Woman goes in for an oil change, comes out with a new car

The 77-year-old woman says she didn't want the car and couldn't afford, but a saleswoman pressured her to "try out" the 2008 Hyundai Azera with promises that she could return it the next day. She's suing. (Des Moines Register)

Comments

[Lou Sussler]

I don't have a lot of sympathy.

The saleswoman "was persistent in her request that (McKnight) look at cars with her" until McKnight agreed, the lawsuit alleges.

Why not say something like "Get Away From Me. I told you 5 times I'm not looking at cars."

If you're so stupid to sign papers to buy a car that you didn't want, you deserve what you get. Also, who in their right mind would believe someone who indicated that you can return the car the next day without seeing that guarantee in writing?

[Lou Sussler]

More:

"She said she made excuses to leave, but was ignored."

I don't really understand this. Why not just LEAVE. If they were holding her hostage, she could have called the police. If not, she could have paid for her oil change, got in her car and left.

Or Screamed. Or something.

[thomas]

Women should never go to a dealership alone.

[Barstool Babe]

Lou: This woman is from a generation that taught women to be accommodating and nice to sales people. She was taken advantage of by younger SALES people who weren't interested in protecting an elder citizen but only in achieving their sales goals. Disreputable and dishonest salespeople see elderly people as easy marks and go in for the kill. It's a shame that our local, state and federal governments have to enact laws to protect others from the bottom feeders.

[Phranqlin]

Plenty of blame to go around here. Ms. McKnight should have showed a little backbone and not signed paperwork for a new car that she couldn't afford. Like many women, she's been socialized to be too nice to people.

However, the car dealers are douchebags for continuing to pester her about buying a new vehicle after she told them she only wanted an oil change.

[LTABA]

I once drove a co-worker (single woman, near retirement age) back to a dealer in her new car. The dealer had taken her keys to "assess her trade-in" and refused to return them to her for hours until they had browbeat her into signing a contract for a new car. They worked her over pretty good -- a series of sales guys teamed up on her. I had to walk in, tell them that they had better have her old car in front of the office within ten minutes, tore up the contract in front of them and told them that they should be ashamed of themselves. The sales manager's only comment, "Gee, you see to be pretty angry."

[LimeGreenLizard]

Onset of dementia?

[DCer]

This kind of thing happened to my mother when she got her car repaired. She "signed" paperwork that didn't look like her own signature for undercoating and related crap. I told the manager I was going to call the police to assess the situation because I expected it was fraud and he immediately capitulated, handed me the car keys, and we left. To my mother? He would give her the car keys until she paid him $550.

My cousin-in-law who's a cop had to come in uniform to pick up cars for two elderly relatives when mysterious charges appeared.

I am sure this is nothing but fraud on the part of the dealer.

[pms]

As someone else said, plenty of blame to go around. The car dealers were just living up to their well-eanred stereotype.....sleazebags using evey deceptive trick in their old book handed down from generation to generation in the car sales "profession". On the other hand, how do you get through 77 years of life being able to be bullied into buying a $26,000 Hyundai?? If this was my mother I would be hyperventilating due to my blood boiling when I went back to that dealership with her contract and new POS....and a news crew.

This did happen to me once.....I specifically ordered the Super Sport Wagon in antartic blue and they tried to sell me a Metallic Pea Wagon Queen Family Truckster....when I demanded my trade-in back they had already sent it to the crusher.

[Bill]

Sometime about 1980 or so I was visiting my Grandfather when he got a call from a very distraught widow friend of hers. She had brought her Buick in for service, and nearly had the same thing happen to her.

She was too distraught to even drive home, and I remember having to drive her car home as she rode with my grandparents.

[RockyMtnMac]

I worked for 2 seperate car dealerships, and you guys are way off base.
None of you have even come close to the oozing, smarmy, nasty, evil, vile, corruption that is a dealership.
The parts department (or the meth department) and the accounting department (or the coke department) were busy banging eachother in the stock room. The service department (or the coke AND meth department) serviced both areas. And they were the good ones! The sales department (and calling them bottom feeders is a HUGE insult to bottom feeders) were screwing customers in every sense of the word. I saw customers crying every single day. I have horror stories that are not fit to print (even here). I am sooo glad I got the hell out of there.
I hope this lady gets an advocate for the elderly after their asses, and I hope the salesman get ass-cancer.
And this time, I am not being too judgmental. Been there, saw that, have the T-shirt.

[Torgo]

Barstool Babe - "This woman is from a generation that taught women to be accommodating and nice to sales people." Really? Please!

Dementia, as LGL said, is more like it.

[GWC]

Welcome to the discussion, Clark W. Griswold, a.k.a pms!

[NitroPress]

They basically trapped this woman in their premises for EIGHT HOURS until she gave in and signed the confess... the agreement. Having been bruised about by car dealers (and I am neither little nor female nor elderly nor excessively polite), I'd come close to calling this kidnapping and extortion. Burn the place to the ground.

[NitroPress]

Sales teams that prey on the elderly are one step below child molesters, if you ask me.

[Handy Dandy]

If you have no sympathy for her then I'm glad your 401k got whacked. Same basic story.

[johnjohn]

Bar-Stool Babe,

Isn't this woman about the same age as the Granny who was so incredibly belligerent to a Texas DPS office that he called her dare and actually used his stun gun on her?

That generational excuse is a bunch of bull crap.

[David]

Something similar happened to my Grandmother. Unfortunately it was two lump sum payments that cleaned out her savings. They drove her to the bank.

[jojo]

I'm sure not all car dealers are bad! and if anyone knows of this exception to the rule, please let the rest of us know where this one rare creature is! I married into a family of car salesmen...believe me, the shit weasel mentality does not stop when they leave the lot! The idea of doing what is right for the customer does not exist, only the thought of what they will do with the money they make on the sale is important. The service department is absolutely no better either!

[Dave]

Ass cancer? LOL RMM, what kind of dealer was it? What make of car? Maybe that's irrelevant, I dunno, but I worked at a Nissan dealer years ago. It seemed a fairly respectable establishment in general. One of the salesman, though, a younger guy, took frequent breaks. He'd hide behind the trash dumpster and smoke pot or snort coke. I was horrified (I was young and idealistic at the time) but nobody else seemed to care, or found this particularly unusual.
One thing I saw there that bothered me even more, however, was an unwritten policy of the service department. If you didn't purchase your vehicle at this particular dealer, the service writer automatically put your work order at the bottom of the pile. You were last in line, regardless of your appointment time. Sometimes these people's cars weren't worked on at all. The service dept just didn't bother with them. As you can imagine, there were a lot of pissed off customers. It seemed very strange to me. After all, wouldn't you want to show customers how good the service was at your particular dealer? Wouldn't you want to impress them so that the next time they bought a vehicle, they'd buy it from you?

[American Veteran]

My Ma was about 30 miles from home with my aunt in my Ma's Chevy.
The red "brake" light went on on the dash and she pulled into a local service station in Boulder Junction WI.
My Ma & aunt were both in their late 70s.
The hemorrhoid at the station told my Ma that her car wasn't safe to drive adn that she heeded a complete brake job and to not drive it away.
Well, my Ma still had some spunk and was adventurous so, she tells the guy, "I got this far safely. I'll just drive home slowly."
It was about 20 miles.
When she got home, she called me to come take a look.

All it needed was to have the emergency cable tightened a bit to hold up the pedal.
No need to tell all of you what I said when I WENT TO THAT SERVICE STATION.
I got right there IN THE BASTARD'S FACE.
That felt really good.

On the other hand, I bought my Jag XJS out of ebay from a dealer in Ft Worth texass.
I got all the carfax stuff, VIN #, etc.
I talked to him, got pics and was going to fly down & drive it home.
I decided that, since I didn't really know the car, I'd have it trucked up here to WI.
This dealer split the truck cost with me.
When the car got here, it was as good or better than I expected.
Some of them are OK, even if they're the rare ones.

[Vic]

Enough blame to go around? Only if it's wrong for the elderly woman to be respectful of others (golden rule and all that).

Car dealerships are a breeding ground for scum.

I tend to have a short fuse (vocally, not physically) but try to control it. I once bought a new car which turned out to have some transportation damage which wasn't apparent until after I signed the paperwork (but before I left the lot). The dealer insisted that they would fix it "better than new." I was skeptical, but they pleaded with me to give them a chance and if I wasn't satisfied, they'd take the car back. Long story short - after weeks of "please, just one more chance" I said no; they then said I had waited too long to complain and wouldn't take the car back.

[BFT]

years back i worked at a dealership - wasn't all as bad as the experiences you folks describe. and there were actually times when the buyer did their best to screw over the dealer - like coming back with their trade-in (when the new car was ready) minus miscellaneous items like the floor mats, or perhaps the nice new battery was replaced with some worn out p.o.s.. little things of course, and the dealership does generaly makes out a little better. as far as the service work -more than likely that owner was put at the bottom of the list because they bought their car at a dealership 100 miles away to save a few dollars (due to trade value perhaps, that part really doesn't matter by the time it needs service) but then expects the local dealer to blow off loyal customers and work on their car first? would you? i seriously doubt it.

[NitroPress]

I've never had a service dealer care where I bought my car. Since they get to bill through all the work to warranty central, there's no reason they should. A customer is a customer and these days new cars can get taken for service anywhere. In fact, the last three times I've taken one of my cars in for service, the service writer managed to clue me to ask for certain things he knew were covered by ask-only SBs or recalls... such as a $1500 replacement of headlights with a little hazing in the lens plastic.

[RockyMtnMac]

I'm trying to not be envious of American Veteran's Jag....
Okay, throw that in with the Cutler trade, and I'll think about it.

[LimeGreenLizard]

“Grandma got run over by a dealer…”

Sorry, but ‘tis the season.

[Navy Chief]

I make it a point never to get my car serviced at a dealer. This is especially true because there is a great independent repair place just a few blocks from my house. Customer service there is outstanding.

As for dealerships, I once went in to see about a small, AWD vehicle. The salesman showed me an Olds Cutlass. Talk about clueless.

[Charles]

That generation of women were not taught to be assertive.
So stop judging her.

[SkyGrrl]

To whoever commented that their Nissan dealer was not slimy, I have the opposite story - bought a used Nissan from a Nissan dealer, did my research, negotiated a fair price, and bought the extended warranty (also at a negotiated price). Less than 200 miles later, the engine froze up, leaving me stranded on the side of the highway late at night and 60 miles from home. A little investigation by a mechanic showed that there was no way the dealer didn't know that there was something seriously wrong with the car, but they sold it anyway. At least they also sold the warranty, so it cost me only time and aggravation. After it was all over, I wrote a letter to Nissan Corporate to explain what their dealer had done (and what is cost them in the long run). I don't know what went down between them, but I do know that I'll never go near that dealership again *and* I warned off all my friends.

As for this story... yes, the old lady could have been more assertive, but the dealer staff knew exactly what they were doing - extorting a sale - and should be punished. I hope the court finds in her favor.

[icecycle]

The first google result for something called the Hull Dobs system is below.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A27880-2004Jul30.html

In the Louisville area* the salesman was told to take your keys and throw them on the roof as an incentive; I would imagine these fcuks treating a 77 year old as a relaxing treat after screwing over younger people.

*Hull Dobs Chevrolet; never bought anything there.

[Sheila]

I know someone who sells cars online and is quite honest. He used to work for dealerships and got so fed up with them that he went into business for himself. Some customers have their cars shipped, some fly to his city to drive them home. They're all thrilled with their "new" cars, but he's extremely choosy about his inventory.

[outofsalt]

Yes, there were women in that era who were raised to be "lady-like." Their protection? Hubby dearest (or the son) who took care of finances and car-related stuff.

There were also women who were raised differently, of course.

But that's just like nowadays. You run into somebody, and they could be good people, or they could be trash (of the Yuppie or trailer varieties). Luck of the draw.

[Lots42]

At some point, you either leave or pull out your cell phone and call 911 or start screaming 'Rape, rape'. I mean come on.

[Handy Dandy]

We bought two new Hondas back in 2000. We went in with a firm price and made it clear, we'll pay this price for these vehicles, no negotiation. (I'd done my homework.) They accepted the price and there was no hassle at all. Plus we got low-rate financing that was what they actually advertised, with no phony baloney added in on top. All honest, straightforward and as-stated. So yeah there are good dealers.

However if I had been a befuddled little old lady it might not have been the same story.

[LimeGreenLizard]

I think all guys here should let up on the little old lady. Unless you were one in a previous life and have full recall.

Most, but not all dealers are predators. Most could be 51% or more. I can't say, but most I've met have been shysters. (sp?)

A late friend of mine came home one afternoon to find a brand new Camaro in his driveway. Inside the kitchen, he found his freaked out wife and his extremely nervous and upset nineteen year old son. His son had stopped by a Chevy dealership to just check out the new model. He was about to start colloge, and had little income. Bless the benevolent banks and the dealership, they swayed the kid to purchase the car, approved the loan and gave him the keys.

What's the difference between a nineteen year old car-loving boy and a seventy seven year old woman? Not sure, but we're still looking into it. Early results show lack of emotional power over those seen as "authority figures".

My late friend, being the guy he was drove the car back, and threw a fit in the showroom in front of other customers. On purpose, of course. The other "customers" heard it all. Being in the business world, and knowing contract law, etc., he hit them hard with the facts. Utterly refused to leave the showroom. They told him it was too late, that the mail, containing the contract had already gone out. He prevailed because they relaized he was more knowledgeable in law. To their "surprise", the mail hadn't been picked up by the USPS. They were then more than happy to shred the papers, only after he demanded copies, "talked to his attorney", (his wife on the phone,) etc. All this in the showroom, because he knew he was doing damage there.

He said the only good thing was not having to chew out his son, who was scared sh*itless of a mistake he only realized later.

Anyone here ever realise a mistake only later? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

[Marc Kincade]

Hi-tech gadgetry!The vast number of ways to incorporate todays innovative devices for automobiles is astounding. Thanks for your insight into this growing field. Keep up the good work, Marc

[Los Angeles town car]

I feel bad for the poor woman! I hope she wins the lawsuit.

[Swriter]

I retired from Ford as a service writer & I screwed some & fell on the sword for others. If you acted like a jerk you paid through the teeth. For example, I had a guy come in & tell me he had a 9am appointment & his time was $ & he thought we should be able to fix his problem in an hour & for less the $150. or I would have a hard time sitting down after he got through tearing me a new a_ _. I told him wait in the lounge & I would do my best but it really depended on what the problem was. His issue was the passenger window wouldn't roll up. After it got back to the mechanic he came & got me & said there is nothing wrong with dude's window. He had flipped the window lock switch on so the mechanic flipped it off. I told the mechanic to sot on the car for 45 minutes and I would be back & tell him what to type in as the problem & fix. I went back in 45 minutes had him type in that the switch had been jostled & therefore wasn't fully engaged. I told him to bill for 1.25 hrs. I went & got the customer told him car was ready in less than hour(50 minutes) like he demanded & the bill was $125.00 also just as he requested. He paid the bill looked at the explanation of the fix, smiled & said to me looks like I paid $125. for being an az_hole. I smiled back & said certainly not I did just as you demanded. I took pride in screwing people like him over. However, the mechanic that made that easy money for that switch, did a 3 hour job & billed it at an hour 2 weeks later when a single mom had her car towed in because the new puppy chewed through some wires & lines while it was laying under the car. I never ever told anyone they needed work they didn't & if you treated me with courtesy & needed help then I would demand the the mechanic cut time off your job & I would get him the time back on another. I refused to even try to upsell jobs to elderly people. They only got what they absolutely needed. There was always plenty of "I am really too smart for you to take advantage of, I drive a luxury car, or am a Dr, Attorney or other highly paid executive" types to absolutely slaughter. I am not claiming to be a hero or Robin Hood but I had compassion. Combine deep pockets & rude behavior then my compassion went right out the window.