Flamingo Finance Bad Ethics Ocala Florida

I bought my car through a "reputable" car dealership in Gainesville, FL. A few days after being told I was bank financed, I found out the "bank" was Flamingo Finance. There were no problems with this bank until I found out I needed to make weekly payments (I get paid every two weeks). When contacted by Flamingo Finance, I asked if I could make payments on a biweekly schedule. I was told that would be no problem.

For months there were no calls, no problems. Then I made the mistake of making a payment for a month. I started receiving harrassing phone calls, telling me that I was late. I would get upwards of 5-10 calls a day. When I would call back, I would be hung up on, when asking what the problem was, and I why I was getting all these phone calls.

I continued to make my payments on time each month. I would even use their "convienent" automated system. 9 months after having the car, I was contacted by the company explaining that they wanted to give me a "break" on my payment for a month, because I was a timely customer, and they "never" had a problem with my payments being on time. I agreed, only after, being told it would not comprimise my payoff, and I would not be penalized. (it was Christmas time, so that was nice)

A week before my payment was due, I got a call on a Saturday morning at 8:30 am, telling me I had a payment due. I asked how much, and was told $1.00. I asked if it would be ok to add that buck to my payment due that Friday, and was told, that would be fine. (it costs $3.00 to pay over the phone). After being called 5 more times that day, and 5-10 times a day Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I was very angry. I had HAD enough of the harrassment. Even though I called them back every day and was told there would be no problems with paying this "late" fee with my next payment. They have an automated system that calls randomly.

When I received information that my friends and family were now being called, I was even more angry. I called Flamingo and asked why my family was being called and was told it is just a random number they call, and until the $1 was paid it would continue. I asked to speak with a supervisor, and was told no one could help me. That was until I stated I would report this company to the BBB.

Well a supervisor got on the phone, and angrily spoke with me, then hung up on me. After calling back and being hung up on several times...I decided I needed to research the laws concerning this problem. I then called Flamingo back (after making a complaint to the FDCPA). I spoke with a very friendly and curteous employee, that said the only thing the $1 balance was for was because of a system fee they charge when making over the phone payments through the automated system. Apparently the system was not working properly when it was first implemented. It did not add the correct fee to my payment. She told me she would credit my account the $1 and when they received my payment, the extra $1 I paid, would be credited to my account. I agreed, and told her how kind and understanding she was. I thought this nightmare was over.

I received another call the next day...still wanting the $1. I called Flamingo back and spoke with the manager on duty...and just spilled the whole thing to her. She explained they are first party collectors and they do not have to abide by the same laws as thrid party collectors (IE: they aren't regulated by the FDCPA). I am still looking into this, but wanted others to be warned about this company in the mean time.

Amanda
Newberry, Florida
U.S.A.