Charles
Columbus,#2Consumer Comment
Fri, October 03, 2014
It seems that JD Byrider has not learned their lesson from Mr.Petro in the 2005 case against them.They are back to their old tricks again. Hit in the pocket a little harder the next time just might do the trick. These people are calling my friends on their jobs and they are pretty much feed up with this. Something has got to be done about JD Byrider, soon. The Attorney General has got to stop these people from their unlawful acts.
Stick
Phoenix,#3Consumer Suggestion
Sat, March 26, 2005
I met up with a few of your dealers in vegas. They told me all kinds of info. Whats this about? The suit was filed Friday morning in Polk County District Court. It asks the court to order reimbursement for consumers, injunctive relief against future violations, civil penalties, and costs and attorney fees for the state. The suit alleges that the defendants violated the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act and the Iowa Consumer Credit Code in their advertisement and sales of used vehicles, in their extension of credit regarding the vehicles, and in their debt collection practices. The suit alleges that Dan Nelson Automotive Group hides or fails to disclose vehicle prices, going so far as to require detailed financial information and a credit check from consumers before revealing the price. It alleges that the defendants unfairly restrict consumer choice by telling consumers which few vehicles they may purchase, keeping consumers on dealership premises for hours on end and, in some instances, steering consumers into high-interest loans with terms less beneficial than those for which consumers would actually qualify. It alleges that vehicles often break down after purchase and that the dealership sometimes fails to fully honor its warranty. It alleges the dealership may also subject consumers to unlawful debt collection tactics by calling their references and disclosing their debts, or suing them in counties other than where they live, which is illegal. The suit also alleges that the defendants violated the Consumer Fraud Act by advertising sales based on "lease elimination" and "rental car company" bankruptcies, claims the lawsuit alleges are simply untrue. The suit also alleges the defendants misled banks and credit bureaus regarding the true payment histories of their customers.
Michael
Carmel,#4REBUTTAL Individual responds
Fri, March 25, 2005
Stick - though you are in Arizona, we appreciate your interest in our Ohio locations. In 2002, I contacted the Ohio Attorney General's staff and I drove to Columbus Ohio to meet with their staff attorneys and case workers. We had introduced ourselves previously and I knew most of the people involved there. As we had so many stores in Ohio and the business model had become the nation's largest used car franchising operation, we felt it was important to secure our future by making sure everything we did was in compliance with state law. The process was voluntary, we were not sued and there was not a class action case, it was not a private lawsuit. The regulatory review was voluntary and J.D. Byrider instigated the procedure. We had sold over 84,000 cars in the state of Ohio prior to 2002 and the total number of the Ohio complaints was less than one half of one percent of the Ohio business we had conducted. We've appreciated the manner in which the Attorney General's office has conducted the inquiry. They were willing to listen to our position and learn about our business while conducting their inquiry in a professional manner. This was a great opportunity for us to learn the perspectives of Attorney General Petro in terms of how their office approaches regulation and enforcement. It was a valuable learning process for our company and franchisees and at the same time, we were able to communicate our business model, our values, and our service to the community, eventually reaching a mutual understanding. J.D. Byrider's business model is strong and successful because of the company's values. We are not perfect, but we strive to be, and we strive to do the best we can in any customer service case! Thanks, Michael Patrick JD Byrider Customer Service
Stick
Phoenix,#5Consumer Suggestion
Thu, March 24, 2005
http://www.ag.state.oh.us/press_releases/2005/pr20050209c.htm Attorney General Jim Petro Resolves More Than 300 Consumer Complaints In Settlement With JD Byrider February 9, 2005 COLUMBUS - Attorney General Jim Petro today agreed to a settlement with JD Byrider and more than 20 of its locations throughout Ohio. The settlement is the result of an investigation addressing the company's sales of used motor vehicles to low-income customers or consumers who ordinarily might not qualify for prime-market financing. The investigation was prompted by more than 300 complaints received by the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section. In order to make informed decisions, consumers must be given the details of their transaction, said Petro. Any company failing to provide information or misleading consumers about automobile deals must reevaluate their business practices to ensure that they are complying with Ohio law. As part of this settlement, JD Byrider agreed to make more than 20 remedial changes to its business practices in order to operate within compliance of Ohio laws. Some of the changes include: establishing a price for a vehicle before offering it to the public, informing the consumer the price up front, clearly and conspicuously disclosing terms of warranties, and adhering to advertised specials. In addition, the business also agreed to change much of its collection practices. JD Byrider founder and chairman James DeVoe Sr. stated, We've appreciated the manner in which the Attorney General's Office has conducted the investigation. They were willing to listen to our position and learn about our business, while conducting their investigation in a professional manner. Throughout the investigation and the settlement process, JD Byrider, in cooperation with the Attorney General's Office, worked to settle and resolve all outstanding complaints resulting in the payment of more than $100,000 to consumers. Additionally, JD Byrider agreed to review any future consumer complaints received by the Consumer Protection Section. Terms of the settlement require JD Byrider to pay both a civil penalty in the amount of $300,000 and costs in pursuing the investigation, resulting in the payment of an additional $250,000. Consumers can file a complaint online at www.ag.state.oh.us or by calling Attorney General Petro's Consumer Protection Section at 1-800-282-0515.