Hi guys,
I need some advice here. I recently leased a demo BMW in a another state -not where I live-. I had several issues with the dealer all the time, but I was friendly and patient as the deal was good and they had the car I wanted. We solve most of the issues at the end. They sent me a contract to sign, which I did and sent back. After a few days, they said that the contract needs to be re-done as they listed the car as new and not demo. This took almost three weeks until I finally received my car. BMW financial services started to charging me since the date of my original contract, although I never had possession of the car due to an issue that was out of my hands. I sent BMW Financial services proof of the date I received the car as well as the second contract, but they said I have to fix it with the dealer as they are independently owned and operated.
In addition, this terrible dealer was supposed to give me a refund of $400 as they overcharged. They charged me the same drive-off as my first quote, but my payment and security deposit went down. I told that to the manager and sales guy (I have a written message from them saying that they will cut a check for $400) and they asked me to keep it as is in the contract to avoid re-doing it and waste more time. After over a month waiting and pushing to get my refund, I only got a refund for $150. I already e-mailed the manager about it, but he has been ignoring my messages and I am extremely upset with the way I have been treated. I really dont like to fight and have been accepting everything, but enough is enough. Would love to hear:
–How do you suggest me to deal with the three extra weeks that I have been charged, specially since BMW financial services dont want to help and direct me to the dealer? What are my options?
–Should I dispute the charge for the missing difference of my refund with my credit card? I clearly have a message from them stating the amount of my refund.
As mentioned, I really don’t want to fight because you never know if you later need something else from the dealer in the future. Any advice on how to handle the situation is appreciated.
Well it is up to you. They are hoping you will eat the cost and just go away. If you have the time and patience you can start by posting to the BBB, complaint to whoever regulates BMW financial sevices, the state agency that regulates dealers, attorney general, dispute the credit card charge, and even small court claim.
Disputing the charge with the credit card company will probably work in this case. Just to give them the benefit of the doubt, I would call and let them know I was going to dispute the charge if they did not come through with the money owed in the next XYZ days/hours.
BMW FS is correct. Charges accrue the day the contract is signed and entered by dealer in their system. Nothing to do with delivery. I took delivery of Volvo 1 week after signing contract and clock had already started to run. They tell you payment date at lease signing…
Also not sure you want to waste more time over the remaining 250. Maybe get some nice BMW car mats from them for that price.
Sorry the experience was not as smooth but hopefully you more than made up for these by getting a good deal.
well I understand time starts ticking at the sign of the contract. My point is that the delay was caused by them ( not by me). In addition, there is a second contract that I signed that is supposed to be the actual one. That has the date that I received the car. My frustration is because I believe it is not fair and there is nobody who can listen the facts and help. Probably it is easier to forget about it and move forward.
i totally feel for @pecas i’m going through a similar situation where BMW NA doesn’t want to step in and the dealership is ignoring me.
If anybody has specific details as to which agency i need to contact, please let me know.
It’s not the money in my case, it is the principle and i’m not one to shy away from a fight.
BBB was going to be my first step. Any other suggestions?
You can ask them to take your “case” A site that advocates for you
Or you can use their list of direct contacts at BMW to complain to the highest levels:
funny…I ended up with a different BMW and a sweeter deal, but as mentioned they dropped the ball many, many times and I was patient and cooperative. They answered my messages when they wanted and they had my money for a almost a month. So I paid my dues. You cant overcharge and make promises to your customers and then don’t deliver.Believe me, they never sell at a loss.
