from the beginning I was aware I was being overcharged, ripped off. The price and "fees" and interest were astronomical but I was desperate for a safe vehicle. then 2 years later during a divorce, as a single parent who had to endure cost of moving (TWICE) while easing back to work following stress leave (RN with stress leave) I was unable to pay very high insurance premium. I informed them, and they were going to take back the car due to lapsed insurance. I stopped my payments as such, was told to clear the vehicle of my belongings, and to put the key in it. I was contacted soon after by a bailiff, I explained the situation and she was understanding. She said she would contact me when she was coming to seize the vehicle. No one came. That was in August and it took until Feb/March before anyone even answered back. Then, when I did get a reply, they said that they were no longer seizing the vehicle, they were "walking away from the asset" and they would be seeking a large (almost 15k payment) they offered me a lump sum payment offer of almost 9k, OR $160 biweekly to pay off 15k. If I did not agree, they were threatening small claims court.
Had that offer been made in the beginning when I requested a forbearance due to a brief time of hardship they ignored me, and maintained theyd be collecting the vehicle.
At this point, I do not know if I am the legal owner, if (bc they are in Ontario and I am in NS) they have a seize OR sue or a seize AND sue law, and if it is worth making the car road worthy. Had I known the proper details, I could have kept the vehicle roadworthy. Now the car had depreciated exponentially more while it has been sitting idle, and I definitely feel that (although I understand my shortcomings in fulfilling the contract) their lack of communication and solution focused customer service has rendered the value of the vehicle significantly less than it should be.
They should have some reciprocal respect for our agreement, and should work with clients who are enduring periods of unanticipated stress.
All of this happened after 3 years of paying this loan and maintaining my emd of the agreement. I asked for a brief forbearance and was completely ignored. Now I am unsure if 1) fixing the car is worthwhile and 2) still dont know if they are entitled to take it so 3) why invest money into repair if I am not being given clear information?
All of this seems beyond fishy and illegitimate, but when I got the car I had a young child and desperately needed a new and safe vehicle.
Now I have been completely without a vehicle for quite some time, and can't begin to know what my next steps are.
Worst customer service I've ever encountered and very crooked business practices.
Definitely do not recommend them!!
And, I will add, they came to be in my life through Hayden Agencies in Halifax! Eden Park financed the car they sold me!
If I had a do over, and what I would recommend, I would just go without a car for 3-4 months and save the high interest double the cost/value payments (mine was $227 biweekly for a 2016 CX5 and additional $300+/mth for the insurance!!) Buy yourself a reliable fixer upper to insure, and buy it outright fully paid off.
Bonus points for saving to pay for a year insurance outright.
Good. Luck! (And, end rant!) read more