ComplaintsforH I L Financial

• Initial Complaint

  01/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On December 13th I made the down payment of $ 5.475.00 regarding the purchase of a box truck for company GEKKO FINANCIAL, LLC dba H.I.L. FIN.On the 15th of December, I requested the cancelation of the purchase because In the contract they were asking for temporary insurance that was cheaper just to remove the truck from the dealership. However, I would have spent twice as much and I went looking for definitive insurance for the truck, which ended up costing more than the truck. I decided to cancel the purchase after this discovery. until today, I haven't had any information about when will receive my money back or if I will get my money I only signed the proposal, I did not sign any financing contract, I did not take the truck from the dealership, I have a copy of the total transfer to Gekko Financial dba HIL finance, I have not received any response from the company.

  

  Business response

  01/15/2024

  
  This transaction was taken all the way to funding which is the final phase of the financing program.  Our team provided him with exceptional timely service through the whole process, on a truck he picked out and finance structure that he agreed too.  When it came down to proof of insurance, the last item we needed to fund his equipment acquisition, he stated he couldn't afford the insurance and wanted to cancel the deal, all at the last minute.  HIL Financial up to this point had done all the work and put in the time to get the program he liked, we did nothing wrong, and now he wants to cancel the transaction, which he has the right to do, however demanding we refund all his money back to him as if our services were for free is a different situation. 
  If a transaction is canceled, HIL Financial reserves the legal right retain a fee simply to cover costs depending on how much work has been done on the file, as with any and all lenders.  Since credit and research files (DNB / ***********, etc.)  were pulled to verify information needed to solidify his approval, as documents were prepared and signed and even processed all the way to funding, we technically have the right to keep all the upfront moneys based on our proposal he signed along with the signed formal documents.  We told him when he  demanded his money back, that refunds are issued 30 days after customer cancellation.  Since he has filed a false negative review and BBB complaint, we will be retaining all of his funds as a credit to the customer for up to 12 months. What this means is if he wants to purchase a truck this year or any piece of equipment (12 month window) he can let us know and we will credit these moneys towards his next truck / equipment purchase.   It is unfortunate that he felt the need to state something that is untrue and hurt the name of a good company and people who did work hard for him, especially during month-end and year-end as we explained to him earlier could cause slight delays. 

  Customer response

  01/15/2024

   
  Complaint: 21102310
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  This company only responded last week about the return of the money, at no time did it talk to me directly even by sending an e-mail or I left a message to return. Regarding the purchase of other equipment has already been made and I am already working. You have never been interested in solving this problem because my question is clear in the initial post. When, how much and how will you return my money. As I said in the other review. They need my money without any problems. I'll wait a year.

  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ********************* ****

• Initial Complaint

  08/17/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My name is ****** and I went to HIL Financial earlier this year to get a loan to purchase a truck. I was required to make a large down payment to get the truck. After I had the truck for less than 10 days, the truck broke down on me. i was carrying a load and was stranded with a load I could not deliver and a truck that I could not fix! I ended up having the truck towed and loosing money on the load. I had to catch a bus home. I reached out to *** and spoke with ***************** and told him what happened and told him I needed to get a new truck or get my money back. I was told that they would help me with a new truck but I would have to pay an additional $3,000. I sent them the money but NEVER got the truck!! After calling and emailing them and loosing money, I had to find my own truck, pay more money to get a truck that is operational so I would not loose everything that I have worked for. Once I told them I had my own truck and asked for my money back, they stop answering my calls!! I asked my business partner to call from her phone, *** answered and yelled and hung up the phone. My business partner filed a complaint earlier and they said they have never done business with her; but they know who she is however; I am the one that did business with them and I have the documentation to prove it. Please help me get my money back and PLEASE Protect consumers like me. I worked 2 sometimes 3 jobs to save money to put down on a truck. My money was taken and now these people don't even answer the phone when you call!!

  

  Business response

  09/08/2023

  This same complaint was filed with the **************** ************************ by a woman who we believe to be his mother and she wasn't even involved in the transaction.  Then filed again by ***************************; AND BOTH COMPLAINTS have been closed out. No further responses are needed. Below is the closed complaint from the ************************ for the ***************************** complaint. They need to move on. 

  ***********************
  ATTORNEY GENERAL OF **********
  Consumer ********************* Consumer ***************
  ******************************************************************** **************
  
  
  August 25, 2023
  
  
  HIL Financial LLC
  ******************************************************************************
  
  
  RE:   *****************************
  File #:   649673
  
  Dear HIL Financial LLC:
  
  The **************************** of the ************************ received your written response to the consumer complaint filed by ***************************** regarding your business. A copy of your response was provided to *****************************. This concludes our informal complaint resolution process. This complaint has been closed.
  
  While our informal process for facilitating resolution of complaints is often effective, and results in a satisfactory resolution for both parties, the outcome of an individual complaint does not determine whether or not our office will take more formal action. Our Office monitors consumer complaints for possible indications of patterns of unfair or deceptive trade practices warranting further attention by our office. We may open a formal investigation or take enforcement action pursuant to the Consumer Protection Act at any time if the facts and circumstances indicate that further action is warranted.
  
  Please note that consumer complaints,including responses, are public records and are available to the public for copying or inspection in compliance with the **************** Public Records Act, RCW 42.56.
  
  Thank you for participating in our informal complaint resolution process.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************
  Consumer *************** Specialist
  ****************************
  ************** for in-state callers
  ************** for out-of-state callers
  

  
  

   

  

  Business response

  09/20/2023

  To Whom it may concern:
  We funded a truck (of this customers choosing) for this customer in March 2023. A month later we got confirmation that the truck the customer had picked out was not to the customers satisfaction so the dealer would be doing a truck swap for them. the new truck was more expensive then the first truck, so we got that approved for the customer. A couple weeks later we heard from the dealer that the customer wanted to keep the original truck and that the dealer would be fixing the truck. Another week went by and the customer wanted to go back to the truck swap, so we completed documents and the customer signed them. The dealer offered to help pay the first payment on the first truck, which they did. The original truck still needed title fees paid on it to complete the title work with the state, which the lender covered so that the customer could do a complete unwind on the first truck, and help the customer to the new truck. We did documents again for the second truck for the swap, the 2nd truck went all the way to funding again, and the customer backed out a second time. He has made several complaints towards our services, and we have done everything the customer has asked us to do, documenting 2 different trucks and taking them both all the way to funding, for him to back out twice. We have put hours of work and time into trying to satisfy this customer. All remaining monies received are being retained for time, paperwork, and our services, which does not even cover our costs. We have signed paperwork agreeing to our time and services. 

   

  Customer response

  10/04/2023

  Thank you so much for reaching out to me.  HIL Financial has made several false statements in their response to my complaint. The first truck that this company financed for me in March 2023 broke down on me  twice during the first 10 days I had the truck. I reached out to *** and informed them that the truck broke down on me with a load that I had to pay someone to take to the final destination.  They told me they would help me look for another truck which turned out to be another false statement. I found another truck and reached out to HIL  They said they would finance the second truck I located however; because the cost of the truck was more money, I had to put down an additional $3,000.00. 
  
  The company told me that this would be a truck swap that would; "Only Take Two Week."  The truck swap actually took close to three months!! During this time I still had to make insurance payments to keep my authority active in addition to paying rent, utilities and other bills.  I called HIL SEVERAL TIMES during the three month period to check the status of the new truck that I was suppose to be getting during this truck swap. I was repeatedly lied to about the status of the truck, the status of the paper work and what they needed from me. I was the one that did ALL of the calling around to find the new truck. I was the one that called around to find out the status of my paperwork. I was the one that called Dakota Financial to find out what the issue was with getting my new truck. When I called Dakota Financial I spoke to  a representative name ****************************** on My 5th 2023. He was the first person to tell me that the hold up to getting my new truck might be due to the fact that I had to pay the taxes to release the international plates to complete a truck sway. I was NEVER told that by anyone at HIL. After speaking with ***************, I  went to the *** who then sent me to the ***************** to find out if this might be true. I was told by personnel at the county tax office that those fees are paid by the dealer, the broker or the finance company. I was told that the downpayment money went towards those fees! I immediately called *** and told them this, they claimed they knew nothing about this!! They then emailed me an invoice for $3,000.00. I emailed them after receiving the invoice and asked if they had all of the paperwork and if I would get my truck soon and again they lied and said yes.
  
  This company and everyone I have spoken to has lied!!! If they are a honest and a legitimate company, I would ask them to let you listen to some of the conversations we have had.  If they are working as "customer service agents" shouldn't they have recordings of the calls?  If possible, can you please try to get a recording of the conversations I have had with ****** Financial?
  
  Please refer to the documents I attached in my original complaint. This company took $3,000.00 of my money, and I don't have anything to show for it. I sincerely ask that you please make my complaints public and protect other consumers and help me get my money back. I noticed that others have complained about this company.  Please help me and others!  
  

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  05/04/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I applied for a loan with Hil and was approved . They had me wire truck down payment and document fees. Documents were overnighted to me . I signed all documents and had POA notarized. Sent the documents back to HIL. They called and told me the signature on the paperwork doesnt match the signature on my license. *** then sent me a second set of documents which I signed and had POA notarized. They again said signature didnt match my license. I explained it had been 3-4 years since I singed for my license, it was on a 1x6 computer scratch pad. I also explained I had a recent injury to my right had , broken pinkie as well as a dislocated ring finger and that has had some impact on my writing. I was told by the gentleman from *** I was working with that his 3 year old can consistently sign his name so I should be able to. *** then sent me the 3rd set of documents which I signed and they accepted all but the notarized POA. Ill say it again THEY DIDNT ACCEPT THE NOTARIZED PAPERS. At this point Id lost two weeks time and couldnt afford to keep playing the sign your name game. I asked for my money back and they sent me my complete down payment but kept $500 for document fees for a loan they wouldnt fund . They stole my money . Do not do business with them !

  

  Business response

  05/16/2023

  We received a credit application from ******************* for *********************** on 3/30/23.  On 3/31/23 we received Loan Approval for *********** After discussing the approval with *****, he said that he doesnt want to move forward and would work with his local bank.  A few days later he called ** back and said that he would like to use the finance approval since with *** as his bank ended up declining him.  At this time, we discussed the proposal and the loan details in which we discussed the non-refundable doc fee which is stated in the proposal. At this point we still thought we had a good working relationship, so we submitted the deal for documents on 4/5. 

  Once ***** received the documents, we told him to sign the contract with his signature that matches his drivers license, these instructions were also included in the email that contained the contract.  Note Per requirements and the banks confirmation to secure the proper party is signing the formal documents the actual signatures need to match as close as possible their drivers license signature.  He completed the documents,but the signature did not match.  We asked him to correct the documents with the correct signature or provide a legal form of ID that would match the signature he used.  At this time ***** did not want to correct the documents. 

  We escalated this to the management team which worked on a solution that would satisfy all parties. Once we got the ok from everyone to find a common ground, ***** asked to cancel the deal in which we requested the down payment be returned to the customer.  We also returned half of the non-refundable doc fee that was collected, as the remainder of the money kept was simply to offset our costs of time and labor, and bank fees to obtain the approval for the client.
  On 5/8/23 we were notified by the dealership that the customer had threatened to shoot the place up and then come after HIL Financial.  They contacted the local police department and according to the dealership they barred him from the property. 

  At this point we notified our attorneys, and they stated to keep records and stay aware. 

  Customer response

  05/17/2023

   
  Complaint: 20020638
  
  I am rejecting this response because: many untruths were told in their response. First I was never rejected by my bank. I needed to check on interest rates as I thought they were high at 12%. The doc fees were explained however I thought they they would be processing a loan. They make it sound like I signed papers and changed my mind. I ran around like a nut for 2 weeks signing papers getting papers not seized running to the *** store. After 2 weeks of making solid efforts I cut my losses and finances elsewhere at 9%. The final decline of the signature was based on NOTARIZED documents. Ive never heard of notarized documents not being excepted . Its at this point I asked for all my money back and they refused. 
  

  The threats made to Country Trucks are a ******************** from Country Trucks. Thank good I had a witness who overheard my entire phone conversation. Complete and total lie. 
  

  I want my $500. They did not finance a loan as promised. They failed to provide they service I was paying for. 
  
  Sincerely
  ***********************

  

  Business response

  05/18/2023

  ***** signed the *** proposal, which clearly states: 

  In the event a definitive ****** is not executed, for the reasons described in Sections 2.1 and 2.2 below, Lessor, in its sole and absolute discretion, may retain the entire Origination Deposit as compensation for its time in underwriting the ****** and reimbursement of its expenses, including general overhead expenses:
  2.1 Lessee provides false or inaccurate credit information;
  2.2 Lessee decides, for any reason, not to execute a definitive ******
  (SEE ATTACHED) 

  Legally we have the right to keep it all, based on the proposal that he signed.  
  He also signed documents several times, with different signatures.(see attached different signatures) We are not in the business of making customers sign paperwork several times. 
  If the signatures do not match the customers drivers license, we do not accept the documents; this is to protect our customers and lenders from fraud. 
  We kept $500 just to cover our costs. 
  This customer simply baited ** doing work for him in case his bank didn't come through, which it sounds like they apparently did. 

  Again we do not take threats lightly these days, the "shoot up the place" comment from the customer the dealer felt so threatened that he had to call the local police. 

  Let ** know if you have any more questions. 
  

  Customer response

  05/19/2023

   
  Complaint: 20020638
  
  I am rejecting this response because: *** refused to find the loan because they said the signature on the documents didnt match my signature on my drivers license. Then they send I reply stating I signed documents stating they can keep the documents fee. Which is it HIL ? My signature is good where it says you get to keep my money but no good when it comes to finding the loan ?? How come youre not worried about fraud when it comes to keeping my money but the notarized documents have you concerned?  Cant have it both ways . Better check to see if that signature matches my drivers license because now I have fraud concerns. I do remember you telling me that a few of you guys in the office tried to match my signature and got pretty close 
  

  The threats are a complete fabrication. That is how country trucks gets rid of someone they dont want to talk to. Myself and *** had many conversations on the phone and not once was a threat ever made. Again thank god I had a witness who overheard the entire conversation. 
  

  ill be waiting for my check. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

• Initial Complaint

  12/06/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On November 17, 2022 I saw an online advertising on (Truck Paper website) for a truck for sale located in (********, **) listed by H.I.L Financial, I called them to see this truck and buy it, one of their team of experts his name is (*****************), he scheduled me to see the truck in the yard, After I saw the truck we made a deal and I sent them a wire transfer on December 2, 2022 for $58,000 to purchase a semi truck with model (Kenworth 2017 T680), The truck was advertised to have ******* miles. also the dashboard Odometer in the vehicle was showing ******* miles, once they cleared the money and I was at the Yard location to pickup the truck, they sent me a picture of the title over email, but the title has reflected ******* miles, I refused to sign the release form and pick up the truck because it was not what was advertised and it was misleading, and I felt that a kind of scam, I called (*****************) to ask him why the title shows ******* miles and Odometer shows ******* miles, he said (it should be mistyped on the title), then I went to Kenworth dealership to get any report for that vehicle with the actual mileage to make sure if it was mistyped on title or not, but they found in their system that this truck was at their service department on February 2022 and they have a recorded mileage 394 thousand miles, so we made sure that this vehicle Odometer somehow was changed illegally to show a low mileage, and when I was calling back (*****************) to explain him what I found about the truck at the dealership, he said (dont call me again and if you want to go legally, Good Luck) and hanged up the call, without even trying to corporate with me to get my money back, and now they trying to sell the truck with its Odometer illegally changed, so Im requesting H.I.L Financial to refund my money in full as the product was not as described.And Ill attach all evidence documents and pictures from truck odometer and title and the online advertising along with wire transaction

  

  Business response

  12/08/2022

  To Whom it May ******************* the claim or statement from ********************************* that we sold this 2017 Kenworth T680 knowing the mileage on the truck is truly ******* is completely and utterly false. First off this is a truck that we had to repossess, we do not sell trucks for a living, for once they come in from repossession, we just get them sold as quickly as possible once they are repossessed .  If a customer / buyer like ****************** needs to do more diligence before buying the piece of equipment we will help them out with as much information as we know, but that is it, we are not knowledgeable on the particulars of a specific asset as a dealership or true owner would be.   We do not run tests on the engine, or suspension, tires, or anything, we get the truck picked up, bring it to the repossession / holding yard to sell it AS IS, that is it, we make no claims of fact on anything with the truck outside what we truly know, that includes mileage for in this industry mileage is a variable that changes all the time.  Coupled with the customer had the unit for almost 1 year,during that time there could have been any and all types of work done on that engine such as a rebuild, replacement, transmission repair, who knows?  In which the odometer could have been replaced reflecting the true mileage on the engine at that time, we do not know, nor control that.   We do not focus our approval criteria on mileage for our customers, instead we focus on the year, make, model, and type of engine it has, mileage is not a factor. 
  We gave ****************** the opportunity to review this truck, which he did and he said he brought a mechanic too, he felt there were several things that the truck had problems with when he looked at it on the lot and wanted us to reduce the current sales price we were asking at that time, which was $70k.  We told him after some back and forth, the best and final we would offer was $58,000.00 which was more than a fair deal and he accepted.  Then after getting the final paperwork,he called us up and stated that we mislead him on the mileage and we told him again, we do not know, nor can accurately confirm the mileage on the truck and were told and we passed this information on to him that the mileage is not accurate on the title, apparently, he does not remember this.  Also, this inaccuracy can be confirmed by his (******************) recent mileage report from ******** just last week stating that in February of this year it only had ******* miles.  Whatever happened to the title we have no control over and do not know, again we leave all the diligence to the buyers, as with unknown work possibly done on the engine to make it like new, we have to simply go off the odometer and you can tell by the picture he took, and the Car Fax report he also provided it showed ******* miles on it, this is what we knew.
  
  In any case it is a repossession sale, sold as is (per our invoice).  He knows he got a good deal and that is what is very upsetting about this claim.  I hope Better Business Bureau does the right thing and remove this false claim from our record.

  Customer response

  12/09/2022

   
  Complaint: 18529707
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  that truck was not as advertised and ******************* were telling me on the phone that this truck is low mileage with (******* Miles) and we got the deal for $58000 based on that, and I have recorded that call, also he refused to let me take it to a mechanic shop or test drive it, or even take it to Kenworth dealership prior the sale, and he said you have to send the money first with wire transfer and sign a release form and after that you can take it anywhere.

  also he were stating that truck has no problem and he kept hiding important informations in the title and after I sent them the money, they sent me the title that was reflecting a different mileage other than he advertised and made the deal with.
  when I called him back again to ask him why the milage in the title is different than the odometer he started to talk to me aggressively and he said dont call me again and if you want to go legally good luck and he hanged up the call on me while I was talking to him professionally, and I have a record of this call too.
  So Im requesting them to refund my money back as its not as described, false advertising, and misleading. 
  if I didnt receive it in **** days Ill *** them in court.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************************

• Initial Complaint

  04/24/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My name is *********************** Sinyembo, I'm the owner of a small business (Neema *************** On April 06, 2022, I visited ****************** in ******* ***** in order to purchase a truck for my business. I selected a truck and filled out the application to finance the truck. The ************ Finance representative told me that my application was submitted to their Financing partner who will contact me soon. The next day I was contacted by a bank representative from HIL Financial named ***** and later by another representative named ******* I submitted all the documentation that they requested including a check for $10,475 as the down payment for the truck. (please see attachments)Later, they (HIL Financial reps) started asking for more documentation including a Commercial Driver's Licence from the person who wanted to co-sign for the financing that I submitted. On Thursday, April 21, 2022, ************** informed me that my application was not approved. I then asked him that they return my deposited funds, since then, they (************************ and ******* are ignoring both my phone calls and emails.That's the reason I'm filing this claim so that this issue can be addressed and so that I can get my refund.Best regards,*********************** S

  

  Business response

  04/29/2022

  They literally let us know this on late April 22nd Friday afternoon- I asked one of our main processors if we even processed there advanced moneys and if so did it clear, as this happened so quick once we locked in the approval and went to formal documents.   We got the approval which we worked very hard to obtain, then they pull out based on information that they were not upfront about.  It was almost like they were trying to see if they could get it through without the prior discussed and needed information.  Understand our processing of applications is based on the customer telling us the truth in the beginning and based on certain information at the time, we take them for their word.  As the process goes forward,those items that we discussed and they told us in the beginning they had start to be asked for the further the transactions moves along, it is standard in the commercial finance business.
  
  On 04/05/2022 02:42:24PM the Customer went into EZway Truck Sales and filled out an application stating he had a CDL and Filled out the Application with all information needed for a Credit Review-
  
  I contacted this Customer 4/06/2022 10:12: AM; Reconfirmed the information to which this customer stated he had a CDL, that it would be his first Purchase and he did not have a Schedule C for Time in business, which means he would be a start up.  These are very tough deals to get approved, new businesses.
  
  We then Got him Approved based on the original information provided and items they stated they had- To which we reached out every day since to gather the required information to move forward, (Articles of Incorporation and the Operating Agreement from the customer to clear contingencies. He then Provided this information on Apr 14, 2022, around 4:49 PM. The Check Provided for the down payment did not match the banks we had on file; 
  
  To which the customer then responded on Apr 15, 2022, 5:03 PM That the customer just opened the ***** Fargo account for his business and submitted his personal financials in the beginning. He would like to use the ***** Fargo account if possible which is fine but also that he did not have a CDL.  This changed everything as new business programs under commercial trucking require someone to be on the note that has a CDL.
  
  We then went back to the drawing board and stated to the customer that the only way to still make this transaction work is we needed to add someone with a CDL to his application and use this as a cosigner to clear the credit condition as he filled out his application incorrectly and stated wrong information in our conversations.
  
  He then finally sent over the application for the Cosigner on Tue, Apr 20th,4:49 PM, however this co-signer did NOT want to provide their credit information so we could not use them.  We explained that again the customer that we need someone to be on the note that has a CDL, and their credit is good to strong.
  
  However,this potential co-signer did not want to have their credit pulled and so, as this deal was presented with the original application stating they had a CDL and they did not, and then they tried to get someone to be on the note that did have a CDL but did NOT want their credit pulled we could no longer mover forward with the file.
  
  I let the customer know this and asked how he would like to proceed- He then asked for his money back on Thursday, Apr 22st in the evening, I told him we would refund some his moneys less expense based on work done on the file as any lender would need to cover their costs.  Then out of the blue he filed a negative report to you at Better Business Bureau and did not give us a chance to do our job and close out the file or anything.   This filing against us is unwarranted and undeserving as it was the customer from the beginning that was stating false information and in the last minute tried to see if he could still push it through with another suspect party trying to help participate in what we feel was a misleading and fraudulent application and finance request.  At this time our bank and legal department is assessing what to refund to this customer now, as due to language on our agreement and contract that he signed any false or inaccurate information presented will make the file null and void and reserves the right for HIL Financial to keep any and all moneys to cover costs and time.  At this time we ask BBB to remove this claim and realize this party is being untrue and inaccurate.

  Customer response

  04/29/2022

  I am rejecting this response because, I never claimed that I have a CDL. I applied as an investor not as an owner operator. The ** that I submitted was a non CDL drivers license. Why didn't they reject the application at that moment? It's sad to see how the story has completely been changed.(email exchange shows it). I need to be fully refunded.
  *********************** Sinyembo

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩