When I started practicing, I heard about car dealers wanting to appraise someone’s trade in. When the dealer got the keys to the car, he would throw the keys on the roof[DC1] of the dealership. The idea was to make the customer feel helpless to the point he felt he had to buy a car.
In a yo-yo transaction, the dealer will require the return of the car if it cannot sell the retail installment sales contract. If a customer comes back to discuss the matter, the dealer may try to block in the car to keep the customer from leaving with it. In this situation, remember, the dealer may be the wrong doer.
Do not become the wrong doer. Don’t start yelling, throwing punches, or damaging cars. The first thing you could do is politely request that the dealership move the cars blocking you. If that does not work, move up the chain to a higher manager. If that does not work, keep moving up until you get to the general manager. I would expect all the managers to support their employees; however, you don’t know until you ask.
The next step might be to call the police. Understand that the police usually do not want to get involved in what they call “civil” matters; however, taking your property might be considered a theft. Hopefully, the introduction of the police will cause the dealer to do the right thing, but it is not guaranteed. If you still can’t get your car, you need to leave and contact a lawyer.
In a yo-yo transaction, the dealer will require the return of the car if it cannot sell the retail installment sales contract. If a customer comes back to discuss the matter, the dealer may try to block in the car to keep the customer from leaving with it. In this situation, remember, the dealer may be the wrong doer.
Do not become the wrong doer. Don’t start yelling, throwing punches, or damaging cars. The first thing you could do is politely request that the dealership move the cars blocking you. If that does not work, move up the chain to a higher manager. If that does not work, keep moving up until you get to the general manager. I would expect all the managers to support their employees; however, you don’t know until you ask.
The next step might be to call the police. Understand that the police usually do not want to get involved in what they call “civil” matters; however, taking your property might be considered a theft. Hopefully, the introduction of the police will cause the dealer to do the right thing, but it is not guaranteed. If you still can’t get your car, you need to leave and contact a lawyer.
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