Complaint Review: Dennis AutoPoint

At approximately 8:00PM on 22 December 2003, I attempted to purchase a 1997 Oldsmobile Achieva from Dennis Autopoint in Columbus, Ohio.

I impressed upon the salesman that I was purchasing this vehicle for my son who required a dependable car to get to work and school; a student at Ohio State University. I also told him that I am a 19 year veteran of the Armed Forces (Air Force) stationed in Italy and I would be returning to Italy the next day; 23 Dec 03. The salesman assured me that the vehicle had been through their 100 point dependability check and was in excellent running condition. After the paperwork was completed, my son and I left the dealership.

As he drove the vehicle to his apartment, approx. 20 minutes, the vehicle began to run rough and sound load (engine noise). I know enough about cars to realize that the problems with this engine had been going on for awhile. Upon arriving at my son's apt., I immediately called the salesman to advise him of the problem. He informed me to bring the vehicle in the next day and they would take care of it because they were about to close. The next morning my son took the vehicle back to Dennis Autopoint.

I could not go back to the dealership because I had to catch my flight to Italy. The manager at Dennis Autopoint informed my son that the engine problem was too costly to repair and they were not going to fix it. I called Dennis Autopoint from the Atlanta airport and was also told they would not fix the car or return my money; a check for $2400. I told the manager if he was not going to fix the car, I would call my credit union and put a stop payment on my check; which I did.

My son left the car and keys at Dennis Autopoint. On 11 June 04, I was contacted by Alex Petit (debt collector) of Dana & Persor Attorney at law on behalf of Dennis Autopoint. On 18 June 04, I contacted Dennis Autopoint again in hopes of resolving this situation and was advised by Jack Schoemaker (manager), "The issues with the vehicle are not mine or Dennis Autopoint's and as far as I'm concerned, you own the car." The right thing for Dennis AutoPoint to do was fix the car.

I told the manager not to process the check or paperwork because I had stopped payment on the check. I guess they had decided that they were going to make me buy this lemon. I had more than enough money in the bank to cover the check but I was not about to spend $2400 on a car, only to turn around and spend another $2000 or more to repair an engine.

They are trying to collect payment on a vehicle they have had for over 6 months. Since they could not force me to take the vehicle and unlike other people, they did not have my money, now they are trying to damage my credit. I plan to tell everyone I know about this incident. Please tell everyone you know that Dennis AutoPoint is a Ripoff

Louis
APO
Italy