Report: DRIVETIME AKA UGLY DUCKLING
Category: Auto Dealers
Drivetime AKA Ugly Duckling should be closed for good, customer then employee knows the BIG ripoff Torrance California
*UPDATE Ex-Employee responds ..Mr. Bill, Drive Time Lures the Credit Challenged W/ The Go to Guys for Cars and Credit!!!
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DRIVETIME AKA UGLY DUCKLING
Fax:
TORRANCE, California, 98313
U.S.A.
Submitted: 2/21/2003 12:38:38 AM
Modified: 11/17/2008 11:03:41 AM
Joey
los angeles, CaliforniaI know how ugly duckling/drivetime works. I was on the inside looking out and the outside looking in at the same time.
I first bought a car at ugly duckling. I needed a car to get back and forth to work, having a family and needing to drive up and down the coast, I thought I was going to a good place.
Old hat
New hat
I was Looking for Kars-yes... the same company I found out as Ugly Duckling. I went down and got into a 94 ford taurus.. overpriced as ever, but with my credit.. what could I do. I basically drove the car with problems like the horn, windshield wipers and airbag light came on at the same time.
Well, I was looking for a new job in april 01, and what do you know.. .ugly duckling was hiring. I applied and started working there selling cars. I found out how they basically treated customers,and I have to say...If i didn't need a job, I would have left.
To all the customers that I have wronged, I apologiz ..it was just work. I have to say...the managers that I worked under at torrance basically were o.k. to work for, but they were company men. they have no consern(u.d. and the managers) for customers.
The corporate office won't admit it, but they call the customers 'Roaches'. I have come across cars that all the sales people knew or atleast had a common sense idea about having problems... and they forced us to sell them because they were getting'old'.
For those who don't know.. an old car is a car that they have had on the lot for a long time. it most likely has some problem or is a recent repo that they 'cleaned' up and is ready for their next victim ..if you wanna call it that.
The reason I'm coming forward is because this company needs to be shut down. As of today, there are over 85 Rip-off Reports on this company! It should not be allowed to stay in business. I have been forced to sell cars that have painted carpets, cigarette burns, poorly painted parts, missing parts, and parts they knew would not last long, and vehicles that have were previously wrecked; you name it, they've done it and I have seen it.
M.W.
Los Angles, California
Joey
los angeles, California
U.S.A.
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Updates & Rebuttals:
- they sell cars that have problems they wont admit to. the mechanics are not certified to do anything but turn a screw Joey [3/6/2003 11:27:37 PM]
- puttting things in perspective Thomas [8/25/2003 9:37:18 PM]
- Federal case filed against DriveTime Janet [11/15/2003 7:03:23 AM]
- Mr. EX-employee, ..Give me a break! Everyone I have known,including myself, that has got a car from your establishment and has had a problem with the car Brigette [12/10/2003 4:04:54 PM]
- all I ever got was the run-around Terri [12/24/2003 12:10:42 PM]
- ALL CARS THAT THEY SELL ARE TRASH LASHAUNE [1/13/2004 6:32:44 PM]
- responsible auto tech apologizes Tony [1/15/2004 9:15:46 PM]
- What do I do now? James [3/4/2004 5:17:38 PM]
- Don't trust any used car agency!! Douglas [3/13/2004 11:24:49 PM]
- RE: What Do I Do Now? Kevin [3/16/2004 10:08:10 PM]
- They sold the car and now want us to pay the difference? James [3/19/2004 4:04:38 PM]
- Drivetime got me! my car runs perfect, they raked me through the coals financially . C [3/20/2004 8:09:01 AM]
- Don't get mad....get even. Douglas [3/20/2004 7:39:41 PM]
- There IS another solution! we too were victimized Juli [4/13/2004 7:08:09 PM]
- I guess I have been LUCKY or something? Theresa [6/18/2004 5:44:57 PM]
- Joey your excuse Pamela [7/15/2004 5:28:50 PM]
- Roaches??? Pamela [7/15/2004 5:32:16 PM]
- My view on Ugly Duckling Steve [7/16/2004 1:14:49 PM]
- They are sueing my wife now!!! James [7/17/2004 10:50:05 AM]
- WHOA... LET HER PAY DAMN NEAR NEW CAR RETAIL FOR THE CAR Joey [7/17/2004 10:31:21 PM]
- To Joey: you didnt read my original comments James [7/18/2004 6:13:44 PM]
- My credit good enough that I bought us both new cars James [7/18/2004 6:14:06 PM]
- OH WELL TOO BAD THEY DONT SUE HER FOR THE WHOLE AMOUNT JOEY [7/19/2004 1:59:50 PM]
- rude responses James [7/20/2004 4:18:16 PM]
- Don't buy a car from DriveTime...They are a Ripoff... Theresa [7/29/2004 7:58:16 AM]
- Don't buy a car from DriveTime in Leesburg, Florida...They are a Ripoff... Theresa [7/30/2004 7:58:22 AM]
- Wow!! !st time seeing this website D [8/20/2004 4:45:22 PM]
- i am in your shoes CHERYL [8/28/2004 1:12:41 AM]
- Bought car with no problems Paul [9/6/2004 1:39:04 AM]
- I am confused... just isn't usual for the reporter of a rip-off to abuse victims of the company they are reporting Darren [9/6/2004 3:37:30 PM]
- Nope not the original who posted this, you got it all wrong Paul [9/7/2004 12:29:15 AM]
- DRIVE-TIME, THE BIGGEST SCAM EVER! SHANEEN [9/10/2004 10:10:47 AM]
- you go shaneen they should of kept there other name as ugly duckling CHERYL [9/10/2004 8:08:23 PM]
- Bad Credit and Car Buying Lynne [9/14/2004 8:11:47 AM]
- Good Advice Lynne You are so right! Things do happen. Darren [9/15/2004 3:03:14 AM]
- Bad Credit does not equal bad person Leslie [9/23/2004 9:35:06 PM]
- I agree. Darren [9/24/2004 3:33:20 AM]
- I have news for you all. You have been illegally harassed Chris [9/27/2004 1:58:02 PM]
- Thx for the advice, Shaneen - I told them that they had lost their minds Amanda [10/9/2004 6:30:25 AM]
- There's an FTC website and some info Chris [10/10/2004 5:50:48 AM]
- Now I understand what people are complaining about ..They should be shut down... Kurtis [10/10/2004 10:43:17 PM]
- Credit Risk? Taking advantage of people with poor credit is a scam in itself. Alan [10/27/2004 2:42:11 PM]
- TOTAL LOSS DEPARTMENT AKA: YOUR LOSS, THEIR GAIN Erica [11/22/2004 2:28:55 PM]
- Take these reports seriously!!! Sandy [1/7/2005 4:30:56 PM]
- Drive Time In Pinellas Park, Florida SAVED MY BUTT! Eric [1/20/2005 3:26:11 AM]
- They are the roaches Debra [1/31/2005 9:35:53 AM]
- I know a Previous Ugly Duckling Owner Susan [2/9/2005 2:19:49 PM]
- WOW!!! I was scammed to James [2/16/2005 4:52:18 PM]
- THEY ARE A BUNCH OF RUDE AND CRUDE FOLKS YOU EVER WANT TO MEET Cheryl [3/17/2005 6:15:19 PM]
- Drivetime Consumer Ripoffs. Margie [5/24/2005 3:22:03 PM]
- Lucky Ones - For those of you who have had bad experiences with this company, consider yourselves blessed. Nikki [6/4/2005 12:25:39 PM]
- I feel sorry for everyone Nikki [6/8/2005 12:50:41 PM]
- Don't Be a Sucker and Then Whine Jon [7/23/2005 2:15:35 PM]
- To James In Mesa AZ Jon [7/28/2005 7:34:59 AM]
- A Point of View... Manda [10/12/2005 11:32:38 PM]
- Drivetime Customer-no problems Leslie [1/7/2006 9:48:29 AM]
- just too bad that bad things don't always happen to bad people. Mel [1/9/2006 10:40:40 PM]
- My Ugly Duckling/Drivetime Vehicle Margie [3/14/2006 3:19:06 PM]
- Inside Knowledge Babe [3/16/2006 5:05:37 PM]
- I almost got rammed by them as well Mary [4/18/2006 5:06:20 PM]
- drive time lot manager Chris [4/20/2006 8:45:27 PM]
- i would like 2 find the other employees suing drivetime Dean [4/21/2006 10:49:29 AM]
- I got ripped off too Vildo [5/23/2006 4:47:11 PM]
- You CAN get help in dealing with DriveTime Erica [6/13/2006 2:12:28 PM]
- hit or miss? Deb [6/21/2006 11:39:51 AM]
- More Honest Than The 'Traditional' Used Car Lot? Jeff [6/28/2006 6:50:05 PM]
- jipped too Monica [7/7/2006 1:18:25 AM]
- drivetime in van nuys ca, GREAT Mcgaha [7/26/2006 11:05:57 PM]
- Can I get Elvy's contact information Shontele [8/23/2006 5:53:14 PM]
- drivetime to the rescue Cheryl [8/24/2006 1:56:57 PM]
- Cheryl..from Los Angeles..must be a Drive Time Troll.. Steve [8/25/2006 6:33:01 AM]
- Decision made Phil [10/11/2006 4:35:57 AM]
- to the moron who called me a drivetime troll Cheryl [11/9/2006 11:09:54 PM]
- Make sure to pick the right car Alan [11/20/2006 10:55:00 PM]
- Response to Cheryl-CA regarding your post to me Steve [11/22/2006 10:54:17 AM]
- All DriveTime's are Bad. Rhiannon [11/24/2006 8:15:59 AM]
- Telephone Solicitations Eric [11/24/2006 9:01:54 PM]
- I'm Not Alone Melissa [2/8/2007 8:41:20 PM]
- People with poor credit DO have a choice, THOMAS! Amanda [2/20/2007 1:18:31 AM]
- Drive Time aka Ugly Duckling Diane [6/24/2007 4:41:17 PM]
- For a reason... Michael [7/3/2007 7:51:13 AM]
- Beware the bull... Nabila [7/9/2007 8:55:09 AM]
- What it's really like at Drivetime Ex..dt [10/5/2007 1:36:45 AM]
- DRIVE TIME - MY EXPERIENCE Tbald1977 [11/7/2007 12:42:27 PM]
- DriveTime is worse than you think! Tasha [12/28/2007 11:47:10 AM]
- WE ARE ALL DRIVE TIME VICTIMS WHO NEED TO TAKE A STAND! Tbald1977 [2/4/2008 8:03:38 PM]
- EVERYONE! John [5/20/2008 5:50:37 AM]
- Act Like You have Some Sense!!! If You can!!! Honest Joe [6/10/2008 3:47:30 AM]
- Drive Time Treated me Well Carl Iii [7/15/2008 11:25:31 AM]
- Another dis-satisfied DriveTime Customer--ripped off BIG time!! Mandi [7/15/2008 12:11:09 PM]
- Immediate Satisfaction Guaranteed! Bill R. [11/10/2008 12:20:26 AM]
- Mr. Bill, Drive Time Lures the Credit Challenged W/ The Go to Guys for Cars and Credit!!! Face Card [11/17/2008 10:26:48 AM]
they sell cars that have problems they wont admit to. the mechanics are not certified to do anything but turn a screw
hello again,
I'm back to rebutt on all the reports I have read. they are so sad to say the least. all I can say is that I'm glad I dont work there anymore.
the sad part about all the reports is that all of them are true. they sell cars that have problems they wont admit to. the mechanics are not certified to do anything but turn a screw driver basically.just incase you did'nt know......
all the cars are marked up 5-6k.the cars they have now are kinda new(98-99-00)but they are old under the hood.if and when you go to a lot(I hope you don't) you will see that the cars are sad looking. they take advantage of the customers by giving them someone elses problem.let me say that all used cars dont have problems...
but it seems that most of the problem cars are owned and sold by drivetime.another thing that they do is call and harrass customers about the payment that is coming up. I called hundreds of customers 2-3 days before the payment and kept calling till they made it.
I was made to do this by my manager...because if I didnt do it...he wouldnt help me rob another customer(unwritten rule..help me or I dont help you).I have talked to hundreds of current and past customers of that company, and I have to say that only 1 of a few things are being said.
1) I don't want another car from anyone...
2)I got another car from drivetime...
3) YES,I want to get another car but I don't wanna get another car from THEM again.
To all that think i'm lying..find some people that have bought a car there and ask them if they would do it again.
As for them rebuilding your credit, that is a joke. Every dealership knows what they do to customers,and after you get raped by them....
they feel sorry for you.29.9% is like shooting yourself in the foot, it makes no sense.
now that the are 'DRIVETIME',they have this downpayment driven interest rate. what that means is that the more that you put down,the lower your interest rate. you basically would have to put down $5000 down on a piece of junk car to get 9.9% if that.let me give you an example...
for a 2002 daewoo(now remember that america daewoo is gone)you would have to put down $5000 to get(with ok credit).
now if someone had that amount of money...why would you get a daewoo...but thats what they sell.well.....thats all for now...any questions....email me here.
puttting things in perspective
As a former sales manager for Drivetime I can understand most of the complaints that are lodged against the company as reasonable, the cars are pre-owned and a minority of the cars will have problems.
To put it in perspective, Drivetime nationwide sells between 50 and 60 thousand cars annually, making them the largest purveyor of pre-owned cars on a retail level in the country.
As far a customer base, in my experience, 90% of their customers trying to finance a car conventionally would be asked by the bank to put down about 50% of the cars total purchase price, somewhere in the 4 to 7 thousand dollar range as a down payment. Drivetime normally asks for a down payment in the $600.00 to $1200.00 range which is basically tax and license for these cars.
Drivetime can do this because they are the bank and the only source of financing for these customers, who's credit profile normally includes numerous collection accounts, auto repossesions, charge offs, and bankruptcies.
The average monthly income of a customer is between $1200.00 and $2000.00 per month gross income. With that income and their credit profiles, no conventional bank will finance them on any car, Drivetime will.
Drivetime will markup their cars approximately $5000.00 and charge 29.9% interest over a 42 month loan period making the total finance charge about $5000.00 over the term of the loan, hence making about $10,000.00 per car profit if the loan is paid off in agreement with the purchase contract.
Basically the company has a 30% chargeoff rate and is charging 2/3rds of their customers to pay for the 1/3rd that default on their loans.
The cars do come with a basic 3 month 3 thousand mile warranty on basic components such as engine and transmission. Some customers do not understand it is 'their car' and they are responsible for repairs and maintenance. When you buy a house and it has a problem, you do not call your realtor to come out and fix it, same premise with a pre-owned auto bought anywhere.
In summary, yes when you sell 60 thousand cars per year their will be problems and complaints, and yes all cars come with a history report run by experian that is given to each customer for inspection. After being on the front lines for awhile with this company they do put people in better cars than their credit justifies, and ask for very little down payment. The tradeoff is a higher markup on the vehicle and a higher rate of interest, but noone else will finance these credit challenged customers. And the cars are usually later model vehicles in the 1996-2001 model year category and basically domestic vehicles.
Finally, the overwhelming majority of their customers realize their credit situation and can live with the decision they made to buy a car from Drivetime.
Federal case filed against DriveTime
I am an ex employee of DriveTime/Ugly Duckling and filed in federal court a case of Wrongful Termination/Age and Sex discrimination in PHX Federal Court. Filed in May, 03, default judgement, July, 03, oral argument was cancelled for Nov 17, 03. Waiting on judge to make decision on who wins...alot of money is involved here. Im still without a full time position and on the the final 13 weeks of unemployment.
Mr. EX-employee, ..Give me a break! Everyone I have known,including myself, that has got a car from your establishment and has had a problem with the car
I would like to respond to this:
The cars do come with a basic 3 month 3 thousand mile warranty on basic components such as engine and transmission. Some customers do not understand it is 'their car' and they are responsible for repairs and
All I will say is, 'BULL_CRAP!'
You sir are full of it and you know it!
Everyone I have known,including myself, that has got a car from your establishment and has had a problem with the car, has been told too damn bad. And I am talking about problems that happened right away. I know a lady who had problems the first week/20miles and they told her to go to hell!!!!
You are going to burn in hell for being one of the 'evil ones'.
Submitted: 12/24/2003 12:10:42 PM
Modified: 12/24/2003 11:15:47 PM
Terri
St. Petersburg, FloridaU.S.A.
all I ever got was the run-around
I too brought a drivetime car no problems until I purchased a 2000 oldsmobile alero they have hounded me with phone calls and I paid on time.
My car was recently totaled by a 70 year old woman and her insurance company paid the car in full for $8000.00, still I was going to end up paying 20000.00 for the car.
Instead even with their Gap insurance they are still trying to get me to either pay $5000.00 or get another car from them which I don't understand.
I don't want another car from them especially if they call you morning, noon and night. I was not satisfied.
I was told that I would only need to put down $1000.00 and end up putting down $1200.00 and their sign outside advertised $599.00 down. I have spoken with general managers etc.
And all I ever got was the run-around. How can I avoid paying or shall I say oweing $5000.00. Any help would be appreciated.
ALL CARS THAT THEY SELL ARE TRASH
I BOUGHT A MADZA MPV FROM THIS COMPANY AND WITHIN 3 MONTHS THE CAR HAD BEEN PLACED AT A SERVICE CENYER THAY THEY WANTED THE CAR AT AND REPEATLY STATED THAT THE CAR WAS FIXED. THE LAST STRAW WAS WHEN I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ANE THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETLY FAILED. I CALLED THEM AND THEY STATED THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT NOTIFIED IN ENOUGH TIME. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I HAD REPORTED THIS PROBLEM AFTER ONLY 3 DAYS OF HAVING THE CAR. THEY STATED AGAIN THAT IT WAS NOT THERE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED MYSELF. I GLADLY TOLD THEM THAT THEY CAN PICK UP THE CAR BECAUSE I WAS NOT PAYING ANYTHING ELSE ON IT AND THAT IT COULD STAY WERE IT BROKE DOWN. NOW THEY HAVE PLACED THE CAR ON MY CREDIT FOR ALMOST $8000.00 AND THE CAR WAS NOT WORTH MORE THAN $1500.00..
responsible auto tech apologizes
i too was taken in by drivetime aka ugly duckling
i am a certified master auto tech , i happen to fall into work at a location in las vegas , after a few short weeks i started to see how this company does business many of the salesman as well as the managers themselves are as they say 'roaches' any short cut to save a buck on these cars was their way , from using used parts to subletting the work to unreputable shops .
at one certain meeting all the techs were told 'treat these cars like glass because we dont know how long they will last ' shortly after i took my concerns to the general manager , too which he said 'i will look into it' 3 days later he was transferred to the downey calif loaction.
when our new GM arrived he said fix all the cars the right way the first time , then 2 days later we started installing used motors and transmissions , if that was not bad enough myself and another tech were the only hispanics in the shop , and our new service manager started to throttle back the work we recieved, when i again took my concerns to the GM , i was told its like that sometimes , maybe you just dont know your job or your place 'mexican' i quit the next day .
i notified the labor board here in las vegas but i live in a right to work state , oh well i now work at a reputable comapny , but that is the way it gets done at DRIVETIME aka uglyducking
What do I do now?
My wife (married 17 Jan 04) was ripped off by these people in October. She bought a car with a supposed 99 point inspection and the motor blew up 2 weeks after she bought it. She wouldnt pay them due to the fact the car was crap until they fixed it, which they did. They gave her a later payment due date over the phone but then changed their mind on it.
She was in the hospital a week later and friends from our church tried to pay the bills for her but Drivetime would not accept her payment saying she was in default after less than 1 month overdue and they wanted the car back.
When she got out of the hospital the manager who sold her the car wouldnt deal with her because he said he was mad because she turned the car in broken when there was no 99 point inspection. A month later they repossessed the vehicle and then sent a letter stating they were auctioning off the vehicle and she would have to pay the difference between what she owed ($18,000.00) and what they would get for a 1994 Honda Civic which was in bad shape overall when I saw it.
It is March now and they havent sent any more letters since December but is there anything I can do to get them to erase this from her credit report or at least change the way it is reported since they probably reported it as a repossession? We would like to get a new vehicle and I am afraid of adding her name to a loan application, I might just co-sign for her but not sure what if anything will happen to my credit rating for doing either.
My credit rating is approximately 630-670 depending on which company you go thru and I'd like to not let it fall any further than it already is since I just spend 5 years paying off all my old credit cards in order to get it raised back up.
Thanks in advance.
Don't trust any used car agency!!
Many years ago I had a small two van portable engine rebore, cylinder sleeving, crankshaft grinding and general mechanical mobile repairs in the L.A. area. In general I found most car dealers, especially USED car dealers to be dishonest. A couple of examples: I was called to a used car lot to do a crankshaft repair on a fairly good looking Cadillac. I determined that the crankshaft was beyond the point of repair. However, the salesman wanted me to do what I could to make the engine run. I told him that the best I could do was perhaps get it running, but the repair wouldn't last because the crankshaft is ruined. His comment?...'All I want it to do is drive off this lot.'
At another used car outfit, the 'mechanic' was spray painting a complete V-8 engine to make it appear new. I asked him what he was doing, as it was obvious to me that the engine had just been pulled out of the frame. His answer?...'I'm rebuilding the engine.' He made that comment with a laugh! Seems that the car was going to be sold as having a 'rebuilt engine.' Similar situation at a generator/alternator 'rebuild shop.' I walked into the back lot and saw a worker testing a generator on a device that consisted of an electric motor driving a fan belt. The worker would connect a couple of wires to the contacts on the generator and allow the fan belt to spin the generator armature. If a light bulb lit-up, the generator was placed onto a pile of other generators for steam cleaning and painting. THAT was their 'rebuild' of generators they purchased cheap out of wrecking yards! Still another place that I stopped by was an engine 'rebuild' shop. It was one of those cut-rate 'complete overhaul' for $400 places. There was an engine being assembled on an engine stand. Out of curiousity while having a few moments to spare, I measured what appeared to be excessive cylinder wear with my micrometer. The cylinders were completely worn beyond servicable limits! My question to the 'mechanic' / shop owner?...'Aren't you going to rebore this engine?' The shop owner's answer....'Hell no. It'll run.'
What I don't understand is that in most towns, the District Attorney's Office is disinterested in complaints against dishonest car dealers, which I think is most of 'em! I myself filed a complaint against a Chevorlet Dealer once after having my car tinkered with in the shop in their attempt to justify unnecessary work. To make a long story short, I offered my services to the D.A.'s office to set-up a sting operation. It would have been simple: An expert mechanic would have done a complete inspection of my car (a Corvette) and then I would have taken it to the Chev Agency for a minor repair. That particular Chev Agency would have fabricated fake repairs...guaranteed! The D.A. wasn't interested! I couldn't believe it?! Turns-out that the D.A. got big campaign dollars just prior to re-election from most of the big businesses in town...the Chev Agency included!
These dishonest car dealers and politicians are a way of life. I guess that it's up to you to go find an honest repairman, whoever they may be. There is only one honest one here in the
Reno area that I personally know of. His philosophy is: 'There is enough work out there. You don't have to cheat people.' ....but he is a rare one indeed! Heck, I'll even name the place....Compact Car Repair, Reno, Nv.
Submitted: 3/16/2004 10:08:10 PM
Modified: 3/16/2004 11:33:43 PM
Kevin
Mercerville, New JerseyU.S.A.
RE: What Do I Do Now?
Im sorry to hear about your unfortunate situation. Since you tried in good faith to make a late payment that the dealer refused, it seems like they want to keep your down payment then re-sell the car to another victim.
You asked if there was anything you could do to ‘erase' information from your wife's credit report. The first thing to do is to obtain a copy of her credit report to see what you are dealing with. I do not know of a legitimate way to ‘erase' information since it the info is not entirely inaccurate. But you can leave a comment in her credit report explaining the situation. Contact the three major credit reporting agencies for information on how to do this. (http://www.transunion.com, and http://www.experian.com are two of them, I don't remember the third) Keep your explanation short and to the point. Also, do not fall victim for some of the ‘credit fixes' offered in various places as they are all just scams. The only true cure for bad credit is time.
You expressed some concerns about co-signing a loan for your wife. It seems to me that you have no other option. With a FICA score in the mid 600's, I believe you would be considered to have a “fair" credit rating. You will probably not be able to qualify for the best interest rates offered, but you should be able to obtain a used car loan in the 8 to 12% interest rate range. Co-signing for your wife may have a slight negative impact in the short term. This is not because of her bad credit somehow harming your credit, but is simply due to you taking on more debt. Negative information from your wife's credit file will never be mixed with yours. Experian has a “score simulator" where you can access your credit report and FICA score then plug in various future loan situation to see how it impacts your credit score. It costs about $12 and you can find more information on their website, http://www.experian.com As long as you make your payments on time, co-signing would improve both you and your wife's credit ratings.
If you do not co-sign for your wife, she would be faced with dealing with another shady used car dealership and wind up overpaying for her next car and grossly overpaying on her interest rate.
They sold the car and now want us to pay the difference?
So my wife got a call from their finance section the other day. They sold the car and said there was a $6,000 difference between what they charged her and what they got for the car.
So they want $3,000 (how kind of them to cut it in half) to pay off the car when it was absolute crap and not worth what they charged for it.
Should I sue? Or is there anything else I can do?
I would like to organize something with Channel 3 news to get this situation investigated and Drivetime/Ugly Duckling put out of business for good and their owners put in jail for their crimes.
These unethical business people took advantage of a single mother of 3 who was stranded in Phoenix with no way to get to work because they sold her a crappy car that broke 2 weeks after she bought it and then repossessed it because she was in the hospital..even though her church members tried to make the payments for her (the payments were rejected because the manager was upset that he got turned in for failing to have the inspection done on the vehicle before it was sold)
Her 7 year old daughter has severe medical problems and they took away her transportation even though she attempted to make 2 months payment after she got out of the hospital (essentially paying the car 1 month in advance).
These people belong in jail for fraud and unethical business practices.
I'd like to find someone to assist in sueing them. I'm so appalled at the way they treated her and her children.
Shame on you Drivetime.
Drivetime got me! my car runs perfect, they raked me through the coals financially .
To all,
I guess you could say I have been lucky in one sense; my car runs perfect. I have a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am which I purchased from Drivetime a year and a half ago that I absolutley adore and runs great.
Financially though, they raked me through the coals. I am a very young saleswoman, and was only 19 at the time that I purchased the car. I made excellent money, but thought that my credit was poor being that I was so young.
I came into Drivetime and they offered me a 'first time buyers' program with 2000 down and a 24.9% interest rate. What could I do? I purchased the car and resigned myself with the 400.00 per month payments.
It was 3 months later that I had to have my credit again pulled, and found my FICO score was in the very high 690s! (No, Drivetime had not yet reported.) With my income and FICO, my credit union said they would have financed me at 3.99% but I was so upside down they could not refinance the debt.
Not to mention, they would call and be very nasty to remind me that the payment is due by 5:00 pm. One time, I was 4 days late on my payment. (BTW, there is a 10 day period after the payment is due to remit with no penalty.) I had to go out of town to a funeral and it was really not on my priority lists. There were 5 voicemails on my phone at work when I returned, so when I called back they informed me there was a tow truck out to pick up my car! I explained I would bring them the money on my lunch break, but they said I had to pay them and their 'phone processing' fee right then or face reposession!
I have been paying double payments monthly to lower the effective interest rate. (Paying more to principal gives them less to make interest on.) The car is almost paid off and they keep inviting me to buy another. NO WAY! I will keep my Pontiac until it dies, and then take my good credit and get the rate I deserve!
Don't get mad....get even.
I believe that in most states, the Department of Motor Vehicles is the agency who maintains control over new and used car dealers. I would strongly suggest that you follow-up by by filing a complaint against the car dealer for his method of doing business. A District Attorney may not do anything, but DMV may!...like pull their business license!
There IS another solution! we too were victimized
Hello to all...and we too were victimized by the Drivetime/Ugly Duckling lot in Bradenton. We had posted several posts here in 2002 about it. We had a 94 Pontiac Bonneville and Hugh the Manager knew the car had problems and stated he would take care of it...after a year of paying on time $340/mo for a car that would just stall for no reason and without warning...we decided to apply for an E-loan..which came via email. Within four days, we had a check in the mail for $10,000 and we went to our local Honda dealer. YES A REAL DEALER...who not only found us a better rate through another finance company..but allowed us to come back a week later and use the E-loan check that we didn't use initially to purchase a SECOND vehicle. Each car had a warranty and carries a lower monthly payment than that peice of crap Bonneville did!
DON'T EVER LET DRIVESLIME tell you that you WON'T get financed anywhere else...you CAN..and E Loan is an option.
After we got our cars...we had Driveslime come and get their peice of junk since they refused to address the issue of it stalling. Note, it stalled while I was making a left turn, when I started the turn, I had plenty of clearance, but the car stalling caused a semi truck to slam on its brakes and almost jacknife.
Also, a friend of mine's friend was killed in Bradenton while in a car from Drivetime from Bradenton...she was thrown from the car because the car she was sold was formerly in an accident (something they FAILED TO TELL HER) and instead of soldering/welding the car door on as they shoulld have done the proper way, they used some cheap metal glue instead ..the bond was weak and the door flew off on impact, the force sucked her out of the car and she died. She was a college freshman.
But her death in on THEIR hands...Drivetime in Bradenton are not only crooks and robbers, they are murderers in disguise..they sell death traps and DON'T CARE!
Submitted: 6/18/2004 5:44:57 PM
Modified: 6/18/2004 10:48:03 PM
Theresa
Los Angeles, CaliforniaU.S.A.
I guess I have been LUCKY or something?
Wow...I guess I am one of the lucky ones! My car, a 2001 Ford Taurus, runs like a dream! I put 400.00 down and pay 350.00 a month for my vehicle. I was charged 9000.00 for the car but hey, when you have a little credit boo-boo what can you do?? Take the good with the bad. I have had only 1 problem with it in the first 12 months of ownership, my air conditioning unit went out. I took it to the Wilmington, California location for service and they fixed it. End of story. No anoying phone calls for payments or anything.
I think that consumers might need to be a bit more pro-active when purchasing a used car from ANYWHERE. When I first got my car I took it to AAMCO, paid the 59.00 fee they charge to run a diagnostic on the Transmition to see if there were any problems. If there had been, I would have taken it back within the 3 mos period and had it fixed. I also had a diagnostic run on the engine as well and there were no problems.
My experience, outside of the crazy interest rate, has been a pleasant one. So much so that I have refered 2 people to them within this past year and received my 100.00 credit for each of them. The recent buyers, one in January and one just this past May have had no problems with the vehicles or the service at either the Torrance, CA or the Oxnard, CA location. I guess we are just the lucky ones.
Would I get another vehicle from them in the future? Probably not, the interest rate is just way too high..
Joey your excuse
for needing a job does not make it acceptable to rip off customers. I'm sure all these employees on the ripoff report can say the same thing and use the same excuse.
Roaches???
Then I guess that makes Drivetime the ROACH KING/QUEEN crawling around dumpsters in the hopes of someone throwing their money away!! GLAD I was warned! GLAD I didn't work there either! I didn't because it is a commission ONLY job!
My view on Ugly Duckling
I AM AN EX-UGLY DUCKLING/DRIVETIME CUSTOMER...and here is my take on this situation. This company deals with people who have severe credit problems (slow pays, no pays, bankruptcies, etc), so you can expect to pay a VERY high interest rate with Ugly Duckling. Anyone who complains about their interest rates being high, or complains about them repo-ing their vehicles because they don't make their payments as stated in their contract needs to get a life & grow up.
When you sign a contract stating you will pay a 20%, 25% or some other outrageous level of interest AND your payments must be made on time (they liked 2-week or bi-monthly payments last I heard)...then you must stick to that contract. If you cannot stick to that contract, you're out of luck & deserve any consequences for breaking it. I also know that - yes - they do have older cars. They cannot afford to sell anything than slightly older cars considering what a credit risk their average client is, so you can either buy what they sell OR not buy it. Easy enough.
If you have the credit OR money to go elsewhere, then do it. If the older car (without a warranty) breaks down...it's YOUR job to pay for fixing it, not Ugly Duckling's. Anyway...to conclude...it erks me that some people blame others for their own mistakes. These guys helped me re-establish my credit when I screwed up, severeal years ago. These guys are not all that bad. Now my credit is much better & I've since bought a new vehicle from a regular dealer at a much better interest rate.
They are sueing my wife now!!!
Like I said in the previous post they sold my wife a car and it's engine blew up after a couple of weeks, the receptionist told her she didn't need to make a payment until she got the car back and when my wife was late with the payment they repossessed the car.
My wife was in the hospital at the time and church members tried to make the payment for her but Drivetime refused them since the manager was upset that she complained about the engine blowing up on her and come to find out the 99 point inspection never got done on the car.
Thats the reason they repossessed after only a few days late payment on the first payment even though the car was still broken.
Well to add insult to injury their strong arm credit collection office is threatening to file a lawsuit against my wife for not making payments on the $6,700.00 difference between what they resold the car for ($11,000.00) and the original cost of the car ($17,000.00)
Hmm I wonder what the bluebook value is on a 1994 Honda Accord? $5000 to $6000 maybe? So they resold the car for more than it's retail value and yet they are still coming after my wife for what it sells for retail?
What ever happened to Arizona's law where you only had to pay the principal on a loan to pay it off? How much interest did they charge to get the price of the car up to $17,000.00 in the first place?
WHOA... LET HER PAY DAMN NEAR NEW CAR RETAIL FOR THE CAR
WELL JAMES,
IF YOUR WIFE GOT THE CAR ON HER OWN, THEN YOU ARE NOT A GOOD HUSBAND BEACAUSE YOU SHOULD HAVE WENT WITH HER.IF YOU WENT WITH HER AND LET HER PAY DAMN NEAR NEW CAR RETAIL FOR THE CAR, THEN YOU ARE A FOOL.WHENEVER YOU HAVE A SITUATION LIKE THAT, WHERE YOU GET AN ANSWER FROM ONE PARTY, YOU SHOULD GET IT IN WRITING.
ITS NOT THE COMPANYS FAULT YOU AND OR YOUR WIFE HAD BAD CREDIT, IT'S YOURS.NOW YOU ARE STUCK WITH A CHARGE OFF ON YOUR CREDIT, MAKING IT WORSE. NOW AS FAR AS BLUE BOOK, NOONE CARES ABOUT BLUE BOOK AFTER YOU BUY THE CAR,TOO BAD,SO SAD ON YOU.THE ONLY THING I CAN TELL YOU IS YOU SHOULD JUST BASICALLY FILE BK, OR JUST PAY IT. IT WONT MAKE YOUR CREDIT BETTER, IT WILL ONLY SHOW A PAID OFF CHARGEOFF OR REPO. BASICALLY, YOU ARE SCREWED.
To Joey: you didnt read my original comments
Joey,
As to being a fool, you didnt read my original comments did you?
I stated she bought the car back in October, we were married just this January.
Read all pertinent information before putting your foot in your mouth.
My credit good enough that I bought us both new cars
Joey: my credit is good enough that I bought us both new cars....about $40,000 worth to be exact.
Moron,
OH WELL TOO BAD THEY DONT SUE HER FOR THE WHOLE AMOUNT
WELL JAMES, NOT TO BE TOO MUCH MORE RUDE. BUT IF YOUR CREDIT WAS SO GOOD BEFORE SHE BOUGHT IT, AND ITS GOOD AFTER YOU WERE MARRIED, THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT HER A CAR.YOU ARE THE KIND OF PERSON THAT TALKS BIG, BUT DOES NOTHING WORTH WHILE. I KNOW YOU WERE DATING THEN, SO YOU SHOULD HAVE HELPED HER GET A GOOD CAR.YOU SEEM LIKE THE MAN THAT SAT NEXT TO HER AND SAID 'ITS YOUR DESCISION'.YOU ARE SAD.TOO BAD THEY DONT SUE HER FOR THE WHOLE AMOUNT,JUST SO YOU HAVE TO HELP HER PAY IT.
rude responses
Joey, if anyone was making a rude response it was you...I'm the consumer here making a complaint and you must be either part of the party that is trying to sue my wife or someone who just likes to argue.
I will make one last comment on this and then ignore you completely.
She bought the car in October with the first payment due on the 8th of November. She had the car a whopping 2 weeks when the engine blew up. She had the car towed back to the shop where they told her the 99 point inspection was never done on it because they hadn't seen it yet. The manager got upset that she complained about the car being advertised as inspected when it wasn't.
When she contacted the finance department to see about the payment that was due she was told that it could wait until she got the vehicle out of the shop since she was without a vehicle and couldn't get to work. She ended up in the hospital emergency room on the 17th of November right after she got the car back. Her bishop from church tried to make the payment for her but the manager refused it saying she was a week late and in default. When she got out of the hospital they repossessed the vehicle (the payment was 1 month late at that point)
We met at the end of November while she was in the hospital so there wasn't anything I could have done to help her. I did buy her a brand new car in February after we were married.
Regardless, it would have been illegal and stupid of them to charge her the full price for the car when they resold it for a $6,000 difference. Even then she should have only been responsible for the original price of the car as Arizona law states you only have to pay the principal off and not all of the interest that would have accumulated had you kept the car for the full life of the loan. That would have made the car worth about $6,000. The 300% interest they stacked on top to get the price up to $17,000 they don't get if they repossess it. Considering the fact they resold the car for $11,000 she shouldn't owe them anything.
Please continue with the personal attacks...I'm sure the editor won't mind you cluttering his website with your crap.
Don't buy a car from DriveTime...They are a Ripoff...
I purchased a 2000 Ford Taurus Se on 12-28-02 because I needed a second car and good dependable car to get back and forth to work. A big mistake because the car have been given me problem since day one. I have told them about it.
In 9-03 I was out of town and the car started running hot, it shut off, the ac quit working and it started ticking. A couple of days later when I had it towed I took it back to them to see what the problem was they told me that the alternator, air conditioner condenser and waterpump had to be replaced. All those went out at the same time it was very expensive to get fixed. The called themselves given me a deal and they offered me a repair repayment plan. I paid it. I got the car back and it's making a chirping sound like birds under the hood, the manger Mike and the mechanic said that it was the alternator adjusting and for me to get some WD40 and spray on it. I tried it and it didn't work so I took the car by one of my friends house who is a mechanic he looked under the hood and told me it was the serpentine belt. The serpentine belt was about to break.
On sunday my family I was riding down the highway and the idle pulley tenser broke thank GOD I was the only one on the road because I almost wreck. I had no control of the car. It scared me to death. I told the manager Chuck about it and he said what do you expect it normal wear and tear. I told him what if I would have wreck and one of my kids got hurt or killed then what. His respond was you didn't wreck and don't worry about it. I was furious.
I have replaced brakes, rotors, brakes, bulbs, spark plugs, I have had some work done on the transmission, Serpentine belt 3 times It popped will I was driving it a couple of months ago, radiator resivor busted replaced, tires, gaskets, you name it I have replaced it. Parts aren't cheap. Top it off it's burning to much gas. Had a tune up and it's still burning gas.
I am constantly being harassed about payment. My payments are current. When I make repairs it's kinda hard to make a full payment. However if you are a day late they are calling you. Even if you called them to make arrangement they constantly will call you Breakfast, lunch, dinner time, four and five times a day they don't care. They even will use cell phones to call your house or job. They will even have other Drivetime in other area to call you.
My payments are due bi-weekly my next one is not due until 8-7-04. I spoke to the Dan he's over finance on 7-19-04 @ 6:30 pm and he was wanting to know when I was coming in to make my payment. He said thatI had made an arrangement for the 7-17-04 which was not true. When you make arrangement in person or verbally on the phone they still call claiming that they have any information in the system. I said to Dan how stupid can you be I don't get paid until the day before my car payment is due. Why would I make arrangenment when I didn't have anymoney. My car payment wasn't due until 7-24-04 and I was behind only $62.35..They harrassed me for less than $20 one time.
However last week on my Caller-ID and aswering machine I had a total of 8 messages. Dan called everyday from 7-21-04 thru 7-24-04. He even left messages on my voice mail at work. It pissed me off I didn't even make my payment on 7-24. I waited monday 7-26-04. I took my house phone with me to show them my caller ID and I was heated. I told Dan not to call my house or my job anymore because I know my obligation. I pay my bills..I asked they about my balance which is $7000+ and what are the requirement for a trade. Jeanna/Finance dept told me that I had to get a balance of $2500 or less before they would consider a trade. If you take take the some where else to trade they won't release the loan or titles until after two years. I told her that was nonsense.
I advise anyone if you need a car do not go to DriveTime. Save your money and go to a real dealership or look in the shopping guide to purchase your vehicle. Some time a private owner is better. I have a 88 pontiac 6000 that I bought in 11/99. I am the second owner of that car and it's still drivable it's in better shape than the 2000 Taurus.
Don't buy a car from DriveTime in Leesburg, Florida...They are a Ripoff...
On 12-28-02 I purchased a Black 2000 Ford Taurus Se from the DriveTime in Leesburg, FL. The reason I went to DriveTime is because I had less than $1000 and I needed a second car and good dependable car to get back and forth to work. The car was nice clean, 75,000+ miles, rides good, very cold AC, no dents a few scratches thou. He said that it had been expected by their mechanic, I was given the history report of the car, and I was told after two years from the purchase of the car that I could trade it in. After about 6 hours there I agreed to the terms and I drove off the lot.
A big mistake because the car have been given me problem. I have told them about it but they don't car…
On Saturday in 9-03 I was out of town and I was driving the car I heard a loud boom and then the car started running hot, it stalled out and shut off, the ac quit working and it started ticking. Well I had to get it towed home. Well, I took it back to them to see what the problem was; they told me that they had to send my car to Sanford, FL to head servicing center. Once there they would us what the problem is then we will let you know. So I agreed. After a couple of days I was told that the alternator, air conditioner condenser and water pump had to be replaced. All these parts went out at the same time it was very expensive to get fixed. I told them that I could afford to get all that stuff fixed and I told them to keep the car. They kept my car for a week. They called themselves given me a deal by cutting the cost in half they also offered me a repair repayment plan and I agreed. I got the car back and it was making a chirping sound like birds were underneath the hood. I took the car back and the repair manger Mike along with his the mechanic said that it was the alternator adjusting and for me to get some WD40 and spray on it. I tried it and it didn't work. I continued to drive the car for about one week and the noise was getting louder. After that week I took the car by one of my friend's house who is also a mechanic he looked under the hood and told me it was the serpentine belt. The serpentine belt was about to break. I had to replace the serpentine belt and it wasn't cheap.
One Sunday after church I was driving down the highway and I heard a loud noise under the hood and I almost lost control the car thank GOD I was the only one on the road at that time. I had little control of the car. It scared me to death. I managed to get the car off the road. I pop the hood and anti-freeze was everywhere come to find out the idle pulley tenser broke. That Monday I went into DriveTime and I showed the part to the manager Chuck. He said what do you expect, it normal wear and tear beside Ford makes cheap parts now and days. They don't make cars like they use too. I told him what if I would have wreck and one of my kids got hurt or killed then what. His respond was you didn't wreck and don't worry about it. I was furious as a manager he didn't care. I even asked them to put me in another car with the same value and they wouldn't.
Since I have had this piece of junk I have replaced brakes several times, 3 sets of warp rotors, brakes, bulbs, wires, wheel cylinder, spark plugs, I have had some work done on the transmission, valves, 3 Serpentine belts one broke about three months ago while I was coming home from work during rush hour; radiator reservoir busted replaced on 7-26-04, tires, gaskets, you name it I have replaced it. Parts aren't cheap. Top it off it's burning too much gas. Had a tune up and it's still burning gas.
I am constantly being harassed about payments. My payments are current. When I make repairs it's kind of hard to make a full payment. However; I do try to pay something. However if you are a day late they are calling you. Even if you called them to make arrangement they constantly will call you Breakfast, lunch, dinner time, four, five and six times a day they don't care. They will even call your references and harass them. They even will use their cell phones to call my house and job. They even have DriveTime from Orlando, FL calling me.
On 7-19-04 at 6:01 I received a call on my answering machine from Dan/Leesburg, FL; DriveTime. When I got home I called returned Dan's phone call it was 6:30pm on 7-19-04. Dan wanted to know when I was coming in to make my payment. He said that I had made an arrangement for the 7-17-04 which was not true. I told him that I had not mad any arrangements with any one. When you make arrangement in person or verbally on the phone they still call claim that they don't have any information in the system. I said to Dan how stupid can you be I don't get paid until the day before my car payment is due. Why would I make arrangements when I didn't have any money? My car payment wasn't due until 7-24-04 and I was behind only $62.35. They harassed me one time for less than $20 one time and late fees. Late fees are another story. They don't give you a grace period like a real dealership. For everyday that you are late they charge you a late fee.
After I talked to Dan on the 7/19/04 I went out of town for a few days and when I got home I checked my Caller-ID and answering machine I had a total of 8 messages. Dan called from 7-21-04 thru 7-24-04 saying that it was very important that I call him. He even left several messages on my voice mail at work. It pissed me off I didn't even make my payment on 7-24. I waited Monday 7-26-04. I took my house phone with me to show them my caller ID and I was heated. I showed my phone caller ID to Jeanna/CSR in the finance department. I was pissed. She said I didn't call you that Idiot Dan called me. Dan was sitting in there when I walked in he turned his back to me. I told them not to call my house or my job anymore because I know my obligation. I pay my bills. I asked Jeanna about my balance which was $7000+ and what's the requirement for a trade-in. Jeanna (Finance dept) told me that I had to get a balance of $2500 or less before they would consider a trade. I told her that I didn't want to trade-in the car with them. She said that I could take the car some where else if they would accept the trade. She said that the other company's probably wouldn't accept it because I owe too much on it. Another thing she said that DriveTime wouldn't release the loan or titles until after two-three years. I told her that was nonsense. I am tired of making repairs and payment at the same time. I am a single parent living from paycheck to paycheck.
I advise anyone if you need a car do not go to DriveTime in Leesburg, FL. Save your money and go to a real dealership. Look in your local shopping guide to purchase your vehicle. Some time a private owner is better. I have an 88 Pontiac 6000 that I bought in 11/99. I am the second owner of that car and it's still drivable it's in better condition than my 2000 Taurus SE.
FORD stands for: Fix On Repair Daily
or
FORD stands for: Find On Road Dead.
Wow!! !st time seeing this website
This is my first time seeing this website and I have a comment also. I bought a 2000 Chevy Malibu 1 yr ago. When I test drove the car, I noticed that the a/c compressor would shut off and I had to keep pushing it to make it come back on. I voiced my concern to the mangager and he stated he would have it checked out and would put a comment that I would be bringing back in soon to have it checked out. I brought the car back about 2 weeks later only to find out that he walked across the street to a a/c company and they told him they never have heard any kind of problem that I was having. He then advised me to call a Chevorlet dealer to see if they would know what the problem was. So he just wanted to get me out of his hair. Also I heard the brakes squealing at the time I bought the car. He went in the office and said he checked the report on the car and there was brand new brakes on the car. I let that go. Then after having the car for less than 6 months, I noticed the car was kinda of hesitating , it eventually broke down on me on the way to work. It cost me 560.00 to fix . Was told it was the fuel pump. Just recently not even 1 yr after buying the car my brakes were metal to metal! Some new brakes huh!! I have a friend who is a mechanic and I wish he would of been around when i bought the car, but i guess that was my mistake , thinking because of my credit rating I would not be able to go anywhere else. And to the people who have been making nasty comments about people with bad credit.. you guys need to get a life!!! Everyone in life has problems. You do not know why these people had bad credit. Every heard of Divorce???? That can be a big problem for single women with children when the dead beat father.. which you probably are, dont pay their child support for the children they made. Trying to feed your children and pay all your bills on time after going from 2 incomes to 1 can mess anyone up! So stick your comments where the sun dont shine!! All I know is that Drivetime is an awful company and I will never purchase another car from them.
Submitted: 8/28/2004 1:12:41 AM
Modified: 8/29/2004 11:04:21 PMCHERYL
Los Angeles, CaliforniaU.S.A.
i am in your shoes
this is to theresa and from florida when i read your story on this rip off report i could believe what i was reading to you theresa the same thing has just happened to me with my 99 ford taurus that i purchased from drivetime 20 months ago i had to replace wobbling rotors serp belt and my husband changed brakes 3 times,
i thought he was at fault and did not know what he was doing and i dont no to much aboout a car but i do know a lemon when i see it and it must be something about those fords to and to d i also was late or actually short 60.00 odd dollars and they harrassed the heck out of me and also i dont like that after you buy a car from them they call your references and harrass them to buy a car i fortunatly got my carpayment for this month deferred because my car payment is 383 and change and my repairs were 381.89
so after one certain person kept calling yes it was approved then call back again and say it was rejected come on these people are crazy and they are snakes sucking blood and also i too have a family and you can harrass some one to come in and pay 10.00 on a 60 odd dollar ammount that you owe is plain greed i have went so far as to tell drivetime in wilmington,calif come pick up this piece of dog poo poo car i have had they make public transportation look damn good thats how tired i am of them.
good luck dumping those clowns and i agree never will i ever buy a car from those people again
Bought car with no problems
I bought a 1990 toyota Paseo from there and never had any problems except I had to change the fuel filter, no big deal. Before I purchased the car, and Took it to another shop to ahve it examined and all went well. Never really had nay problems with it, It was a great Car, just stay away from the good Ole Ford Taurus......
I am confused... just isn't usual for the reporter of a rip-off to abuse victims of the company they are reporting
Joey,
I have been trying to read through the reports here. Are you the same person that originally reported?
The reason I am confused is that originally you posted that this company was a rip-off... then later on you are attacking the same people that were vicimized by this company.
This can only be attributed to a couple of different reasons that I can see...
1) You did have contempt for the customers in keeping with the tradition of the company that you are accusing them of having.
2) You are upset with this company and making a report to do damage to them for some personal reason.
3) Some other reason that you might want to let us know.
I do not work for the company or in any related industry. Just wanting to figure this out. It just isn't usual for the reporter of a rip-off to abuse victims of the company they are reporting.
Thanks
Nope not the original who posted this, you got it all wrong
Nope not the original who posted this, you got it all wrong
Submitted: 9/10/2004 10:10:47 AM
Modified: 9/10/2004 6:02:09 PMSHANEEN
Lawrenceville, GeorgiaU.S.A.
DRIVE-TIME, THE BIGGEST SCAM EVER!
DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON DRIVETIME. I BOUGHT A 2001 KIA OPTIMA, IN JUNE OF 2004. AFTER 2 WEEKS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DRIVETIME TOLD ME TO GO TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP SINCE MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER THE KIA WARRANTY. WHEN I DID, THE KIA DEALERSHIP HAD TO FLUSH MY ENGINE (AFTER ONLY 2 WEEKS) AND THEY ALSO HAD TO ORDER A BOLT FOR MY BREAK. I KEPT HEARING A NOISE ON MY TIRE, ONE OF THE BOLTS WAS MISSING FROM MY BREAK. I COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT DRIVE TIME, BUT I WILL GIVE YOU THE HIGHLIGHTS.
EVERYTIME I GOT MY CAR BACK, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON THE NEXT DAY. I AM NOT ONE YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SO I STARTED ACTING CRAZY. THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS PAYING $440 A MONTH FOR A CAR I COULDNT DRIVE. KIA FLUSHED MY ENGINE 2 TIMES AND DID SOME OTHER PROCESS TO IT. THEY EVENTUALLY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. THERE WAS A LOT OF SLUDGE IN MY ENGINE BECAUSE THE PERSON WHO HAD IT BEFORE ME NEVER GOT AN OIL CHANGE. THE ESTIMATE I GOT FROM KIA WAS FOR $6001 FOR THE NEW ENGINE, NEEDLESS TO SAY, I LEFT WORK IMMEDIATELY AND WENT TO DRIVETIME. DRIVETIME ATTEMPTED TO GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND BUT I WOULD GO FOR IT. I GOT THE CORPORATE NUMBER FORM THEM, SOME BS 800 NUMBER. THEY TAKE MESSAGES AND HAVE A MEDIATOR CALL BACK WITHIN 24 HRS. THE MEDIATOR TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD GET OUT OF THE LOAN AND BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY. I ASKED HIM WHY DID HE CALL ME IF ALL HE WAS GOING TO DO WAS PISS ME OFF. I SENT LETTERS TO THE OWNER OF DRIVETIME AND THE GUY RIGHT UNDER HIM ON THEIR LADDER OF AUTHORITY. I CALLED AROUND AND GOT THE NUMBER TO THE ACTUAL OFFICE IN ARIZONA, I DIDNT WANT ANY 800 NUMBER TO SOME CALL CENTER. I WANTED TO TALK TO 'THE MAN IN CHARGE'. IN THIS CASE IT WAS A WOMAN. ELVY KARAGIC. SHE IS IN CHARGE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND BASICALLY ANY ESCELATED PROBLEMS SHE HANDLES. MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY STOP AT THAT MEDIATOR, BUT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THE MEDIATOR WORKS FOR DRIVETIME AND ITS THEIR JOB TO TRY TO KEEP YOU FROM CALLING BACK AND BOTHERING ANYONE ELSE.
I HAD SO MANY RUN INS WITH THE GM AT THE DRIVETIME I WENT TO. HIS NAME IS NEIMIAH CHEETAM. HE IS A BUTTFACE. HE HAS NO CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS AND DOESNT CARE ABOUT ANY CUSTOMERS OR SYMPATHIZE WITH THEM BECAUSE HE IS DRIVING A LEXUS THAT I KNOW HE DID NOT GET FROM DRIVETIME. I TOLD ELVY I DID NOT WANT TO DEAL WITH HIM ANYMORE. SO SHE CALLED HIM AND TOOK CARE OF EVERYTHING. THEY WERE GOING TO FIX MY CAR, AT NO CHARGE OF COURSE. I GOT A RENTAL CAR THAT THEY PAID FOR. BEFORE THEY AGREED TO FIX MY CAR, THEY SAID I COULD TRADE MY CAR. I HAVE A 2001