In the beginning of April 2010, my 2004 Honda Odyssey stopped working. I am a newly divorcee, so money on my end was very tight. I had my vehicle towed to the College Park Honda Dealership, because that was the dealership that we had originally brought my 2004 Honda Odyssey from. (paid in full) I asked if they could please run a diagnostics on my vehicle to let me know what was wrong with it. I explained to them that I was driving my vehicle and I heard a loud "popping" noise as if something snapped and it just cut off. I tried getting it jumped, battery was good, but it just wouldn't start. They first quoted me over $1,000 to get it fixed. Telling me a long list of things that was wrong with my vehicle. I asked them what is the main cause of my vehicle not working, that is what I want fixed so that I can have my vehicle to get back and forth to work. They informed me that I would have to replace my Fuel Pump. I finally agreed to only pay around $900.00 for it. In the meantime I had a friend of mines who was very familiar with cars, helping me understand. They finally gave me the run around after I kept calling to check on the status of my vehicle being fixed. They kept telling me that they will call me back, and never did. Finally my friend was picking me up from work and told me to call. I called and asked if my vehicle was ready, he said let me call you back. My friend said we will go up there. When we arrived, they claimed that they changed all of the parts and my vehicle still wasn't running. They told me that it "might" be my engine. In order for them to find that out, they would have to remove my engine from my vehicle, which would cost me well over $3,000.00 plus a $600.00 diagnostic fee that this outside facility charges. They couldn't tell me if this was the cause or root of my problem, but it was worth a try. I told them that this was crazy. They are the dealership whom I brought the vehicle from, so shouldn't they know if it was in fact my engine or not. I told them that I refuse to pay more than what my car was worth. They said Oh, we can let you talk to one of our sales persons. When I set down with the sales person, the first thing I told him was my credit issues, due to my recent divorce. He told me don't worry about a thing, we work with people everyday with worse credit. He pulled my information and asked me what did I need. I explained that I would need a vehicle that would accommodate my needs as a mother of three active children. I didn't care if the car was new or used, as long as it was reliable. After sitting in there for hours, he finally said that it would be helpful if I had a co-signer. So, I called my mother, who had just recently had hip surgery, to see if she could help me. She gave him all of her information. He came back and said that with her credit, there were still some issues, but he could see what he could do. I left. The next day he asked if I could come back. I came back, they showed me a 2010 Honda CRV and a Honda 2 door Civic. I noticed how small these vehicles were and stressed. I am not trying to be picky, I do need a vehicle right away, but I need one that would accommodate my needs. My kids and I travel, my younger two play sports and my oldest is a very active teenager. I am a Team Mom so I have to transport other children back and forth to games. He said he will see what he can do. So, my friend went back with me the next day, we were there ALL day and finally he said, we found something for you. A 2010 Honda Odyssey. I was so excited because it was the only one left on their lot of the 2010's. All of the rest of the vehicles were 2011's. I did inquire about a Honda Pilot, but was told that they didn't have anymore 2010 Honda Pilots left. They were all top of the line 2011's. I agreed to the vehicle, went in, signed all of the paperwork, was told how much the financing APR was and the amount of my car payment, was told that they would take care of my 2004 Honda Odyssey, which by the way the Service department was still trying to get me to pay $940.00 for the parts they put on the vehicle, that didn't solve the issue. They gave me $2926.00 something for trading in my 2004 Honda Odyssey and I didn't put any money down. Gave me my keys, gave me my old plates, told me that they would handle the transfer of title and so forth, because that was expired as of 4/30/2010, which was in 8 days of when I signed for this new vehicle. Sent me on my happy merry way. THEN ALL HECK broke lose. 2 weeks after receiving my new vehicle, I received a phone call telling me to call the dealership right away. I called the dealership and they proceeded to tell me that they were having a little issue in getting me financing, but not to worry, because they have over 25 different lending institutes that they deal with. They asked if I could provide any information in regards to my marital home situation. My marital homes payments were the responsibility of my ex-husbands, in which I did have a court signed agreement proving this. I said sure, no problem. I contacted my lawyer, she couldn't find the original agreement, but stated that the Divorce Decree should be enough. I even provided them the Shortsale Information from the Realator and Bank. I was told that somebody would contact me and not to worry. The next day I received another call asking if the bank askes me to pay a down payment, would I be able to. I said I could try and come up with something, how much? They told me $2500.00 would be a good down payment if I could do it. THANKFULLY, I was expecting some money from one of the courts decision in regards to one of my ex's accounts. I told them yes. I would bring it by as soon as possible. The very next day, I went in after work, with a certified check from my bank in the amount of $2500.00, resigned new paperwork with the figures and all, took the paperwork to my bedridden mother at the time, due to her hip surgery, had her sign it, took the paperwork back to the dealership and was told, everything will be okay. I also at the time brough in my title to my 2004 Honda Odyssey. My temp plates were expiring on 6/9/2010 and I still didn't have financing and they didn't send in any paperwork for my title and tags, because of this. I was told on numerous occasions not to worry. Finally, the rude and threatening phone calls came. I was told that I had to bring the vehicle back in to their dealership immediately. I was yelled at on the phone and told that I was not cooperative with them. After I went off on this individual and contacted the main person that I was dealing with all of this time, and told them of what was said, he straighten them all out. I was a nervous wreck, crying, and didn't know what to do. They finally told me that I had to bring it back and that they were sorry. The tags were expired on the vehicle and I had to bring it back to them and that was on June 10, 2010. They did give me back my $2500.00 that I put down, but now I was back at square one. No car. How can a dealership do this to ANYBODY??? I have found out recently that I was not the only person who went through this. There was another lady who went through the same exact thing a month after I had already received my vehicle on 4/22/2010, and they did the exact same thing to her. A gentlemen a couple of months prior and the list goes on and on and on. I went through A LOT. That dealership still has my vehicle as a trade-in, but told me that I was still responsible for the $940.00 bill and the mileage on the new vehicle, that instead of me getting what they offered me for my trade-in at the time of the sale and not having to be responsible for the mileage that I put on the new vehicle, which I thought was my vehicle, they would take my title as a swap. So, the $2969.00 something they offered me, was taken away and they kept my title in lieu of me not having to pay the $940.00 and mileage. I could have walked away from the dealership with at least $4000.00 if they weren't crooked. I am not a malicious person, and I certainly don't go around pointing the finger, but from what I have found out, this dealership is using this Scam, but getting away of it due to the fine print. I would rather a dealership tell me, this is not final, this is all pending. Well, if its not final, I certainly don't want to pay insurance for something that is not final and drive off of the lot with it. I have had the worse experience in being a first time car buyer. The first vehicle doesn't count, because I was married and my ex handled all of the negotiations. All I did was say what I wanted in a vehicle. I am so discouraged, and I had to end up going through hoops to get a vehicle, which I got from Eastern Motors. Not something I really truly wanted, but had no choice to get. I am blessed..and thankful for a vehicle, but I want EVERYBODY to know what underhanded practices are out there. Especially the ones that this particular dealership uses very often.
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