Lia Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram

We spent a few hours at this dealership yesterday test driving a new minivan and figuring out numbers. Chrysler was offering a great price on a lease, so we considered trading in our 2011 Chevy to lower o driving a new minivan and figuring out numbers. Chrysler was offering a great price on a lease, so we considered trading in our 2011 Chevy to lower our monthly payments. After negotiating lease terms, monthly payments, down payment, and the trade in, we finally agreed on a price. At this point we had left and were doing business over the phone, so we agreed to come in today and get the deal done. They agreed to pay us a few k more on our trade in than what we owe, so we planned to use that as our down payment on the minivan. Well, after all the negotiations and after starting to sign all the paperwork we noticed that they "assumed" the extra $$ from the trade in after paying off our existing car loan was just going in their pockets. NOT part of the agreed down payment. NOT taken off the price of the van in any way (even though it was a lease). Nothing. They expected to pay off our loan only and have us give them the down payment on top of that. In our eyes, this looks like all that negotiating for a trade in value was for nothing because they were only going to pay off our loan. This was a difference of a few thousand dollars. They said it was in addition to a down payment. Basically, it ended up being a nearly $6,000 down payment on this lease. It wasn't what we agreed to. I repeatedly asked them what the point in negotiating a trade in price for our car was if they really only plan on paying off our loan and we don't see the difference. They couldn't answer, they just said they were sorry that no one explained to us, and that this is just how they do it at that dealership. They insisted this was honoring the deal, but we can't understand how on earth that's honoring either the down payment or the trade in price. We have never leased before, so perhaps he's right. Maybe this is how things are done. So you'll have to figure for yourself if we are the ones at fault or they are. Either way, felt misled and we walked out and wasted all that time. We have bought many cars before and we aren't new to this business. We have always had the experience that money on our trade in goes to pay off our existing loan, with the remainder due to us (which we put toward the down payment). Not the case at this dealership. They apparently will tell you a nice number, but just pay off your loan and not give you the rest. We prefer to buy slightly used cars so we probably won't consider a lease again, especially if this is the norm. We certainly won't be going back to this dealer. I'm pretty upset to think that we almost signed without knowing. I question if that was their intention. More