For the past year or so, the matriarch of a prominent Utah family has been featured in a TV ad. She speaks of their ability to provide jobs, and the principles and values that guide them in business. I cringe every time I see it. I sincerely question if this lovely woman (and I am not being sarcastic here) ever wonders how they became so wealthy selling cars.
I bought my current vehicle from them. When it was time to sit down with the finance officer, he shoved the usual documents toward me. I asked him to itemize the closing costs. He put me off. I asked him again for an itemized list. He said it would be a big long computer printout and I would not want to take the time. (Is this why it took from 5:30 p.m. until almost 9 p.m. to get to this part of the purchase process?) We were all tired, hungry and wanting to go home.
I stood up, saying I could buy a Jeep Wrangler elsewhere if he refused to itemize. Sighing, he began to list the expenses, the most egregious of which was $499 for VIN etching. Yes, $499! I was furious. He said he could not remove this item because the job had already been done. I was fully ready to walk out the door. He miraculously found a way to eliminate this shameful markup.
So, dear dealership family, keep providing good jobs. Keep up the philanthropy. And buyer beware of their “principles and values” reaching too deeply into your pocket.
Becky Yih, Park City