Complaint Review: Charlie Faulk

I Truly Apologize to ALL those Customers that had or have any Mechanical problems. ALL of our vehicle's are Sold (AS-IS), in VA. we don't have to give any type warranty, there's No 3,2,1 day Return policy.
Unless they Purchase a Extended Warranty that we offer and give at our cost, We don't make Dollar off it. BUT We Do give a Customer Care FREE of charge for 30 Days on: Engine, Transmission and Safety related items, pretty much anything that keeps the vehicle running & driving, NOT a Penny Out of the Customers pocket, No deductibles, We pay all of it, needs new Motor, Trans work as long as the Customer's Not Negligent of the Problems, and if the COST exceeds more 2000. or 4 weeks. I know this Customer Had to be took-en Care of, We Value All Customers, GOOD People Have Bad Credit Too and we Know things Happen against their will that Can't be Controlled , Life is Tough, and WE Don't JUDGE People By their Credit.
We have to get it Authorized by Mr. (Falk) to Switch the Customer out to Equal or less value.
FACT is We also Understand that the Majority of Our Customers 60% Won't Pay or try not pay or ask for a Deferment if their car Breaks down for any Reason and 20% of them are Credit Criminal's, they try to get over and out of Everything.
We try our Best to Guarantee our Cars to Last.
Because We're a Buy Here Pay Here type Dealer so we try our Best to Keep a Good relationship with our Customers and we Do, We have Highest Repeat Customer basis in the area.
Because Despite there Credit after 1 year their VIP customers and they can Trade In the Old car and get something Newer at WAY Better Deal, Lower Interest Rates and Discount on Pricing NO Matter What their Credit Looks like, even if they Don't Pay Nobody else BUT Charlie, It's Charlie's World !!
Look We Don't make or build these cars, We TRY our best NOT to Buy any Jacked up flood, wrecked, salvage and cars off the street. These are Used Cars that we buy at Green Light Dealer Auctions. Even New cars are Not Guaranteed, they Break Down Too.
You Must Understand that Charlie Falks Auto Inc. / The All New Falk Motor Co. has 60 Years in the Auto Business, We Can't Make Everybody HAPPY, but we Try.

Sincerely, PAUL H. WALLS 2nd
SR. Finance/Sales Manager
Cell # 757 4 6 9 3 0 7 4

Forgive me if I come across as condescending; I only wish to help. It's just that all too often, good people like this person here find themselves exploited by these fly-by-night rock lots, just because they have poor credit or no job, or they're military. I've seen it at just about every military city I've been. And I'm tired of it.

I know we can't always afford a new car or get the best financing available, but you don't have to buy junk. Even if you have to deal with predatory lenders like SECURITY NATIONAL, WESTLAKE FINANCIAL, or SEAWEST, and rock lot chains like KELLY AND KELLY or CHARLIE FAULK, keep in mind that there are laws that still protect you and things you can do to protect yourself.

Here are just a few:

1. AS IS means just that. If you sign the contract and drive off with it, whatever happens is on you. The extended warranty isn't worth the paper it's printed on (more on that later). So what do you do? Before you sign and drive, spend the hundred fifty bucks and get that car checked out by a reputable mechanic (NO, NOT THEIR MECHANICS, MAN!), preferably a dealer that has the same makes and models (i.e. take that used Taurus to the Ford dealer). They know what to look for, they can tell you what to expect long-term. You won't regret this; it's the best $150 you'll ever spend. Oh, and if your salesman offers to pay for a check at the garage HE recommends, I'd bet he probably has those guys in his pocket. Refuse. And walk away.

2. Decline the warranty if it's not already included with the car. Think about it...they're selling the car as-is. That says enough. The warranty is worthless; 9 times out of 10 you have to keep perfect maintenance records before the warranty kicks in (of course, you should do this anyway). Then you won't be covered for a lot, and where you have coverage the parts may not be genuine parts, or worse, reconditioned. The extended warranty exists for one reason: MORE PROFIT FOR THE DEALER!! Better to spend $150 and know what your getting than to FINANCE A LOT MORE to hedge a sucker's bet.

3. Little-known, seldom-demanded things that are really common sense: DEMAND GAP INSURANCE, especially if you're hit with high interest or you're paying more than it's worth. Get a used car guide (and have it with you!), learn the maintenance history of the car you want. REFUSE THE FIRST CAR THEY OFFER YOU, AND DON'T NAME A MONTHLY PAYMENT WHEN THEY ASK. That 1st car is a guaranteed lemon, and it's probably been sitting there for a minute. If you say, "I can afforf a 300 dollar payment," they're going to inflate the price and hit you with the interest and length that you will be buried for years. BEWARE OF CARS WITH OVER 80,000 MILES!!! Never mind if they say they're good "highway miles," that don't mean anything when you find out that you can only trade it in wholesale.

4. CARFAX is your friend. Get the car's VIN number (found on the top of the dash, around the driver's side usually), and check it out. Don't rely on their FREE report--you can get that your d**n self, and it doesn't tell you anything. What you want is the COMPLETE report, telling you about accidents, recalls, flood titles, etc. Yes, this costs money, but you'll probably have this car for a while. You don't need it falling apart on the side of the road.

5. Last but never least, if you do have problems with the car or the dealer, and they won't help, report them. Sue them. Call the chamber of commerce, the state attorney general. If they belong to an independent dealer's association, write them. Keep accurate records, and make sure all WRITTEN (don't call) correspondance is sent through CERIFIED MAIL. Call the Press, write editorials in the paper. GET THE WORD OUT. Know what your rights are before you buy, and let them know you do and are willing to enforce them.

And please, please don't sign your life away if you're military...I've yet to see anywhere that states you have to give up your legal rights to recourse (i.e. not having them call your commander about your debts)as a condition of approval. That language is DECEPTIVE, and it's asking you to do so VOLUNTARILY! DON'T!! And I challenge anyone to tell me that if you don't consent to that, you will be denied a loan. And if it's not on the contract and they do it anyway, you'd better call a lawyer. Screw a cease-and-desist letter. They're breaking the law!

I know I've said a lot, but you have no idea just how much you can do to help yourself. I know many of you are stuck no matter what, but you can still beat the dealer. It just requires a lot of sacrifice on your part. You're gonna have to pay your car off early, all those tax refunds, extra christmas money, it's gotta go. You won't build equity until you do. You'll also have to keep that car for a few extra years--like five--so get used to it and keep it running. On the bright side, your insurance is lower (needing only liability), it's one less bill, and you can save a lot of that extra money to buy (if you want) a newer, nicer car (as an added bonus, your credit should also heal over the course of that time).

Folks, there is so much you can do not to be a victim. I know, I've learned the hard way and I'm still learning. But you gotta be strong and demand that they respect you. I wish you all well, and let someone know how it goes.

Good luck.

First and foremost, my sympathies to you and your situation. I, too, purchased a Faulk vehicle last year, and was lucky enough to only have to replace a starter and alternator. Still, you have rights, even though more than likely you bought the car AS-IS. Unless they specifically (and conspicuosly) say that they are not responsible for damage to your car on their watch, they must pay for the repairs.

Don't file a claim on your insurance, file against theirs. If you feel that they are dragging their feet with the repair job, and you honestly think the larceny was an inside job, you really need to call the attorney general's office.

TODAY. File a complaint, push for an investigation. A local dealer had his licence revoked for just this kind of thing; it only happened because people had the guts to stand up to them. You must also take Faulk to court. TODAY. You may get punitive and compensatory damages, especially for time and money lost due to your son's care (or lack thereof, because of this incident).

Don't let the idea that they have good lawyers scare you; this only means that they will be more willing to SETTLE, instead of going threough the courts. I won't ever say that this will be easy or without cost, but I urge you to think of your son. And yourself. The law is on your side, but only if you use it.

You'll be in my prayers.