the car buying saga

In mid-September the engine light came on in our Jimmy.  We were concerned, but didn't take it in right away.  At the beginning of October the light began to flash and we took it in.  $700 later we found out that they didn't know what the problem was, but it would be at least a thousand more to dig deeper.  We didn't want to spend more on that vehicle, so we started to shop around for cars.

We looked at a few different dealerships in the pre-owned lots.  There was some debate between a Dodge Caliber and a Hyundai Sonata, but the 2009 Sonata for $10888 won out and we went back to talk to the dealer.  They suggested we put $1000 down as a deposit, so it wouldn't be sold while we thought, and it would be put towards the car when we purchased it.  We folded under the pressure and put the money down before talking to the financing officer, Tinh.  He tossed some numbers around and got our information so he could see if we were approved for financing from them.  We left without signing any paperwork.

After we got home, Aaron did some number crunching of his own, and discovered that we would be paying an astounding $7000 in interest over the next six years.  They never spoke of an interest rate, so we were quite surprised, and suddenly very hesitant about the car.  But within two hours of leaving the dealership, Tinh called to say we were approved for a loan, and we could come and pick up the car anytime.

For whatever reason, we delayed.  We wanted to get the car checked out at our mechanic, and things just weren't coming together.  There was also a new brother in our ward, Owen, who has been buying and selling cars for the last 20 years, and we had the impression we needed to talk to him.  So we sat down and talked with him at the end of October (25th).  What an enlightening talk.  We talked about our needs (not just how much was can afford each month) and the importance of the resale value of cars. 

The very next day we went down to his lot and checked out a couple of vehicles.  The Cobalt was much too small for Aaron, but the 2007 Ford Fusion fit our needs (and Aaron's tall frame) perfectly.  We found our car.  The best part was the $6500 price tag.  All we needed was to get a bank loan and we had ourselves a car! 

But there was a small problem: the first dealership still had our $1000.  I called them up to let them know we had changed our minds about the Sonata and would like our deposit back.  Tinh said no.  Excuse me?!  According to their company policy, because we had talked with him and started the financing process, the money was non-refundable (unless we had not been approved for the loan).  We called the sales guy and he just tried to pressure us to go through with the sale.  We were not happy, and definitely not buying that car.  I was quite upset and wrote a review on Google, calling them crooks and warning others about the dangers of putting down a deposit. 

We talked to Owen about it at dinner the next day (since we were arranging a babysitting deal for the beginning of November), and he was quite surprised with their archaic tactics.  We never signed anything saying we were going to purchase the vehicle, and were never told the money was non-refundable.  Shame on us for giving it to them in the first place, but that will never happen with anyone again.  Owen suggested we go to AMVIC - Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council.  They make sure that dealers and such do business fairly and legally.  We wrote up a complaint that night and sent it in.  Aaron called up Tinh the next day (Friday) and asked him again when we could have our money.  He said we can't, so Aaron informed him that we had filed a formal complaint with AMVIC.  And just like that we were playing hardball. 

Aaron's new step-father (Ron) has become involved in our situation as well.  He heard of our problem and decided to give the dealership an earful.  He talked to the manager and yelled at the manager and in the end was told that we could have our money back if we took down the review on Google and talked to Tinh again.  Fine.  I took down the review and Aaron called Tinh last night (Tuesday).  And according to Tinh, this is all our fault.  If only Aaron had talked to him directly before going to AMVIC.  Well sir, my wife DID talk to you.  And you said no.  And when I called you still said no.  The only thing that made you pay any sort of attention was when we said AMVIC.  Tinh asked that we call off AMVIC, and come in and have a sit down talk with him and his manager.  Fine.  Aaron will do that either today or tomorrow.  But we aren't canceling the investigation with AMVIC.  Not until I have that $1000 back in my bank account. 

In the meantime, the loan application has been processed at the bank. It has taken forever (especially since the person we're dealing with had Monday off), and we're impatiently waiting to sign everything and get the money so we can pick up our car.

To make everything more complicated, we are house and babysitting for Owen and Karen for four days while they take a trip to Mexico for Owen's 50th birthday.  They have seven kids at home, ranging in age from 16 to 1.  This morning is the first day "on the job" and I'm getting used to their schedule of bus drop offs and pick ups and naps and meals and diapers and ... yeah.  It will be a long four days, but I am grateful to be helping out.  Aaron and I can't just run out and sign the papers at the bank without loading up all the kids in the big 10 passenger van, so we have to juggle a few things to get our car by the weekend.  At least our Jimmy has still been running fairly smoothly, even if the engine light is still on and the whole thing shakes when it's idle.  It just needs to run for a few more days. 

I want this whole ordeal to be over with.  I've cried twice because of the stupid guys at the dealership and their refusal at returning our money.  I had no idea that buying a car would become this complicated.  Here's praying everything will be done by the weekend.