#1 - Did they LIE/Defraud/Manipulate or was it just a misunderstanding?
I repeatedly and in writing only authorized a 'Soft' credit pull - 3 to 4 different people 'assured' me. Then they presented me with an Authorization form, which I modified to clearly state 'Soft' Credit pull only. I did not buy a car that day; then, I discovered they did a 'hard' credit check instead of a soft one. They also claimed to be able to get me a better rate than Navy Federal. (I doubt it, but who knows). Maybe the finance guy lied, or the manager (s) lied, and everyone else repeated the lie.
#1 - THEY BECAME UNRESPONSIVE
I tracked down the alleged owner on LinkedIn. Online, verified a public-facing e-mail, sent a polite but stern e-mail advising of what I experienced, and wanted their company to correct the credit report. I got a weird auto-response, valid e-mail address, just not deliverable? I have been an IT Guy in the industry for decades, and I think they got my e-mail but have some kind of public-facing rejection mechanism in place, so you don't know they received it.
I went to their website, and they only have a 'Contact Us' form, so I added a note, including my e-mail experience, and I included what I wrote. I wanted them to fix this false reporting on my credit report for their unauthorized check, which was a violation of the laws/rules governing such things.
I received a confirmation e-mail that my submission was received. No response. I also followed up with the saleswoman I talked to, not about this matter, but about a referral of a colleague who I knew was in the market for a car and may be interested in the one I looked at. No response, not even a thank you. Am I old-fashioned, or is that just rude?
Did they break the law? Is this a Predatory Trade Practice? Is it Unprofessional? Am I entitled to default damages and maybe punitive damages?
I don't know, but I am finding out. I contacted a Lawyer and have begun a process of disputing the damage to my credit report and what legal remedies and reportings I am entitled to make. If this was just an accident, why didn't they respond, fix it, and there would be nothing like this going on. Instead, they Ghosted me and let their false reporting on my credit stay. When you 'dispute' a credit item, they ask you to contact the person who inquired. I did that fairly and reasonably.
I am glad I did not buy anything from Salem Nissan, and they have done nothing but waste my time and now have to take the time to clean up their mess on my credit report. I don't particularly appreciate being lied to, especially by a fellow Veteran who led the negotiations. It is and was dishonorable. But, what is worse, even if this was just an oops, they didn't fix it, and I am going through time-consuming processes to fix it. Now, I am motivated to expose their trade practices and report them to every state and federal agency interested. If applicable, I will be seeking the maximum entitled damages I can pursue because, at some point, we citizens have to stop putting up with these predatory trade practices.
I hope the Law Firm I have engaged in regarding this matter will take it on. Though the damages are limited by law, they are entitled to fair and reasonable attorney fees and court costs.
No consumer should be lied to about credit inquiries or other deceptive trade practices. I left that day feeling we had established trust, and I was seriously considering a purchase after my partner got back from visiting and taking care of her mom. Then, trust was broken, and they wasted my time and theirs.
All those cliches about how and why people despise shopping for cars?
Buyer Beware of Salem Nissan / Nissan of Salem and don't let them do a credit check on you unless you are fully prepared to deal with a 'hard' check which stays on your credit for 24 months and is potentially a negative item on your credit report.
THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING:
They have done nothing to fair and reasonable attempts at communication. They didn't even give me a copy of the Authorization form I signed either. It was weird.
They damaged their reputation, and I will ever be sharing my negative experience online and offline until they have redeemed their honor and reputation by owning what they have done, fixing what they have done, and compensating me for my time in having to deal with their unprofessional and untrustworthy trade practices.
They lost a sale from a qualified buyer.
They annoyed and upset an influencer.
Suppose they can't handle being honest about something so simple, and they can't own or fix such a little thing. In that case, I am ever thankful I did not entrust my life or the lives of my loved ones by driving a vehicle where I would ever be wondering what else they are willing to lie to the public about?
Nissan of Salem Reviews
#1 - Did they LIE/Defraud/Manipulate or was it just a misunderstanding?
I repeatedly and in writing only authorized a 'Soft' credit pull - 3 to 4 different people 'assured' me. Then they presented me with an Authorization form, which I modified to clearly state 'Soft' Credit pull only. I did not buy a car that day; then, I discovered they did a 'hard' credit check instead of a soft one. They also claimed to be able to get me a better rate than Navy Federal. (I doubt it, but who knows). Maybe the finance guy lied, or the manager (s) lied, and everyone else repeated the lie.
#1 - THEY BECAME UNRESPONSIVE
I tracked down the alleged owner on LinkedIn. Online, verified a public-facing e-mail, sent a polite but stern e-mail advising of what I experienced, and wanted their company to correct the credit report. I got a weird auto-response, valid e-mail address, just not deliverable? I have been an IT Guy in the industry for decades, and I think they got my e-mail but have some kind of public-facing rejection mechanism in place, so you don't know they received it.
I went to their website, and they only have a 'Contact Us' form, so I added a note, including my e-mail experience, and I included what I wrote. I wanted them to fix this false reporting on my credit report for their unauthorized check, which was a violation of the laws/rules governing such things.
I received a confirmation e-mail that my submission was received. No response. I also followed up with the saleswoman I talked to, not about this matter, but about a referral of a colleague who I knew was in the market for a car and may be interested in the one I looked at. No response, not even a thank you. Am I old-fashioned, or is that just rude?
Did they break the law? Is this a Predatory Trade Practice? Is it Unprofessional? Am I entitled to default damages and maybe punitive damages?
I don't know, but I am finding out. I contacted a Lawyer and have begun a process of disputing the damage to my credit report and what legal remedies and reportings I am entitled to make. If this was just an accident, why didn't they respond, fix it, and there would be nothing like this going on. Instead, they Ghosted me and let their false reporting on my credit stay. When you 'dispute' a credit item, they ask you to contact the person who inquired. I did that fairly and reasonably.
I am glad I did not buy anything from Salem Nissan, and they have done nothing but waste my time and now have to take the time to clean up their mess on my credit report. I don't particularly appreciate being lied to, especially by a fellow Veteran who led the negotiations. It is and was dishonorable. But, what is worse, even if this was just an oops, they didn't fix it, and I am going through time-consuming processes to fix it. Now, I am motivated to expose their trade practices and report them to every state and federal agency interested. If applicable, I will be seeking the maximum entitled damages I can pursue because, at some point, we citizens have to stop putting up with these predatory trade practices.
I hope the Law Firm I have engaged in regarding this matter will take it on. Though the damages are limited by law, they are entitled to fair and reasonable attorney fees and court costs.
No consumer should be lied to about credit inquiries or other deceptive trade practices. I left that day feeling we had established trust, and I was seriously considering a purchase after my partner got back from visiting and taking care of her mom. Then, trust was broken, and they wasted my time and theirs.
All those cliches about how and why people despise shopping for cars?
Buyer Beware of Salem Nissan / Nissan of Salem and don't let them do a credit check on you unless you are fully prepared to deal with a 'hard' check which stays on your credit for 24 months and is potentially a negative item on your credit report.
THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING:
They have done nothing to fair and reasonable attempts at communication. They didn't even give me a copy of the Authorization form I signed either. It was weird.
They damaged their reputation, and I will ever be sharing my negative experience online and offline until they have redeemed their honor and reputation by owning what they have done, fixing what they have done, and compensating me for my time in having to deal with their unprofessional and untrustworthy trade practices.
They lost a sale from a qualified buyer.
They annoyed and upset an influencer.
Suppose they can't handle being honest about something so simple, and they can't own or fix such a little thing. In that case, I am ever thankful I did not entrust my life or the lives of my loved ones by driving a vehicle where I would ever be wondering what else they are willing to lie to the public about?
Little things matter.