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debbys9012
Guest
My ticket was drawn in a "jingle bells" sweepstakes set up in a small town in northeastern Oklahoma. The prize I won was a one year lease on a 2001 Chevrolet Prizm. The media was there, I got my picture in the paper, the car had been hauled to the place of the drawing on a flat bed trailer, etc. The drawing took place on December 16 and in the envelope I was handed, I was instructed to go to the local Chevrolet dealer on Monday, the 18th to take possession of my new car. On Monday I went to the dealer, along with my sister, to pick up the car. We were met by the financial person of the dealership and treated very nicely by him and he explained that what I had won was the first year's lease on a 2001 Chevrolet Prizm, the same one that was on display at the courthouse, where the drawing was held. In fact the car was still sitting at the courthouse and an employee was told to go get the car, and bring it back so it could be detailed and made ready for me to take possession. The financial man (let's call him John) took a little information from me as a mere formality, (his words) and then showed me what the car was worth and told me that at the end of the 12 months I could bring the car back and walk away or I could then purchase the car for about $8100. I asked him at this time, if I would have to have credit approval and he assured me that since the dealer was paying the first 12 months' lease that my credit had no bearing on the deal, whatsoever, and in fact that my credit would be greatly improved, by the fact that I would now have showing on my credit, 12 on time payments. My only obligations were to insure the car with full coverage and I would also have to tag it in my name. He then suggested that my sister and I go eat lunch and give him a little time to get the paperwork wrapped up and suggested that I might check into how much insurance would cost me and if we would be back at the dealership in an hour or two, we would be ready to go. I promptly went to my insurance agent and purchased full coverage on the car. She gave me proof of insurance, we went to eat lunch and showed back up at the dealership about 2 hours after we left. "John" had gone to lunch, so a guy from the garage, talked to him on the phone, told him I brought in proof of insurance, and also informed him that all the detailing of the car was finished and the car was ready to go. "John" then told him to make a copy of my proof of insurance and let me have the car and he would be in touch with me within a few days to give me title, etc. I did not hear from "John" again until Thursday, the 21st. When he called then, he told me, he was sorry, but I was going to have to bring the car back, as my credit had not been approved. They were so sorry for my inconvenience and since the lease cost the dealership only $125/month they were prepared to come pick up the car and give me a check for $1500. (I forgot to mention in the letter informing me of what I had won, the package was worth $500/month for the Prizm and I could keep the Prizm or upgrade to whatever I wanted, while paying the extra above the $500) "John" was shocked that I didn't jump all over the $1500! He let me know that was no small chunk of change, I should be grateful for them giving that to me. I graciously declined, saying "No, I want the car for 12 months!" I then asked if they would approve the lease if I had a co-signer and he said he didn't know, but he would check and get back with me. I did not hear from him again until December 27, when he called and asked why I had not gotten in touch with him again. He asked me if I had gotten a co-signer. I told him no, because I didn't feel like I should have to ask my family to stick their necks out for something that I had "won". He then got hateful with me and said it wasn't his fault that I had messed up my credit and then expected something for nothing! I held my cool, as I still wanted the car. After all, I did not approach them wanting a hand out! I thought I had won something fair and square. I then asked to talk to the owner of the dealership. I explained my situation to the dealer and he said he was sorry, but everyone involved in the sweepstakes knew that lease was with approved credit. That is simply not true. I would never have even gone in the first day, if I knew I had to be approved. He then invited me in to talk to him personally the following day. Right before I went to talk to him, I checked with the people who put on the jingle bell sweepstakes in the first place. It is like the chamber of commerce and I asked the lady in charge, if she knew that prize was with approved credit and she said absolutely not, that I won a 12 month lease on that new car with no strings attached! She then told me to get a hold of the owner and I told her I had an appointment at 11:00 that morning. She then asked me to let her know how things turned out. I guess she then called the owner herself, because when I met with him, he was irritated about the fact I called her. He said she told him a completely different story and yes, she knew, it was with approved credit. I am so mad at her, that I haven't called her back yet. So anyway, he said he didn't have to give me a new car, that he could let me use any car on his lot, but he would have to exchange them out every 30 to 60 days and I would have to keep updating my insurance on each car. He said then I would have use of a car for the year. I told him that is not what I wanted. What I wanted is the 12 month lease on the Chevrolet Prizm I was driving. I then told him if I needed a co-signer, then he could co-sign and he laughed in my face. He said he would not risk the liability of having his name on the note, but how is he risking any less liability by letting me drive cars from his lot? We still have not come to an agreement about this issue. All I want is the 12 month lease on the car that I won and I'm not sure what he wants. I am getting really tired of messing with this. Can you imagine my embarrassment of telling people that I really didn't win anything because my credit wasn't approved. My teen-age daughters were so proud and told all their friends and now are they going to have to tell them that since their mother had poor credit, she really didn't win anything? I can't sleep because of this. The owner was supposed to call me today and let me know what was going on and he didn't and I am going crazy, thinking about this. My question is: Do I have any recourse for what this has put me and my family through? Do I have any kind of lawsuit against the dealer and/or the people who put the sweepstakes on? It just seems so unfair that big businesses can get by with this type of behavior.