Ugly Duckling; Drive Time; Sold me a faulty car - Don't do business with Drive Time!! They are not a customer-friendly business! condone profanity being used during collection calls? Phoenix, Arizona

Last July (2002), my husband & I bought a mini-van from Ugly Duckling (now Drive Time) in Phoenix, AZ. Our credit is not perfect, so we expected slightly higher rates than regular car dealers. We also expected to buy a quality used car from this car dealer.

Two days after buying the vehicle, the rear air-conditioning unit died, the driver's side door-lock button fell into the door panel. I cannot lock/unlock all doors from the driver's side, only the passenger's side and there are other "cosmetic" problems. Drive Time said they only warranteed mechanical problems for 90 days, such as engine, transmission, air-conditioning.

We called for an appointment for repairs to the air-conditioning unit and were told that we would have to drive the vehicle 50 miles to Tempe, AZ and leave it overnight for 2-4 days for repairs. This is the only vehicle we own, so this was not acceptable. Also, their hours of operation were not compatible with my work hours, so I would not be able to get the vehicle there anyway. Needless to say, no repairs were done.

They charged me an ungodly amount for a 1996 vehicle. My husband passed away in October (2002), and it has been very difficult for me to make payments ($430 a month), but I have been scrimping and managing to make payments on time, even though my kids have to do without at times. This month has been hard on us and I was 2 weeks late with my payment, made payment arrangements with the Account Manager (who quit recently), and have been keeping up my end of the deal.

A collections agent, Mirita, has been calling my home harrassing my daughter about late payments, and this morning she actually used profanity while talking with my daughter! Does Drive Time condone profanity being used during collection calls?? I immediately called the Customer Service line and registered a complaint against this person.

Bottom Line: Don't do business with Drive Time!! They are not a customer-friendly business!

Carol
Phoenix, Arizona
U.S.A.