Hare Chevrolet, Damon Smith, Courtney Cole Hare Chevrolet Ebay Fraud 2001 Stoney Creek Road Noblesville Indiana
I found a 99' 2-door Tahoe on Hare Auto's Ebay site. I have an 03' Z71, but I've always loved the 2-door Tahoe. I checked the dealer out - their Internet site, feedback, and customer testimonials; I was impressed. The vehicle only had 65,000 miles on it. The Ebay listing said, "Showroom Condition," "Perfect," "Surpassed our Expectations." Being the largest Chevy dealer in a state, I took them at their word. I also expected the condition to be true because of the higher price - $12,879.
My wife and I flew from Arkansas to pick it up. Two days after getting home, I was cleaning the interior and noticed rust on the inside (under the seats and the dash). I started looking under the vehicle, and it had major rust. It was not just surface rust as the dealership later claimed. The brake lines and fuel lines were almost rusted apart. I understand that the northern area is harder on a vehicle, but this vehicle was described as "Showroom Condition."
Four days later, I learned that the vehicle was sold to another person just days before I bought it. The buyer backed out when she found the rust. She point blank asked the salesman, Damon Smith, if it had rust, and he said no. She became aware of the rust from another bidder who had asked for pictures of the underneath of the vehicle. The pictures of the rust sent to her were taken by the salesman who had lied to her. The salesman forced her into leaving positive feedback to get her $500.00 deposit back.
The vehicle was listed on Ebay again without a change in the description, even though Hare Auto knew of the rust. I was contacted by both bidder and buyer after my transaction, and they told me their stories. I did get my money back, but my cost up to pick up the vehicle and back home was $885.00. The dealership would not refund that money even though I told them I would not have bought the vehicle if they had been honest and disclosed the rust as Ebay requires.
The salesman, Damon Smith and the owner, Courtney Cole, both lied several times. The other bidders and I have their emails and phone recordings. I would make sure you get a picture of any vehicle you buy from this dealership. She told me the rust was normal, even on an 07 model. Be very careful of this dealership. I can't believe a dealership with their reputation in their state would treat someone this way.
Daniel
Alma, Arkansas
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Courtney
Noblesville,Indiana,
U.S.A.
72 Pictures Tells the Story
#2REBUTTAL Owner of company
Sat, May 03, 2008
We have completed numerous transactions on Ebay -- we sell approximately 160 units a year through the use of Ebay. We include numerous pictures on EVERY transaction. In this case, we included 72 pictures and they can still be seen for 60 days. All undercarriages are made of untreated steel that gets surface rust.
This gentleman picked up the vehicle on Saturday and drove from Indianapolis to Alma, Arkansas and was ecstatic about the vehicle. He filled out paperwork and sent it back on Monday and then on Tuesday he stopped the paperwork saying there was rust underneath the vehicle. There is normal surface rust on most undercarriages of vehicles -- especially when they are 9 years old!!
We as a company want to keep our customers completely satisfied. We offered him a concession for his travel arrangements or $1000 to undercoat the vehicle. He refused this so we traveled back to Alma, AR and picked up the unit and refunded his total purchase price.
If anyone has any questions, feel free to call Courtney Cole at 317 773-1090 or Damon Smith at 317 714-6016. This is a family owned business that has been around since 1847 because we take care of customers!!!