Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  08/02/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  ****** at Columbus finance was very unpleasant and unprofessional regarding my vehicle. I paid 160 because I was moving and going through the process was very expensive so I was short on my car payment but still made the effort to come pay what I had. I came in person and spoke to a woman at the front desk about my situation and why I would have to bring the remaining balance in another week or so and she made notes and was very understanding. ****** was not there 'he often isn't and has given me issues about payment over the phone before this.' She told me to be sure I called him and told him what was going on so I called and no answer. The next phone call.I got was an automated lady asking me to call Columbus finance and after that, my phone got cut off.Because I was short on cash.Having to pay over two thousand dollars to move. When I explained these things to him he said he didn't care got very personal with me. And even acknowledged the payment that I made of one hundreds and sixty dollars. As I told him I was not trying to hide or Dodge them I came and gave them every penny I had at the time, as I voiced these things to him, he again told me that he did not care. I asked to speak to his supervisor and he said that I could not and that the farthest up. I could speak to was him. I have to go through them to even get my car back.And they are now refusing to answer the phone on every line. I have left multiple messages for the manager ken. I have yet to receive a call back. The only one that did call back was ****** and he was very unprofessional again. I said hello and he said that it was Columbus finance and that he was trying to tell me the number to call for the repossession line to get my belongings. I again asked to speak to the manager and he promptly told me no, that I would not and that I could keep calling back if I wanted to. He said he provided me the manager's number. He did not, I called and got it from a different woman. And still no answer.

  Business response

  08/16/2024

  *************
  
  Our review and investigation of complaint #******** is complete.  We have noted specific concerns regarding this complaint.
  
  Columbus Finance is attempting to collect a debt. In our review of the customers history with us, we find no instance of inappropriate behavior by any employee.
  
  The customer has always been referred to the proper employee within our organization to assist her and we found that all of her issues were dealt with.  She did redeem on her default on 08/06/2024. All charges were explained at that time.  Unfortunately, the customer does not get to choose which employee she deals with.
  
  We suggest that ******** ***** review the loan documents that she signed at the dealership where she purchased her car (****** ***** ***).  Columbus Finance Inc. purchased the loan contract from this dealership.  Specifically, Section 2, titled YOUR OTHER PROMISES TO US along with our legal right to remedy in Section 3, titled IF YOU PAY LATE OR BREAK YOUR OTHER PROMISES.
  
  ******** *****’s loan was in default.  Columbus Finance will pursue every legal remedy under Ohio law to recover the debt that Ms. ***** owes.
  
  It is our hope that ******** ***** elects to keep her account current and abide by her contractual obligations going forward.

• Initial Complaint

  08/25/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Was In The hospital I called to pay car loan after I got out of hospital I was told my car was up for repossession and I couldn’t speak to any supervisor about this and I couldn’t make a payment unless I physically went in to location after I just got out of the hospital I can not do this

  so I paid through my bank online but was told they were still going to repo my car even after getting their money and that they had been going to other peoples homes that I am acquainted with looking for my vehicle

  I was told I do not live where I say I do this is very unfair unprofessional and very rude I can not for the life of me Ibelieve I’m in this situation and that I could not speak to anyone regarding this issue

  Business response

  08/31/2023

  *****************
  
  Our review and investigation of complaint #******** is complete.  We have noted specific concerns regarding this complaint.
  
  On 08/21/2023 at 1:01PM, ****** ***** was told via phone that her loan was in default and out for repossession.  She was told that payment must be made with Cash or Certified Funds to remedy the default. The customer was told that she could not speak to the Manager because he was not in the office.  The customer has spoken to the Manager numerous times in the past.  Most recently on 07/13/2023 at 11:09AM.  A certified payment was received via US Mail on 08/30/2023 at 9:31AM however it was not sufficient to bring the account up to date.  The customer’s loan is still in default as of 08/30/2023 at 12:18PM.
   
  Our staff has gone above and beyond trying to assist ****** ***** with her loan.  On 12/17/2021 we granted a Due Date Change, on 09/20/2022 we granted a Deferment of Payment, and on 05/03/2023 we granted another Deferment of Payment.  None of these actions are required by Columbus Finance and these accommodations will not be offered going forward if we feel our collateral is in jeopardy.
  
  We suggest that ****** ***** review the loan documents that she signed at the dealership where she purchased her car (Car Source).  Columbus Finance Inc. purchased the loan contract from this dealership.  Specifically, Section 2, titled YOUR OTHER PROMISES TO US along with our legal right to remedy in Section 3, titled IF YOU PAY LATE OR BREAK YOUR OTHER PROMISES.  A copy of this page of her contract is attached.
  
  ****** *****’s loan is in default.  Columbus Finance will pursue every legal remedy under Ohio law to recover the debt that Ms. ***** owes.
  
  It is our hope that ****** ***** elects to pay her account current immediately and abide by her contractual obligations going forward. 
  

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  10/21/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have a car loan through Columbus finance. It was 60 month term. The payments coupons were done on July 2022. However I had deferred 2 times. I have made 60 full payments including late fees on all but 2 payments. Plus 2 deferment payments. So I inquired to find out if I owed a final sm late fee payment. I was told I've only paid 59.09 full payments. So I owed 272.00. I told him I have my payment history online and he laughed and said you cannot see that. I clearly can . I screenshot all 62 payments including the late payments if if was after the 20th of the month. I may owe them less than 50.00 and I would pay, but I've pd 60 full payments and 2 deterrents and I want my title. I can provide the contract if needed. Also I tried to load all my payments if I accidently duplicated one please let me know and so I can send you the correct one. It was hard screenshot all those.

  Business response

  10/26/2022

  Dear Mrs. **********, Our review and investigation of complaint #18294267, ******* *******, is complete. We  have noted specific concerns regarding this complaint. - We can confirm that ******* ******* does hold a car loan with us for a vehicle  that she purchased from Route 13 Auto Sales. The loan began on 07/10/2017 and  the term of the loan was in fact 60 months. - Columbus Finance DOES NOT offer online pay history. - On 10/21/2022 at 9:12AM, the customer was given her payoff amount via phone.  The payoff amount is, in fact, accurate – confirmed by both our accounting  department and our core system provider. We offered the customer a detailed  print-out of her pay history which she declined. The customer disagreed with the  amount, proceeded to threaten our representative, curse at our representative, and  then hung up on us. We fail to see how this merits a complaint against us? - Since the 21st, we have attempted to reach out to this customer on 10/24/2022 at  10:04AM and on 10/25/2022 at 09:13AM with no success and no return call. - It may benefit the customer to reach out to a Credit Counselling service and  educate herself to understand how a simple interest loan works. Or, perhaps her  local library may have resources explaining simple interest loans. In a nutshell,  she is charged interest for the time she uses the funds. In order for her to be paid  off on her loan end date, she would have to have made ALL of her payments on  EXACTLY the due date. Unfortunately, this customer rarely paid on or before  her due date for the entire term of the loan. So, more of her payment funds went  to interest than if she had elected to pay on time.  It is our hope that ******* ******* elects to pay the remainder owed on her account  current and abide by her contractual obligations.

  Customer response

  10/27/2022

  Complaint: 18294267
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I submitted 62 receipts and yes you can see that online . They are lying about that. 60 full payments including 18.36 if it was pd after the 20th and 2 deferral payments on top of that. Look at the receipts.  They refused to mail me anything. I live 1 hr away. I've pd 62 payments 2 deferrals and 60 full payments and several do call late fees.  They owe me I don't owe them
  

  
  

  Regards,
  ******* *******

  Customer response

  11/04/2022

  There really is no point in continuing. I clearly gave you every single receipt, that I retrieved online. Yet Columbus finance still claims I don't even have access to that. Clearly I do. I also already sent you the contract page. So qhy are you re requesting it? Why don't you ask the business to provide that? Oh I forgot the rude lady on phone from BBB says it's not your position to be fair to the comsumer.. Columbus finance has provided nothing and tried to reposses my car over 250. When I've pd them 18000. You are of no help thanks for nothing

  Business response

  11/09/2022

  RE: 18294267
  External
  Inbox
  
  *** ********
  10:47 AM (29 minutes ago)
  to [email protected], [email protected], me
  
  *********,
  
   
  
  I received a letter from you requesting a copy of the customers loan agreement.  We would be happy to provide this but would need written notarized permission from the customer.
  
   
  
  Please advise,
  
   
  
  *** ********
  
  Vice President
  
  Columbus Finance Inc.
  
  **** **** **** ****** ********* ** *****
  
  ****** ************ *****
  Fax: 614.236.5590
  
  ***********************

*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. ↩