Hey guys, I bought my TL at the end of May. The problem is that I had two deals going on while I was negotiating prices and I put deposits woth both dealerships. I canceled on one of them and the other dealer got really pissed off. We've asked for our refund several times with the finance department and the salesman. The dealer we canceled on even went so far as to call the dealer we bought our TL from and chewed them out for taking their business. :argue:
Anyway, our problem is that they have taken over three weeks to refund our $500.00 and have been giving us the run around. What should we do?

 

Wow you really got screwd .I suggest calling ACS and telling them about it. If that doesnt work try calling BBB (Better Business Bureau) as they are a federal agency. If you do a search on the internet, I am sure that you would be able to hook up with one of their local offices. Though BBB usually takes care of "fradulant" companies, I am fairly sure they would be more than happy to take care of you.

 

Which dealership is it? Did you put the deposit on your CC? If you did than call up your CC company and dispute it.
They have to refund your deposit. You got the TL already and you have proof.

 

The dealer we canceled with is Raylaks. They keep telling us that they've filed for the refund, but our bank accounts show other wise. We put it on our debit card.
MasterTL, I think your right about calling ACS. It shouldn't take this long to get a refund on a deposit that we cancled on May 21.

 

I assume your talking April???? I would notify your Bank/debit card account. Dispute the charge immediately!!! I'm not sure what good ACS would have on the situation....

 

The only problem with the debit card is that they typically don't have the same fraud/protection clauses that true credit cards do. Still, if the bank sees you as a valuable customer they should help you out.

As a word of warning, because of these reasons be careful of what you use for internet purchases.

 

CORRECTION: APRIL 21. NOT MAY 21. SORRY GUYS.

 

Your right! Sorry it was in April. I got confused paying bills here, while chatting.

 

It takes about a week to process the refund. Call up your bank and dispute it. Keep calling the dealer. Show up in person. Keep bothering them. File a complaint with the BBB.

 

ACS can sometimes (emphasize on sometimes) do you good. BBB is really helpful if a company screwed you over. It is outrageous that the dealer would keep your money, that is just bad salesmanship. If you have statements from the bank showing the dealership not doing anything and have something written by the dealer saying they did, I am sure you can catch them and be able to file a claim to BBB.

 

ACS do you some good? Not in my book. They typically stay away from dealer disputes because the dealer is free to set any policy they want about deposits (including whether or not they issue refunds). However, in your case they do owe you a refund so you should definitely dispute the charge with your bank right away.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why you never do purchases with a debit card. No official protection whatsoever - it's basically money down the drain as soon as that EFT goes through!

 

Try a local television news station. In the MD, DC, VA they had a "seven on your side" with channel 7 and they would call the dealership for you and put it on the evening news (no matter what the outcome). If you just tell the dealership you're doing something like this, they'll fold, since they don't want the bad publicity. Just mention to them your making complaints to your bank, the better business bureau and ACS and they'll likely fold.

Also, I don't know that the car magazines do this, but computer magazines do a similar thing and publish it. Never seen it in car mags, though. Wish they did.

Just more ideas

 

Walk into the dealership with a couple of relatively strong-looking friends on a Saturday afternoon when the place is packed with customers and tell the receptionist loudly that you want to speak to the manager about the refund they owe you. Don't scream or act threatening in any way, but make sure people in the dealership can hear you. Be persistent and refuse to leave until they write you a check. The purpose of the friends is not to be threatening to anyone at the dealership but rather to make sure they don't get threatening with you. If this doesn't work, repeat it in a couple of days. My guess is you'll get your money back pronto.

 

When will people realize that using DEBIT cards is NOT a good idea? It ONLY helps your bank get the money quicker. It does not provide the consumer ANY benefit. I don't even own one. Hope it gets worked out for you.

 

:goldfish:
Everyone, I'll call them again, write a letter, call ACS, report them to BBB, and use our public profile to "threaten them to tell everyone of their bad service." The reason why we use our debit card is because we like to buy everything in cash. No debt, no interest. I'll call my bank and see what they can do.
TLgator, thanks, you should be on the Soprano's.

 

Actually it's a scene from Sopranos. Even the Mafia can't get good service at an Acura dealership.

 

:lol1: True. True.

 

I too am waiting for a refund from my local dealer but the good thing is after I give them one more chance to reverse the charge I'll call my credit card and dispute it. That'll be the end of that.

I also have no debt and no interest but I use a Discover card and pay it off every month. I get the protection that a credit card offers plus the cashback bonus! I'm up to $450 already over the past year! Just pay it off at the end of the month and you're all good.

 

Okay, here's the update. After three weeks of talking to the dealer's salesman and their finance department, we have decided to take action.
I disputed the charge with my bank (faxed them a letter) and I called ACS. ACS sent a message to the local area's Acura supervisor (not associated with the dealer) to look into the matter and to get our refund ASAP. They also said that it should only take one day to get the transaction reversed and that the dealer (that we had canceled with) had no right to call the other dealer (that we bought the car from) and complain to them about our business. I hope this gets settled in a timely and proper manner.

 

Yo! You want me to send Guido, or what?

 

I got my refund today, finally! After much calling to the dealership and disputing the transaction with my bank, we finally got it credited to our account. The dealer kept saying that he tried many weeks and that something must be wrong with our card. I bet he didn't do any paperwork for the refund. The bank had to dispute it for me. It took five weeks. ACS said it should be done within one working day. Huh?

 

HI50, finally... it's the big news... glad to know.

 

Glad to hear you finally got your $$ back. Every dealer pulls the same bs. Phone calls do nothing. They bs you every time. You have to go to the dealer in person and wait for them to give you the $ back. Happened with my father-in-law at Springfield Acura and my neighbor at Staten Island Nissan. When I bought my Acura at Bridgewater, I didn't give them a deposit. It was great because when the car came in and I didn't like the color they ordered me another one! :thefinger em all!! I will never give a deposit to "hold the car" or "check my credit". They get nothing until I pick up the car.

 

I would give it some more time.....It will be very dumb for the dealer to keep your $500.....soon or later you will get it.

 

disregard....didn't read the last few post....glad you got your money back.

 

Oddly enough, I cancelled a deposit at another dealer, and bought my '04TL from Ray Laks. Before I even called the other dealer, I called my CC company to tell them what was going to happen, and they noted my account. I then called the other dealer, and told them what was going on, including that I had already informed the credit card company. I had my refund (showing on my account) within two days.

I do agree with avoiding using debit cards, and if you have the self discipline to bank the paycheck (and keep it there!), use the credit card, and pay it off each month, you'll be in a lot better shape. The credit card compnay will love/hate you (they get their 2+% from the merchant, and nothing from you in interest).

As for Ray Laks, I've had nothing but good experiences with them in sales and service. The couple of small issues I had were resolved very quickly, no muss, no fuss, and they (so far) have bent over backwards to keep me happy. After the sale is where I really look to see if I will do business with a company in the future, and so far they've earned mine!

Steve

 

I was going to suggest you publish their GM's email address and we bomb him with nasty-grams. There are lots of people in this forum who can help out another member when something like this happens.

Since you got your refund it's not necessary this time. But maybe next time a dealer or Acura jacks with someone, we can ALL take action.

 

Yeah, we da mob.

 

I had to use some pulls (ACS, bank, my status, our masonary Italian family, etc.) to nudge the salesman. He kept playing the 'not guilty' role. But, all in all, I got it. Thanks for the concern.

 

Good Luck. I hope your not holding your breather on that refund.