Navigating the world of auto financing can be challenging, and choosing the right finance company is crucial for a stress-free experience. However, some experiences turn into nightmares, as highlighted in numerous Westlake Financial Services Reviews. This account details a harrowing experience with Westlake Financial Services, painting a picture of poor communication, unreasonable financial demands, and a complete lack of customer support.
This customer’s ordeal began with job loss during pregnancy, leading to falling behind on car payments. What followed was a cascade of frustrating events, starting with the repossession of their vehicle in the last week of August. To retrieve the car, Westlake Financial Services demanded $1507.31. The customer, working to gather the funds, contacted the company, explicitly asking them to hold the car and assuring them of payment. They were verbally reassured that the car would be held, although a vague mention of a potential auction after seven days was also made, lacking clarity and creating uncertainty.
Two weeks later, having scraped together the required amount, the customer attempted to make the payment. Westlake directed them to use MoneyGram. An extra fee was paid for same-day delivery, and the payment was made. However, upon calling Westlake to confirm receipt, they were initially told no payment had been received. The issue was later attributed to a MoneyGram system outage that would last for several days, adding unnecessary delay and anxiety to an already stressful situation.
The following week brought more confusion. On Thursday, after confirming MoneyGram was operational and inquiring about their payment, Westlake confirmed receipt and authorized the release of the vehicle. However, when the customer contacted the repossession agency, they were informed that the car was no longer in their possession but had been sent to auction. Calling the auction confirmed the vehicle’s location, but it was missing its license plates. Adding insult to injury, the repossession agency had also lost the customer’s personal belongings, leaving them in a state of complete disarray and uncertainty.
Eventually, the customer managed to recover their car, albeit without plates and personal belongings. However, the financial repercussions from Westlake were far from over. Upon regaining possession of their vehicle, Westlake shockingly increased the monthly payments from $304 to a staggering $836. Desperate to have their car back, the customer reluctantly agreed, despite knowing the unaffordable nature of these new payments on top of insurance costs. Westlake showed no willingness to negotiate or find a more manageable solution.
The financial strain continued, and the customer soon received a call informing them of two missed payments: one for October and another for November, each at the inflated rate of $836. The customer disputed the October payment, pointing out the recent $1500 payment made to retrieve the car. When discussing the November payment, the threat of immediate repossession was issued if payment wasn’t made by the end of the day.
Seeking assistance and reasonable payment arrangements, the customer made repeated calls to Westlake. Despite their efforts to explain their situation and willingness to pay, they were met with brick walls. Requests to speak to a supervisor were futile, often resulting in extended hold times followed by dropped calls. Adding to the financial pressure, Westlake declared the customer ineligible for monthly payments, demanding the entire remaining balance of $4700.00 be paid immediately.
This experience, as detailed in this and similar Westlake Financial Services reviews, paints a grim picture. Having financed multiple vehicles in the past, this customer describes Westlake as the “worst finance company ever,” leaving them feeling helpless and unsure where to turn. While acknowledging falling behind on payments due to hardship, the customer highlights the overwhelming and seemingly unjust nature of Westlake’s actions. This review serves as a stark warning to potential customers, urging them to proceed with extreme caution when considering Westlake Financial Services for their auto financing needs.
