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ComplaintsforPublic Automotive Group
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Complaint Details
Note that complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. See details.
Initial Complaint
05/31/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
Once again Public Auto groups strikes again. The unprofessional staff and the ethics of this company are ridiculous. I called to have a payment moved to the following week because I have no bank access due to ****** a new card because of a fraud attempt and the supervisor of the Waco payment center tells me well we need at least $75 . Mind you this is also after me calling because my car was shut up WITH A CURRENT ACCOUNT!! So i simply explain to her that I have no way of doing that due to the situation. She says well can you use a different card Im like maam if I had another dont you think I would use it ? They refuse to help me and I am ready to be done with them !! I want my loan transferred to a different company as well they are horribleInitial Complaint
05/13/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I Ty'Quorian **** went to Public Automotive on October the 14th 2023 to purchase a vehicle. Public Automotive placed me in a vehicle under contract with warranty. Currently they are taking out of my pay check weekly. However the car is dangerous it has electrical problems and has a burning smell. Car often cuts off while driving brakes and steering wheel lock up and I have no way possible to stop the vehicle. When this problem started the first day I went to the car lot. Only to find out they closed down with out letting anyone as a customer know. Called the number only to be told they where closed down and that I needed to find my own mechanic to take it to for repairs. Said that there only open for taking payments only. Which since the date I have received the car been paying weekly ******Initial Complaint
05/13/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I bought my 2016 ****** versa in January 2024 and the very next day the car had mechanical issues. I took it back up there so either they could fix it or put me in something else or give me my money back and they refused to do any of those thing saying that it was sold as is and I signed a contract and they sent me on my way I have been slowly fixing these things myself but the car is still messing up to this day. I also work at a school and only get paid once a month but they insist I pay once a week I have always paid early or in time never late but this past Friday I missed the payment (as its due on Fridays) and Saturday morning I got up and was trying to go to store and they had already locked my car up from starting. Less than 24 hours from when payment was due they are very rude everytime I have had to call them since day one of having the car and offer no help or assistance on anything very unprofessionalI also asked for a copy of my contract and they said they would email it to me but when I received the email the attachment was password encrypted and I have never received the password so that I may retrieve the copy of my contract.Initial Complaint
02/21/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
Public automotive refuse to register my vehicle but demands a payment every week although they claim they are no longer in businessInitial Complaint
02/20/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
Other than the obvious fact that this company sells LEMONS, has the rudest customer service & most incompetent staff I have EVER ENCOUNTERED??I requested a copy of my contract to my email. I finally received ******* is under password protected encryption. No password was ever given to me.My car broke down 2 weeks after I bought it. They kept in the shop & gave me the runaround for over a month. Continuous vehicle issues & awful customer service. I hope this place shuts down & soon. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.Initial Complaint
01/08/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
I bought a ******************* 2016 and in three weeks it broke down they didn't give me my money back I put ****.down was paying my car note every week I was driving and all.if a sudden I saw smoke from my tail pipe I immediately pulled over and git out the car I was so scared that how bad it was smoking and I ran cause it was about to catch fire I was nervous and in fear of my life I called for help and the fire truck came I called them them the say they they said call during Monday I called they said they couldn't help me theyndidnt put me in another car or anything I would like to take further actionCustomer response
01/08/2024
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
12/28/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
. Ive had my car since February and the people at the ********** have been amazing ..But whomever works at the payment center just ruined my experience So yall have had my car 2 weeks Friday : you call me and tell me its done but now the battery dead so youll have it towed to the lot so I can come Saturday and switch it out because the shop is closed on weekends. Saturday: I call to arrange a time and the car isnt there it was left at the shop . ?? (not what we discussed ) Said to come Wednesday Today is Wednesday: I call to get the address to the shop so I can come switch the battery and the girl that answer the phone said we were told to shut all our shops down until further notice So you just gonna have to wait .EXCUSE ME ??.Now yall supervisor calls me back and says well you can pay 251 for a battery here but you cant come and switch out ya own battery or you can pay to have the car towed to your house . Both options over 200 . Tells me they arent towing my car just cause I dont wanna buy the battery from them (NEVER ASKED FOR A TOW BTW) says it would have never been towed to the lot because I would of paid for it and her service guy wouldnt have said anything different.. OH BUT HE DID Im not paying 251 for a battery that has a warranty and can be switched out and Im not paying over 300 to have it towed , 194 for the initial ************ still want your car payment Friday .. ************ person should have held up his end of the deal . TF ?! But now its my problem??Both the supervisor & the other lady were VERY RUDE ! I tried to keep my cool on numerous occasions and they just kept going . Now the lot Into says PERMANENTLY CLOSED and I dont have my carInitial Complaint
11/22/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I purchased a 2014 ********** Passat on Friday 11/10/2023 from the ******** location. The salesperson ****** told us during the test drive that the struts had been replaced recently. The first night the brake light came on and there was a scrubbing noise while driving. There was also a noise when the air was on and the noise lingered when you turned the air off. The next morning we reported these issues to ****** and that the sunroof did not work. She said to bring the car in for repairs. We told her that I was out of town working and would let her know when I am back in town. The next day the scrubbing noise was louder. After 3 days the struts started making a noise and then every day a new issue occurred. The temperature gauge light came on and the check engine light came on. These issues were reported and request to turn the car in and cancel the sale. Was told by ********* in service that a mutual release could be requested at dealership. Received call from dealership on 11/22/2023 and requested mutual release and was advised to bring car in but a voluntary repossession will report on my credit. I asked how and why when it has been less than two weeks and the issues with the car started on the first day. How can you force someone to remain liable for a car that had all these issues on the first day? You sold a car that you did not thoroughly check and ensure was ready to be sold. Legally the sale should be cancelled and I should receive a refund. ***** who stated he is the manager at the Longview location said no and to bring the car in so they can look at it but there will not be a refund. I asked for corporate information and he refused and told me to call back the same local number and I will get routed. I told him that is not true and he again said there is no corporate number. I called the payment center number on the website and spoke with ******. I told her everything that had happened and she said she can connect me with ****. I left a message.Business response
12/04/2023
*************************** purchased a used vehicle from Public Automotive Group on November 10,2023. After the purchase the customer contacted us letting us know the check engine light came on and there was a rubbing noise coming from the driver front wheel. The customer also said there was an issue with the sunroof. Our service department discussed the diagnostic times regarding the mechanical issues and discussed the sunroof was not a covered repaired. We asked the customer to bring the vehicle in for us to have the unit looked at. The customer did not bring the unit in to be looked at and continued driving with the issues stated above. The vehicle was finally available to us on November 27, 2023. The vehicle was brought to a third-party vendor for diagnostics. It was determined the vehicle needed a turbo v band clamp and one trans mount that needed to be replaced. Public Automotive Group paid for these repairs.
The customer did agree to the purchase of a used vehicle that is sold as-is. After purchasing, Public Automotive Group offers our Protection Plan that agrees to pay half of the repairs for certain issues. However, in this situation,Public Automotive Group paid for the repairs relating to the mechanical issues taking into consideration the date of sale in comparison to the repairs. Our service department is currently trying to assist the customer, but the customer has not picked up the vehicle after the repairs were completed on November 29, 2023.
Customer response
12/05/2023
Complaint: 20905744
I am rejecting this response because:there are more issues wrong with the car than what they agreed to repair. When they were notified the first week of additional problems with the car the option was given to return the car pick out a different vehicle. Once the vehicle was received and they have seen everything then it changed to repairs have been made but only the two repairs and no other options. If something else comes up mechanically contact them for assistance. That is not acceptable when the first day there are problems and you only agree to repair certain issues. This makes me feel like I will get the car back and in a day or two a light will pop back on or something else will happen. They can not assure me this car is in a condition to be sold regardless of as is. The as is problems should be advised to the buyer. I work out of town and that is the only reason it took so long to return the car. It took them until after Thanksgiving to agree to tow the car because I said I wasnt comfortable driving it that far to the location. I do not agree with their response because they are leaving out important details that were discussed about the condition of the car and returning it with cancelling the contract. When they called me and asked about picking up the car I told them I do not want the car and why and requested again to be refunded. I could understand fully but on the first night multiple lights and noises and notifying them the next morning should let them know this was not a good sale. It has still been less than 30 days and the car has been unable to drive for 2 weeks. If this is how this company operates this needs to be posted in view so people know what they are getting into and I was not properly advised of any of this. I feel I deserve a refund.
Regards,
***************************Initial Complaint
11/10/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
Went to lease a car from public automotive. Pay $1400 down. Right after I paid it one day later the axel was broke and was making a noise. I call them they took it to the shop and keep it for 3 days. The next week my car payment was due. I paid it went to get my car out the shop at the place. They was bringing me the car back And they noticed a light came on so I couldn't get my car they took it back to the shop and keep it for 3 more days that's 6 days in the shop and only had the car for teom weeks. When I got it back the second the noise was still there the shop said they was not going to fix it cause it cost $3000 and I just got it so they couldn't charge me for the time it was in the shop the first time. I ask for my money back or put me in something different they will not do it. I have a 2012 and they are trying to charge me $650 monthly for my monthly payment. I want my money back this is horrible!!! The car has ******* miles on it. These people will not help me they just want me to make payments that's all. They will kug let me pay every two weeks they said we have to pay every week but I get paid every two weeks. They said double my payment is all they can do. I just want my money back I put down on itCustomer response
11/10/2023
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,
*********************Business response
11/15/2023
********************* purchased a used vehicle (sold as-is) from Public Automotive Group on October 11, 2023. After the purchase **************** contacted us letting us know there was noise or rubbing with regard to the passenger tire. We asked that the unit be brought in for us to have it looked at. The vehicle was brought to a third-party vendor for diagnostics. It was determined the vehicle needed tie rods,control arms and struts replaced. Public Automotive Group paid for these repairs.
**************** called back and said the vehicle was still making noise. We returned the vehicle to the shop and they found the repair was not aligned properly and proceeded with the repair. Upon completion a diagnostic light came on. Public Automotive Group paid for these repairs and allowed a payment extension due to the repairs.
**************** was permitted to test drive the unit before purchasing and went through our ************ process of electronically signing documents pertaining to the sale of the vehicle. This electronic signing is guided by a virtual assistant that explains in detail what the customer is signing. We use this ************ method, that is recorded, to verify the customer sees, hears, and signs the required documents. Each customer is encouraged to ask questions throughout the process if there is anything they do not understand. **************** was made aware of the year of the vehicle, the mileage, and the payment schedule. Public Automotive does not offer any other payment arrangements outside of weekly payments, but we do allow customers to pay in advance if that works better for them.Initial Complaint
11/02/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I bought a 2014 ******* Accent GLS at Public Automotive Group in *****, ** Today( November 1st 2023 ). I gave them ***** for a down payment and 108 for insurance. I also have a limited warranty from the dealership. I haven't even had it for 3 hrs and the *** gauge went out while I was driving. There started to be a scraping noise so I checked the front of the car to find out the right side of the bumper is literally SUPER GLUED on and it's slowly starting to come off while I'm driving it. Not to mention I just was sitting at my friends house in park for not even 5 minutes and it suddenly died and the oil and engine light came on but when I turned it back on they mysteriously went off. I contacted Public Automotive Group about the issues and they simply said "Sorry! :)" and to bring it back to them tomorrow so they can look at it. My first WEEKLY payment of 147 is next Friday. I don't know if their warranty or insurance I'm paying covers any of this but I know I cannot afford to pay for a vehicle if I can't even get to work with it. I also know, simply by looking at the super glued bumper, I probably do not want their services. They guaranteed me their mechanics had inspected the vehicle and made sure it was safe, road ready, and they had repaired any problems that it had before putting it on the lot to sell. I feel like not only did they falsely advertise this car but my car would qualify under the ***** State Lemon Law because it is not safe to drive and not as described/advertised. If they do not resolve these issues tomorrow I will be filing another complaint.Business response
11/13/2023
******** Best purchased a used vehicle from Public Automotive Group on November 1, 2023. After the purchase the customer contacted us letting us know the *** gauge stopped working. We asked the customer to bring the car in for us to have the unit looked at. The vehicle was brought to a third-party vendor for diagnostics. It was determined the crankshaft position sensor needed to be replaced. Public Automotive Group paid for these repairs.
I dont see any notes relating to a conversation regarding the bumper, but I would encourage Mr. **** to contact our service department in relation to this issue to see if they can assist him.
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Customer Complaints Summary
33 total complaints in the last 3 years.
16 complaints closed in the last 12 months.