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Action Against Thomas Auto Guelph (Ripoff Artists!)

Been a while since I posted, but here is the outcome of all the hassles given to me by the kind folk (by kind folk, I mean sons of bitching ruthless scum-sucking rip-off artists) at Thomas Auto, Guelph:

First, pissed off as I was at this point, I did some research and came across some consumer protection organizations and these guys also have some websites:

- Ministry of Consumer and Corporate Affairs

- OMVIC (Ontario Motor Vehicle Inspection Commision)

- MTO Enforcement Office (Ministry of Transportation Enforcement Office)

These guys are, in fact, doing things that are down-right illegal.  First, they skimped on the vehicle safety.  Second, they are breaking several "Codes of Ethics" that they are required to follow as set out by the OMVIC.

Well I sent two registered letters, one to the salesman that was giving me this run-around and swindling me for more and more money, Scott Liff.  The other was a copy sent to his boss (who, mind you, is just a cunniving and ruthless as we will see in a later post).

I compiled an official statement to them, along with detailed notes on each interaction I had with them.

Here is the letter I sent:

November 13, 2006

Attention: Scott Liff
Thomas Auto, Guelph, ON

This notice is to inform you that as per your recent verbal request, I refuse and reject your offer to cancel/terminate our contract signed November 1, 2006,
as per the Bill Of Sale for the 2002 Chevy Cavalier V.I.N. 1g1jh12f627326263, in exchange for another vehicle, as per the Terms and Conditions on the back of the
Bill of Sale.

This notice is to also officially inform you of the following problems with the vehicle:
1. Wiper blades do not clearly clean the windshield (improper contact/smudging occurs)
2. Rear right tire is leaking air from previous plug repair and has been driven flat prior to sale.
3. The "Check Engine" light is on steady
4. Missing floor mats that were in the vehicle when contract was signed
5. Missing ashtray/change tray
6. Original Rims and tires that were on the vehicle when contract was signed were not delivered with vehicle.

Despite several verbal requests in person to Thomas Auto to correct and fix all of the above-mentioned problems, I am repeatedly told to "come back" another day. 
Each time I return to Thomas Auto, the problem is not addressed, and I am told by Scott Liff, again and again, to "come back" on some other date.

Any further communications between Thomas Automotive and myself will only be accepted in writing.

[Name/Address/Signature]

Summary of the recent events around the sale and delivery of this vehicle:

October 23, 2006:
Scott Liff tells me that I qualify for a silver Pontiac Grand Prix GT/loaded/sunroof/black leather seats, etc.. and says that for $500 down the
montly payments would be "about $180 every two weeks."  I accept his offer. We sign a bill showing my $500 down payment.

October 25, 2006:
Scott Liff calls me and says he has to change the deal and he would require more money for the Grand Prix, but he has a 2002 Cavalier Z24 that I
would qualify for, that would be "cheaper."

October 26, 2006:
I test drive the 2002 Cavalier Z24.  Scott tells me that with the $500 down payment (already submitted for the Grand Prix GT) the monthly payments for the Cavalier
would be "about $160 every two weeks". I inform Scott to go ahead and write up the contract. Scott tells me he would have the car ready for pickup/delivery on MOnday October 30.

October 27, 2006:
I call Bellair Direct and setup an auto insurance policy for the 2002 Cavalier Z24 to start on Monday October 30, 2006.

October 30, 2006:
I call Thomas Auto to inquire about what time I should pick up the 2002 Cavalier Z24.  John (the mechanic performing the Safety on the vehicle) tells me the car
will not be ready until Wednesday (November 1st 2006).

November 1, 2006:
I go down to Thomas Auto to pick up the car. Scott tells me the car is not ready.  John tells me that the safety requires more time "to do it properly" and that the car
will not be ready until Thursday (November 2, 2006).

November 2, 2006:
I take a cab down to Thomas Auto to pick up the 2002 Cavalier Z24. The car is not ready. Scott tells me they have a delay in the shop because they've sold
a Kia to a customer that has transmission problems, that they've been working on the Kia because that customer has already been delayed over a week to pick up his vehicle.
Scott also tells me he requires another $200 for the down payment for the 2002 Cavalier Z24, and that my montly payments will be "$193 plus tax every two weeks".
Not given a reason for the price change, and wondering what the reason is for the rise in price, reluctantly, I agree -- and we both sign the contract and bill of sale for the 2002 Cavalier Z24.
Scott gives me a ride home and tells me that my car (the 2002 Cavalier) will be ready to pick up on Friday (November 3rd, 2006).

November 3, 2006:
I go down to Thomas Auto to pick up the 2002 Cavalier Z24 around 12:30pm. Scott tells me the car is currently being worked on, and that it will not be ready until 5pm.
He tells me to come back at 5pm.  I return home.  Scott calls me at 5pm and tells me to come back at 6pm (instead of 5pm) because of yet another delay.
I return to Thomas Auto at 6pm to pick up the car, which is ready, but Scott asks for another $93 for the license plates.  I give Scott $100 -- he tells me he has no change, and that I
should "come back another time" to receive my $7 change.  Reluctantly, I accept the terms and leave with the 2002 Cavalier Z24.

Later on I notice several problems with the car:
- floor mats missing
- wiper blades do not function correctly
- check engine light is on steady
- ashtray/change tray missing
- rims and tires seem older/worn out than when I last saw the car

I make a point to return to Thomas Auto and speak to Scott about these problems first thing next morning (as soon as they 0pen).

November 4, 2006:
9:00am: I return to Thomas Auto (supposedly opens at 9:00am on Saturdays) but nobody is around.  I wait around for 10 minutes then leave.
10:30am: I return to Thomas Auto and speak to Ron, who tells me that Scott is likely going to come in late due to a hangover from partying the previous night.  I ask Ron for a copy of
all signed papers for the Cavalier Z24. Reluctantly, he complies and makes me copies. 
12:30 pm: I return to Thomas Auto and just as I arrive, Scott is pulling into the parking lot. I speak to Scott about the problems with the car.  He chats with me a bit and tells me that
normally he could help me out but because the "big boss" is around, he can't at the moment.  He instructs me to come back on Monday night (November 6, 2006).

November 7, 2006:
As I worked late and returned home late Monday night, I go to Thomas Auto on Tuesday night instead (Nov. 7).  Scott is at the shop.  He tells me to "call me tomorrow" in order to set up
an appointment for Saturday (November 11th) to address the problems.  Why could he not setup the appointment on the spot?  Why am I to call him tomorrow? What was the difference? Reluctantly, I comply, and leave.

November 8, 2006:
I call Scott during my break at work on my cell phone (long distance) as per his instructions the night before.  He tells me he needs my driver's license address updated and sent to him.
I obtain the update and leave it for him after work, as requested. No mention is made of an appointment for Saturday.

November 11, 2006:
I arrive at Thomas Auto. Scott tells me there is a problem with the Finance Company, he says they are having a "little arguement" and that there is a problem with my contract.  He says he wants
to give me another car.  He tells me that I can have another car that will be similar to the 2002 Cavalier Z24, "with lower mileage" and that it will be "cheaper."  Scott offers to sell me the original
Grand Prix GT that he first showed me, but I refuse.  He looks up and mentions a few other vehicles to see if any catch my attention.  At no point do I agree to his offers for an exchange or to cancel
the existing contract that we both signed for the 2002 Cavalier Z24.

In order to maintain peace, I refrain from making any verbal complaints, and leave.

November 13, 2006:
I document the events of my experience with Scott Liff at Thomas Auto, and compose a refusal/rejection letter addressed to Scott Liff.  I sign and send both and send via registered mail to Scott at
Thomas Auto.