'Make Sure It’s In Writing:' Man Walks Into GM Dealership Because Salesman Promised a Deal. The Salesman Is Nowhere to Be Found

"Sounds like a write up."

Photo by: YouTube

Stacy Fernandez

By: Stacy Fernandez

Sep 19, 2025 at 9:00am ET

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Imagine getting on social media and seeing your manager publicly call you out.

That’s exactly what happened at a dealership after a salesperson allegedly promised a customer free accessories without putting the commitment in writing.

Here’s what you should do so you don’t get stuck with the same issue at the dealership.

Manager Calls Out Worker On TikTok

In a trending video with more than 38,000 views, car dealership general manager JC Prats (@jcprats25) vented his frustration with a salesperson for the world to see online.

In the video, Prats explained that a customer walked into the dealership looking for the salesperson who sold them a truck the previous week. Apparently, the salesperson told them to come back and he’d throw in some all-weather floor mats for free.

The problem, the manager said, was that the salesperson was not at work that day and had never documented the promise.

“The sales manager doesn’t know anything about it; the salesperson’s not here,” the manager pointed out.

Faced with the situation, the manager decided to give the customer the mats anyway.

“You know what I’m gonna do? I’m gonna give the customers the all-weather mats,” Prats said, noting the mats are “not cheap,” costing more than $200 each.

The caveat?

“And I’m gonna charge the salesperson back,” he said.

The manager added that this was not the first time the salesperson had made unrecorded promises to customers. “This is like the second or third time this salesperson does it, and I’m tired of it,” he said.

He urged other salespeople to be more careful.

“If you’re gonna promise something to a customer, make sure it’s in writing. Make sure you’re gonna take care of it. And don’t tell your customer to come in on your day off so that somebody else has to scramble and take care of your business,” he said.

How to Avoid This Happening to You

The TikTok highlights a simple truth: Verbal promises in car sales can create confusion, frustration, and unexpected costs. While this story ended with the dealership covering the cost, not every undocumented promise works out in the buyer’s favor.

In fact, some dealerships have taken it a step further. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently reported that three Texas dealerships owned by Asbury Automotive used illegal tactics to sneak add-ons into sales contracts.

Up to 75% of Asbury buyers said the dealerships either secretly tacked on fees or falsely told buyers the add-ons were required when they weren’t. Even more troubling, Black and Latino buyers were charged hundreds of dollars more for the same add-ons.

Some of these tactics are subtle. The FTC notes that buyers sometimes signed contracts on electronic devices that displayed only where to sign, without showing the full terms. Many customers didn’t realize extra charges were included until after driving off the lot (if they noticed them at all).

To protect yourself, FTC and experts recommend:

Reading everything carefully. Ask for a printed copy of your sales contract and financing agreement, and make sure the terms match what you agreed to. Ask questions about any unfamiliar fees or add-ons, and insist they be removed if you didn’t approve them.
Knowing your total cost, not just your monthly payment. Ensure all charges, fees, and add-ons are included in writing so nothing sneaks in afterward.
Shopping around for financing. Dealership financing often includes marked-up interest rates. Consider pre-approval from banks or credit unions and use that as leverage in negotiations.