DRIVETIME RIPOFF New Port Richey Florida
To all of you that have had problems with Drivetime, I would like to be added to your list. On June of 2005 my paid for used car took a dump. With bad credit from a divorce, I was left to go to Drivetime for a vehicle. At the beginning, my experience was wonderful. They helped me over the phone, and with my children when I came in to sign the papers. Maybe because I am a blond, I assumed the 52-point inspection meant something. I have since learned otherwise. On the 22nd of June, 2005 I purchased a 2002 Hyundai Accent from Drivetime. I loved the car, couldn't have been happier.
Within 2 days of driving my car, the brakes started to squeak. I called the office and made an appointment to get them fixed. On July 05, 2005 I brought my new vehicle in to be repaired by a tech that looked like he needed help wiping his own butt let alone know how to work on my vehicle. They sent the rotors out to be shaved. All in all I was in the office for around two hours. Within an hour of getting my vehicle back, the brakes started to squeak again. So I proceeded to call them back, and made another appointment. On July 11, 2005 I returned to the office to have new brake pads put on. Again I was there for around two hours.
That is only the beginning. The very first time I filled the car with gas, the gas overflowed all over the car and my feet. When I asked Drivetime about this problem they reffered me to the manufacturer, since there was still a manufacturer warranty on the car. I proceeded to make an appointment with a local Hyundai dealership for service. On July 7, 2005 I brought my supposedly "great" car to the store. They had to replace the fuel cannister. The next time I filled my car, it leaked again. On August 15, 2005, I again returned my car to the local Hyundai dealership to have the fuel tank repaired again. One more time, I filled my car and again...yes. On August 29, 2005 I returned my car for the third time to the manufacturer to have the fuel tank fixed. Problem solved. Yeah!!
Ha... if that was only the end of my story. On August 28, 2005 I once again had to return my vehicle to the manufacturer for more warranty work. This time the rear wheel cylinder needed to be replaced. Problem solved. No... wait it keeps going.
Since, purchasing the vehicle I have had a knocking noise, everytime I took it in they were unable to diagnosis the situation. On October 03, 2005 I returned my car for the last time to the manufacturer. The door handle needed to be replaced because it no longer worked, and they finally diagnosed the knocking noise. It needed a new air compressor. Should have my car back in a day or two. Well after the air compressor was installed, the noticed that something else was wrong. What could it be....well the engine. They had to order me a new block. To this day it is still in the shop and probably wont be done until around the 15th or 16th. Although I put no blame on the manufacturer themselves, I am extremely upset. They have been great to me, especially considering I didn't even buy the car from them. They have provided me a rental car at no cost to me.... except gas. And the vehicle gets about half the gas mileage my car gets.
It is costing me around $40-$50 extra a week to drive the rental. My last to payments to Drivetime have been a week late, and when they call me every day...a couple times a day... I tell them why my payment is late, they tell me that that is not a valid excuse.
I contacted a lawyer about a lemon law case, but since the car is older they said it would not be cost effective for them to take the case. I have also contacted Drivetime to request a refund, I was told that since I didn't have to pay for any of the repairs, there was nothing they can do. Today, I have currently contacted my local news agencies, the BBB, and the Attorney General. In my email to the Florida Attorney General I linked this website. I feel that everyone needs to be aware of this companies practices before they learn the hard way like we all have. I hope that I can let you know if I had made any progress in my plight against Drivetime and Drivetime awareness.
Good Luck to All
Adrienne
Adrienne
Holiday, Florida
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Drive Time, formally known as Ugly Duckling which is registered under the same ownership.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Jennifer
Masaryktown,Florida,
U.S.A.
DONT LET YOUR GUARD DOWN
#7Consumer Comment
Fri, February 17, 2006
I TOO HAD PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM THE NEW PORT RICHEY DRIVE TIME, UGLY DUCKLING,
THINGS STARTED GOING WRONG RIGHT AWAY AND THE MANAGERS AT THAT PLACE WERE NOT WILLING TO COOPERATE WITH US, WHEN WE HAD GONE IN TO GET THE VEHICLE THE DOWN PAYMENT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE 1500 WE FILED OUR TAXES THRU THEM AND WE WERE SUPPOSED TO GET THE DIFFERENCE BACK, BUT WE NEVER DID THEY KEPT IT AND THEY TRIED TO MAINTAIN THE SAME AMOUNT OWED ON THE CAR SO THEY WERE GOING TO KEEP THE OTHERE 1300 AND NOT APPLY THAT MONEY TOWARDS THE CAR.
NEEDLESS TO SAY AFTER SO MANY THINGS GOING WRONG I TOLD THEM THAT THEY COULD TAKE THE CAR AND STICK IT WHERE THE SUN DONT SHINE, THEY DID AND NOW A CAR THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO COST ONLY 7,000 TOTAL WHICH AFTER 8 MONTHS AT 360 A MONTH PLUS THE 2800 TOTAL DOWN WOULD MEAN THAT ALL i WOULD OWE WAS 2640 WELL ON MY CREDIT IT SAYS THAT I OWE AN UNBELIEVABLE 8000 WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE?????
CONSUMER BEWARE STAY AWAY FROM THEM
Adrienne
Holiday,Florida,
U.S.A.
Nothing
#7Author of original report
Wed, November 30, 2005
Well, this will probably be my last update. I recently traded in the car I bought from Drivetime. I just couldn't take it anymore. I took a $5000 loss, but at least my children are in a safe vehicle now. A word of advice for anyone who reads this and has had problems with this company....contact the attorney general of Arizona. My BBB complaint was transferred to them since Drivetime did not respond. I hope that if the majority of us make them aware of what is happening, then maybe they will investigat the company. The website for the attorney general is www.azag.gov then consumers (in the top left corner) you should then see a link to file a complaint. I urged everyone one of us to file a complaint with them, I believe it is the only way for us to get justice.
Good Luck to All
Adrienne
Holiday,Florida,
U.S.A.
Nothing
#7Author of original report
Wed, November 30, 2005
Well, this will probably be my last update. I recently traded in the car I bought from Drivetime. I just couldn't take it anymore. I took a $5000 loss, but at least my children are in a safe vehicle now. A word of advice for anyone who reads this and has had problems with this company....contact the attorney general of Arizona. My BBB complaint was transferred to them since Drivetime did not respond. I hope that if the majority of us make them aware of what is happening, then maybe they will investigat the company. The website for the attorney general is www.azag.gov then consumers (in the top left corner) you should then see a link to file a complaint. I urged everyone one of us to file a complaint with them, I believe it is the only way for us to get justice.
Good Luck to All
Adrienne
Holiday,Florida,
U.S.A.
Nothing
#7Author of original report
Wed, November 30, 2005
Well, this will probably be my last update. I recently traded in the car I bought from Drivetime. I just couldn't take it anymore. I took a $5000 loss, but at least my children are in a safe vehicle now. A word of advice for anyone who reads this and has had problems with this company....contact the attorney general of Arizona. My BBB complaint was transferred to them since Drivetime did not respond. I hope that if the majority of us make them aware of what is happening, then maybe they will investigat the company. The website for the attorney general is www.azag.gov then consumers (in the top left corner) you should then see a link to file a complaint. I urged everyone one of us to file a complaint with them, I believe it is the only way for us to get justice.
Good Luck to All
Adrienne
Holiday,Florida,
U.S.A.
Nothing
#7Author of original report
Wed, November 30, 2005
Well, this will probably be my last update. I recently traded in the car I bought from Drivetime. I just couldn't take it anymore. I took a $5000 loss, but at least my children are in a safe vehicle now. A word of advice for anyone who reads this and has had problems with this company....contact the attorney general of Arizona. My BBB complaint was transferred to them since Drivetime did not respond. I hope that if the majority of us make them aware of what is happening, then maybe they will investigat the company. The website for the attorney general is www.azag.gov then consumers (in the top left corner) you should then see a link to file a complaint. I urged everyone one of us to file a complaint with them, I believe it is the only way for us to get justice.
Good Luck to All
Adrienne
Holiday,Florida,
U.S.A.
Progress
#7Author of original report
Fri, November 04, 2005
I am just letting you know that I spoke with a gentlemen from the New Port Richey office today, and for once feel that I may be getting somewhere in the company. He was very understanding and really made me feel that he was trying to help me with my situation. I hope that it really does work out.