ComplaintsforSouthern Star Automotive, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  03/25/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I was told I was sold a car. The following day on my way to pick up the car, I was informed the car was approved and sold to someone else the day prior to selling the car to me, which is bad faith practices. My credit report was ran for a car that had been previously sold, which I did not agree to. On the following day my credit report was ran again resulting in two hard inquiries on my report which I need removed. I have contacted the delearship on numerous occasions to try to get this removed and blocked my credit to avoid any further inquiries from this dealership. The dealership told me they would try to get me another car, which is unacceptable. If the sales person did his due diligence, this could have been avoided because I was only interested in the vehicle that was apparently sold unbeknownst to me and would not have applied for credit for any other vehicle they had available. Please remove both inquires to my credit report to resolve this matter satisfactorily.

  Business response

  04/09/2024

  As a business selling vehicles, we offer them on a first come first serve basis. We will take deposits on a case by case basis unless the vehicle is a hot car and we don't offer holds. The vehicle you were interested in was just this sort of vehicle. We had many people interested in the vehicle and it unfortunately sold before you were able to make it out here. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. 

• Initial Complaint

  02/23/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased a vehicle from here in Feb 2023. They said the car was in good condition and that it doesnt have any issues with it. 10 days later the car broke down completely with the mechanic saying it needs an entirely new engine. I called and text southern star automotive and was speaking with the man who sold me the car named *****. Told him the situation and said that I would have to get the car towed from ******* to Georgia which would have been over 2000 dollars to do so. I didnt have the money to do it is which why the car is at a mechanic in ******* still to this day. The warranty that they had me signed covered absolutely nothing from what the warranty company said and I would have to pay everything out of pocket. So I told them its under 30 days and I would like my money back or they pay for the repairs and they refused to do both. I even called the finance company to see what can be done about getting out of my contract and they wouldnt let me out of it as well. So I have to pay for a car I only had for 10 days. I gave them a chance to talk amongst each other to see if they can come to a conclusion on how they will fix the car or get out of my contract but neither the warranty company or the dealership refuse to handle it going on almost a year now. This car is messing up my credit and I have no other form of getting around besides paying for Uber/Lyft, or walking.

  Business response

  04/16/2024

  Customer purchased vehicle on 2/18/23 for $4995.00 and was asked to bring the vehicle to the store so we could check it out. He purchased a warranty but not through us, he purchased it through the finance company. We understand that he's out of state and he's not able to bring the vehicle here to us, but we cant help him since he's not able to bring the vehicle. We would have been happy to assist if vehicle has been brought in to the store. 

  Customer response

  04/19/2024

  After coming back to *******, I spoken to ***** as well as the manager there where they were going to get the car towed back as stated from the manager. They also called the Mechanic in ******* to tell them that they will be getting the car towed back and the mechanic said they never showed up. When I purchased the vehicle on the 18th and it broke down 10 days later i was in *****************, where i was unable to get the car back and called ***** to tell him that it would cost 2000 to get it towed back. The manager told me when i went into the office that she knows someone who will get it back here and never heard anything from them since. Even after calling they would never call me back and the finance company also said they were giving them the run around. ***** also tried to say I was the reason for the engine to be blown instead of taking responsibility for selling me a car that was no good. Even with the mechanic saying that the damages on the engine was not a 10 day job of happening. Even the break down from the finance company for the things that need to be fixed where far more than what they expected as well.   

  Business response

  04/22/2024

  This vehicle has since been repossessed by the lender. I am sorry we were unable to help further.

  Customer response

  04/22/2024

   
  Complaint: 21335586
  
  I am rejecting this response because: if it's been repossessed what about my money that I paid for the car that I only had for 10 days. I was left not only without a car but as well as my money. They said they would tow it back and never did it. Now i'm out money and a car. How can this be fixed. They knew the car wasn't right to sell if I only had it ten days and it breaks down. I'm the only one losing here because of it. How is that even fair? Will I have to go to court to get my money as well as go to the news about me getting con out of my money?
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  Business response

  04/30/2024

  I am sorry you had issues with your vehicle, if you did not have a service contract, we are not able to discuss this further as nothing can be done by us. Please refer to your original contract for more details. Specifically the As-Is where you acknowledged that all vehicles are sold as is. While I understand that sometimes big repairs do happen. We do not pay to service  your car once you buy it its yours. 

  Customer response

  04/30/2024

   
  Complaint: 21335586
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  As a business you rather sell cars that doesn't work and sell as is to cheat customers out of there money. 10 days in to having a car it shouldn't have broke down where it comes to a huge problem for your consumers. I will be getting a lawyer and taking legal actions as well as going to every news network and let them know how you do business and your customers.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  Customer response

  05/07/2024

  Better Business Bureau:

  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID .********, , and find that Mediation is necessary.

  Regards,

  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  01/28/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I had been in contact with this dealership for many days prior to purchasing the vehicle, a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, and they had informed me that the vehicle had no mechanical or electronic issues. However, the preceding day after purchase, the vehicle brought up a mechanical problem. I contacted the dealership and they refused to completely fix the problem. I was met with hostility from my salesperson, ******, including him disconnecting our phone call during the middle of negotiating this problem. It is now 9 months after the date of purchase, and I am still in possession of the vehicle. Below, I have attached a diagnostic report of the car one day after purchase.

  Business response

  03/07/2024

  **************** purchased a car from ** on 4/11/23, we sell all of our vehicles as is. We do offer extended service contracts. He declines the extra coverage. He purchased the vehicle and he had to do some maintenance and service. We offered him to come in the store and allow us to check the vehicle out, unfortunately he lived in another state and was not able to come by. Eight months passed before this complaint. Unfortunately we arent able to help as we only made ***** dollars on this sale. 

• Initial Complaint

  07/31/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased a *** and paid ***** cash. I got home and was informed my emissions had not been done on the vehicle. They told me to pay the 20 fee and I would be reimbursed. The check I recieved 6 months later bounced and caused a total of the *********************** my husband's bank account. I've been trying to speak with someone who can help but instead I have spent hours on hold being transferred from one person to another.

  Business response

  02/16/2024

  Good morning Find explanation **************** purchased a vehicle on 1/10/23, her car had not been in inventory very long and we needed a new emissions. She was contacted to get a new emission and we were supposed to send her a check in the amount of $20.00. We have our title clerk out of office and for some reason the check was not sent out. We then gave her a check and it was not added to our positive pay fraud filter, so it was returned. We paid ***************** *****. Our office sent her an electronic payment. I am attaching the proof of payment here. The reason we did not respond to this complaint is because the email was incorrect. 

   

• Initial Complaint

  11/09/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I bought my car on the 29th of August. At thT time, within 3 days a tire blew out. I also told the sales man ***** other issues that I was having as far as the radio, etc. Among other things, such as the telwphone would not play through the radio. I called several times and finally I spoke with someone named ****** who told me he would handle it. In which he did, ***** nevwr answered my calls. I called yeaterday because my husband noticed a *** and said somwthing not right. After having they told me it would need balancing on the back as well as well as a wjeel bearing. I called and spoke with *****, who hung up on me. I have never been treated as such and aa a customer service agent, he would not to be like to be as well. I will never buy a car from them nor will I trust anythunf they say.

• Initial Complaint

  09/12/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Purchase *** 328i on July 19, the following week the car began knocking. Informed SothernStar Automotive, in which SouthernStar Automotive provided a loaner and agreed to repair. The following week the car salesman told us to return the loaner and take back the car due to the warranty will cover it thats what its for. We could not drive it so we towed it to the shop with warrantys permission. Then warranty denied claim said to return to SouthernStar Automotive in which they have not responded with a solution. *********** Finance is aware and have informed us to return the car for proper refund but SouthernStar will not agree and has not repaired the car.

  Business response

  09/20/2022

  Customer has been contacted and we are assisting in resolving the issue. 

  Customer response

  09/20/2022

  Update: I have been informed by the repair shop that Southern Star Automotive picked up the car. I do not have an exact resolution date as of today. 

  Business response

  10/04/2022

  We have been contacting customer, we have paid her repair bill, have loaned her daughter a car, and we are working with the warranty company to get her vehicle repaired. Customer emails us daily for an update. Issue has been resolved. 

  Customer response

  10/04/2022

  We are awaiting car to be repaired, inspected to ensure care is adequate to be road ready to drive. SouthernStar Automotive has provided a loaner vehicle at this time. We will provide an update once the vehicle has been repaired and inspected. 
  Thank you!

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