Complaints.com

From: Message Author
Date: Tuesday, 31-Jan-06 07:28:50 CST

Business Info

Regarding Watson Motors Used cars on 111th and Cicero in Alsip, Il. I

had been looking for a car for several months at this point. I was being

very specific about the type of vehicle I wanted. I was looking for a

Chevy Tahoe, Green, Cloth Interior, with barn doors, low mileage. I pass

Watson Motors on my way to work every day and almost every day on the

weekends. I noticed a vehicle in there lot. I stopped one evening after

they had closed to look over the vehicle. It was exactly what I had

wanted. I contemplated the purchase for about 2 weeks when I finally

decided to talk with the dealer. I spoke with a salesman named Aboud.

(last name). He showed me the vehicle and let me test drive it. During

our conversation he mentioned that he used to be a cement truck driver

but because of several d.u.i.s, he had to do this. Meaning sell cars at

a used car lot. After the test drive I walked around the car and noticed

a problem with the back door not opening from the inside. I felt it was

a safety hazard I mentioned this to him and he said they would send it

to 147th street location to have it fixed. We talked a while about trade

in on my car and financing and I told him I would need to think about

the price, but I was pretty certain I would purchase the car. He said

there would be no problem and that they would hold the car until I

called back. This was on a Thursday. I explained that I would call them

back Monday. Friday through Sunday I passed the dealership and saw the

vehicle. The vehicle had been on the lot for almost a month at this

point. Monday I decided to purchase the car. A close friend of mine had

done some work for the retired partner/owner of Watson motors and so as

a favor to me, he asked the owner if he could give me deal on the car.

The owner agreed to give me the car at cost and give me a fair trade in

on my car. On Monday, the owner called the dealership and told the

sales manager that I would be coming in after work the same day. I also

called the sale person and told him I would be coming in to purchase the

car. They assured me there was no problem. I mentioned the problem with

the door lock and they said they would send the car to the 147th street

location to have the car detailed and the door fixed.

Early that evening when I arrived at the lot, I noticed the car was not

there. When the salesman, Aboud, approached me, I asked about the

whereabouts of the car. He said it was at the 147th street location

being detailed and that it would be sent over as soon as they had

finished. Reassured, I went into the dealership and took a seat at Mr.

Aboud's desk to go over the paperwork. I filled out several forms for a

credit check and multiple other forms regarding financing and the trade

in on my car. Aboud went up to the finance desk and stood there for

about 20 minutes talking to the guy behind the desk. Several times Aboud

came back and had a another question or another little form to fill out.

The usual stuff when buying a car. After about 45 minutes of this back

and forth, Aboud said they are processing the paperwork and could I step

outside, so we could talk and he could have a smoke. I agreed. After he

lit his cigarette, Aboud explained that there was a problem. When the

car was sent over to the other lot to be fixed and detailed for ME,

someone there had sold the car. At that moment the sales manager came

out. Aboud said that there was another, MORE EXPENSIVE, vehicle that

they were willing to make me a deal on. The other vehicle he pointed out

was newer but it was in a different color, higher miles and did not have

the options I wanted. Disgusted I asked them how is it that they only

sent the car over to get it cleaned and fixed and someone there sold the

car. I said this sounded like bait and switch. At this point I left.

Still quite angry I called the dealership the next day. A woman there

said she could transfer me to their 'Public Relations' person? I

explained to the public relations person what had happened. She asked if

I had put down a deposit. This is the first mention of a deposit from

anyone with Watson. I explained that I was told the car was still there

when I called on Monday. I also iterated that the owner also had called.

I also mentioned that when I arrived to buy the car it was still

available. She simply said that this happens all the time. I argued that

the car had sat there for over a month. She apologized and said that

they never hold a car without a deposit. I said that I had been given

the word of the sales person and the sale manager.

I since filed a complaint with the states attorney, the better business

bureau, and the City of Alsip.