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Finance a car with bad credit at Thomas Auto in Guelph (Oh and by the way, you also get RIPPED OFF)

Funny story really... my buddy Mell hooks me up with a job where he works, waaaaay over in Scarbaria, an hour's ++ drive away from where I am now (Guelph).  Since he's hookin' me up, it's a guaranteed job.  It's an easy job that I've both done before and enjoy doing -- helpdesk/technical support, and the only drawbacks of taking this job is: (1) the pay is only $28000/year, and (2) I have to MOVE and/or get a CAR ON THE ROAD.

Thomas Auto - Bad Credit Financing?

These guys help you finance a car with BAD CREDIT.  The thing they don't tell you, is they also take an arm and a leg.  Shady fucking bastards, the way they hook most people, ruins their credit in the worst way possible.

I walk onto the lot and the main guy, Scott (big chubby guy) is standing outside leaning against the main window having a cigarrette.  He talks like a salesman, as if he's superman and can do anything in the world for you, he makes you his best friend, he can get you a car you like regardless of what your credit situation is as long as you can make your payments.  Or so he says.  My opinion?  We'll leave that for the end... but hear what happens:

First he shows me a few cars and notices that I take a liking to these two 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix GT's.  He tells me the one car is loaded to the max, black leather, heated seats, etc etc.. My only concern was the monthly payment, how much would it be with $500 down?  He tells me it would be about $180 every two weeks, or $360/month.

Between the two cars, one seemed a bit nicer for some reason, but without the leather seats... Scott tells me the price is the same for both cars. 

The next day I show up ready to buy the car money-in-hand.  Test drove the first car and it's nice, but seems a bit worn out inside. I ask Scott about the second Grand Prix and he say because of the mileage issue, it's a bit more and I don't qualify for it now (BULLSHIT!!)  I give him $500 down and sign the paperwork for the first 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix GT but I can always change my mind on what car I want, he says.  He says when I come back the next day I can decide for sure what I want.  Thinking all will go as he said I return home.

Next day he's trying to sell me a different car that would be "cheaper" and "better" as he noticed that I was also checking out a 2000 Cavalier Z24.  He says he as a 2002 Z24 at another shop (Kitchener).  He tells me the payment would be cheaper each month, and after checking the numbers for the Grand Prix, he'd require at least $1000 down and $400/month for it (more bullshit!!).  He tells me the Z24 he can do for $500 down and $160 every two weeks, or $320/month.  Since it's a nice car and in better shape than the Grand Prix's, I go with it.  Frankly I don't care what car it is, as long as it's reliable and gets me to work for now!  So, I "go with it."

I wait a couple day for them to get this 2002 Z24 on his lot and yes, it is nice.  So I want to go ahead with it, get it done with.  Scott now tells me after checking the numbers (now that he already has my $500 downpayment and signature on a contract), that this particular car will require $200 "more" for the downpayment, and that the monthly costs will be $193 plus tax every two weeks.  Holy FUCK!  That's $440/month this bastard is hussling me for!  I reluctantly pay the extra $200 and settle for the $440/month deal -- this guy has my by the balls and he knows it.  He knows I need the car for the job and knowing that I have $$$ to pay he tries to squeeze all he can out of you.

Getting the car ready was another story.  First he tells me he'd have it ready by Monday (it was Thursday).  I return on Monday and now he tells me it won't be ready till Wednesday.  I tell them I need the fukkin' car as I start work the following Monday.  I go back on Wednesday and it's still not ready.  Apparently it needs "breaks, tires" and they want to "do the safety right"  What, are the overhauling the whole fucking engine?  How long does it take to safety the car? Give me a jack and a pair of plier and I would change the breaks all around in 2 hours.

Thursday I take a cab over (at a price of $17) thinking I'll be driving it home... but NO, it's still not ready.  I really want to give them shit but I hold back because, all the paperwork isn't signed for the Z24!  He could easily just "tack on" more $$ as he still has me by the balls without the signed paperwork.  I sign up all the necessary papers and notice a common theme among them -- the words "I agree that there is no verbal agreement/contract given or implied," etc etc).  Finally he tells me he needs $93 for the license plates.  Fucking bastards, total fucking lying scumbag bastards.  I refrain from ripping strips off anyone, and he gives me a ride home.  He tells me he's 150% sure the car will be ready Friday.

I really don't mind getting ripped off like this because 1. it's only temporary 2. I can afford to pay it 3. it's reliable transportation to/from work  4. I'll refinance another car at a bank rate after 1 year -- one that I like.

Another thing worth noting -- I noticed on the contract that the 1 year powertrain warrantee that I was supposed to get, read: "1 year/1000 km." WTF?  I'd use up the 1000Km in a couple weeks. I pointed this out to Scott and he says it was a mistake, that it should've said "unlimited Km."  Yeah, right.  Sure it was just a mistake Scott.  I'll see you in church on Sunday morning too. 

Summary: 

Thomas Auto in Guelph Ontario will finance a car for you even with your bad credit.  They will tell you what you want to hear for monthly payments up front, then that price will mysteriously rise after Scott "doublechecks the numbers"  He will ask you for more money for the downpayment after you give him your intitial deposit, regardless of how much $$ you give him, because "he just couldn't do it"  Only AFTER you pay your downpayment is when the monthly costs that he VERBALLY told you about, begins to rise too because the guy who handles the financing said he needed more money "in order to make this work" because of your bad credit.  Then when you sign the paperwork you agree that there were no implied or verbal agreements, that it's all in the paperwork.  You end up signing like 40 papers (no joke!!!). 

Scott also non-chalantly mentioned to me that he really doesn't make much money off these deals when financing through Nelson Financial (the financer for bad credit loans).  That's funny Scott, your buddy Ron told me a different story the other day (my ex was with me and Ron apparently took such a liking to her he decided he wanted to have a little chat and said a little too much).  Ron said Scott earns so much money from this business he doesn't really need to work anymore, that he's loaded.  He says Scott "handsomely pays" him to run errands "a generous amount" and that Scott was only doing this business "because he can."  Thankyou Ron for revealing the true nature of Scott Liff at Thomas Auto, Guelph. 

These guys are professional con-artists.  From the moment you walk onto their lot, you are being played.  You are being deceived.  You are being taken for a ride.  They will get you in a car and swindle as much money as they can from you.  Knowing you can't afford your payment they wait like vultures for the day you miss a payment, then they repo you car, charge you rediculous fees and screw your credit the worst possible way.

Conclusion:

If you have bad credit and need a car and sincerely don't mind being ripped off AND you have money to pay for it, then I recommend going to Scott Liff at Thomas Auto located at 614 York Road in Guelph, Ontario.  Make sure to bring an extra arm and a leg -- you'll be leaving them behind.

Now it's Friday morning.  I start work in Toronto (1.5 hours drive away) on Monday morning.  I want my fucking car already.  The papers are signed. I'm locked in for $440/month and paid the $700 down plus the $93 license fee.  I am going there this morning and this time, I'M RIPPING STRIPS OFF both Scott and John, the mechanic guy.  Give me my fucking car already.