- Report: #1478061
Complaint Review: Anthracite Auto Leasing and Steve Freibus - Lighthouse Point FL
Reported By:
Carolina -
Lighthouse Point, Florida, United States
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Confirmed
Why?
Anthracite Auto Leasing and Steve Freibus
3640-B3 N Federal Hwy Lighthouse Point, 33064 FL, United States
Phone:
954-946-4201
Web:
www.anthraciteleasing.com
Categories:
Business Rating:
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Anthracite Auto Leasing and Steve Freibus Anthracite Leasing Anthracite Auto Leasing Steven Freibus Steve Freibus Anthracite Auto Leasing Fraud and Extortion Lighthouse Point FL
Anthracite Leasing Company is licensed by the State of Florida Department of Financial Regulation to engage in Automobile Leasing, whose main focus is to lease expensive/exotic cars, whereby when Lessee returns vehicle, Lessor then obtains artificially inflated “wear & tear” repair estimates and then extorts and blackmails the Lessee for money once the lease concludes.
In 2014, I was steered to Anthracite Leasing by Maserati of Fort Lauderdale and entered into a 48-month lease for a 2014 Maserati Gran Turismo.
During the term of the lease, I spent almost $13,000.00 in servicing the vehicle with Maserati of Fort Lauderdale, even though the vehicle came with a bumper-to-bumper warranty for the entire lease. These bills were solely for “maintaining” the vehicle and were NOT for repairs.
Upon returning the vehicle at lease end, Anthracite in conjunction with Maserati of Fort Lauderdale, provided an artificially inflated estimate, where at they looked for anything and everything to charge me to bring the vehicle back to “brand new condition”. In this case they presented me with a Bill for over $18,000.00, for a vehicle that was below the allotted mileage allowance. Based on The Kelly Blue Book, this service bill represented over 43% of the total value of the car.
The lease allows for “normal wear and tear” but because this is basically “subjective” they can claim basically anything and shake down consumers when they return their vehicle. This is a systemic problem, which occurs with every lease return vehicle from Anthracite and has been going on for over a decade.
In the lease it also includes a clause, which allows Anthracite to “claim” an exorbitant amount of service repairs that is owed to fix the vehicle WITHOUT having to ever actually spend the money to fix the car! (They demand and threaten that you have to pay this amount, when they themselves never even make the repairs they claim are necessary)
Below is the clause:
“The EXCESS WEAR CHARGE will be equal to the actual or estimated costs of repair, or the estimated loss in its value, because of any excessive wear (even if we do not repair the Vehicle). “
This is a masterful scam that preys on rich people who when threatened and served with a lawsuit pay the artificially inflated amount they claim is owed immediately to avoid being sued.
The owner Mr. Steven Freibus is defrauding consumers into paying him money that he isn’t owed at the end of every lease in which he is NOT spending to fix any vehicles.
Anthracite’s thievery of fraud and deception, in taking advantage of unsuspecting consumers, can be seen throughout the Internet with complaints by people who have been extorted by Steven Freibus.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Zurami
Miami,Florida,
United States
Resolution
#2REBUTTAL Individual responds
Tue, June 09, 2020
"The author of this post retracts its content in full after resolving this matter with the company, in part, by us paying amounts due to Anthracite under settlement. All issues have been resolved amicably and we no longer believe Anthracite acted inappropriately.”
The Dog
United StatesOf Course It's a Con-Game! It's a CAR FLEASE!
#3Consumer Comment
Thu, May 02, 2019
ANY type of CAR FLEASE is an incredibly BAD deal for the consumer and a fantastic deal for the dealer. YOU paid for repairs and service on a car YOU don't even own! How generous!
The Excess Wear and Tear clause is a great big money maker as dealers REGULARLY exagerrate this and quite often, NEVER make the alleged repairs and pocket the money. As you can see, the CAR FLEASE was designed perfectly for the Sleazy American Car Business! Never, ever do this again!
Javon
Winchester,Virginia,
United States
Solution
#4Consumer Suggestion
Wed, May 01, 2019
Hello, I read about your problem I do sympathize with you. I think I may have a solution for you. If you want help please reach out to me at 7036624121
