Auto Loan Finders, Inc And Owner Hal Ross Promises and lies. One scam after another. Kennesaw, Georgia
On Feb 1st 2009 I went to Auto Loan Finders looking for a used car. I was already pre-approved over the phone for a loan with %100 financing and no money down. I needed to leave with a car that day, so I went over the terms of the loan and signed for a 2005 Honda Pilot.
No money down meant that I still had to pay $1800 worth of taxes up front. Sounds like a down payment to me. Even the contract says down payment not taxes paid.
The next day the battery was dead. After several phone calls to Freddy I finally got them to pick the truck up and replace it. Over the next few weeks I noticed other problems. The brakes were grinding, bad windshield wipers, lights were out, engine light was on, it smelled like cigarettes, and the radio needed an unclock code. The truck also still needed to be detailed. They told me that their inventory sells so quickly that they don't get to inspect every vehicle. That's why we get a 90 day warranty and a free detail. Their website says "Every car gets a 30 point inspection".
Not long after the purchase, Freddy began calling me about the bank. Apparently they didn't submit any of my information to the bank before I left with the truck. My part-time work status meant I didn't have enough income to qualify for a loan. He said I either needed to give them more money down (taxes?) or find a cosigner. I was unwilling to do either of those things.
I called the dealer to speak with someone about returning the truck. I believed it was a reasonable amount of time for a refund and knew it was a lemon. No one would speak to me over the phone. I had to meet with Hal Ross the owner in person.
I sat down with Hal and he told me he would fix all of the problems and give me a loaner. He also told me that he would keep my loan in-house until my income changed and they would transfer it to the bank. He asked me to sign new papers and I assumed this was the opportunity to end the contract. If I didn't sign new papers then I didn't have a loan.
Hal's story changed. Now I don't have to sign anything new. And he won't give me any money back. Defeated, I left my car and drove the filthiest, crummiest loaner ever. When I picked it up the interior smelled better and was cleaner. I checked the other things and they seemed okay as well.
A few days later the brakes were grinding again and now my front floors were soaked with leaking rain water. I couldn't see exactly where a leak was coming from. We have had rain for months here in Atlanta. The carpets never dried out and the inside smells like mildew. I have an infant and mildew is no environment for a baby. I called the dealer again and still had to come in person. Hal refused to return any of my calls. My husband and I went in with our 5 month old son and tried to return the lemon again. Again Hal refused.
There was an altercation between my husband and an ALF employee. Things were heated because we felt like we were being taken advantage of. We work too hard for our money to be treated this way. The police arrived, reviewd the video of the situation and decided that we did nothing wrong. They also advised us that they are routinely called to that address for similar problems.
It has been over 4 months since I signed the contract for the car. I paid Auto Loan Finders $1150 in taxes and still have yet to recieve any bills or account numbers for a loan. Hal won't return any of my phone calls and I am determined to get my money back. I have read so many negative reviews and experiences about this place. They are the kings of scam artists. They have reposessed the truck and I never even had a loan. I want my money back and legal reprocussions.
I also submitted a claim through the Better Business Bureau. In ALF's last response they claimed that I shouldn't contact them because my loan was at the bank. Didn't they just tell me that the bank denied me? AND, if the bank had my loan why did the repo guy say he was from Auto Loan Finders? How can they take the car but not have the loan!!! Hmmm.
I will do whatever needs to be done to expose this company. They were already featured on the news for unpaid taxes. They will scam anyone to get a buck. Even Uncle Sam!
Amy
Atlanta, Georgia
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Trouble4u
Marietta,Georgia,
U.S.A.
SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME////CAN WE SAY BIGGEST RIP OFF EVER..
#3Consumer Comment
Thu, July 30, 2009
I think, matter of fact, I know we need to file a class suit against auto loan finders, IDA and Hal Ross and maybe then he will see, we mean business. I kep all my emails stating that I was approved, not pre-approved, @ 100%. I have also file a report with the BBB, which their rating is an "F" and they are not affiliated with and I also file a complaint with the FTC. I have filed a complaint with ripoffreports but it is not posted yet. I also recarded my conversations with them.So I will see them in court, if not class action, then small claims court. My loan was never closed and keeping it inhouse was not an option. How can the loan not be closed as of teh close of business one day and that night, like a thief in the night, they repo the car? Hal Ross should not sleep at night, and youare right the paperwork all say, down payment and not taxes and fees. In my county, the taxes are 6%, which was like $500, they charged me $1095. RIPPPPPPPPP OOOOOOOFFFFFFFFF!!!! I AM DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MAKE OTHER CONSUMERS AWARE...
Auto Loan Finders
Kennesaw,Georgia,
U.S.A.
Auto Loan Finders
#3UPDATE Employee
Wed, June 17, 2009
We apologize for the difficulties you may have faced, however, we have made every effort within all means possible and reasonable to satisfy you as a customer. However, because of your refusal to pay as agreed we were not willing to explore any dispute resolution efforts.
You expected our company to be responsible for service work that is clearly not covered under our power-train extended service contract that only covers the internal lubricated parts of the engine, transmission and drive axle assembly. This would not cover any of the items listed by you in the above report with the exception of the brakes as they are an item that directly impacts the safety of the vehicle on a day to day basis. Furthermore there are no lemon laws of any type regarding used vehicles in the state of Georgia making your classification of said vehicle incorrect.
Regardless of these facts, we still had most of the issues addressed AT OUR EXPENSE and we provided you with another vehicle to drive while work was being performed on your car. We were under no obligation to do so, but did so out of courtesy.
The altercation you described began with your husband walking in to Hal's office yelling, screaming, throwing paperwork and other objects from his desk around the office. This is the point when Auto Loan Finders had to call the police as well as the co-owner and sales managers because your husband had become abusive and violent. Your husband then stormed out of Hal's office attempting to walk directly through one of our sales managers with no regard for him or his safety. Your husband then turned around to confront the sales manager threatening to change his world repeatedly. Once the police arrived, after your husband continued to make a scene both of you finally left. The police made no review of the surveillance videos instead opting for personal accounts to base their decision.
We made every effort possible to make things work for you, but your refusal to pay as agreed upon and abuse of our employees is what has led to the conclusion we have reached.