Complaint Review: Universal Auto Plaza - Orlando Florida

On December 1, 2013 I was in an accident with my 2005 Hyundai Tiberon. This vehicle was a total loss, & my insurance company(Nationwide Insurance) paid me a total of $5,600. I needed to shop for a new vehicle. On December 12, 2013, A friend of mine(Christopher Bialek) that works at Universal Auto Plaza of 3701 West Colonial Dr. Orlando, FL 32808, suggested that I visit his manager(Kenan Moose), to assist in locating a Hyundai Genesis  through the Dealer ONLY Auction. Mr. Moose, located a 2010 Hyundai Genesis VIN # xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx4432. This vehicle was being sold on the Dealer Auction Website(wholesale) as well as on another dealers lot(Retail). The dealer having ownership of the vehicle was Auto Market of Florida at 2741 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Kissimmee, FL.

Mr. Moose sent me over to the other dealer to look at the vehicle & test drive it to make sure I liked it before placing a bid on the auction website.  Myself & a friend (Tomas Stjepanovic) went to the dealership to test drive the car. I was pleased with the car. As instructed by Mr. Moose, I told the other dealer that I was still in the process of looking at other vehicles, since he would be able to obtain the vehicle at a lower price. Immediately after viewing this vehicle, I proceeded back to Universal Auto Plaza to put a down payment on the vehicle so Mr. Moose could proceed with placing a bid on the vehicle.

In the presence of (Tomas Stejepanovic),  (Annie Goodwin), & (Christopher Bialek,friend & employee of dealership) I handed Mr. Moose $4,000. Attached is the receipt I was given from Mr. Moose. Looking back now, I realize that this was not the best documented receipt. I am a trustworthy type of person & the furthest thing from my mind was that a friend & established dealership would try to steal my money.

Myself & Mr. Moose went to the (CFE Federal Credit Union, 1823 N. Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32826) to proceed with the rest of the financing. Upon arrival, I was asked to wait outside until the unknown person(referred to as Universals bank broker) arrived. When this unknown gentleman arrived he went into the bank alone & arranged the meeting with the banker. He then left, while Mr. Moose & I sat down with a representative of CFE, Pamela Mazariegos.  I was told my loan was approved for 10,800. The vehicle total was $16,800 out the door, including tax, tag, title. Again, Mr. Moose & I then proceeded to Wells Fargo to withdraw an additional $2,000 for the remainder of the down payment.

Several days later, and no car yet, I was told that the vehicle was at the auction having it’s inspection(which I paid extra for), waiting on the title, etc….Everyday there was a different excuse. I was upset without a vehicle. Mr. Moose suggested several times that he would allow me use of another vehicle from the lot. I declined each time & said, “I just want my new car”….My business was suffering without a vehicle, so after a few days, I agreed to borrow one.

I was getting frustrated & my dad(Anthony Galotifiore) decided to do some investigating into the problem. After 9 days & still no vehicle my dad called the Auction(Manheim Auto Auction)  but they would not give any information to him. He then called the other dealership(AutoMarket of Florida) & spoke to Mr. David Gomez & inquired about the vehicle. Mr. Gomez stated that the vehicle never left his lot & that someone by the name of Cory??? had already put a deposit on the vehicle.

My dad called Mr. Moose once again to inquire what was going on. Mr. Moose claimed that the other dealer was lying & that the car was at the auction. My dad called up Mr. Gomez again & requested that he take a picture of the vehicle along with the VIN number to prove that he had possession of the car. Mr. Moose continued to claim that the vehicle was at the auction. Mr. Gomez assured us that the vehicle was already sold to another party…

We requested our deposit back from Mr. Moose since there was no vehicle available for sale. He said he would cut us a check on Monday, December 23, 2013 with no issues.(I have text messages to prove this statement)….

Mr. Moose claims that his boss (Alireza Assadi) will not release the money. Mr. Moose will not give me any contact information to reach Mr. Assadi. Other managers (Nathan Bogema) have hung up on me & are not being cooperative in reaching Mr. Assadi, but they claim he is the one withholding my deposit. Mr. Moose claims that he will get fired if he speaks with us or gives us any contact information. Mr. Moose claims he is 100% on our side, but he can’t force his boss to give us the money. He instructed us to call the DMV & have them put a claim against the dealerships Surety Bond. I do not believe anything Mr. Moose says, since he gave me a receipt that is undocumented.

DMV has called the dealership to have this mess straightened out & was given a letter(attached & unsigned) from the dealership stating that they never were given any money from myself.

I have witnesses that were present while this transaction occurred. I have multiple text messages from Mr. Kenan Moose that incriminates himself as far as accepting $6,000 from me as well as text messages stating that he will cut me a check…..

This vehicle paperwork was all set up for delivery to me, my insurance was in place, financing was in place, CFE was just waiting for the title to release the funds.

Universal Auto Plaza has a BBB rating of “F” with 10 complaints against them in the last 6 months. All the complaints state their deceptive business practices. All reviews on yahoo & google are negative.

Ownership of Universal Auto Plaza is in the name of Alireza Assadi’s wife Sabeti Sanat Mehrnoosh.

I can not reach Mr. Alireza Assadi or his wife Sabeti Sanat Mehrnoosh.

The only contact information is through the dealership. 3701 West Colonial Dr. Orlando, FL 32808 & telephone # 407-294-1100

After much investigation I have also found an address of 2710 S. Orlando Dr. Sanford, FL 32773(possibly their residence) & also a POBox 916081 Longwood, FL 32991

Kenan Moose also operates his own business called Moose Auto Group LLC through Universal Auto Plaza.

The owners of this business were formally "Orlando Auto Brokers" which had many fraudulant  practices & was finally forced to close. They just keep pulling illegal activities & scams & just keep opening under different business names.  

Contacts

Universal Auto Plaza

3701 West Colonial Dr.

Orlando, FL 32808

407-294-1100

Kenan Moose – 386-405-0928

Nathan Bogema

Alireza Assadi

Sabeti Sanat Mehrnoosh

Auto Market of FL

2741 N. Orange Blossom Trail

Kissimmee, FL

407-476-2900

David Gomez

Manheim Auto Auction

(407) 438-1000

CFE Federal Credit Union

1823 N Alafaya Trail

Orlando, FL 32826

407-896-9411 Ex. 4120

Pamela

Witnesses

Christopher Bialek 321-297-1059

Annie Goodwin  407-301-8737

Tomas Stjepanovic 407-668-0484