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Marijuana In my Loaner Vehicle  

On 10/19/07 @ 5:15pm I took my Lexus ES 330 to Len Stoler Lexus of Owings Mills, Maryland for routine maintenance. I was given a loaner care (ES 350 @ 5:30) as my vehicle would not be ready until 10/20/07. On my way home from the dealership (@ 6:15p), I notice a small glass container on the drivers side floor. As a result of me being on the beltway, it took me about 3mins or so to get the container from the floor. When I did, there was something in the container that resembles green grass and dirt. I open the container and from the smell realized that this was not dirt. I called ( @ 6: 20) the dealership and spoke with Derek Kline(service consultant) to inform him of my findings and get directions as to how I should proceed. I was told by Derek to pull over at the nearest gas station and “pitch it and just forget about it, or you can call the police but, I don’t think they will do anything about it, I don’t really know what you should do”. My response was, “I can’t pitch it at a gas station, I don’t want to caught with this stuff, I am even afraid to touch the bottle. I am on I-95 in traffic.” When I got home I immediately called Derek again and advised him that I was going to call Harford County Sheriff’s department, I asked Derek if he could speak with the officer that was going to be dispatched and was told by Derek, “I am not going to be here much longer I am leaving for the day.” I asked Derek if he could fax me a statement in case the officer asks for it I was told, No, the fax machine is locked in the parts department that closes at 6:00pm and I can’t get to it.” When the sheriff came, he confirmed that the substance was in fact Marijuana; the sheriff took the Marijuana and gave me a report number. On 10/20/07 I went to the dealership to speak with the General Manager Dennis Szarko and was told that he was not in the building and could not be reached via telephone. When I asked for his contact number to reach him, I was given the wrong number. When I went back to the dealership to get my car, I asked the receptionist,” when’s the best time to reach the general manager?” and was told,” Oh, he is here now he has been here since this morning.” When I spoke to the GM he was very rude and told me told me,” you are speaking to loudly in my office you need to lower your voice or get out of my office.” He went on to state, “you put the Marijuana in the car, and we should have never sold you a Lexus.” The GM also stated, “You will never have your car serviced here again, I don’t know how you got a Lexus, you didn’t pay for it, you couldn’t pay for it” I asked the GM, “why would you assume that I can’t pay for the car and that I have an illegal substance?” His reply was, “just get out of my office your mouth is too big!” He did not listen to anything I had to say, he refused to look at the police report and told me to leave the dealership immediately because I was causing a disturbance although my vehicle service was not complete. I refused to leave without my vehicle and contact number to his supervisor. The GM then called the Baltimore County police and stated that I was an unruly customer who would not leave the premises. This is not acceptable I have been a customer of Lexus/Toyota since 2001; I was humiliated, disrespected, and belittled. When I asked the GM “Why are you treating me this way? How can you say I can’t come here for service when I did nothing wrong? His response was, just shut your mouth and get out of my office.” He then left the office and began to tell the sales associates that I put Marijuana in the car. I told the GM that I felt “discriminated against and that he was being very stereotypical”. I asked are you treating me this way because I am a black woman. He replied, “ yeah, that is the exact reason!”  

That sounds like a horrible situation - I'm sorry you went through that.  At the same time, it's a pretty sweet bonus!  I might have to try this rental agency!

~SolsticeMan~
keyless entry  
keyless entry

I can understand why they didn't want you talking to anyone...you seem a bit uptight. Why couldn't you have simply pitched out the bottle at the nearest trash can. If you were afraid of touching it because of fingerprints then wipe it down. If you were worried about somebody seeing you, take it to a bathroom. If you thought you were about to get pulled over, call the Police! You made a big deal out of a situation that wasn't the dealership's fault. Somebody probably left it in the car, they are LOANER cars ya know? I would have kicked you out of my office too, for wasting both of our time!!!! Just for your information - I am not a weed smoker or advocate! I just understand reality and I guess you're one of those people who always find something to complain about.  

carbonfire;

Why would she be in the wrong?  She didnt want to be associated with it, and did what she thought was the right legal thing.

I would call corporate.  You have a police report tiawitherspoon1 - Lexus customer support is very understanding.   Good luck!  

She wasn't in the wrong until she blew it out of proportion! Throw it in the trash, more free time for everybody ...unless she was trying to get something for free.  

car_bon_fire:
I can understand why they didn't want you talking to anyone...you seem a bit uptight. Why couldn't you have simply pitched out the bottle at the nearest trash can. If you were afraid of touching it because of fingerprints then wipe it down. If you were worried about somebody seeing you, take it to a bathroom. If you thought you were about to get pulled over, call the Police! You made a big deal out of a situation that wasn't the dealership's fault. Somebody probably left it in the car, they are LOANER cars ya know? I would have kicked you out of my office too, for wasting both of our time!!!! Just for your information - I am not a weed smoker or advocate! I just understand reality and I guess you're one of those people who always find something to complain about.

Well said....just dump the goods and go on with your life. Always looking for drama..."you be treat'n lik dis cause I be black"...GET A LIFE.  

i can understand yr frustration with the guy, but at the same time you took it way too far. it's just pot. seriously. smoke it, or toss it. but don't waste everyones time with calling the cops. there are MUCH bigger fish to fry. MUCH bigger fish.  

I have bought several cars from this dealership and have dealt with Dennis personally. I am also black and Dennis has treated me with respect and generosity. I have the feeling that you were difficult and rude to him. Dennis is not a prejudice person and would not treat anyone like this. My suggestion is that you should be thankful for the free car that was given to you and stop complaining. If your going to post something on the web, make sure it's true.