Ugly Duck Car Sales Harassed, Threatened, Stalked, Lied, Haunted Me Clearwater Florida
I was a 30yo female just out of a divorce with bad credit,living on my own for the first time in my life. I needed a car badly due to my new job was with the Medical Examiners Office, I was on call everynight and needed a good, dependable vehicle to get me to crime scene's safely.
The salesmen at the "Duck" were very helpful and kind that day, they did everything they could do to make me happy (that day).After 3 hours I had a 1989 Grand Prix,36 months @ 320.00, nice,fast and low mileage. Great! I was happy!
I should of realized when I never recieved a payment book that something was wrong, they had said that If my payments were never late, I'd get my down-payment back. So, everymonth I went to the car lot and made my payments.(on time)
After 30 months, I needed new tires. The tires were 400 Dollars, so I asked for an extension on the payment, they said "no problem" We filled out the proper paperwork and I went and bought my new tires. We'll guess what,2 days after that months payment was due,hell started!
They said they had no record of an extension being filed. Even though I faxed them my copy!! I spent hours on the phone trying to prove my situation, to no avail, they demanded the payment which I didnt have since I just bought tires. They called my job 10 times a day, threatning me, they were told not to me at work.
They still did everyday, they even went as far as telling my boss that I wasnt making my payments!! They called my home everyday 10 times a day!! They told my 12 yo daughter they were going to take my car away! Making her cry!!! How dare them!!!! They came to my door, asking for my "address" to update thier records!! Hm, they were at my door!!! I was told at work that If this continued I could lose my job! So there I was 3 weeks behind and trying to make it up, crying myself to sleep, afraid to answer the phone or the door. The harassing phone calls still continued daily, I finally couldnt take it anymore and told them to come get the car!
I only had 5 more payments to make and it would be paid-off, but enough was enough. Oh but they wouldnt do that, that keep threatening me they would but they never did. One of the girls who called me, told me I was a worthless women, asking If i was on food stamps, that If I was smart I'd borrow the money from a man! I could go on and on about the way I was treated and threatened everyday for 3 months!!
I finally paid the car off and then the engine blew! Ha....go figure... After I paid the car off, I am now a VIP at Ugly Duck!! isnt that special??
Shanna
Tampa, Florida
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Margaret
Cincinnati,Ohio,
PLEASE CONTACT THE FTC ABOUT HARASSMENT!!
#2Consumer Suggestion
Sat, March 30, 2002
From www.ftc.gov, regarding the fair debt collection act:
806. Harassment or abuse [15 USC 1692d]
A debt collector may not engage in any conduct the natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section:
(1) The use or threat of use of violence or other criminal means to harm the physical person, reputation, or property of any person.
(2) The use of obscene or profane language or language the natural consequence of which is to abuse the hearer or reader.
(3) The publication of a list of consumers who allegedly refuse to pay debts, except to a consumer reporting agency or to persons meeting the requirements of section 603(f) or 604(3)1 of this Act.
(4) The advertisement for sale of any debt to coerce payment of the debt.
(5) Causing a telephone to ring or engaging any person in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with intent to annoy, abuse, or harass any person at the called number.
etc., etc. ...
Please, PLEASE contact the FTC via e-mail or by phone, plus your Attorney General, if they think that that would be appropriate. From what you've written, it seems to me you have good cause for action. Even with the car paid off. Please save others from having to go through what you did.
Best of luck to you, Shanna.