ENCORE: Stivers President Disputes Register Article; 'None of It's Accurate'
In a piece published by the Des Moines Register, Stivers Ford Lincoln is being accused of taking advantage of a 22-year-old with autism.
Scott Politte says you shouldn't believe everything you read. Especially when it comes to one particular article that ran on the Des Moines Register's website Friday.
The article references a case between Austin King, 22, his parents and a car deal that went awry at Stivers Ford Lincoln in 2011.
The Kings claim that their son was coerced into buying a $30,000 Ford Fusion, that the numbers on the credit application were fudged and that Austin didn't have the mental capacity to make any purchasing decisions because he has a mild form of autism.
"I dispute everything that's represented as fact in the article," said Politte, president of Stivers Ford Lincoln. "Everything she (the reporter) put in quotations were not direct quotes. Nobody at this dealership said those things. They were second- and third-hand comments related by Austin. None of it's accurate."
The case gets muddier when you find out that Austin King once worked at the dealership and purchased two vehicles from them prior to the purchase in question in 2011.
Politte said this is the first time anything like this has ever happened at Stivers Ford Lincoln.
"It’s the first time we’ve ever been accused of something like this," Politte said. "It's just not the way we do business. We sell over 3,000 cars a year and have for over 32 years. This is the first time anything like this has ever even been alleged."
While he couldn't speak to the legal aspects of the case, Politte said he wants to remind people that just because someone alleges something happened, doesn't always make it true.
"I want people to know that we’re a family-owned company and I’m here every day," he said. "If we didn’t have great people working for us and we weren't delivering great customer service, we wouldn't be in business. It’s unfortunate what some people are assuming because that's not who we are."
Politte said customers have been contacting him and the dealership since the story broke this morning, throwing support behind the Waukee dealership. He said he hopes that people will consider their longevity and their reputation before this single allegation when choosing where to buy their next vehicle.
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Shane Blanchard
4:28 pm on Friday, May 25, 2012
I have worked for a few different car dealerships in my past as a Sales Manager and Finance Manager. I had the pleasure at working for Stivers on Merle Hay for a few months while I opened my own business. This Dealership in one of the most open, honest and ethical dealers in the state. I would recommend anyone to do business there.
David Leonard
8:10 am on Saturday, May 26, 2012
The facts remain that Austin King didn't visit the dealership to buy a car but was talked into a $30,000 deal on a new car when he still owed $9,000 on his car. It also appears that the credit application was falsified by the dealership so it would appear that Austin could afford the nearly $500 per month payments when he clearly could not. Austin's parents' contention that Austin isn't capable of making complex decisions like buying a new car is born out by the fact that he paid the sticker price and agreed to several unnecessary add-ons. No one does that. Austin was clearly taken advantage of in my opinion.
Deb
7:00 am on Sunday, May 27, 2012
If this kid is legally unable to enter into a contract it doesn't matter who did or said what. it needs to be null and void. if this dealership has such a great reputation and sells 3000 cars a year, taking this 1 to save face and do the right thing would not be a big deal.
David Leonard
9:02 am on Sunday, May 27, 2012
That's right, Deb. I can't believe that Politte is willing to take the bad publicity rather than do the right and ethical thing.
Darwin Larrison
10:04 am on Sunday, May 27, 2012
This is where a company defines itself. I always thought purchasing cars at dealerships shouldn't be so harrowing related to the variability of prices that each customer pays based upon Credit Score and Negotiating Skills. Credit score is understandable, but the negotiations and decisions about service plans, rust prevention, blah, blah, blah.. Should I or shouldn't I get this...? Pressure (subtle at a minimum). This is not good. I agree they should re-work that contract if it is indeed inflated.
lucy Houghland
10:18 pm on Monday, May 28, 2012
Stivers tried to pressure me into buying a lemon that my auto mechanic confirmed had thousands of dollars in repairs needed. They scrambled to fix one of the problems when I told them I wanted my mechanic to inspect a 'noise' I heard. I went to Politte w/ my concerns and he was a complete jerk to me. I would NEVER recommend this dealership.
David Leonard
7:50 am on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Lucy, you mean you weren't proud to drive a Stivers Ford like the ad says?
ALLEGIANCEAUTOSALES
9:31 pm on Thursday, May 31, 2012
As the owner of two small used dealerships in Minnesota i must say they should unwind this deal. An old friend told me years ago a bad deal doesn't get any better. The fact this kid had worked there in the past makes me think a call to his parents with a heads up that the kid is making this purchase would be prudent. Profit is fine but business people of all types, not just car dealers have a moral obligation to not take advantage of people that are challenged. Just unwind it and apologize for being stupid.