Complaint Review: Dan Nelson

I bought a 99 Voyager from Dan Nelson in Feb 02. I was financed for about $13000 for a $7000 van at an interest rate over 20%. In Oct/Nov 02 (less than 9 months) the van started acting funny. The inside of the radiator was cracked and antifreeze had leaked into the transmission lines that ran through the radiator.

The van had antifreeze in the transmission and trani fluid in the radiator. I replaced the radiator and flushed the system for $1000 (approx) and it ran for one day (Nov 02). The transmission went completely out the next day. They wanted $3000 to pay it. This was all at Christmas time last year, so I took a second job as this had depleted our savings and I have two small children that had to have a few presents.

In 12/02 I contacted the finance company that Dan Nelson had "sold" me to about trying to get help for this. They told me that I had to make my payment by a specific date regardless and that I "might" be able to skip a payment in Jan. I had no money to make the payment, and I didn't have the $3000 to fix the trani, so they came and repossed it.

They sent me a letter in 02/03 saying that they were selling the van (as-is) and I would receive a balance due by 2/21/03. I still have not received this balance due and the van is still in my name.

I know that they knew about this major defect when selling me this vehicle. It has been sold four times prior to me, and it is only 4 years old. They did not disclose this info and told me that no warranty was available.

IMPORTANT-There is currently a class action law suit against this company in Des Moines Iowa. It is listed in the CityView this week (4/23/03) if you want to join. I know that I am....

Robin
Des Moines, Iowa
U.S.A.