Cherokee Hyundai (GA) $100.00 for "free oil chances for life"

[bgillson]

I recently purchased a 2015 Genesis from Cherokee Hyundai in Kennesaw, GA. It's a wonderful car, the dealer, on the other hand........ As part of the sale I was promised free oil changes for life, no further specifics, just "free for life". When I took delivery there was a large sticker all the way across the rear window (2" letters) advertising Cherokee Hyundai. It was removed by me the very night I took the car home. Several days ago, I took the car in for the first service and was advised there was a $29.95 charge for the oil change because the car no longer wore the sticker. I protested this with the sales manager (not to mention having to pay for an initial service in the first place) and imagine my surprise when he informed me they would gladly refund the $100.00 fee I had been charged for this benefit! NOWHERE on any of the sales documents was the charge or the stipulation of keeping the sticker on the car. This is my second Genesis and I really love the car, but the dealer has totally shattered my confidence with their deceptive sales technique. They did not disclose the stipulation or the charge on any of the paperwork presented to me. Not the type of treatment or customer care that one would expect on the purchase of a "high end" vehicle. I will find another dealer for my future needs and regret that I have actually referred folks to this dealer!

 

[rickkapur]

Talk to the Dealership GM. Put the issue in writing; and see what they can do

 

[homeofstone]

I looked at their web site and in the fine print the oil changes are for as long as you on the car. 99.00 additional fee and it says nothing about a a sign or label or any other conditions. So go after them man.

 

[Mark_888]

... the dealer has totally shattered my confidence with their deceptive sales technique.

Let me get this straight. You had confidence in the honesty of a car salesman?

You must be kidding me, or maybe you are from another planet.

 

[warreneaux4]

Let me get this straight. You had confidence in the honesty of a car salesman?

You must be kidding me, or maybe you are from another planet.

Mark888, sometimes circumstances dictate a different avenue one must travel in order to make a living.
It happened to me in the mid 90's and I became a Car Salesman.
I made up my mind two things when it happened.
One, I would not work on Sunday and Two, I will not tell a lie on order to sell a car.
Some of my best friends are people I sold cars to during that time, some of them multiple vehicles.
I sold 55 cars to members of my Church and surrounding Churches on the District.
So you see, you cannot lump all "car Salesmen" in one group and call them bad.
Earl
And what did you do, or do you do for an honest living?

 

[srobak]

Get your C-note back and take it elsewhere for oil changes (Kia dealer?) - or do them yourself.

 

[Mark_888]

Mark888, sometimes circumstances dictate a different avenue one must travel in order to make a living.
It happened to me in the mid 90's and I became a Car Salesman.
I made up my mind two things when it happened.
One, I would not work on Sunday and Two, I will not tell a lie on order to sell a car.
Some of my best friends are people I sold cars to during that time, some of them multiple vehicles.
I sold 55 cars to members of my Church and surrounding Churches on the District.
So you see, you cannot lump all "car Salesmen" in one group and call them bad.
Earl
And what did you do, or do you do for an honest living?

warreneaux4,

I think your circumstance was somewhat unique (based on my experience), but I agree that not 100% of car salespersons will lie or hide pertinent information. But the vast majority of them will not always tell the consumer everything the consumer should know about the purchase. Also, even if the salesperson is honest and forthright, they may be forced into a situation where the dealership is not completely honest, even if the salesperson is.

Selling cars is a tough business, and I don't necessarily put the full blame on the salesperson or even the dealership. The consumer must be aware of what they are getting into, they must read everything before signing a document, and if they don't do that, it is just as much the customer's fault, not just the salesman or dealership. In my response above, I was questioning the judgment of the customer, just as much as the dealership or salesperson.

The point is, in a business transaction, trust no one on the other side of a business transaction without verification. Ignore all verbal claims that are not in writing (because verbal commitments are not legally enforceable for a car purchase).

As far as my background, it is not relevant to this discussion other than to say I have enough experience buying cars and buying real estate to know that everything must be in writing, so read everything before you sign.

 

[bgillson]

I did discuss this with a sales manager, that's when I found out they had charged me $99.00 for this "opportunity", it was not itemized or referenced anywhere on the sales documents I received. I have also sent a note to the General Manager. The $99.00 is supposed to be refunded however, I have not received any acknowledgement or even the courtesy of a response from the GM. Needless to say, I will look elsewhere for service and certainly for future purchases. It is unfortunate that such a fine, quality vehicle is overshadowed by extremely questionable sales tactics! An excellent product should not require sleazy vendors!

 

[bgillson]

warreneaux4,

I think your circumstance was somewhat unique (based on my experience), but I agree that not 100% of car salespersons will lie or hide pertinent information. But the vast majority of them will not always tell the consumer everything the consumer should know about the purchase. Also, even if the salesperson is honest and forthright, they may be forced into a situation where the dealership is not completely honest, even if the salesperson is.

Selling cars is a tough business, and I don't necessarily put the full blame on the salesperson or even the dealership. The consumer must be aware of what they are getting into, they must read everything before signing a document, and if they don't do that, it is just as much the customer's fault, not just the salesman or dealership. In my response above, I was questioning the judgment of the customer, just as much as the dealership or salesperson.

The point is, in a business transaction, trust no one on the other side of a business transaction without verification. Ignore all verbal claims that are not in writing (because verbal commitments are not legally enforceable for a car purchase).

As far as my background, it is not relevant to this discussion other than to say I have enough experience buying cars and buying real estate to know that everything must be in writing, so read everything before you sign.

Shouldn't the dealer provide the customer with an exact copies of all documents signed? The copy I was given says NOTHING about having to display their sticker, nor does it reference any fee what-so-ever for the "free benefit"!

 

[Huddleston]

fight them, call the local news station, the GM, hell even go hold a sign up one Saturday morning. eventually they will cave.

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[homeofstone]

fight them, call the local news station, the GM, hell even go hold a sign up one Saturday morning. eventually they will cave.

I would go see dealer's GM with a consumer reporter from one of the major Atlanta tv stations. Any station would love this. Several years ago we had an issue with Rich's Dept. Store and my wife went to channel 11 in ATL. Rich's then made it right after the TV news report.

 

[Mark_888]

Shouldn't the dealer provide the customer with an exact copies of all documents signed? The copy I was given says NOTHING about having to display their sticker, nor does it reference any fee what-so-ever for the "free benefit"!

I guess it depends whether they added the $100 to the price of the car without you noticing it, assuming it does not show up as a separate line item. Or maybe the quote they gave you included the $100 fee for oil changes.

As to having to display the dealer sign on your window to get free oil changes, unless they told you about that in writing, they cannot legally demand that as part of the deal. But some dealers don't pay any attention as to what is legal, and just assume you won't sue them because the cost of a lawyer is lot more than $100.

My original point was that if the dealer mentioned the free oil changes as part of the deal, you should have asked them where that is documented in the sales contract, and made sure you understood the complete terms of the deal. Verbal statements are not enforceable under the law for a purchase the size of a car. In most states, any contract over $500 must be in writing to be enforced, and all applicable terms must be included in the written contract or addendums.

 

[bgillson]

I guess it depends whether they added the $100 to the price of the car without you noticing it, assuming it does not show up as a separate line item. Or maybe the quote they gave you included the $100 fee for oil changes.

As to having to display the dealer sign on your window to get free oil changes, unless they told you about that in writing, they cannot legally demand that as part of the deal. But some dealers don't pay any attention as to what is legal, and just assume you won't sue them because the cost of a lawyer is lot more than $100.

My original point was that if the dealer mentioned the free oil changes as part of the deal, you should have asked them where that is documented in the sales contract, and made sure you understood the complete terms of the deal. Verbal statements are not enforceable under the law for a purchase the size of a car. In most states, any contract over $500 must be in writing to be enforced, and all applicable terms must be included in the written contract or addendums.

Mark-
I appreciate your insight. The charge was obviously buried in the dealer processing fees, as there was no specific line item for it. The sales manager informed me that my sales rep was no longer employed there because of similar "questionable" techniques. That is of no comfort to me, my frustration is the dealers lack of integrity in attempting to satisfy a loyal, repeat customer. The sales manager actually admitted to me that the copy of the form in my paperwork does not reflect the sticker stipulation but does on the original (top) form that they retain in their file. Not a very "legit" way to run a railroad! The dollar amount is small and of little consequence, I am angered by their deceptive practice and lack of loyalty to a previously loyal and good customer.

 

[Mark_888]

The sales manager actually admitted to me that the copy of the form in my paperwork does not reflect the sticker stipulation but does on the original (top) form that they retain in their file.

That sounds like fraud to me. Did he actually show you his copy of the form with the sticker requirement?

 

[bgillson]

That sounds like fraud to me. Did he actually show you his copy of the form with the sticker requirement?

Yes and it does appear on their copy but not mine. He did indicate that they have revised that form since, but that really doesn't do much good for me. I don't know if it is fraud or just plain ignorance, either way, it is pretty pathetic customer service. It has become a matter of principle and sadly, all too common with dealers these days!

 

[Mark_888]

Yes and it does appear on their copy but not mine. He did indicate that they have revised that form since, but that really doesn't do much good for me. I don't know if it is fraud or just plain ignorance, either way, it is pretty pathetic customer service. It has become a matter of principle and sadly, all too common with dealers these days!

I think the dealer should change their promotion from "free oil changes for life" to "screwed by dealer for life."

 

[homeofstone]

I guess it depends whether they added the $100 to the price of the car without you noticing it, assuming it does not show up as a separate line item. Or maybe the quote they gave you included the $100 fee for oil changes.

As to having to display the dealer sign on your window to get free oil changes, unless they told you about that in writing, they cannot legally demand that as part of the deal. But some dealers don't pay any attention as to what is legal, and just assume you won't sue them because the cost of a lawyer is lot more than $100.

My original point was that if the dealer mentioned the free oil changes as part of the deal, you should have asked them where that is documented in the sales contract, and made sure you understood the complete terms of the deal. Verbal statements are not enforceable under the law for a purchase the size of a car. In most states, any contract over $500 must be in writing to be enforced, and all applicable terms must be included in the written contract or addendums.

I still say you have a law suit for more than the 100.00 because their web site regarding the free oil changes for life does not state " other conditions may apply" or "see terms and conditions noted in sales contract" or "buyer must meet required terms and conditions" I think you get my point. Without the fine print in their advertisement they are required to honor their offer due to truth in advertising laws.

 

[Huddleston]

^^^ agree 100%. not to mention the pain and suffering you've endured

 

[homeofstone]

^^^ agree 100%. not to mention the pain and suffering you've endured

Yes, and its not the just $100.00 or 99.00 which is in the dealer's online site. Its the value of all the oil changes for as long as the original owner owns the car plus false advertising and deceptive trade practices.

So TV consumer reporter then lawyer if not settled.

 

[Mark_888]

^^^ agree 100%. not to mention the pain and suffering you've endured

Under contract law, one cannot usually collect for "pain and suffering" unless there are actually medical bills associated with that. Liability laws are usually different and may allow for such additional claims related to pain and suffering, punitive damages, etc as specified under the law.

Contract law remedies are usually limited to actual damages, specific performance (in lieu of monetary damages), and legal fees.