A FAMILY traveled over 100 miles to buy a used SUV from a dealership but said they were victims of a bait-and-switch scheme.
The Scarantino family traveled from Dunmore, Pennsylvania, near Scranton, to pick up their newly purchased vehicle at Venture Motors in Hackensack, New Jersey.
However, when the family arrived to get the keys to the GMC Acadia, they said the car was a “clunker.”
“The windshield wiper was busted down to here,” Jason Scarantino told ABC affiliate WABC-TV‘s Nina Pineda.
“There was one brand new tire, and all the rest were bald.”
Scarantino said the car’s air conditioning also didn’t work, and the key fob did not start the vehicle.
“This whole seat belt was cut off. The vents only blow hot air, not cold air,” Jason’s wife, Nichole, recalled.
The family eventually returned the car after the issues emerged and received an agreement from the dealership.
“We got an agreement, and we owe you. Within 14 days, we could bring [the car] back,” Nichole told Pineda.
The family traveled three times to Venture Motors in hopes of retrieving the vehicle, but each time, they said the repairs were not complete.
Five months passed, and the family was still without a car despite paying monthly for the vehicle’s insurance.
The dealership owner said they sent a $10,000 check to the family for their troubles.
However, months passed, and the family never received the money or their repaired vehicle.
Pineda and her team visited Venture Motors in an attempt to recover the family’s refund or fixed car.
During their investigation into the dealership, WABC-TV learned Venture Motors was previously probed for selling cars without titles in 2019 and 2022 and threatened with suspension for misusing dealer plates.
Pienda eventually recovered the family’s SUV with all its repairs complete and had the dealership pay for registration fees and transfer a clear title.
“Having you guys on our side, I feel a lot better that he can’t do this to anyone else,” Scarantino said.
“So, it’s going to be stopped.”
Venture Motors apologized to the family and said he never meant to hurt anybody, according to WABC-TV.
The dealership’s license has since been revoked by the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Division of Motor Vehicles, the outlet reported.
Dealership Tips
Here are some expert tips when purchasing a car from a dealership lot:
- 1. Set your price: Ensure you’ve calculated your monthly budget before going to the lot. You should include the car’s loan payment, insurance costs, fuel, and regular maintenance.
- 2. Research: Make sure you know which cars you’re interested in test driving before you reach the dealership.
- 3. Pre-approval: Secure financing before you go to the dealership. Dealerships may give you a better interest rate if they are competing with an outside bank.
- 4. Test away: Get behind the wheel before making any payments. A car purchase will be worth thousands of dollars – drivers should ensure they like the drivetrain, steering feel, and comfort of the car before taking it off the lot
- 5. Haggle: Drivers should always try to negotiate the price. There are so many good cars on the American market – buyers have a strong hand when negotiating price.
Source: Kelley Blue Book
