Canadian Mazda Dealer takes Advantage of Woman on Meds

[Snowcatxx87]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/10/v...r-o/#continued

Over the weekend, we brought you the story of Madeline Leonard, a Canadian woman on disability who was pressured into the sale of a 2010 Mazda6 sedan when she came in to have some work done on her 2004 model year vehicle. Not only did she drive off of the lot in a new car she didn't really want (a demo car with around 3,700 miles, no less), she was ridiculously overcharged. The dealer sold her the car at a $45,846 CAD list price with an eight-year loan at 7.4 percent interest, bringing the grand total of the transaction to $66,000 CAD.

Now, the Orangeville, Ontario Mazda dealership has responded, saying that the two employees mainly responsible for this sale have been fired. What's more, the dealer plans to take the car back and refund Leonard all of the money that she has paid up to this point. That may be all well and good, but OMVIC says that the people involved could potentially face fines of up to $250,000, and possibly even do some time in jail.

Leonard, who is taking medication for a number of problems including fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, depression and anxiety, says that she feels cheated, lied to and manipulated. Understandably so, especially since an investigation by the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) determined that the vehicle she purchased is only worth about $40,000 CAD.

[Scottmc]

Re: Canadian Mazda Dealer takes Advantage of Woman on Meds

What a bunch of dickheads, I hope they can never sell anything again and get the
maximum fine

[onceover]

Re: Canadian Mazda Dealer takes Advantage of Woman on Meds

What a bunch of dickheads, I hope they can never sell anything again and get the
maximum fine

I think thats a little excessive. Yes, the deserve to be fired, but a 250k fine is rediculous, and the company did the right thing and took the car back.

[RONDAL]

Re: Canadian Mazda Dealer takes Advantage of Woman on Meds

I think thats a little excessive. Yes, the deserve to be fired, but a 250k fine is rediculous, and the company did the right thing and took the car back.

whats the difference between a car salesman selling someone a car they dont want that is overvalued and done in a way that takes advantage of someones mental capacity, and say a financial investor doing the same with someones stocks or RRSP's worth the same amount.

i can tell you in the latter the person who takes advantage of the customer gets a lot worse than $250,000 fine.

[Scottmc]

Re: Canadian Mazda Dealer takes Advantage of Woman on Meds

I think thats a little excessive. Yes, the deserve to be fired, but a 250k fine is rediculous, and the company did the right thing and took the car back.

I didnt know they took the car back, in that case, they should receive a stiff fine, like 30 g's and not able to sell cars anymore, ever

[Snowcatxx87]

Re: Canadian Mazda Dealer takes Advantage of Woman on Meds

Apparently the salesman and business manager were both fired, and they took the car back.

If you're a normal person and get hosed, that's your fault. But a lady who is disabled goes for a tires and ends up with a new car is suspect.

[Snowcatxx87]

Re: Canadian Mazda Dealer takes Advantage of Woman on Meds

Update!

Mazda has terminated the contract with this dealer.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/14/f...ndled-custome/

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Canadian Mazda Dealer takes Advantage of Woman on Meds

That is a pretty harsh penalty but sets the standard that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and I can see Mazda doing as much as it can to distance itself from this dealer.

[luunta]

Re: Canadian Mazda Dealer takes Advantage of Woman on Meds

Mazda is doing the right thing to protect it's interests.

[Mister T]

Re: Canadian Mazda Dealer takes Advantage of Woman on Meds

That strikes me as a little over the top as well. Having worked in car sales for a time, I can say that there are regular joes getting screwed like that all the time. While I agree that it's despicable that there are salespeople that would take advantage of someone like that, the dealership did the right thing by taking the car back and firing the two employees. I don't see what is to be gained by shutting the dealership down and potentially ending the jobs of the staff there who do play by the rules.

[luunta]

Re: Canadian Mazda Dealer takes Advantage of Woman on Meds

Mazda obviously has to take action that anything affiliated with them in a negative manner. Obviously this is a gross misuse of power and manipulation. Mazda made the right move. Anyone who owns their own business will agree with me. I see everything that is gained by shutting down the dealership. Mazda is trying to rebuild a positive public relations image after such an obviously gross misuse of services. It's too bad people are losing jobs over someone else who broke the law, but those other employees should be more aware of how their business is being run.

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Canadian Mazda Dealer takes Advantage of Woman on Meds

Well there is always the possibility of behind the scenes benefits for Mazda such as this was a poor performing dealer, more complaints, another interested party wanting a dealership in the area. I am sure if it was the #1 dealer in the country it might be a different story but somehow I think they might be thankful for an excuse to sever the tie.

[Mister T]

Re: Canadian Mazda Dealer takes Advantage of Woman on Meds

I'd say that is probably right on the money.

[Stonewall]

Re: Canadian Mazda Dealer takes Advantage of Woman on Meds

I agree, my money is on this was a final straw for that stealership (<--that actually fits very well this time).
This would be like a McDonalds etc triple charging for food, when you are part of a chain you play by their rules or gtfo.

[aliencurv]

Re: Canadian Mazda Dealer takes Advantage of Woman on Meds

does anyone think it's wierd that she was driving under these meds? :P