First... I'd like to start out by saying that it has taken me an inordinate amount of time to write this. I am, for lack of a more forceful term, outraged concerning the treatment I received by Romano Mazda, and perplexed by the unethical tactics they used during negotiations with my wife and myself while leasing a vehicle from them. With the obviously angry reaction posed by myself about this situation... I feel it necessary to explain what transpired when leasing a new vehicle from them! During the "financial disclosure" portion of the lease, with a heavy heart I advised them [with my wife present] that she had stage IV cancer and may not survive the term of the lease. The answer they immediately gave me (without me even finishing my statement), was that IF that unfortunate event were to take place during the lease term with them, they would buy the vehicle back... "no problem". I must admit that my wife was not feeling well that particular day and that all I was interested in doing was to put a smile on her face by acquiring the car that she wanted. To continue... I should have gotten the "No Problem" answer in writing... but I didn't! My fault! I later learned that I had made a serious mistake by NOT getting the "No Problem" promise written into the contract. I briefly inquired about it and they said it wasn't necessary. While thinking back to that moment, my wife was in awful pain that day! Since the numbers looked right and she just wanted to go home, they had me co-sign the lease agreement. To put it bluntly, my wife's credit was better than mine at that time. Together with her now "fixed income" by being out of work due to her illness, the numbers were actually brought back into line by my cosigning. It got the price where it should be and where I was comfortable. I know cosigning would normally make me liable for it in the event that my wife passed during the lease term. I did ask, and I did receive the "Yup, no problem, we will take care of you and buy it back" statement. I signed where I was supposed to, and the deal was done.
I was originally was recommended to Romano Mazda by a friend and ended-up purchasing a Mazda 6 that I was very happy with. When I traded that in I went to Romano Ford. I actually enjoyed doing business with the Romanos and how well they treated me, so there was no question in my mind as to why I would not have my wife do business with them too! Well... they sure "took care of me (us)"! Shortly after my wife passed and her payment was coming up I informed them of her passing and how do I go about returning the vehicle. Essentially it's in my name now, I'm responsible. To turn it back in will cost $4,000. I literally had the funeral services a few days prior for my wife, and to say I was shocked would be an understatement. Then came the "I was told my **** and **** yes" by more than one person that you would buy it back no problems. Nope! I even spoke with the General Manager and after telling him what my wife and I were told he stated that "The people that told you that don't have the authority to say it! He followed that up with "...and don't say anything that will make it look like I don't want to help you", essentially accusing me of lying about what two employees had originally told us. Seriously, this story brings tears to my eyes. I'm trying to explain my situation and he threatens me without even beginning to try to resolve the problem!. In the end, I had to take out yet another loan... but I paid the $4,000 to return my wife's vehicle.
I implore the owners of Romano to reach out to me about this situation! None of the Romano employees would provide that information to me in order to contact you. The GM did reach out to me, and our conversation was essentially a slap to my face.
I had no intention of writing this "tell all" about my experience with the Romanos. If nothing else gets accomplished, I just hope that this will inform those who venture there for their car needs to realize that it really is about the dollar for the Romano Dealerships, not the customer service. I thought they prided themselves on that. It's just sad and still hurts knowing and recalling how they took advantage of us. While the business end surely does revolve around the dollar... I can say with all reserve that they have no compassion whatsoever! To assert that I'm a liar is just plain ludicrous. I would also like to implore and/or urge ALL who read this that the best thing that you can ever do for yourself in any situation involving money OR important transactions of any sort: GET IT IN WRITING!
Respectfully submitted,
James Silver read more