A lady in Knoxville, Tennessee needed to flip to an area information station’s “Assist Me” client affairs man after a used automobile dealership bought her Ford Taurus out from below her after she introduced it in for repairs. If that wasn’t dangerous sufficient, months later, the automobile was nonetheless registered in her title. For simply sooner or later, I’d actually like automobile sellers to not be like this.
Lindsey Thompson and her fiancé, Larry Cole, bought a white 2005 Ford Taurus from Cherokee Auto Gross sales in North Knoxville in June of 2023, based on 6 ABC WATE client reporter Don Dare (cool title). They put $700 down on the $5,900 automobile and signed a $995 service contract for 12 months or 12,000 miles, because the automobile was being bought As-Is. The contract stated it coated the drivetrain, brakes and air-con, amongst different issues.
In November of final 12 months, the automobile began performing up — the transmission appeared to have failed after just some months of possession. The automobile was towed to Cherokee Auto Gross sales, and after not listening to something for 10 days, they returned to the lot. That’s when the couple discovered their Taurus was bought. The supplier even returned Thompson’s license plate. She wasn’t joyful. Shocker, I do know.
Right here’s what Thompson stated to 6 ABC WATE about what occurred subsequent when she requested why it was bought:
“Too many miles on the guarantee,” stated Thompson. “They simply saved saying one thing concerning the mileage on the automobile.”
She went on to say that the automobile was in her title and he or she had no thought why they didn’t give it again to her. Within the 5 months she had the automobile, Thompson stated she put greater than 12,000 miles on the automobile and by no means missed a cost.
Then, a couple of weeks in the past, Thompson and Cole acquired a letter from the State Division of Income. It stated data present there is no such thing as a Legal responsibility insurance coverage on her 2005 Taurus. Thompson instructed Dare that the automobile was nonetheless listed below her title on Might 17, 2024.
“Cherokee Auto Middle didn’t name the state to tell them that that they had the automobile again of their possession,” stated Thompson.
Dare and the WATE information group went to Cherokee Auto Gross sales trying to find solutions for Thompson and Cole, however they had been stonewalled by a salesman who noticed them as little greater than a nuisance. Right here’s what occurred:
“Don, I do know who you might be. I’m asking you to politely keep outdoors as a result of I’m with somebody,” stated the salesperson.
When requested to go away, we did. Nevertheless, the Cherokee Auto salesman by no means got here out to talk with us. As an alternative, he referred to as the Knoxville Police Division, apparently, we had been a nuisance. As we had been ready on the general public avenue, Officer Josh Seder spoke with the salesperson.
“I don’t suppose you guys are doing something incorrect. He was positively caught off guard due to the information crew. It feels like you’ve got the assets to make a fairly good civil case out of it, proper,” stated Seder.
How dare somebody disrespect Don Dare like this?? I suppose Cherokee Auto Gross sales doesn’t wish to inform their aspect of the story for no matter purpose.
Anyway, Thompson stated she is now working with a authorized support lawyer to see what may be executed to get any of her a reimbursement. Financial institution data and the invoice of sale from the dealership point out that she had already invested practically $2,700 within the automobile that she solely drove for 5 months. “I simply need my a reimbursement or a automobile,” Thompson instructed Dare.
That is very clearly a wild story that’s removed from over, so we’ll remember to carry you updates when and if Don Dare will get them. I belief that man with my life.
