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Dolphin Automotive Pompano Florida - Joel, Tony, Vinny, Michelle, Linda Lies, car not as described, never returns calls, hard to contact, now out of business it appears Pompano Beach Florida
This is to help anyone lately who had the misfortune of dealing online with Dolphin automotive.
I too had problems...but nothing major so far. Repairs had to be made to my vehicle to make it run properly...something major that I noticed from the start. Of course they wanted it to all go away but I persisted. Long story short - they did it at their expense but the timing was long and arduous. So far there is no mechanics lien on my car but time will tell.
My current problem with them is that I do not have a bill of sale (I do have my copies of receipts of payment). I do not have the title and I do not have tags. Nothing, Nada ! My temporary tag expires in a few days so I tried to call them to find out why. I bought the car last October ! It was today, thanks to this site, that I started to figure something was up. I was told the tags would be here last week. I then started my sleuthing...
Update: I called a neighbour of theirs in the warehouse area (thanks mapquest). He said the police were there and closed them down last week. He would not elaborate except to say many of the cars were taken away and no-one has been around much...if at all.
I then called Vinny - a good guy who worked there as errand runner and polisher, etc. He no longer works there as of a few days ago and of course he doesn't know what is going on there. He was not the boss. Tony was apparently. I never met Tony although I was at the shop many times and made dozens of calls over the last few months wondering about when my car would be ready. I began to think he may be the Remington Steele of Dolphin automotive.
I then called the police (954-786-4201) in Pompano who sent me on to the attorney general's office (954-715-4600) who then sent me on to the Department of highways (850-617-3001)...yada yada yada...follow the trail of pas-em-off-to someone else. I did manage to talk with a lovely woman at the DMV for tags and registration (850-617-2000) who said first that this was a legal matter and to get a lawyer. Yikes ! Dollar signs ! Then she asked a supervisor and came back to me with what I hoped was better news. We'll see tomorrow when I do what she said.
She came back to give me further directions - go to get verification that the dealship is out of business. It is from the DMV (Dep't of motor vehicles) Compliance examiner...get a letter on their letterhead stating the facts about the dealer being gone. I have to go to the local office in person (a few days delay and 20 miles away), take my proof of purchase and a form downloaded from www.hsmv.state.fl.us . There are lots of forms there so look for one that suits your needs. Once all is done I have to copy everything and send it off to Tallahassee - and a fee of $29.75. then the real costs start - maybe upwards of $275.00 more for tags, license , forms, registration...etc. All this was to be paid for by the seller. Not in this case apparently.
Now, I bought this car through an ad on ebay...I thought. It turns out I bought it after ebay because the first seller did not take the car. I was second in line and bought it - I really wanted it. So, ebay is not involved...nor is their fraud department. Lesson: make sure your seller keeps it an ebay sale - not an after sale. So what if it costs them more.
My advice, call all of the numbers I posted earlier. Then perhaps call Charlie Crist's office - the governor.
Do some searches online for government help - especially if they took oyur money and did not deliver the goods. Everyone else - beware of these scammers. I think ebay should be concerned with these operators and help even the people who didn't actually close the deal on ebay's site. These jerks give online shopping a really bad rap. Prosecute them to the hilt !
Ebay we need your professional help !
Post more here on this continuing saga.
Joe
Boca Raton, Florida
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Joe
Beverly Hills,California,
U.S.A.
Dolphin Automotive - Pompano FloridaDolphin Automotive Wholesale Group - Pompano Florida update Pompano Pompano Florida
#2Author of original report
Wed, February 27, 2008
Dolphin Automotive - Pompano FloridaDolphin Automotive Wholesale Group - Pompano Florida update Pompano Pompano Florida
UPDATE: I visited the Dolphin automotive building again today - no-one home. Cars all gone. Stuff on the desk still - looks untouched and that someone was hurredly escorted out odf the building. I hope someone goes in soon to feed the tropical fish or I may call the Humane society on them too.
Again neighbour say Pompnao Police (Sherrif) department closed them down last week. Lots of excitement they say. No-one around since - at least during the day. No sign of Sherrif lock-up though - strange. No sign of Police presence or denial of access to the building by the owners. Who knows. maybe they were behind on their rent and the landlord kicked them out. We really do not know for sure - except a few words from the former employee Vinny (and apparently Joel if you read other reports by other people).
The company was legit. Their license number and registration are still on file with the DMV. They have no evidence of foul play or that the company is no longer in business. The company may still be operating but not out of that location. I doubt all of that. Vinny, Joel, Michelle all gone. No phone answering. No returned calls. No inventory on-sight. Neighbours report a scene last week. They are gonners for sure. May pop up again somewhere else and start again. The stock still may impounded though by Pompano Police. Who knows, if you bought from them and they did not deliver, check with the police.
If you have a complaint or want to file one about this company because they did not deliver the goods or because they were neglegent in some way, please call the department that deals only with auto dealers and licensing DMV at 954-969-4216. Their fax number is 954-969-4238. Their address (other locations also available) is at 1135 Banks road, Margate Florida 33063. You will have to sign a form outlining your situation. They want you to do in person but you may be able to convince them to file it by fax if you are not in the area...ask nicely. I have already filed a complaint against dolphin automotive today so the ball is in motion. They will start the investigation about the company's whereabouts. I encourage you to contact them as well. It is a busy office so be specific when you call.
So for all you Dolphin customers who are left out in the cold like me - something will come of this. Just be patient and work with the government employees. I trust them - I met some and was impressed with the procedure so far.
This whole mess sounds like it could be a chapter in a novel by Carl Hiassen (look him up - great humorist Florida author who pokes fun at Florida). He could write it and call it "Pompano Auto".
For those of you who have not graced their business doorstep their location was in a warehouse area full of car repair shops and such, just south of the big Adult Video and Novelties store, immediately east (and within wiffing distance) of the huge garbage landfill mountain. No-one has last names except the receptionist. The boss is never around - Tony apparently is not the owner (I found that out at the DMV - can't remember the person's name who actually is listed on the license)...and the slickest of them all was Joel with no last name...who never remebers names and has to be reminded all the time as to which car are you calling about...even if you, like I did, called every week for four months ! He no doubt graduated top of his class at "{used car salesman school".
Well, that is it for an update. The ball is in motion and the system is working on it. Be sure to file a complaint - it may help with the settling of everyone's claims against this shady dealer.
Joe
Boca raton, Florida