Following is a very mixed review about my experience leasing a new vehicle from Lexus of Dayton. We have a home in a neighboring state so we decided to lease the auto in Dayton and license it in the other state.
Our initial contact with Internet Sales was very professional and enjoyable. He set us up with Janet (Sales Consultant). The time with Janet was what we would expect from Lexus - professional and knowledgeable. Our experience with Amelia (Product delivery) was equally professional.
What happened between our meetings with Janet and Amelia, however, is where the dealer failed, and failed miserably. That is when we were assigned to meet with the 'finance' person.
During our meeting with Janet, she shared that she was not familiar with out-of-state taxes, and we negotiated an initial pre-tax lease. She said that Finance would work out the tax details. That was fine with us.
Not once during the 30 minute conversation with Finance did she mention our monthly payment, including tax. We went over details of original cost, discounts, etc., all related to the total cost, but nothing was ever said about how this would translate to a monthly cost. She even became somewhat obsessed about a $16 tax. Not per month. But total. Three times she said she wasn't sure if $16 was correct. We were caught up in those details and did not ask the question of the 'monthly bottom line', but wouldn't you think that when the finance person is covering a monthly lease contract with the client, she would mention the monthly payment? Finance certainly didn't think so.
(And interestingly, the very first piece of paper she asked us to sign was a form saying she had gone over everything. I recall thinking it was odd to sign this as we had not covered 90% of the information on the form, but that is my fault.)
We were well aware that the initial lease number did NOT include tax, but the final monthly price was 50% higher than what we negotiated. While I understand that the majority of the increase is tax related, I should have been informed on the spot of the cost. That way I would not have had such a shock, and had such a bad taste in my mouth, that evening while looking over the paperwork -- I thought the Dealer had made an enormous mistake.
The extra monthly amount was made up of two parts. First, there was an error on the part of the General Manager - which accounts for about a third of the extra monthly lease payment. He admitted that instead of using the down payment I offered, he used $2,400 less. As there were other incentives, I did not catch this. Of course, if Finance had simply reviewed the monthly payment with us (even one time) it would have been caught and corrected on the spot. The GM offered to send me about 40% of his error.
The second item were the taxes. Now I realize the dealer does not control the taxes. But they should be able to calculate them. And again, if the finance manager had shared the monthly amount, this all would have been worked out at the dealership. GM told me that they had contacted a dealer near my home to make sure the taxes were correct and that is what was used in our lease. .
After driving the vehicle back home, I went to properly license it. At the DMV they informed me that Lexus of Dayton charged me 9.5% tax when in actuality, my state charges Use Tax of only 7.25%. This is an overpayment of taxes of nearly $900 in taxes. Again I had to call GM and complain and Lexus of Dayton then sent me a check for the full tax payment and then I simply paid the correct amount to my state. The DMV is often the butt of jokes but in this case they surely understood taxes better than the dealership. I question if Dayton really did consult a local dealer. If they did, how was the tax rate incorrect?
As they say, "There are few guarantees in life" but I can guarantee you this.... we will NEVER, EVER again set foot in the Lexus of Dayton showroom.
Sales and Delivery ... 5 Start
Finance and back office ... 0 Stars read more
