Leasing a vehicle thru US Bank......

[ViennaGal]

I am about to end a 5 year lease with US Bank and every day something new comes up and the car hasn't even been inspected yet. I just found out (of course it is in the contract from 5 years ago and don't remember) that I have to pay them $395.00 for them to get the vehicle back to where they want it.

I'lm looking for input from anyone who's leased with this bank before, what do I expect come inspection time. The car is 5 years old, bought with 10,000 miles on it and now only has 37,000. It's a cream puff.

TIA for your input. I might add, I will NEVER lease another vehicle again in my life. I've leased for several years through Toyota Motor Credit and have never had this problem.

[gemsbmw]

I just trade mine in for another Make or sell it my self.... Best way to go with a lease. The dealer with pick your car to death.

[ViennaGal]

I just trade mine in for another Make or sell it my self.... Best way to go with a lease. The dealer with pick your car to death.

Wish it was that easy Gems. But when leasing you don't own the car anymore than a car that is financed through a bank that you bought although you can trade those. The car isn't yours to trade unless you want to just lease a different one or you finance the remainder of the payments and buy it. I don't want to keep this car so that's why the charges on the back end.

[Details]

They really want you to agree to buy the car back, or to take on another lease - so they'll try to make it seem as expensive and difficult as possible. If they're ethical - it'll just be encouragement - if they are not ethical - it'll be invented problems with the car.

The fee - since it seems you agreed to it way back when - I don't see that as a big problem. But if they're picking on lots of other things - might be a problem. Might not.

[Search4U]

My first lease was a Honda, I leased it through Huntington National Bank, they were super picky at turn-in time. I ended up owing them some cash.

The other 5, have been through Chrysler (Financial), I would just roll to another vehicle. My lease was up on my van last October, and wanted a Seebring, but Chrysler was bailing out of the Financing portion and wanted me to lease through a Bank. I refused to do that.

So now I drive my Mom's 1995 Nissan Altima (she can no longer drive), she gave it to me when I was stressing about what to do at the end of my lease. I have NEVER not had a car payment!

[ViennaGal]

Wow I just read through this and thought I felt sick before. Oh boy, I can see I'm in for a bumpy ride. I knew their definition of normal wear and tear wasn't the same as mine or DH's.

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/us-bank-car-leasing-c9117.html?sort=datea&page=1

[Shells2]

Do you have a copy of your contract VG ???

I think you should get all your ducks in a row before you take it back...

[gemsbmw]

I just trade mine in for another Make or sell it my self.... Best way to go with a lease. The dealer with pick your car to death.



I have leased many cars and never turned one back in. I have traded or sold them. As long as the bank gets their money, they don't care. I have done Nissan, BMW, Dodge, Mazda.

I leased my first care in 1987 I believe.

[gemsbmw]

http://www.ehow.com/how_4736276_sell-leased-vehicle.html

[ViennaGal]

Do you have a copy of your contract VG ???

I think you should get all your ducks in a row before you take it back...

I'm sure it's in the glove box with all the other papers Shells. I'm getting my ducks in a row and quick. :chicken: Those stories are nightmares and had I heard them before 2004 when I leased this Solara in TN, I wouldn't be worried about it. :ohmy:

[Shells2]

I'm sure it's in the glove box with all the other papers Shells. I'm getting my ducks in a row and quick. :chicken: Those stories are nightmares and had I heard them before 2004 when I leased this Solara in TN, I wouldn't be worried about it. :ohmy:

Get it out, and make sure you go through everything on it..

I'm wondering if there are wear and tear laws or something, like there is in a landlord tenacy act. I bet with everyone here, if you put the things that the contract says we can all figure it out.. and you can be more than prepared when you walk in there.. LOL

[ViennaGal]

Get it out, and make sure you go through everything on it..

I'm wondering if there are wear and tear laws or something, like there is in a landlord tenacy act. I bet with everyone here, if you put the things that the contract says we can all figure it out.. and you can be more than prepared when you walk in there.. LOL

LOL ok I will. It will make for a little light reading and romance for DH and I tonight. Hey, it is already starting to work as a diet plan. :scared:

[Amy S.]

We just turned in a VW Beetle last month. It was a nightmare.

The inspection company was called SGS.

We had a similar lease prior to this that went flawlessly.

First, the co. was unable to schedule our inspection on time and started charging us per day, for the car.

Then, the inspector took dozens of pictures and tried to charge for every little nick. He said that the total front bumper would need repainted. ???

This was a near perfect 4 YO car. Yes, it would have some nicks from gravel, etc.

Then, he looks inside and says "Oh, is this a cigarette burn?" "No, it isn't. It looks like a smudge."

We ended up paying $1200.00 for charges that we didn't agree to. We had never heard of the end of lease fee.

Never again.

[Pretty Leaf]

If you can take the car to a garage to be inspected for tire wear and any body damage then you have that report in your hand in case of problems.

I just returned a lease to GM and I took pictures of everything from every angle in front of the person I returned the car to. The mileage the seats, the tires ect. Make sure the camera is time stamped.

We brought the car back 1 week early and were charged a late fee of
$80.00 for the time it took the inspection to happen. Paid it didn't want a pissing match.

[StarShine]

I never lease a car. Don't see the benefit unless you can write it off as a business expense, which I can't.

[ViennaGal]

Thanks everyone. I can assure you once it is cleaned up spic and span, camera will be in hand. We have the papers just didn't get to review them last night. However, DH brought up an excellent point, that when we leased the car, it already had 10K miles on it as it was being driven by a salesman at the dealership we leased from. I have only put 27K on it in 5 years. We are praying that is a plus. Do I believe that, NO! LOL!

Amy I will NEVER do it again either. This is the 4th vehicle I've leased since 1994 and have never had this experience.

[WillowInFlight]

Whats the difference in leasing a car opposed to buying and making monthly payments? Are there benefits to leasing?

[ViennaGal]

Whats the difference in leasing a car opposed to buying and making monthly payments? Are there benefits to leasing?

LOL I'm sure not the one to ask so I'll let someone who has had a good experience answer. In the beginning when I leased my mustang in 1994it enabled me to get a lower payment. Advantages really nothing except you are under warranty on a new car. That was good for me being newly divorced I couldn't afford to pay for repairs. Hind sight is 20/20 now 25 years later and four leases. This is my first and last nightmare.

[Pretty Leaf]

Whats the difference in leasing a car opposed to buying and making monthly payments? Are there benefits to leasing?


The only benefit is a lower monthly cost on the front end and if you return it under mileage and in good condition then you can turn it in and walk away.

I leased and this last one we were over mileage and turned it in 2 months early and had to pay those payments. It cost us $5000.00 to get rid of it, plus new tires as the tread was to worn out to pass the inspection We here way over mileage but paid it to buy an Ford Escape at 0% interest, $6000,00 off list so we added the $5000.00 onto the truck so we ended up paying market value for the car.

Now in a lease you are responsible for the upkeep of the cars and are responsible for any repairs after the waranty expires. Usually 3 years, 100,000 Kilmometers (Canada).

This last car cataletic converter went. In Canada by law these devices are covered for 7 yrs so we didn't have ot pay the $1000.00 that would have cost. On another one the air conditoner went but that was under warranty, by 6 months, had it happened later we would have been out of pocket 1200.00, So if you are planing on returning the lease you might have had to pay for repairs to a car that you arn't going to keep.

Will never lease a car again. What really earked me is that GM made a statement that they were going to start producing better, well made GM cars in the restructure. So the G6 I had was not a well made car. I can verify that with our expriences. It was crap.

We leased 2 vans from Ford, 1 car from Mazda and had no problem returning them, GM was a different story, in this day with GM looking for every $ I made sure I had the documentation to fight them if need be. Car lots lose money for a car returned with no problems because more than likely what is owing on the car is greater than what they can get on resale. Most leased cars here are sent to auction so it is out of their hands what they are going to get in return.

[ViennaGal]

Glad you will never do it again. Bad idea.
SO was it thoroughly photographed and every little nick and smudge noted when you got the car? Otherwise, I assume, that like with a apartment rental, they can't show that anything they think is wrong with the car happened when you had it - rather than when the salesman had it.

And where do they want the vehicle? Can you take it to where they want it and save $395? How will they show that they sent or took the vehicle anywhere?
Look forward to hearing any more info once you have had a chance to read all the paperwork.
What GemsBMW says is so interesting. I guess you just find out what the leasing company wants from you for a buyout and pay them that. If your car is so very low mileage maybe you can actually make money on the deal by selling it yourelf and paying the leasing company the (lesser) buyout amount. First you find the buyer - then become the owner so you can sell the car. Makes sense.
You are correct Penny. The car was NOT inspected when purchased. IMO if US Bank wants to hose their customers at lease end they should inspect a vehicle before turning over to the customer so they can prove the customer did whatever damage they find at lease end. This car is a cream puff, mind you, it was driven about 10 miles a day to and from work. It's been on about 4 road trips in 5 years so it has it's road nics on the front end but otherwise in great shape. Serviced regularly, new tires, etc. I believe this does come down to almost a landlord/tenant type situation. I have no desire to keep this car regardless. We'll find the money somehow, some way. I just really wanted to know if anyone had first hand experience with inspections such as this.

ETA: I called US Bank yesterday and asked if I returned the vehicle to Kingsport, TN, Toyota of Kingsport could I avoid the turn in fee. No, they don't know what auction they will take it to and I'm responsible for them to get it there. That was their answer.

[ViennaGal]

Do I understand correctly that you have not had your inspection yet? I am curious to know just what has come up that has you so worried that they are going to hose you? Now the $395 would be enough to send me running to check the Kelly Blue Book and see what the car is worth. Maybe they are aware that they can make alot more than what they could get from having you purchase the car it this point.
Sounds like you don't need to worry about the condition of the car or wear and tear. They don't even know what the condition was in the beginning. If they have any problems at all I would say "This is not right. I"ll have to check with my attorney". I think that they count on people just paying to avoid "a pissing match" as Pretty Leaf said.
But the $395 didn't just "come up" - its in the contract. What is it that has just come up? I trust your instincts: I'm just curious.

The car was inspected in February (state law) and passed just fine. this is the inspection performed by the companies who work for US Bank. You need to read the comments at the link I posted to see what has "come up" that has me concerned. I was given a heads up by the dealer that sold me the car I decided to buy and love this past Friday. He said that US Bank inspector's did not go kindly come inspection time. The 395 was in the contract but I don't remember it being discussed with us at the time of purchase. That was my oversight and also 5 years ago. I can cough up 395, but if you read the link I posted above you'll see why I'm concerned. It isn't so much my instincts as much as I don't trust these people they send out to inspect. You stated it well, they know nothing about the car's condition when it was leased. We have taken very good care of it. The "check with my attorney" line will be used. :thumbsup: Thanks!

[ViennaGal]

I put all the paperwork together last night. All receipts from car inspections, new tires put on in 2006, receipts from oil changes, tire rotations, etc. The lease (first page) does state an early turn in fee of $395.00 then in itty bitty little letters say (even at lease end. LOL! I'm taking Penny's advice and since I work for an attorney I will use her excellent response. We will also be adding, you should have inspected the vehicle at 9, 548 miles prior to purchase and your agreement to lease it to us. To be continued I'm sure. Thanks guys!

[ViennaGal]

OMIG - is that another $395? Besides the $395 you mentioned before? When is your inspection? (holding my breath for you here). Hope you are
spelling out the experience with US Bank on every site you can find. You'll save some other poor souls from getting burned by these creeps. Have you discussed this with your boss at all?

LOL Penny. No thank heaven just the $395.00 mentioned earlier. My boss says we'll wait and see what is said after inspection and see if US Bank bills me for any charges later. I can assure you the inspector probably won't give us much information at that time. They will report to USB and they said I'd be billed for any charges later they consider to be EXCESS wear and tear. Now I'm just waiting for the inspection people to contact me which should be late this month, early September to schedule. They will come to your home and that way DH can be there to walk around the car with them. I plan to post every detail on any lease related site I find when it's over. :thumbsup:

[Pretty Leaf]

LOL Penny. No thank heaven just the $395.00 mentioned earlier. My boss says we'll wait and see what is said after inspection and see if US Bank bills me for any charges later. I can assure you the inspector probably won't give us much information at that time. They will report to USB and they said I'd be billed for any charges later they consider to be EXCESS wear and tear. Now I'm just waiting for the inspection people to contact me which should be late this month, early September to schedule. They will come to your home and that way DH can be there to walk around the car with them. I plan to post every detail on any lease related site I find when it's over. :thumbsup:

Maybe you should ask your boss to be there for backup:w00t:

[ViennaGal]

Maybe you should ask your boss to be there for backup:w00t:

He'd do it in a heart beat and just might do that. :wink:

[ViennaGal]

The end of lease inspection by AutoVin is scheduled for Friday 9/25. I have my fingers crossed, all i's dotted and t's crossed.

[mood*ring]

SNIPPED... Now I'm just waiting for the inspection people to contact me which should be late this month, early September to schedule. They will come to your home and that way DH can be there to walk around the car with them. I plan to post every detail on any lease related site I find when it's over. :thumbsup:

I would videotape the inspection, and get a copy of his report before he left, and if he doesn't have a carbon copy, take a digital picture of the inspection sheet. leave them :crying:

[ViennaGal]

The only things that I have heard about leasing, have been negative.

Interestingly, I bought a new Impala, yesterday.:thumbup:

I hope you love it PG. It is a totally different drive than I'm used to but I feel safe in it. I love the Impala more than the Toyota but I also am getting a new reason to hate it every day. Today I called US Bank to find out the amount of the last payment. Keep in mind, I asked this of them on 8/14 and was told it was the same payment as always. $443.82. Nope, today it was 622.45 because property tax was added. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, I can't wait till I don't have to look at it anymore. Of course they reminded me that next month I owe them 395.00 for them to transport it to auction and then the last bill will be for whatever is found on inspection. Video taping is a great idea Mood and asking for a copy of the report. thx.

[Pretty Leaf]

These companies just pile on whatever they want.

Never heard about property tax, although we (Canada) have to pay the provincial sales tax on what we paid for using the vehicle.

How can you pay for a property that you do not own? I guess a tax is a tax.

I didn't have to pay to send it to auction. We were told it was headed there. As a matter of fact we believe it never went to auction because we saw it the other day. Same little scratch and the new tires that we just put on to meet the tire wear and tear. We live in a small rown so it is to much of a coincidence that someone at auction bought it from the same town.

I wonder if you can get the paperwork that it actually was going to auction opposed to them selling it off their lot. That could be interesting. Ask you boss, could save you that $300+

[ViennaGal]

These companies just pile on whatever they want.

Never heard about property tax, although we (Canada) have to pay the provincial sales tax on what we paid for using the vehicle.

How can you pay for a property that you do not own? I guess a tax is a tax.

I didn't have to pay to send it to auction. We were told it was headed there. As a matter of fact we believe it never went to auction because we saw it the other day. Same little scratch and the new tires that we just put on to meet the tire wear and tear. We live in a small rown so it is to much of a coincidence that someone at auction bought it from the same town.

I wonder if you can get the paperwork that it actually was going to auction opposed to them selling it off their lot. That could be interesting. Ask you boss, could save you that $300+
Good thoughts PL but no it doesn't matter if I take it back to TN from WV the 395 still applies. It was pointed out to us at lease from the dealership in TN that the 395 applied for EARLY termination. But underneath that on the paperwork that we reviewed it say at end lease as well. It may well show up in town as well but I know of no auctions close to us. Doesn't matter, pay or PAY!!!!!!! lol

[ViennaGal]

I meant to say I don't know of any auctions places around here. For the Great condition I think it is in, it will be bought by a dealer and sold for the 14k it's worth and more.

[ViennaGal]

The day of reckoning is here. My leased auto is to be inspected by Auto Vin at 4:00 today at my home. The inspector phoned yesterday to set the time and told me without hesitation that all banks are different. Some just want the car in running condition and others want it as if it is off the showroom floor. To my chagrin, US bank expects the latter but it confirmed everything I have read on the internet.

He said it would take 1 1/2 to 2 hours, he would photograph the vechicle from all angels, inside and out. He would also photograph the manuals and the keys and all receipts for maintenance. :rolleyes:

Wish us luck!

PS. If you ever lease a car through US Bank, make sure you make the payments, leave the car covered and never sit in it or drive it.

[ViennaGal]

I have never understood why people lease cars.
You pay and pay and pay and then you own
nothing. :confused:

Live & Learn is my motto. :thumbsup:

[ViennaGal]

Fingers crossed, great inspection. The guy told me not to worry anymore and said take this baby and drop it off at the dealership US Bank has on record. He was a great guy and obviously knows that US Bank is hard core. He took pictures inside and out and said he thinks when I go to turn it in (as soon as possible so it's out of my hands) that the dealership will contact US Bank and want to buy it. Cream puff were his words. Now it is wait and see because he said USB takes his pics and blows them up and analyzes them for anything he may have missed.

On the side he said, I'm telling you things I wouldn't normally be allowed to say and I plan to write a book when I'm out of this business about the nightmares people I've met and inspected their USB vehicles. I gladly gave him a copy of what I'd printed off of the complaints I'd read when I first started this thread. So holding breath now.

:mellow:

[expuxo kkk]

I have never understood why people lease cars.
You pay and pay and pay and then you own
nothing. :confused:

I'm not surprised. Clearly, you have never owned a business. That's probably a good thing.

The financial benefits are many when you own a business, but I'm talking over your head now.................so :seeya:

[R~O~S]

I'm not surprised. Clearly, you have never owned a business. That's probably a good thing.

The financial benefits are many when you own a business, but I'm talking over your head now.................so :seeya:


That wasn't very nice, the topic is an individual leasing a vehicle, not a business owner. Shame on you, not a very good way to introduce yourself.:punch:

[gemsbmw]

I have never understood why people lease cars.
You pay and pay and pay and then you own
nothing. :confused:


I have leased many cars. I have never once had a problem BUT I never turn it in. I will sell or trade before the lease is up. I have never lost money on a trade or sell.

Lease is great if you like a new car every 3-4 years.

[ViennaGal]

I have not received the final bill as yet but was told by the last US Bank person I spoke with once the vehicle was dropped off at a dealer they approved that my final bill was $395.00 and no excess wear & tear charges. We'll see.

I didn't think anything more ridiculous could come from this bank until I placed the call notifying them the car was no longer in my possession. The person indicated that they did not receive the odometer statement that was faxed to them the evening before by the dealership who had the car. So I told her I would refax it. I then told her I would be dropping the insurance coverage on the vehicle once I hung up from her. She said "Oh no, we prefer you leave the coverage on the vehicle until WE pick it up for transport." WTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In the most polite yet sarcastic tone I could muster I said "Well, you know what, i don't give a rat's A** if a wrecking ball falls on that car right now. The car is not mine anymore, it's yours and further, it's your responsibility or the dealership if anything happens to it!!!!" I dropped the coverage after I hung up and my agent was just awestruck by this bank's audacity to make such a statement.

Just when you think if can't get better!! :lol: