ComplaintsforAutomotive Avenues LLC

• Initial Complaint

  02/26/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Purchased a used, as that is all they sell, based on the information that was provided to me, and some of the paperwork that was provided to me. I put my faith in what they had to say I purchased an extra insurance policy that cost me an additional $3000 money that I really could not afford but did it for the benefit of the doubt and the field safety at 61 years old a single woman. They knew what I was looking for. They sold me a car that had more issues, and when I called to complain, they promised they would take care of it all if I took it to a place to get fixed all I had to do was tell them to call the service manager, *****, and he would handle it all . I have proof that many many attempts were tried and never not one time was a phone. Call responded to. I still have the issue and Im out money that I could not afford the money that I put away for this used car. I couldve purchased a new car I feel like I was taking advantage of my kindness Was shown as weakness towards these people I would love to be able to speak with the owner and Only the owner and explained to him exactly how I was treated or I would love to have my money refunded to me so I can now purchase a vehicle that I feel is reliable to drive around where I wont get broken down and most likely killed because Im on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere .

  

  Business response

  02/28/2024

  Hello,

  This is the first I had heard of any issues recarding this transaction. I have since directed my Service Manager, ***********************, to contact ****************** and assist her. He has spoken with her and apparently she is in **************, but he is making arrangements to assist her. If ****************** experiences any additional issues, she should feel free to call me direct at ****************************.

   

  Thank you, 
  

• Initial Complaint

  02/22/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I had purchases a Kia **** in November 12th 2022. There had been an existing recall on the knock sensor * however I was not informed of it* and it was not included on the copy of the car facts that did not have any mention of this recall. I had engine knocking and took it to Kia * in *************** for repair* where I was informed that they could not cover the cost of engine replacement due to the knock sensor recall not having been repaired. Also* I have made several calls to Automotive avenues seeking the documentation for my transaction with them* They have promised to send the paperwork* and then failed to do so and are now ignoring my calls. They posted a reply on ****** reviews that was untrue* and claimed that they had sent a recall notice via first class mail* and informed me of the recall at purchase. I was present * with two family members and was not informed via writing or otherwise.

  

  Business response

  02/22/2024

  The Sales Associate presented, and reviewed a copy of the Carfax Vehicle History report with the complainant, which displayed the outstanding recall. Upon purchasing the vehicle, she signed a copy of the report acknowledging that she reviewed it's content, and was provided a copy for her records. Subsequently, the manufacturer sent her a letter advising her of the presence of the recall. The vehicle had no known issues at the time of sale, and while a vehicle service contract was offered, she declined it in writing. 

  Recall repairs are the responsibility of the manufacturer, and it is the vehicle owners responsibility to maintain their vehicle, be aware of any outstanding recalls, and have them performed. The complainant has never provided any proof or documentaion as to the condition of the vehicle, and we were unaware of any issues until she posted a negative review. 

  I would invite her to contact me personally to see if I can assist her further.
  

  Sincerely,

   

  ************, Dealer Principal

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  08/22/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This dealership asked that I cosign a loan for my cousin who was attempting to purchase a car and did not have a sufficient credit history to get the loan herself. I agreed to COSIGN the loan and have now learned that I'm the actual borrower. This was dishonest and since the loan is now past due, my credit score has dropped. I just can't believe they thought they could get away with this. To make matters worst my cousin called them asking when the bill would be mailed to her so she could begin paying and her contact information was taken and she was told everything would be find and she'd receive a bill shortly. I'm told that the only way for me to fix this is for my cousin to take out a new loan and pay me so I can pay off this loan. This is beyond dishonest and criminally wrong! Shame on Automotive Avenues! I can't believe I referred so many people to buy cars here.

  

  Business response

  08/22/2023

  ************** signed over 20 documents as the purchaser of the vehicle, including the buyers order and credit application where he was listed as the primary. He also secured a Geico auto insurance policy is his name. Clearly he was aware that he was the purchaser of the vehicle. This issue apparently stems from the fact that ****************** cousin failed to make a payment in the specified time frame which is what led to this situation. Regardless, we have reached out to ************** to attempt to assist him.

   

  Customer response

  08/22/2023

  
  Complaint: 20507041
  
  I am rejecting this claim because: On August 9, 2023 at 11:51 AM, a payment of $275.97 was charged to my cousins debit card by your employee and these monies were never given to the lender.  It was only after her calls to inquire about why she had not received any paperwork for the loan that she grew concerned and decided to call your company to follow up.  After the bank called me saying the payment was past due, I brought this payment to your companys attention and there was an agreement to refund the payment. Why collect money and not send the payment to the bank? If we didnt call and bring this up what would have happened to the money?  Your team was incompetent and thats not our fault. Also, it was explained to me that my name needed to be on the loan to facilitate the transaction.  I was not told that I would be the primary borrower and that the bill would be sent to me and not my cousin.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

• Initial Complaint

  06/19/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I was in the process of purchasing a car from this location. The price breakdown and financing information was already signed which included the price of the car, the trade in offer for my current vehicle and the financing options. I decided not to finance because the rate was higher than I was comfortable with so I told the sales representative that I would be paying the balance of the car myself. The sales representative immediately went to discuss with the financing department and returned to me to let me know that they want to work with me on financing (after this was already stated as a non negotiable) and provided me with a small deduction in rate. I insisted on paying off the car myself. I was told by the sales representative that while I was in the process of purchasing this vehicle, the price increased (and reflected this increase online) by a few thousand dollars. He said they would only honor the original price if I financed the car that same day instead of paying the car in cash the next day (since banks were already closed at this point). I was not able to write a certified bank check at that moment because the banks were closed so my only option was to finance through them in order to keep the agreed upon price. Ironically, another customer was in the building a few cubicles away from me and was told the same thing, that the price was a mistake and went up a few thousand dollars. We were both ready to purchase the car in cash and were told the same thing. We both spoke to the "owner" about this who could only apologize and admitted that it was bad business. He was not willing to take a deposit for the car because he said "we do not accept deposits" even though a representative earlier that day said they would. He said, "that is only if you are traveling from out of state".

  

  Business response

  06/20/2023

  The complainant's description of events is a fabrication. While he was initially working with a Sales Associate, the deal eventually made it's way to one of our Desk Managers who quickly realized there was a pricing error. The Desk Manager explained the error to the complainant, but told him we would honor the price that day. He was never told he had to finance! He was told the price would be honored that day only, but he responded that he did not have the ability to pay for the vehicle in full, despite the fact that we accept personal checks as well as debit cards for payment. The Desk Manager contacted the lender and was able to secure a small rate adjustment but the complainant was still dissatisfied. At that point he became belligerent, intentionally raising his voice in effort to make a spectacle. He was asked to leave at which point I personally spoke to him for approximately 15 minutes. I explained again that there was a pricing error however we would honor the advertised price that day only. The complainant continued to exhibit rude and belligerent behavior. At one point I explained that all I can do is apologize and offer to reimburse him for expenses he incurred traveling to our dealership. Rather than accept my apology and offer, his behavior continued. In light of the foregoing, my offer to reimburse him for his expenses is no longer available. While I don't know what "corrections" to his credit report he is referring to, I would refer him to the credit reporting agencies as any correction would have to be initiated by him directly. 

• Initial Complaint

  01/30/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  11/13/2002: While driving our 2018 Prius, my wife collides with a large deer on the ********************. A ************ officer takes the report and arranges for the car to be moved to a business in Cape May ***** House.11/16/2022: ***** declares the car a total loss and issues a check for $24,033, but the check does not arrive until 11/20.We search for a new Prius and find there are none closer to ** than ********. We move to the used car market and find a listing from ***************** of ************* ********** for a 2021 ****** Prius with **** miles. 11/19/**** I travel to that place that day, worked with *************************** of their sales staff. He was excellent. I told him we wanted the car but had to wait a week until the check from ***** arrived. He reluctantly accepted my offer of a $2500 deposit, but could not guarantee that they could hold the vehicle as this type is in high demand.Chronology of the vehicle according to CARMAX as delivered to Automotive Avenues 03/17 ****: titled in *********, ** 04/19/2002 titled in Cottagewille, SC 11/05/2022 arrives at Automotive Avenues, ** (auction sale?)11720/2: I arrive with a certified bank check for the balance of the cost. When dealers profit addition, taxes, and ancillary fees, the price of the vehicle went from $32995 to $37073. We signed all the paperwork with ****** in their ******************* She gave us temporary tags and gave us no indication of problems.12/222004: The temporary tags were to expire in two days and we would be travelling for the holidays. ****** told us that was a small glitch in the title, and that she would send us a second temporary tag, which she did.: 1/5/2022: I call Automotive Avenues to ask why we have never gotten title or registration materials. I am bounced back and forth between MVC department and their finance department. Everyone I speak with responds either not my fault or were working on it. I spoke with ******* (or ********), ***** (or *****). Then I was disconnected. When I called again I spoke with ****. Not a single one was willing to either accept responsibility or do anything other than transfer me to a voicemail for an unidentified person.1/25/2023: The second set of temporary plates have expired. I call again and get loud and pushy. There is no one in the administrative ********* no one there works before noon. I cannot find any staff that will either take responsibility or make any effort to help.1/272023: I receive a call from *** who claims to be the Manager. His messages are stop bothering my staff , Its not my fault, and were working on it After two months, all he could do is use the same excuses over and over again. He also referred to the type of attorney I proposed to hire as a bloodsucker.They insist they have a valid title from **************, but NJ MVC finds it on the federal VIM database as titled it in **********. There are multiple ways that this could have append, some of which are bureaucratic, some of which are criminal, and some of which are stuff plain incompetence.

  

  Business response

  01/30/2023

  We have been in touch with ****************** and have explained the following to him multiple times.

  The vehicle he purchased was traded in to our dealership on November 4, 2022. On November 11th, we paid off the previous customers installment loan to **************** Services. South Carolina DMV mailed ** the title with an issue date of 2/28/2022. When we sent that title to our local DMV to be flipped, they informed us that there was a ********** title issued on March 17, 2022. That essentially voided the title they sent us as it was not the most recent one issued. At that point we contacted California DMV who informed ** that **************** Services had requested the updated title because the previous owner had moved from ********** to **************. When ****** received that ********** title, they sent it to South Carolina DMV so they could issue a new title with the customers updated address & information. They offered no explanation why the issue date on the title we received was 2/28/22, when they didn't even contact California DMV until 3/16/2022 to notify them that the customer had moved and to release the CA title. We then contacted South Carolina DMV to see why the issue date was 2/28/2022. While they were unable to explain this, they advised us to order a duplicate title which would take precedent over any titles previously issued. In the interim, we have provided ****************** with a loaner vehicle at no charge. 
  
  

  I spoke to ****************** personally on **** and reiterated the situation. I explained that we expect the duplicate title within 2 weeks of the date we applied, which was January 18th. I then offered him a full refund which he declined.

  ****************** agreed to wait an additional week and then decide if he'd like to continue waiting or return the vehicle for a full refund. I offered him that if at any point prior to the title arriving he may choose to return the vehicle and receive a full refund

  Sincerely,

   

  ************, Dealer Principal

  Customer response

  01/31/2023

  
  Complaint: 18950124
  
  I am rejecting this response because the assurance of a full refund lacks both detail and time frame.  Does the refund include all of the fees and taxes, or just

  the vehicle cost.  The difference is several thousand dollars.  Here is what we would prefer to see promised by Mr. ********

  We accept offer from ********** to return the 2021 Prius for a full refund of the $37,031.09 we paid on 11/25/2022.  Upon return of the vehicle, we expect you to inspect the vehicle immediately and then furnish us with a check for that amount on the same day of the vehicle return.  We will also return your loaner car, and we will terminate our legal activities involving possible consumer fraud and our Better Business Bureau complaint process. 
  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************

  

  Business response

  02/01/2023

  I have spoken to ****************** and arranged for him to return the vehicle whereby he will be issued a a full refund.  

   

  Sincerely,

   

  *******************, Dealer Principal

  Customer response

  02/03/2023

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************

   

• Initial Complaint

  09/27/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased a car with a warranty. I did not know the car needed a heater core. In about a month after i started smelling antifreeze inside the car. I had a friend in the car and she too smelled it. Not finding anyone who works on these cars here I had to find a **** dealer only to tell me it needs a heater core. The warranty did not cover this part. To add insult to injury no dealership in my area will touch a ***** I called the sales person whom I bought the warranty from. I wanted to canx. the warranty. Then spoke to the manager who said he would refund the warranty if I showed proof of mileage. Since I did not go very far with the car. I was told to send the picture of the mileage to **************** per the manager on July 29 2022. The mileage was *****. Email again **************** about the refund of $3000. for the warranty on Aug. 3, 2022. Email again to **************** to get another reply it takes a few billing cycles to get refund. I called the loan company every time after i talked to **************** and they said they process payments in a timely manor with in 3 business days. I just got off the phone with them again Sept. 26 and they stated they have received nothing from the dealership and if it was sent out as they said it would of been processed already. I then emailed *************** on Sept. 26 and again called him on sept. 27 to no reply from the dealership or him. I feel I am being scammed. I do understand that I was not to get the refund because it was to go to the finance company, that was fine but it has been 3 months and it does not take 3 months to send a refund check from **** to the finance company.

  

  Business response

  09/28/2022

  I have been in touch with **************** and informed her that the situation has been rectified and the check has been sent to her lender. I asked that she please reach back out to me should she have any future concerns or be in need of assistance. 

   

  Sincerely,

   

  ************, Dealer Principal

• Initial Complaint

  09/20/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I saw a car advertised on there website It listed standard features on the car as well as optional equipment, sounded good price was a little high but reasonable, took the car for a test drive it felt good so I purchased it, they told me about a gps tracking device for insurance discount, never asked me if I wanted it, they added it to my purchase price without asking me,my own fault I should have read the papers more carefully, then they said that I couldnt finance with my bank because the car was in a minor accident, so they found financing for me at a much higher rate, at this point it was getting late and I was getting tired so I accepted it and figured I would refinance it later, when I got home I went through the paperwork and realized they didnt give me a copy of the sheet with the standard and optional equipment advertised on the website, when I called them they said they couldnt provide one because it was deleted when the car was sold,and now Im realizing that some optional equipment listed on the website was not on the car, they sent me an original window sticker of when the car was sold as new of course all those features were on the car, but it said nothing about the features that were posted online, I cant help but feel as if I was taken advantage of,I bought the car for my daughter so she would have a safe car to drive,but some of the safety features listed are not on the car, if they would just give me a copy of the original online advertisement then they could prove me wrong, and that would be the end of it, but now whenever I call they are incredibly rude and ******* me off the phone, I think this place is a scam but I would love to be proven wrong, please help me if you can, I just want a copy of the original advertisement, it was for a 2019 jeep limited 4x4 and the vin# is ***************** please help me if you can, I feel as if I paid for things that I didnt get, no regrets about buying it, just about the way they treat people.

  

  Business response

  09/21/2022

  I will be happy to assist ******************** and have reached out to him by phone in my attempts to do so. As of the writing of this response, I have been unable to obtain the specifics as to why he feels there was an error in the advertisement. The original window sticker was conspicuously posted to the original listing in 3 separate places. This would have provided all standard equipment as well as any optional equipment. With regard to the *** GPS system, ******************** signed an acceptance form acknowledging his desire to purchase the product so I fail to understand his claim that it was added without his knowledge. In addition, he was never told that he had to finance with one our lenders. We serve thousands of customers on a yearly basis who choose to pay cash or provide their own financing so  any claims to the contrary are meritless. Regardless, I am more than willing to assist ******************** should he choose to contact me. 

   

  Regrads,

   

  *******************, Dealer Principal

• Initial Complaint

  07/21/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased a 2019 Chrystler Pacifica on May 28th from ****** I purchased the extended warranty offered to me. It was sold to me as ***** miles above the current mileage which brings it to approximately ***** miles. ***** four days after the purchase, the check engine light came on so I took it to the dealer as instructed under the **** mile powertrain warranty. They did not have the part in stock and told me theyd order it and give me a call a few days later. They never called back so a week later I called them. The part was in and they claimed they made the repair. The next day the check engine light came back on so I took the car to a Chrystler dealership where I paid my $100 deductible. The issue was fixed by Chrystler however it was then I noticed the warranty was written up for 60k odometer miles which is not what was sold to me. Ive been reaching out for weeks to get this fixed and have been told its coming to my email many times only to never have received it. It is extremely difficult to get someone on the phone let alone get a resolution to the issue. I feel they could care less about the customer once the sale is made. I would never recommend this company at this point which after the time of sale I very much would have.

  

  Business response

  07/22/2022

  Hello,

  A clerical error was made in the processing of the service contract. It has been rectified and the corrected contract has been submitted to the contract provider (Allstate) and a copy emailed to the customer.

   

  Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

   

  ************, Dealer Principal

   

   

*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. ↩