April 15, 2009
Toyota Motor Sales USA
Mr. Yuki Funo, CEO Toyota North America
19001 So. Western Ave., Dept. WC11
Torrance, California 90509
Toyota Financial Services
Mr. George Borste, President & CEO
19851 So. Western Avenue
Torrance, California 90509
Account Number: 03-0612-CF718
My name is Fred Nance Jr. My wife, Darlene Bouyer-Nance, leased a 2008 Toyota Camry from Orland Park Toyota in Illinois. This is Darlene’s 2nd or 3rd lease vehicle from Orland Park Toyota. Darlene went to River Oaks Toyota in Calumet City, Illinois to have this car serviced. Darlene was considered the purchase of a new car from Toyota.
2008 Toyota Camry Repair:
On or about April 7, 2009 Darlene took her “leased” 2008 Toyota Camry to River Oaks Toyota in Calumet City, Illinois. Darlene informed the service advisor (Demetric Campbell #329 is on the receipt/invoice) that her trunk would not open without inserting the key in the trunk lock. The service advisor informed Darlene he inspected the car and found that the latch was broken and inoperative. The service advisor informed Darlene River Oaks Toyota would have to order a trunk latch for the car. Attached is the paid receipt with the note “…needs a trunk latch.”
On or about April 8, 2009 Darlene and I took this “leased” 2008 Toyota Camry to the service department of Orland Park Toyota in Orland Park, Illinois. We explained to a service department employee that the trunk would only open with a key. The service department employee examined the car to see if it would open when lifting the latch inside the car. When it did not open, the service department person took the key to the car, inserted it in the trunk lock and turned it counter clockwise. After performing this task, the service department person went to the latch inside the car, pulled it up and the trunk opened. This service department person informed us that someone had put the trunk in “valet” mode. We have not gone anywhere where a valet serviced this car. Generally, I park the car to save money.
New Car Purchase:
On or about April 7, 2009 my wife engaged an African American salesperson at River Oaks Toyota to buy a new car, while her 2008 Toyota Camry was being serviced. This salesperson conducted a credit check, approved and qualified Darlene to “purchase” a 2009 Toyota Camry for approximately $24,000.00 with a $525.00 monthly payment for 60 months. This salesperson inspected the 2008 Toyota Camry and informed Darlene she would receive a $1700.00 rebate when she turned in the “leased” 2008 Toyota Camry. Darlene wanted to purchase the new Toyota Venza, but was informed she did not qualify for it even though her annual gross wages is $67,000.00.
On or about April 8, 2009 Darlene and I took her “leased” 2008 Toyota Camry to Joe Rizza Ford in Orland Park, Illinois engaging a Hispanic male as our salesperson. My wife was approved and qualified to purchase a 2010 Ford Truck for approximately $25,000.00 with a $4000.00 rebate. The Ford salesperson informed Darlene that she was “upside down” in her leased 2008 Toyota Camry. Nevertheless, the salesperson informed Darlene there would be no problem with her purchasing a car from them.
On or about April 8, 2009 Darlene and I entered the “showroom” of Orland Park Toyota in Orland Park, Illinois seeking to “buy” a new Toyota, which was the down the street from Joe Rizza Ford. We engaged salesperson Mr. John Tinault. Hector Torres greeted and engaged us as we stated our business for the day was to get out of the “leased” car and purchase a car. Mr. Torres stated he would have someone examine the lease as Mr. Tinault serviced us in choosing a car.
Darlene chose a 2010 Toyota Corolla for her purchase. The approximate cost of the car was $24,000.00. Mr. Tinault took Darlene’s personal information, filled out an application and took it to Mr. Torres. Mr. Tinault returned informing Darlene she did not qualify to return her “leased” car and buy a new car. We asked for an explanation, but Mr. Tinault refused an explanation but continued informing Darlene she did not qualify to return her “lease” car and purchase a new car. I asked Mr. Tinault for his business card. Mr. Tinault gave me an Orland Toyota business card where inserted his name stating he was a new employee and did not have business cards.
Negligent/Discriminatory Practices and Indifferent Treatment
River Oaks Toyota continues to manufacture false damages in their customer’s cars to promote their nefarious acts of deception and negligence. I talked to a previous salesperson of River Oaks Toyota who reports discussions between management and salespersons on their deceptive practices; reporting possible payoffs to officials and police officers of Calumet City, Illinois.
River Oaks Toyota continues its deceptive, negligent and unprofessional business practices. I wrote a letter to Mr. Jim Lebo in September of 2005 addressing these practices. I wrote a letter dated October 5, 2005 to the Office of the Attorney General, State of Illinois, Lisa Madigan Attorney General and Ms. Dolores Rodman, Citizen Advocate, Consumer Protection Division reporting these deceptive practices.
Orland Park Toyota continues its nefarious acts of retribution and retaliation against its customers. I wrote a letter to Mr. Yuki Funo and Mr. George Borste dated March 27, 2006 reporting a biased analysis of the 2003 Toyota Corolla Darlene “leased” from Orland Park Toyota. I have written other letters detailing these practices. It is our belief that we are being discriminated against and are being treated indifferently by Orland Park Toyota.
River Oaks Toyota and Joe Rizza Ford talked about the lease car being “upside down” in its worth. We have a lease agreement for 3 years, starting December 7, 2007 and ending on December 6, 2010. We are allowed 15,000 miles per 12 month period. River Oaks Toyota and Joe Rizza Ford offered rebates to off-set the difference of the worth of the “leased” 2008 Toyota Camry. Orland Park Toyota has rebates, but refused to give or offer Darlene their rebates. This is a retaliatory act against us. This discriminates against us. This is retribution for the letters I have written regarding their dealership services to us.
Mr. Funo and Mr. Borste: What will you do about these issues? What are our alternatives? What will you do about these dealerships operating in this manner, which reflects upon the integrity of Toyota? Does this issue rise to the level of arbitration? Also, please explain the “Optional Guarantee Automobile Protection and Optional Mechanics Breakdown Protection” that Darlene initialed on her “Motor Vehicle Lease Agreement Illinois.”
Gentlemen, pursuant to the “Fair Credit Act” I expect to receive a letter “detailing” why Darlene was refused purchase of the Toyota Camry from Orland Park Toyota in Orland Park, Illinois.
Respectfully submitted,
Fred Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS
cc:
http://clickforjusticeandequality.blogspot.com/
http://clickforjusticeandequality.wordpress.com/
Jim Lebo, General Manager River Oaks Toyota
Jess Jowalis, General Manager Orland Park Toyota
Toyota Financial Services