Gladstone auto dealership accused of high pressure tactics

Date Published: Apr 23 2010

COMPLAINT: Georgia Bogner, Milwaukie, Ore.

"I find it interesting Toyota Scion of Gladstone's website states 'no pressure.' I was excessively pressured and tag-teamed by them into buying a used Scion XB. I'm a 68 year old on a fixed income, and the sales staff sold me a car when I wasn't even in the mindset of buying one.

"Out of curiosity, I had asked to see the inside of a Scion, and the tag-teaming began. After several hours of repeatedly being told 'it's a good deal,' I was exhausted. They had me sign sales papers after telling me to take the Scion on two-hour approval. I arrived home seven hours later with the car.

"I have returned twice to the dealer to try to get my well-maintained 1993 Tercel back. On the second post-sale visit, they said to return and they would cancel the prior sale, let me have my Tercel (which was still on the lot) back and start over.

"On returning, they presented me with a used Prius with the impression they would exchange it for the Scion. It turned out the Prius was several thousand dollars more — another sales trick, and they said I couldn't get back my Tercel.

"As my car had under 93,000 miles and I drive less than 3,000 miles a year, I had no intention of buying another car."

DESIRED RESOLUTION: "I want my Tercel returned to me."

COMPANY RESPONSE: David Elder, general manager, Toyota Scion of Gladstone

"We are not able to accommodate the customer's request, because the vehicle has been sold. However, we are open to finding another vehicle at a fair price to satisfy the customer."

STATUS: Stalemate

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Comments

Permalink Submitted by Anne on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

I think it is unfair to the company (I have no connection to Gladstone Toyota - I just have common sense) to complain because you bought a car that you didn't want. It is a car dealership, for heaven's sake. They all have the same sales procedure. No one made the person buy a car and to say it is the dealer's fault is ridiculous. What about personal responsibility? Car dealers want you to buy a car but it is each buyers responsibility to say 'No' and walk away. No one put Georgia's hand on the pen and placed it on a signature line. She commented that "I was exhausted". "They had me sign sales papers..." Who's fault is that?? Certainly not the car dealership. Again, they are in the business of selling cars and they all have a proven strategy to get you to buy. She also said she "wasn't in the mindset of buying one". What in heavens name was she doing at the dealership?? I really think it is a disservice and unfair to a company when you address these kinds of issues because it only leads others to think that if they make a foolish decision they can just complain about it, blame someone else and not take the consequences. Gladstone Toyota did nothing wrong. Georgia did. Don't promote what is an epidemic of "not my fault" plaguing this country.