TEXAS DIRECT AUTO Ripoff, identity theft, fraud Stafford Texas

On 8/5/14, I made an offer to buy 2006 Mercedes-Benz, SLK 280 from Texas Direct Auto that was advertised through Ebay Motor.

On 8/6,14, I receives a call Ray Dohse, a salesman.  Mr. Dohse states he has received my offer, but they can lower the price to $14985. I state I am okay with the price; however, this is the first time that I try to buy a car  online, and I am not so sure. I asked if anything wrong with the car, Mr. Dohse states nothing, and everything listed on the ad. He then asked for $500 down. I state I am not sure about financing too. Mr. Dohse states that should not be any problem. They have received my application for the loan, and he will contact his finance department, and they can get on it right away or I can finance through my bank. He asked again about the $500 deposit. He states the deposit will enable them to take the car of the market until I can get a loan approved. So, I authorize a charge of $500 from my Discover card. Mr. Dohse states someone from Finance Department will contact me.

About an hour later, I receive a call from Lakeyshia Berzat, who identified herself as Finance Manager. We spoke about the loan, and the total price including fee, shipping, fee, and etc…She offers me interest rate 6.7%, and I state that the interest rate seems to be a little high, and I like to talk about it with my wife, and will call her back later. I contacted Financial Credit Union where I bank, and I am offered a loan with about 3.25%. I then call Ms. Berzat back, and explains to her that I will take a loan from credit union, and requests a paperwork from her, but she states she can match the rate; however, she has to talk with her boss first. She states her boss is in the meeting, and she will get back with me as soon as she can speak with her. I waited for a phone call back from her, but she did not call back. Later that evening, I emailed Mr. Dohse, and explained to him that I did not receive any phone call back from Ms. Berzat, and asked Mr. Dohse to forward a bill of sale to my contact person at Financial Credit Union. No responded email from Mr. Dohse received.

On 8/7/14, I left two messages for Ms. Berzat, but still received no phone call back. I then call Mr. Dohse again, and he states he got my email, but Ms. Berzat will come in at 12:00 Noon, and I asked for a phone call from her. No one has called me back. My wife then uses different phone to make a call, she spoke with another salesman, and this individual salesman advised my wife that Ms. Berzat is in today. My wife then uses a different phone to call Ms. Berzat, and she answers the call. My wife then give me her phone so I can talk with Ms. Berzat. She still has not answer for me, but sounds promising that she can match the rate; however, she states she will email me all information. I also ask her about getting the car inspected by the 3rd party inspector because I feel that Ms. Berzat being unorganized, ie. she emailed me another person's contract, and her not calling back, and avoiding phone calls from me. I spoke with Mr. Dohse again about getting the 3rd party inspection. Mr. Dohse emails me a contact person from Texas First Auto Inspections. I call Mr. Russell Jackson, and orders an inspection of the car.

Ms. Berzat calls back, and states that she is able to match the rate, but she did not have all number ready. I ask her to email me or fed ex overnight with final estimate because I like to see everything on paper. Few hours later, Ms. Berzat calls back, and states she can only match the rate if I agree to put $350 more, otherwise the interest rate would be 3.5%, and she wants to include the extended warranty in the sale. I state I cannot make my decision right away, and ask her to fed ex me everything.

On 8/8/14, I receive a package contained loan application and extended warranty. I also receive an inspection report that Mr. Jackson emails me. I immediately review the report because I wanted to send back the application for the loan. On the report, Mr. Jackson notes the following issues and damage:

MIDDLE CONSOLE  BROKE;

CURB RASH ON  WHEELS;

 SIDE MARKER FRONT RIGHT LIGHT IS OUT;

CHIPS ON HOOD and PASSENGER DOOR;

SCUFF MARK UNDER DOOR;

TOUCH UP ON DRIVER and PASSENGER DOOR;

I immediately wrote Mr. Dohse that the above problems were not disclosed to me before I put my $500 deposit, and asked that he refunds me the $500 back to my credit account.

8/11/14

Mr. Dohse finally admitted after receiving a copy of the inspection report and several emails from me that he did not disclose those items in questions. He claims that he was not aware of the damage at the time, and states that the buyer should expect wear and tear because it is the old car. My argument was that I am aware of the old car, but the dealer has to disclose any known problems or issues, which Mr. Dohse argues that he does not have to. However, he still refuses to refund my deposit.

Mr. Dohse calls me, and states that nothing wrong with the car. When asked why he did not disclose to me the problems and damage before asking for my deposit. He states he does not have to disclose everything to me, I states he does. We exchange words on the phone, and we got nowhere.

Later someone who claims that he is a manager calls, and wants to work with me, and I states I do not trust them anymore. If I would have known these problems or even sees some photos that they posted, I will not attempt to buy it. We got nowhere because he still did not admitted that is not their responsibility to list everything, I hang up.

The following emails are sent to me from Mr. Dohse after I let him know that I am upset at him for not disclosing about damage and issue, and I do not want to buy the car any more.

9/2/14

Today, 9/2/14, my wife and I received a credit declined letter from FITH THIRD BANK. The letter indicates that a credit application was submitted to the bank by TEXAS DIRECT AUTO on our behalf. I never return the loan packet that they sent to me . How can they submit the application to bank without our signature. The loan packet that they sent me was for  Capital One Bank. We have never authorized them to submit any loan application. They fully know that I am trying to get my deposit back from them. To me, this is identity theft and fraud. Who know how many banks that they have submitted loan application to.