Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/12/2023

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Purchase a classic **** Karmann Ghia in Feb/2023. List as mint and confirmed by sales staff. I retain listing and text msgs. As many questions related to the mint condition advertised. I even asked specific questions with concerns shown in the pics and was assured everything worked. Just a lie. When car receives and driven found many many problems including serious engine oil leaks (represented as a new engine) and convertible top not functioning. In fact, it wont even close. I paid a premium for the car based on mint representation in their advertising and discussions with staff. Discussing with management at dealership was told they didnt want to talk about problems and would offer to sale the car if I shipped it back to themTN to ** another $1,200. I am several thousand additional dollars into repairs with no end in site. I understand as is condition but their own advertising list as mint. Look the word up in the dictionary and you can see my consternation.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/07/2022

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On 06/16/2022 the Skyway Classics dealership located at 10420 Portal Crossing, Bradenton, Fl. 34211 (headquarters office is at **** **** **** ***** *** Palmetto, Fl. 34211)sold me a 2007 Mazda Miata, VIN *****************. This car was not equipped with a catalytic converter as required by Federal and Florida law (see attached inspection letter dated 08/20/2022 from TJ's Auto Service and TJ’s Auto Service bill dated 08/19/2022 note which states; ”Original catalytic converter was removed from car.” ). Skyway Classics registered the car in Florida which was an illegal act since there was no catalytic converter. Furthermore, Skyway Classics signed the Vehicle Air Pollution Control Statement, as required by Florida law, (copy attached) which states that they had inspected the vehicle and found the catalytic converter to be installed and undamaged. T.J.’s Auto Service explained to me that the original exhaust manifold had been removed along with its catalytic converter and replaced with a racing type exhaust manifold (header) (see attached picture of header with label “Racing Beat”) the design of which does not allow the mounting of a catalytic converter. In addition, the O2 sensors were damaged when they had been repositioned previously in order to "fool" the car's computer into thinking a catalytic converter was in place (see attached TJ's Service letter dated 08/20/2022). The cost to me was$1,864.02 (see attached TJ's Auto Service bill dated 08/19/2022). In addition, car’s radio and speakers were burned out. Skyway Classics has a no-warranty policy but I’m convinced that their maintenance department damaged the radio and speakers after ownership had been transferred to me. **** ******, Salesperson, told me that the radio was working fine but Alan ****** told me that before delivery to me the oil and battery were changed. When I received the car on 06/29/2022 the radio and speakers weree burned out. (see notes on radio and speaker invoices).

  Business Response

  Date: 11/02/2022

  This letter documents the sale of the 2007 Mazda Miata with vehicle identification number ***************** and internal stock number 1252-FL (the “Vehicle”) at Skyway Classics (“Dealer”) in Manatee County, Florida to Girard and O’Malley (the “Purchaser”) on June 16th, 2022. This letter, its enclosures, and its appendices present the actions taken by Dealer in order to prepare the vehicle for sales and demonstrates that Skyway Classics fully satisfied its legal and regulatory obligations to the Purchaser.

  
  In their complaint, the Purchaser claims that Skyway Classics failed to properly inspect and confirm the presence of the Vehicle’s air pollution control equipment (the “System”) during the sales process. However, this claim directly contradicts not only photographic evidence of the System being present in the vehicle at the time of delivery (see attachments) but also the sworn statement of both the Dealer (see attachments) and the mechanic assigned to conduct the inspection on the Dealer’s behalf (see attachments). Skyway Classics has sold many cars in the state of Florida and as such has implemented a documented standard operating procedure to ensure all vehicles comply with local and state regulations. This Vehicle went through this process and its complaint results are no exception.

  
  When made aware of the complaint, Skyway Classics attempted to verify the Purchaser’s claims while also conducting an audit on its own internal process to ensure the Vehicle was in compliance. While Skyway was able to confirm the Vehicles compliance through its internal records, the Purchaser did not cooperate with assisting Skyway Classics to verify his claim. The Purchaser refused to provide additional photographic evidence when requested. Additionally, the Purchaser did not allow for the Dealer to contact or speak to his mechanic that raised the issue or even make the car available for inspection to help Dealer verify the claims. Instead, the Purchaser only sent one letter that was meant to intimidate Dealer to pay for unverified repairs by referencing various federal and state regulatory bodies and threatening to initiate a lawsuit.
  Skyway Classics attempted several times to assist purchasers after the Vehicle was delivered and the complaint letter was received. Skyway Classics also independently offered a customer satisfaction payment of $200 to the Purchaser in good faith (see attachments), not out of obligation, despite the Vehicle being purchased “as-is” (see attachments) which the Purchaser accepted. Dealer did this in order to improve the Purchaser’s experience despite the Purchaser never coming to see the car during the sales process even when invited to do so by Dealer. Skyway Classics also internally approved an additional good faith customer satisfaction payment of $500-$750 to the Purchaser (see attachments), but the Purchaser ended the open line of communication by submitting this formal complaint and threatened potential legal action. Skyway Classics is still willing to help resolve this matter, but Purchaser verbally assaults the Dealer’s agents when attempting to contact him. Dealer is unwilling to subject the employees of Skyway Classics to further harassment at this time.

  
  Finally, Skyway Classics would like to resolve this matter in a manner satisfactory to all parties involved and has attempted numerous times to do so. Skyway Classics is still willing to help satisfy the Purchaser, and will do so out of its own good will, if the Purchaser can verify his claims and discontinue verbally assaulting the employees of Skyway Classics. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/19/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I purchased and paid cash for a **** Corvette on August 26, 2022. I was promised a car title, 2 sets of keys, and a tool to open the removable top (it is a convertible). To date, I have not received the title, 2nd set of keys, nor the top removal tool. I have contacted the dealership owner's son, who sold me car, and he promised to get back in touch with me regarding the missing items. He failed to do so, as he did about several other things I asked questions about. These items were promised when I purchased the car and almost 1 month has passed since the car was delivered to me without the necessary and paid-for items. I am soon facing a fine by the **************** for not presenting title and paying the valuation tax on the automobile that I purchased and was delivered, within the allowable 30-day period after purchase. I told the salesman this fact when I contacted him, and still I am missing the title (and other items) and have no response for the dealership.

  Business Response

  Date: 11/07/2022

  Hi *************,

  We are very sorry that what you experienced were not up to the high standards we hold here at Skyway Classics. Unfortunately, the shipping service we sent the first title with lost our package.  Because of this, we re-printed and re-sent the title with tracking, as you can see in the attachments.  The shipping service ended up finding the first title and sending it to us earlier this month, but this unfortunate incident should never have happened. 

  As always, we appreciate you and your business and are looking forward to hopefully helping you sell or buy your next classic soon!

  Best,

  Skyway Classics

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/08/2022

   
  Complaint: 18041816
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I did not receive the 2nd set of keys, and I was deceived and lied to about numerous other issues with the vehicle as well as the status of the title, e.g., broken gear indicator, master cylinder leak, age of tires (which was 16 years old), mismatched carpet, paint condition, etc.  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

  Business Response

  Date: 11/09/2022

  Hi **************,

  You were never lied to about the vehicle. Continuing to baselessly accuse Skyway Classics of lying may amount to libelous statements which we may legally prosecute if they do not desist. 

  Factually, here is what can be proven: 1. you declined the opportunity to send an inspector to view the car despite being given several opportunities to do so, per company policy.  Utilizing third party inspectors is a common practice when buying a classic vehicle, and you declined to utilize one.  2.  Per your signature on the closing documents (see attached), you knew that you were purchasing the vehicle as-is and that the vehicle is almost 40 years old.  3. Per sworn statements from my staff, you also knew the age of the tires before you finalized the purchase and used the tires' age as a negotiation point which you used to secure a discount on the final purchase price of the vehicle. 

  We are very sorry that your experience was not excellent, but it was not due to us lying to you.  The mail carrier losing the original title copy was completely outside of our control and we acted to correct the issue as quickly as we could in order to get you a second title. 

  Finally, since we are a consignment vehicle dealership, we attempted to locate the second set of keys for you as you requested.  The consignor did believe he had them in his possession, but unfortunately, the consignor indeed did not have another set.  Because of this, we were not able to get you another set of keys.  We offered to pay your cost for getting a second set made, but you never took us up on that offer.

  Again, we hope we can resolve this matter but we will not be able to do so if you continue your false claims about our business or ignore our attempts to remedy your concerns.

  Best,

  --

  Skyway Classics

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/11/2022

   
  Complaint: 18041816
  
  I am rejecting this response because: 
  Please be advised that I have retained ALL text and other communication from Skyway Classics representatives. These prove I was misled on numerous occasions about numerous things, so your threat of libel will only serve as evidence to contradict your own words.   

  Please see attachment 1, regarding the 2nd set of keys; it is from August 30th, around 11 AM.  In it, you say you confirmed there is a second set of keys, yet I never received them, and later there simply was no second set to receive.  

  Also, please see the attachment 2, in which you promised to check on the title on September 15, and get back to me that day or the next, yet 5 days later I still had not heard from you, so I filed the BBB complaint as my only known option to get your attention and the title I had to have,  It was my only alternative, since I was nearly at the 30-day limit with ***.  This does not include not following up on completing a form to send to ******************, which you volunteered to do, and yet it didn't happen (attachment 3) .These are but 3 examples/excerpts from the communications I received from your company in which I was not told the truth.

  I have numerous other examples within our communications, some of which I presented the *** regarding the fine for not being sent the title in time to register the car within the 30-day GA requirement, which I pointed out to you repeatedly and yet it fell on deaf ears. Then the mayor of excuse village emerged as to why I didn't have a title after over a month. 

  I am now approaching $2000 in parts and repairs: BATTERY and installation (which involved removing the front fender), CARPET replacement due to the bright green section that was a hot mess, GEAR SELECTOR indicator and LENS COVER, MISSING SCREWS from console and instrument panel covers, MASTER CYLINDER and booster replacement, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH replacement, TIRES replacement,  and HOOD CABLES adjustment, and this cost does not include a second set of KEYS being made, purchasing a TOP REMOVAL TOOL or the front and back bumpers that need repainted (especially the rear one that is clearly been touched up or repainted and looks terrible in sunlight), 

   I have able to drive the car YET, due to the number of things needing repaired, and I paid for it going on 3 months ago. Therefore, this complaint stands as is.  You should reflect on your honesty and integrity as businessmen. You will always have challenges as long as your conduct your affairs in this manner.  Until now, I have chosen not to leave reviews on ***************** Yelp, Sitejabber and other sites, but it looks as though that is what is necessary to call out your poor treatment of customers such as me, who, in good faith, paid cash for a product that was grossly misrepresented.  

  I end by saying that I have been totally honest and responsive during our entire interaction, and therefore I am guilt-free and stand firm on my words and this complaint. Saying that I chose not to have an inspection when you know full well you discouraged me from doing so in lieu of a video call is offensive and inaccurate, and you know that. Gee whiz! Please note that I have purchased one car and my memory is ******* clear and comprehensively detailed regarding this transaction. I hope yours is as well if you continue to respond and attempt to malign my good name.

  Sincerely,

  
  *********************, Ph.D.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/04/2022

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Date of Transaction is 1/14/2022 final paperwork completed 2/14/2022 as vehicle was in route. Dealership is Skyway Classics Alan ****** is the CEO I dealt with. Vehicle Is a 1966 Ford mustang silver with white stripes and four-speed manual transmission. Vin number 6F07CXXXXXX. Price paid was $38,400. This was going to be a long distance purchase with the car located in Florida from Skyway Classics. Prior to the purchase I did a zoom with Alan ****** CEO of Skyway Classics. I asked Alan questions; Is the car mechanically sound and run well, do the gauges work on your flyer for the car it states"power steering, temperature gauge, oil pressure gauge and stereo system."Alan replied "runs great, all the gauges work and has power steering."While on the zoom call Allan walked around the car showing me some paint chips and scratches that he said he "would take care of." We settled on a price and paperwork was initiated. On 1/28/2022 Alan said the mustang was being prepped for painting of chips and scratches. Eight Brothers auto movers arrived with the Mustang on 2/15/2022. The bill of landing shows numerous scratches and touch ups. It was obvious the car had not been painted as Alan promised. The Mustang had the same scratches as when Alan had initially showed me the car. These are the issues; No power Steering *car pulls to the right (needed alignment *Transmission-Pops out in 2nd gear and 3rd and 4th slider chewed out at tooth. Bearings worn out and clutch flywheel badly damaged with heat spot, clutch plate worn out. Per transmission mechanic inspection*Gauges do not work except for gas gauge *Alignment-front end damage and needs 2 front tires. (Per mechanic)*Battery replaced.I've had numerous phone calls with Alan here's his responses "the transmission, gauges and alignment mechanic doesn't know what he's doing, that transmission isn't out of the Mustang I sold you"Pictures were sent to Alan still argumentative."I don't check all my cars issues.**** falsely represented

  Business Response

  Date: 09/01/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 10, 2022/08/27) */ Hi ******, thank you for reaching out again. It disappoints me that you are mis-representing our interactions and my business's efforts to make sure that you were satisfied with your purchase. The fact of the matter is that Skyway Classics went above and beyond what is required to make sure that you were satisfied with your purchase. We provided far more than what is required of the business to ensure you had any and all information that you needed about the 50 year old 1966 Mustang before purchasing it. Additionally, you purchased the car from California and never once attempted to send an inspector to the car in Florida (despite us offering to find one for you) nor try to see the car for yourself. The car was sold as-is to which you agreed was acceptable during the purchase. We accurately represented the car and even attempted in good faith (not out of obligation) to satisfy your concerns after the sale with a customer satisfaction payment. It is also disappointing that now, three months after reaching an agreement that satisfy your concerns, that you are publishing false and slanderous claims about me personally and about my business. You gladly accepted the settlement amount and agreed that the matter was resolved, and now you are going back on your word. The entire matter disappoints me. I will be consulting with my counsel about your libelous statements about me personally in your post and your attempts to disparage my and my business's reputation.