Dealers are expected to honor the agreements.
We hear about dealership disputes almost daily. Hyundai has recently warned about excessive pricing. They joined Ford, and General Motors to address shady dealer practices which could harm automakers. The latest information comes from Infiniti. However, this time it’s not about free cash grabs prior to a purchase. Cash grabs are what it is after the contract has been signed.
This was first reported by Cars Direct. It cited a letter sent from Infiniti Financial Services directly to dealers. The letter described some of the nefarious actions taken against people who were trying to lease an Infiniti vehicle. Some dealerships allegedly increased fees or refused to honor the buyout price, instead of sticking to the terms in the contract.
Some dealerships refused to buyout the lessee, forcing him or her to start a new lease, or purchase another car. We all know the current market for new and used cars.
Motor1.com reached out to Infiniti to get more information about the situation. This has led to many complaints to the Better Business Bureau and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as well as state Attorneys General offices. A spokesperson for the company confirmed that its financial arm had contacted dealers.
“Infiniti clients who have financed a lease with Infiniti Financial Services may choose to purchase their vehicle at the predetermined price and any incidental costs as specified in the agreement.” Infiniti stated in an email to Motor1.com that they expect Infiniti Retailers will honor the lease agreement. Additional information for IFS lessees is available at https://www.infinitiusa.com/owners/benefits/end-of-lease.html, and clients may also contact IFS at 800-887-5159 with questions about their purchase options.”
Infiniti’s efforts against unscrupulous dealers extend to third-party agreements regarding leasing and financing. The automaker stated that it expects dealers to honor these contracts. CarsDirect states that locations who don’t get along with the automaker could face delays in funding or be excluded from participation in their leasing/buying programs.