and some change…………..huh?

I specifically ordered a Camaro that had an MSRP shy of 31K. It was a 1SS with the only option of the polished wheels. I’m so flipping pissed I cant think straight and don’t know what to do. I have worked my @ss off to get this car and now my dream is fading.

I’m now considering saving to buy a Challenger and selling my Tahoe to spite GM, which may be wrong, but I’m emotionally disturbed.

Help………………

breathe and relax...before you do something crazy...fight for your msrp..first of all...do you have it in writing???

[chevyridinghigh]

Did you have the deal in writing? If not.... your screwed

[DeathChill]

Does having the deal in writing really help? I don't think any dealer will give a damn if you have a piece of paper or not.

[jdanza]

That's terrible. Dealers suck, I hope I don't have the same issue when my car is in but I would not be too shocked if I did

[ljustin293]

Originally Posted by DeathChill

Does having the deal in writing really help? I don't think any dealer will give a damn if you have a piece of paper or not.

That is a writen agreement...yes it matters...

papers matter now..not handshakes like they used to.

[jdanza]

Paper really does not really matter.... what can you do sue ?? that's a joke

[qbert48]

Originally Posted by DeathChill

Does having the deal in writing really help? I don't think any dealer will give a damn if you have a piece of paper or not.

+1
but without it he may be screwed
oh crap not another phone call dealers stop screwing us
phone in hand say the word

[ShAgMaN]

No, I don’t have anything in writing. I have the original order invoice and thought they stapled my signed order to it, but they didn’t. I was too excited and didn’t notice, and even when I did the next day, I felt it wouldn’t be an issue.

[ljustin293]

well I would still fight for it...do all you can and don't accept the car before you get it. (or don't get it if you don't want to)

[ShAgMaN]

I'm going to fight for it, but you know they can sell the car for more, so basically I'm screwed. I mean really, what can I do? Ive told them if they dont sell me it for MSRP I'll never buy GM again (which is true) but what else can I do?

[mikenmar]

Originally Posted by jdanza

Paper really does not really matter.... what can you do sue ?? that's a joke

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.

[ffrcobra_65]

Originally Posted by ShAgMaN

Ok, so after some rather harsh post attempts – all which were blocked – let me explain how I’m being screwed over by Tom Benson in San Antonio. Oh, and by the way, I sold my cherry 67 SS 350 Camaro to buy a 2010 1SS Camaro.

In December of 2008 I sold my beloved 67, and ordered a 2010 in January. I ordered my Camaro at MSRP and was assured it would remain at this price. This Monday I received a call that my Camaro would be delivered within the next ten days. Today I called my salesman and asked if I could get the VIN, which he said he would send on Monday but forgot. While talking, he mentioned the price of 35,700 and some change…………..huh?

I specifically ordered a Camaro that had an MSRP shy of 31K. It was a 1SS with the only option of the polished wheels. I’m so flipping pissed I cant think straight and don’t know what to do. I have worked my @ss off to get this car and now my dream is fading.

I’m now considering saving to buy a Challenger and selling my Tahoe to spite GM, which may be wrong, but I’m emotionally disturbed.

Help………………

Is it possible he quoted you the Out the Door price? Meaning, $35k for car, TTL, etc. etc? Even so, there is still a bit of a mark-up issue. But $5k+ mark-up would be plain robbery! Do try to work it out with the manager. After all, the $35k was from the salesman's mouth, correct? Perhaps, he just wanted to throw that out there in case you take it, it costs him nothing to do so and could earn him a few bucks more in commision if you take it.

Talk to the manager and explain the situation. As much as you probably want to hit them with a baseball bat, speak to them in a civil way, and keep an open mind for an agreeable resolution. Understand, if you butt heads with them or get in an ego contest, they have nothing to lose, but they get to keep their in-demand car to sell to someone else at a marked up price.

Oh, why would you sell the Tahoe just to spite them? They wouldn't know and they could care less. Thousands of GM cars go through ownership transfer every day. IN the end, you are only spiting yourself. Don't do it for that reason.

Saving for Challenger? If you are willing to save and spend more on a Challenger so that means the Camaro was your second choice from the beginning. Go with that if the Challenger is what you really wanted but don't do that just because some salesman or dealer could be screwing you over. If a Camaro is what you want, then stick to it. Deal with a different dealer to get it.

Good luck and I hope you get the car you really want.

PJ

[kdoske]

i really hope this doesn't happen to me, I am so afraid of this. I don't have it in writing either.