
Rey of Brooklyn, NY on Jan. 20, 2009
I was recently in the market for a new car during the month of December 2008. I decided to buy a 2009 Nissan Altima. I visited the NissanUSA.comwebsite to research the vehicle further and decided to move forward and obtain a quote from a few dealers within the 5 boroughs. I received some aggressive quotes (by phone) from a few of these dealers.
Of the dealerships who contacted me, Nemet Motors was the most aggressive. I spoke to a Nemet representative, named Ali Sultan, who asked me What can I do to gain your business?? My response was If you can sell me a dark slate 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL with the convenience package, convenience plus, connection package with fog lights and aluminum kick plates for the price of $21,000 straight with the destination fee waived, we have a deal. Prior to speaking with Ali, another dealer quoted me $21,995 for the 2.5 with the same options. The only difference between the two models (2.5 and 2.5 SL) is that the 2.5 SL is equipped with leather seats while the 2.5 is not.
Alis response was that he would have to talk to the General Manager and get back to me. Within 45 minutes he called me back and told me, I can sell it to you for that price.? Before moving forward and starting the necessary paperwork and the submission of personal documents, he turned the sale over to a salesman named David Narine. His reason was, and I quote, To help him out?. I didnt think anything of it at the time because David Narine turned out to be a pleasant salesman to deal with. When I'd assembled all the necessary documents for Nemet, we made an appointment for me to come to Nemet Motors on 12/18/08 to speak with one of their finance officers to complete the sale.
I arrived there fairly late, at 8:00 PM, due to a very long day at work, so I was very tired, my thinking not at its best. I sat down and spoke to Vince Kesh, one of their finance officers. We talked about the vehicle, what my monthly payments would be, and the interest I would be paying. Vince also mentioned perks such as Diamond VIP. He mentioned the included destination fee and I told him Ali said he would waive it, and it was removed from the contract. I kept asking him why the vehicle was costing more than the agreed-upon amount, because what he was telling me didnt make any sense. Since I was suffering from mental fatigue and it was getting late I just signed the areas he told me to sign. When I had a chance to review my contract I was horrified. The total cost of the vehicle came to $29,204.83. I thought to myself, What in the world is this?
What I noticed is that they charged me 22,500.00 for the vehicle (including options), which was not the agreement I had with Ali or David Narine; my initial agreement with Ali Sultan was that the price of $21,000. They were able to keep the rebate for themselves once they deducted it (22,500 1500 = 21,000), then they charged 2,299.00 for Diamond VIP, 1,999.00 for ETCH, factoring in the 8.38% sales tax, $10.00 for the NYS inspection and $152.50 for processing fees. I NEVER asked for Diamond VIP or ETCH, never discussed them with David Narine, neither he with me, and would never have agreed to these costly add-ons. When you add it all together the price they fraudulently charged me was $29,204.83. I should have been charged 21,000.00 for the vehicle as agreed (including the options) with 8.38 % sales taxes of 2,244.33, 10.00 for NYS inspection and 152.50 for processing fees; with the total amount being 23,406.83 and with the Nissan 1,500 cash back promotional offer.
I was very upset about what I saw and called Nemet to rectify this during the week of 12/28/08. David Narine was out and Vince (finance officer) was not available. I was able to speak to Ali and I explained to him that there were serious discrepancies in my contract. He didnt allow me to speak with him at length over the phone, but told me I would need to speak to Vince, since the point of sale was completed with him. I spoke to Ali and Vince on Monday, 1/5/09, to have the contract redone.
I told Vince that I have no use or need for the Diamond VIP and ETCH options because what they offer is pretty much covered by my own insurance policy. He responded that he could not redo the contract because Id already signed it. Vince said that what he could do was to extend the warranty or give me something else that could equate to the cost of the unwanted options. I told him that this was not acceptable, and that I wanted the $4,298.00 refunded to me. His response was, I cant refund you the money.? The discussion kept going in circles and it ended up with him saying that he would see what he can do after talking to his General Manager.
I followed up with Vince a couple of days after this discussion and his position and Nemet's was unchanged. Nemet's position was that it would not refund me my money and redo the contract, but would offer me another warranty or an aftermarket navigation system. My own response was the same; that this was unacceptable and that Nemet would soon be hearing from my lawyer. Vince's response to this was, Thank you?.
I was shocked by this and thought I should speak to someone in a higher position than Vince Kesh. I was able to contact the General Manager, Scott Pearlstein on 1/12/09 and explained the situation to him. He seemed to be aware of my situation because he stated to me that he told Vince to tell me that they cannot and will not refund my money (for the amount of $4,298.00) or redo the contract, because I signed the contract and should have said something then. Mr. Pearlstein also said that they could offer me another warranty or an aftermarket navigation system. I responded I have no use or need for the Diamond VIP and ETCH options because what they offer is pretty much covered by Geico. I was not asked if I would be interested in additional warranty or services in addition to the total cost of the car; rather it was included in the contract before hand?.
The conversation was going nowhere and ended with me not taking his offer. This was a premeditated tactic to get me to pay more than the agreed-upon amount between me and the salesmen. I am currently seeking legal advice and representation, and am reporting this fraud to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
Summary:
1. Agreed-upon price in all sales discussions at Nemet Motors:
Dark slate 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL with the convenience package, convenience plus, connection package with fog lights and aluminum kick plates for the price of $21,000
2. Price that Nemet substituted in the contract without informing me:
$22,500
3. Items and cost of items added to contract by Nemet without my consent in any sales discussions:
Diamond VIP (During the ownership of the vehicle free oil change, lube and 3yr tire/rim replacement in case of damage) $2,299
ETCH (up to 15k of the value of the car in the event of the vehicle being stolen) $1,990
4. What I want for remediation of Nemet's fraud:
The contract redone based upon the sale agreement with Ali Sultan. If not, then the total refunded amount of $4,298.00 with 13% interest for the length of the 5yr finance agreement.
Refund by Nemet of:
$4,298.00