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Messages Page 294 of 299

#2926 of 2979 Dealer won't pay off lease by josera

Mar 16, 2012 (10:52 am)

I found an dealer (it's really just 2 guys who run a used car business) that wanted to buy my 2008 IS 350. The offer was to pay out my lease (so they would have the title to sell my vehicle) and pay me the difference from our agreed upon amount. They picked up the car from me on February 1st. We signed all the Lexus paperwork together and they gave me a check for the payoff amount and I FedExed it to Lexus. Lexus received it and told me it was not a valid form of payment. It was not a certified check.
 
I let the dealer know and they said they would re-send payment. It's been over 6 weeks now and I have called and emailed the dealer relentlessly and there is always an excuse or they say the check is in the mail.
 
They may be waiting until they sell my car so they actually have the money to make the payoff but what if they don't sell it for awhile?
 
They stopped replying to my emails right after they picked up the car. I guess they don't want anything in writing. I do have all the previous emails where they offer to buy the vehicle and explain how it works. I have attachments of their dealer license and they paperwork where Lexus authorizes them to make the payoff.
 
When I get them on the phone it's always "let me check on it and call you back." I never get a call back and now they are ignoring my calls altogether.
 
I've had Lexus call them directly, they told them the same story "check is in the mail."
 
I've contacted the BBB, the police (in case this is a scam) and my lawyer. Does any one here have any advice?

#2927 of 2979 Re: Dealer won't pay off lease [josera] by KCRam@Edmunds HOST

Mar 16, 2012 (5:19 pm)

Replying to: josera (Mar 16, 2012 10:52 am)
Was in a very similar situation 15 years ago, and it did not end well for me. I ended up on the hook for the full payoff to the lessor.
 
Drive by the dealership... if you don't see your car, report it stolen immediately and tell the police everything you've described here. Since Lexus Financial still has the title (and won't release it until they're paid), they still consider you responsible for the vehicle. Hopefully you didn't cancel the insurance on the Lexus yet; if you did, that will make financial settlements a little more difficult (but not impossible).
 
You may also want to ask some of the dealership folks who frequent the forums at this discussion: Got a Quick Question for a Car Dealer?
 
kcram - Pickups/Wagons/Vans+Minivans Host

#2928 of 2979 Re: Dealer won't pay off lease [kcram] by josera

Mar 16, 2012 (9:24 pm)

Replying to: KCRam@Edmunds (Mar 16, 2012 5:19 pm)
Unfortunately, I can not drive by the dealership. I am in NY and they are in TX. They picked the car up at my home and said they shipped it to TX.
 
When I google my VIN I do see it up for sale on various sites. I see it has 2000+ miles since I last saw it so I believe they drove, not shipped it to TX.
 
I did cancel the insurance to transfer my plates and insure my new vehicle.
 
I have been in touch with the police. They are torn as to whether it is a civil matter or just bad business since the dealer was answering all my calls for many weeks. But at this point, I am ready to file a criminal complaint for grand larceny by fraud.
 
I'll ask on the dealership forum, thank you.

#2929 of 2979 Re: Dealer won't pay off lease [josera] by KCRam@Edmunds HOST

Mar 17, 2012 (5:37 pm)

Replying to: josera (Mar 16, 2012 9:24 pm)
They can't sell it without the title (nor could they legally drive it to Texas without a registration), so they either did get it from Lexus or they faked one. Check with Lexus if they've been paid and whether they've released the title. If not, your criminal complaint is much stronger.
 
Good luck with this...
 
kcram - Pickups/Wagons/Vans+Minivans Host

#2930 of 2979 Re: Dealer won't pay off lease [kcram] by josera

Mar 17, 2012 (10:59 pm)

Replying to: KCRam@Edmunds (Mar 17, 2012 5:37 pm)
I've been in touch with Lexus daily, they have not been paid yet. They have not released the title. If they they were paid, I have no complaint. I just need Lexus to tell me it's paid in full and I am no longer responsible for the vehicle.

#2932 of 2979 using a co-signer by sarms

Mar 22, 2012 (11:12 pm)

Hello, I was planning on using a co-signer that lives out of state...is this allowed by the dealer & what is the process? Would they mail the paperwork to them & the co-signer would sign & return it?

#2933 of 2979 Re: using a co-signer [sarms] by Kirstie@Edmunds HOST

Mar 23, 2012 (9:12 am)

Replying to: sarms (Mar 22, 2012 11:12 pm)
This is a good question for our Quick Question for a Car Dealer discussion. Just click on my link and post over there, and we'll see if someone can give you a solid answer.

#2935 of 2979 poor fitted glass by anitraart

May 22, 2012 (5:21 am)

I am annoyed driving around with a poorly fitted glass is as dangerous as driving around with a damaged glass.

Messages Page 294 of 299

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