DriveTime and/or Ugly Duckling Ernest Garcia, Gregory Sullivan, Mark Sauder, Lance Spotleson Sold lemon, didn't disclose accident, charged almost 30% interest rate, lost records, paid $835/month for a 1995 Jeep with repairs Phoenix Arizona

I have purchased a car from DriveTime in , AZ in January 2003. I made my regular payments every two weeks.
(until November 1, 2003)

I have paid $5701.12 to DriveTime.

I also paid $2695.26 for the repairs within the first 10 months. (Receipts are available)

I need to put additional $2200.00 dollars for the estimated emergency repairs.

I have found out that the car had an accident and police report was filed. This was not disclosed prior to my purchase.

Car was returned to the dealer on several occasions within 1-2 weeks of purchase due to mechanical problems. I was advised to call Drive Time Repair Shop to for necessary repairs while the car was still under warranty (less than 3000 miles).

Drive Time Repair Shop could not schedule an appointment due to their busy repair schedule. DT Repair Shop advised me to bring the car by the end of the following week (approximately 10 days). I mentioned that the warranty would expire. DT Shop stated that I had to pay for any repairs after the 3000 miles but still could not schedule the appointment. Discuss this with Chad and Guy several times at the dealership.

Note: ABC ran a special investigation report on Drive Time and their practices a few months ago.

Since November 1, 2003 asked help from the DriveTime for a safer car and I indicated to them that I didn't want money, including repairs-but a safe car.
General Manager suggested for me to take the car to DriveTime repair shop. And, I would have to pay for the repairs.

Even if I did not pay for the repairs, I had no faith and trust in DriveTime repair shop due to their poor workmanship.

Regardless, I decided to make the appointment next day-the very same day my car died on the highway.

At this point, I have not contacted anyone except the employees of the DriveTime.

One of the sales managers, Chad Gettel, talked to two regional managers with no solution.

I have not complained and made my payments for the last 10 months in addition to repairs.

A company that sells 3500 cars a month and generates close to $500 million a year should not jeopardize the lives of their customers by selling defective cars.

Their business depends on their customers. Treat them with respect.

It is not pleasant to find out (from DriveTime's own employees) that they call their customers roaches and cars bombs.

My request from DriveTime was to replace my car with a compatible and safer vehicle.

Date Item Charge
02/02/03 Leak Power Steering+Lube $ 90.13
02/22/03 Fuel Injection, Oil (oil leak) $ 92.32
03/14/03 Leak Radiator+Lube (radiator,oil leak) $ 54.32
04/06/03 Differential, Oil (oil leak) $125.21
04/19/03 Power Brake Booster, Master Cylinder $497.14
04/26/03 Oil, Lube (oil leak) $ 47.10
05/21/03 Oil, Lube (oil leak) $ 51.09
07/19/03 Oil, Lube (oil leak) $ 51.09
08/23/03 Transmission, Oil (transmission,oil leak) $146.39
09/27/03 Belt, Tires (poor gas milage) $428.57
10/24/03 Leak Brakes+Lube (oil leak, bad brakes) $277.72
11/01/03 Oil, Lube (oil leak) $ 34.88
11/13/03 Service, Diagnostic, Battery (dead) $ 81.12
11/13/03 Towing (dead) $ 41.00
11/10/03 Sensor, Fuel Filter, Diagnostic (dead) $320.42
11/17/03 Cat. Converter, Cam Sensor (dead) $356.76
Total $2695.26 (Paid by the customer-All receipts are availalable)
Estimate For Additional Repairs: $2200.00
Additional Recommended Repairs:
Steering Dampner (leak), 4 Shocks, upper and lower control arms, loose bushings, converter, fuel system. Transmission mounts, transfer case leak, starter check, air conditioner, all leaks

Internal Repairs By Drive Time: $1851.16
(10/8 thru 10/31/2002)

Note: Compare the repairs done by Drive Time to actual repairs and estimates. Most of the repairs done by DriveTime was recommended again by 3-4 different repair shops.


Payments by the customer:
Drive Time (22 payments as of 10/27/03) $5701.12
Insurance $1100.00
Gas Usage $5500.00

Total Price: $13,657.18
Total Price With Interest: $21,271.98
Interest $ 7,614.80
Interest Rate 29.900%
Blue Book Trade In Value $ 3,010-4,735
Blue Book Retail Value (if very good condition) $ 6,400-8,600



Monthly Average Payment Without Repairs $ 570.12
Total Repairs $ 2695.26
Monthly Average Repairs $ 269.52
Monthly Average Payment With Repairs $ 839.65
(Does not include rental cars and additional gasoline due to poor milage -see below)


Asked several times prior to the purchase by the customer but was not disclosed by DriveTime:

Police Accident Report AZ 11/13/96 Crash filed. Damages over $1000.00

Arizona Police Report File # 04673462

Recall Dec 27, 2002: Fuel System, gasoline delivery, fuel pump (Fuel leak , risk of fire) (Ownership: DriveTime)

Recall 2/13/2002 Power Train, automatic transmission (inadvertent movement could result in a crash)

Recall 12/06/1999 Service Brakes, Hydraulic (can allow iron wear surface to separate)

Recall 4/29/1997 Pedal (unintended acceleration)

Recall 9/8/1995 Parking Brake (may not hold causing the vehicle to roll inadvertently)

Note: Car was returned to the Dealer on several occasions within 1-2 weeks of purchase due to mechanical problems. Customer was advised to call Drive Time Repair Shop to for necessary repairs while the car was still under warranty (less than 3000 miles).
Drive Time Repair Shop could not schedule an appointment due to their busy repair schedule. DT Repair Shop advised the customer to bring the car by the end of the following week (approximately 10 days). Customer mentioned that the warranty would expire. DT Shop stated that the customer had to pay for any repairs after the 3000 miles but still could not schedule the appointment.

Note: ABC ran a special investigation report on Drive Time and their practices a few months ago.
My Car was towed away by DriveTime on 12/05/03
Car was returned to me on 12/12/03 after the repairs by DriveTime
Car was to be checked completely for all the problems.
8 (eight) days was sufficient time to check and fix the problems.
One of the DriveTime Regional Managers (Keith Sarchei) convinced me that the car was going to be taken to the Chrysler Jeep Dealer.
Although I told him that there was a Chrysler Jeep Dealer by me and I would take the car to that location, he insisted that the DriveTime would take the car to the Chrysler/Jeep Dealer.
I have not received any written document from Chrysler Jeep about their estimate and/or opinions and/or repairs.
I believe that the car was not taken to the Chrysler as promised. If I am wrong, please provide me with their written estimate and work order for my car between 12/5/03 and 12/12/03 from the Chrysler Jeep so that I can call and confirm.
I was supposed to pick up the jeep on Friday (12/11/03). But Keith Sarchei told me that they delivered a wrong car. So, I had to pick up the car the next day.
On 12/12/03 I picked up the car.
I did not see and/or feel any repairs and/or change done to the car. I felt that the engine mount was not touched and/or replaced.
I called Keith Sarchei and asked for the detailed repairs performed by DriveTime.
He referred me to the local office.
After 6 calls in several days, finally they faxed me the internal repair order by DriveTime which was $724.00 and I was requested to pay of the bill.
Assumingly the DriveTime shop did a complete diagnostic.
On 12/12/03 I felt that the engine mount was not replaced and/or repaired.
Only after 4 days, car started to smoke.
I was told by my mechanic that the car was extremely unsafe to drive and needed new radiator and not surprisingly to me, engine mount.
I paid another $721.92 for the repairs (only after 4 days DriveTime delivered the car to me).
I called Keith Sarchei to find out what was $721.92 for.
He indicated that he was not familiar with the repairs and referred me to the shop foreman Bill Fritz. I called the recon center a total of 7 times and left several messages for Bill Fritz or anyone with any knowledge about the repairs to return my call.
As of today, I have not received any information or return calls from the recon center.
In the meantime, several people called me for payment.
Chris Minns suggested deferring the payments.
At that point, I faxed him the information ; however, after a few days I received phone calls from different people, again.
As you can tell, I am very frustrated.
I tried to work with you to find a solution; but, now I am really disappointed.
I am disappointed with DriveTime's practices in selling, repairing, collecting, communicating.

Total Repairs I paid $2695.26
12/18/03 Radiator,coolant,engine mounts $ 721.92
12/13/03 Rental $ 277.12
1/3/04 Rental $ 60.72
TOTAL AFTER 12/06 REPAIRS BY DRIVE TIME $1059.76
RENTALS SINCE 1/2003 $ 152.29
$ 107.35
$ 222.26
$ 178.54
ADDITIONAL RENTALS TOTAL $ 660.44
GRAND TOTAL $4415.46

NOTE: Above figures do not include cost of rental cars, days lost from work, and additional gasoline cost due to the mechanical problems-blocking- (Additional receipts are available).

1.Again, if you ever looked at my previous letters you would have also noticed the ACCIDENT POLICE REPORT on 11/13/1996 , accident file # 04673462.
If you still have doubts, why don't you check and confirm the file number with City of Phoenix.

2.You are asking me to fax you the receipts for the repairs and regular maintenance? They were already faxed to Keith Sarchett and Stephanie Gill. Additional repairs also were faxed to Chriss Minns after the jeep was repaired by your facilities.
However, if you lost them or did not communicate with Keith Sarchett about the receipts, I will be more than happy to fax every single repair, and maintenance receipt to you. I am sure they will be more than the amount I requested.

3.You are telling me that I put 40,000 miles on this car and this is the reason for problems? If this is the case, you should sell your cars with limited milage per year or per month. On the other hand, I will provide you with written proof that the oil was changed on this car every 3000 miles in addition to filter, and regular bi-weekly maintenance. I can provide the proof, today.

4.I still did not get any answers to:
a)Why my car was not taken to the Chrysler Jeep Center
for the repairs, as promised
b)Why it took 8 days to repair the car?
c)Why didn't I receive any return calls from Bill Fritz about the condition of my car after the repairs
d)If the car was checked and repaired, why did I have problems within 4 days that cost me over $700.00

ANYBODY WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS FROM DRIVETIME,CONTACT ME IMMMEDIATELY through the rebuttal key.

5.I realized that I am not the only customer with same and/or similar problems. From BBB reports to website ripoff.com reports, from previous customers to current employees (who complains about the

DriveTime's business practices), my problem is not that unusual.

6.I have accumulated a very extensive public access informational file about the DriveTime in addition to undisputable records, dates and facts which I will not hesitate to utilize.

7.I believe that this case and similar cases are not to be taken lightly. Therefore, taking a legal action against the DriveTime may only be a temporary solution to a permanent problem. On the other hand, media, several BBB's, Offices of The Attorney Generals and consumer agencies would be more interested in learning more about this and other DriveTime practices. I will also follow-up with a request for a full investigation.


ANYBODY WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS FROM DRIVETIME,CONTACT ME IMMMEDIATELY BY E-MAIL: drivetime_victims@yahoo.com


No response from Ernest Garcia, Mark Sauder, Greg Sullivan.

Following-up with Office Of The Attorney General, FTC, BBB and media (TV, Radio, Print)

J
phoenix, Arizona
U.S.A.

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Drive Time, formally known as Ugly Duckling which is registered under the same ownership.

STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, it's paid for!