Unscrupulous Car Dealership~~Empire Hyundai in MA

Life is challenging enough without having to associate with apathetic people. My inclination towards being kindhearted makes it difficult for me to understand the motivating force behind such people. Avoiding individuals who possess this type of personality is an action I practice diligently yet at times I find myself in one’s path.  Limiting exposure to callous, dispassionate and unscrupulous people is easier to accomplish when it concerns our personal friendships than it is when we venture out into the business world.  What kind of business person would be apathetic, callous, dispassionate and unscrupulous?  Who else but the car salesperson?

Understandably car dealers and salespeople need to sell cars if they wish to have an income. This does not make unethical sales practices acceptable.  Often the tactics employed skirt the law and come dangerously close to crossing the line.  The object of the game is to sell cars regardless of the potential buyer’s circumstances.

Being persuasive, suggestive and skillful at manipulation are essential attributes to a salesperson’s persona.  One can assume that these characteristics are extensions of the seller’s moral philosophy.  The responsible consumer would be well advised to obey the Latin rule Caveat Emptor: Let the Buyer Beware.

Falling prey to emotional manipulation is difficult to avoid. Maturity allows humans some mastery over their sensibilities but the control is not guaranteed.  My daughter allowed her emotions to victimize her this week and as her parents we proved that our emotional discipline was also fallible. Earlier this week I posted an article Holding The Reins On Your Emotions regarding Michaela’s need for a new vehicle.  Over the course of the past week we have become increasingly aware that the car dealership was employing dishonest means to persuade us into purchasing a 2009 auto from them.  Upon her initial contact with the dealership, Michaela was led to believe that her age was the only obstacle preventing her from obtaining a loan.  My husband and I agreed to co sign for a loan after being told that we were pre qualified.  The finance manager assured us the loan would be granted and the car was placed in my daughter’s hands.  Through out this long week my daughter was forming an attachment with the vehicle while we were battling to find financing.  Monday we were informed that the loan would be in my husband’s name only and my daughter would not be able to be included until her 18^th birthday this November. Tuesday brought the news that due to our already having a car loan we would need a co signer.  “Merely a formality” was the statement made to us.  My daughter was distraught over the possibility of losing the car. Her disappointment weighed heavy on us. We sought out a solution but our options were eliminated one by one. Thursday we made the decision to opt for plan B which was purchasing a used car.  The dealership offered us “guaranteed financing” if we selected an older car but agreed to the same conditions as when purchasing the 2009.  Not willing to fall prey to their manipulations again we informed them we would not be doing business with them and the car would be returned Friday.  The dealership contacted my daughter and informed her if the vehicle was not turned in by noon Friday the car would be reported as stolen to the police. Work and school were not factors they were willing to make allowance for. Terrorizing a 17 year old girl is not what I consider ethical sales practice.  My husband professed our displeasure to the dealership and requested our deposit be returned to us as well as the car used as a trade-in. The business manager exerted that a check would be issued after ten business days.  Our online banking statement assures us that the check was cleared Monday morning. My husband and daughter will arrive at the dealership in a few hours prepared for a battle. This dealership will never be utilized by my family again and we will strongly urge others to cease patronizing them.