Valley Nissan

My wife and I traded in our 2005 Subaru Outback for a newer model with fewer miles and nicer options. We weren't in dire need of a new car, but thought we'd see what kind of a deal we could get. Besides, the sales team was really into the pressure of it all, so we played along. Just because we were willing to play does not mean that we were going to break our budget for them to get a sale. The more they persisted, the more I insisted on a price lower than their "best deal," and within our budget. After a few hours, we came to an agreement, and my wife and I left with an affordable car that had all the bells and whistles. A few weeks later, I received a call from the salesman that Valley wanted me to quietly return the car. I was first told something was "wrong" with the 2005 I traded in. When I asked for them to put it on paper, the salesman said he'd call back. A manager later called. To my surprise, my car was "involved in a flood." Again, I asked for it to be put in ink, and that I'd pass it on to my attorney for review. He said he'd call me right back. But wait! There's more! I then got a call from the dealership head, and was told that I scammed them because I did not tell him (yes, him) that my wife and I "resided in a flood plain." On the contrary. First off, the salesman and I joked about moving to Colorado when our family lived less than a mile from the beach. Second, my car was never in a flood, because the southwest Florida neighborhood in which we lived hadn't flooded in recent memory. Third, and most importantly, Valley Nissan Subaru was simply beat at their own game. Their propensity for bad business backfired. I had a strict budget, and sticking to it was not an option. It seems their plan was to give in to my financial needs for the sole purpose of meeting a quota in hard times, and then pass their loss of judgement onto you, the consumer. When customers did not bite, they broke their word and contract. The car that I traded in, the one that was "flooded," and "from a flood plain," was made available to you, the unsuspecting consumer. When I called their bluff, I was told that they would come after me with their legal team, and that I would be charged $50/day plus a fee per mile for the three weeks I had the car. I just wanted a nice car, and by tearing up our agreement that was sealed with a handshake and smile, Valley Nissan Subaru spit in the face of dealers who do business the correct way. They spit in the face of consumers who place trust in dealerships to not rip them off. Valley Nissan Subaru furthered the stereotype that all "used car salesmen" are similar to [violative content deleted] that prey on average people who are just trying to live a happy life. If the salesman had just owned up to the fact that the dealership misjudged the value of my car, that they made a sincere mistake, and had not tried to lie to get the car back, I would have returned the car, and not still resent the dealer a few years later. Just remember that there is a reason for their poor rating from the BBB. Remember that there is a reason for all of the negative comments left. Finally, remember that there are breaches in trust for each voice heard in this global forum. Support local business, but first make sure it's good business that's being practiced.