My Lease Return Fee Saga

[jonumberone]

On 4/30 I returned my wifes lease car.
I returned the car in near cherry condition,
and thanks to my wifes unwillingness to drive anywhere but the supermarket and target, a full 21000 miles under our allowance.
The return was quick and painless, a few papers to sign and I was out the door in less than 20 min.

About a week ago I receive a call from someone claiming to be from the leasing company.
They informed me I owe a $425 lease return fee and would be willing to take a CC # over the phone to settle the debt.
I ask why the dealership didn't mention it, and was told that the fee is to be paid to the bank and not the car dealer.
I refuse to give my info, but tell them to send me a bill.
I check my contract and sure enough I owe the fee.
I log onto my account and am unable to pay the fee online.

The next day, they call back, and want to remind me they will waive the fee if I buy another car from them.
I still refuse to give my info, but tell them when the bill comes, I'll mail a check.
Same story the next day and the next!!

The bill arrived on Monday and was placed in the pile of bills to be paid at weeks end.
Yesterday I get a call from my boss telling me that Chrysler called my job and told him I need to pay my Debt!!!!
And of course they would waive the fee if I bought another car from them.
Luckily, they gave him an extension where they could be reached.

Through an obscenity laced tirade, that ended with me calling the agent names then hanging up, this is what I learned:

The Fee was due when I returned the car but couldn't be paid to the dealer.
Though I made 36 lease payments online, I can't pay the fee that way.
Without an invoice I was supposed to put a check in an envelope write Chrysler Financial on it, and let the mail fairies do the rest.
They offer a 10 day grace period, which is why the calls started a week ago.
The calls won't stop until they receive payment.
And of course they would waive the fee if I bought another car from them.

Since I was never disputing the fact that I owed the fee, rather then deal with this any longer I wrote the check out when I got home from work yesterday at 1am and drove to the mailbox with it.

This morning I called the agent and apologized for screaming at him.
In a calm voice I explained that I wasn't mad about the fee, just the fact that after 36 on time lease payments, they are calling me constantly and now at work for a $425 bill I only received the day before.
I informed him I didn't want to buy a new Chrysler and have the fee waived.
And I assured him that the check was written and sent late last night.

I called him back 15 min later and asked if he received the check, nothing
10 min later still nothing.
Another 15 min, and they still haven't received the check.

As the day comes to an end The tally on my cell phone says I called them 27 times to see if a check I mailed this morning got there yet!

Can't wait for tomorrow!!

[awsmith4]

Sucks about the fee and the harassment but, way to have some fun with it

NICE!!!!!

[poker]

lol

[cmitch]

I'd pay the $25 fee at the bank to stop payment on it and then mail them a cashier's check certified return receipt.

[N2 GOLD]

When they called your boss & disclosed the exact nature of the call they were in VIOLATION of third party disclosure. Look up Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. You could walk away from having to pay the fee.

[Coach Deg]

Originally Posted by N2 GOLD

When they called your boss & disclosed the exact nature of the call they were in VIOLATION of third party disclosure. Look up Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. You could walk away from having to pay the fee.

Correct they cannot disclose what it about.

By the way you got his number, I can call a few times tomorrow.

[jonumberone]

Originally Posted by N2 GOLD

When they called your boss & disclosed the exact nature of the call they were in VIOLATION of third party disclosure. Look up Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. You could walk away from having to pay the fee.

In fairness, I have the same name as my boss

[N2 GOLD]

Originally Posted by jonumberone

In fairness, I have the same name as my boss

Regardless, they need to verify they are speaking to the correct party. The way they do that is by as for you using you first & last name, SS# and or a password. I personally would use it as use it as leverage. Speak to a supervisor, a company that size would record all inbound & outbound calls.

[loki]

i think it maybe illegal for them to call your job about a debt you owe. check your state laws

[T.G]

lol

[TBone]

Even after they get the check I'd keep calling until you see it was cashed through your bank...that'll teach em

[Superbad]

Go Dom!!!! Nice job! What's the number maybe I should check on it.

[DMK]

That there is FUNNY, I don't care who you are....

[Skywalker]

Originally Posted by jonumberone

I informed him I didn't want to buy a new Chrysler and have the fee waived.
And I assured him that the check was written and sent late last night.

I called him back 15 min later and asked if he received the check, nothing
10 min later still nothing.
Another 15 min, and they still haven't received the check.

As the day comes to an end The tally on my cell phone says I called them 27 times to see if a check I mailed this morning got there yet!

Can't wait for tomorrow!!

Sorry for your troubles.. but that made my day!!!

[bobarian]

LOL. But I think the "Rule of 3's" somehow applies here.

[kelmac07]

Way to stick it to them Dom!!

[Apoco]

Nice!

[hscmit]

dom
this is great

would be happy to make a few calls tomorrow and see if they have received payment or would like to purchase a used car from us

[MajorCaptSilly]

Dude, just buy another Chrysler. That 200 that Eminem is pimping has like eyebrows and mouth for a grill. How could you not want one of those? Or you could ask them if they have a New Yorker lying around.

MCS