First of all, I have purchased two vehicles from Carmart of Pine Bluff. One was in 2003, a Ford Escort valued at $8,000, and I purchased a 2000 Ford F-150 valued at $10,000 in 2004. I currently owe $700 on the F-150, and the Ford Escort is paid in full.
On February 3, I went to Carmart of Pine Bluff and attempted to purchase another vehicle. The salesman at that time told me that I was not eligible to be financed because my wife was in bankruptcy.
I called Carmart of Pine Bluff and asked for the number to file a complaint, and the receptionist transferred me to the finance manager. She asked the question, "Who am I speaking with?" and I stated my name. She asked me what the problem was, and I proceeded by telling her that I was denied financing because my wife filed bankruptcy.
Then the manager proceeded to say, "I apologize, whoever told you that was wrong and we can finance you."
On March 3, I went to Carmart of Pine Bluff to look for a vehicle, and I test drove the vehicle that I wanted to purchase. After I completed the vehicle purchase agreement, the general manager called me into his office and informed me that I was in an active bankruptcy and that Carmart could not finance the vehicle for me for that reason.
I told him that I was not in bankruptcy and that my wife had filed. At that time the general manager told me to get documentation from the bankruptcy trustee's office faxed to them stating that I was not in bankruptcy.
So I proceeded outside, used my friend's cell phone to contact the trustee's office, and advised them that I was at Carmart of Pine Bluff and needed them to fax information to the general manager verifying that I am not in bankruptcy.
Immediately after my conversation with the trustee's office, I went back inside to inform the general manager that the trustee's office was faxing the documentation he requested. Approximately 15 minutes later, I asked the general manager if he had received the fax, and he stated, "Yes." He said the documentation did verify that I was not in bankruptcy.
The general manager then said that before he could finalize the deal, he was waiting on another fax to come in, and I responded, "Okay!"
After I waited 15 minutes, the general manager called me back to his office and stated, "I'm sorry you are not in bankruptcy, but I did receive a fax from your wife's attorney stating that she had listed your income in her bankruptcy."
I tried to explain to him that my wife and I are separated, and I asked him how she could use my income. He proceeded to try to explain this to me. I have never seen anything like this before. I called my wife and asked her to call her trustee's office to ask whether they had used my income, and they stated, "No! We did not and cannot list your husband's income in your case."
The general manager refused to show me any documentation that he alleged he received from my wife's attorney in reference to this information. He stated that he would get proper documentation from Carmart's attorney showing me the policy regarding "if one spouse is in bankruptcy then the other spouse would be denied financing," and have it ready for me on Monday, March 6, for my review.
On March 7, I phoned Carmart of Pine Bluff and asked to speak with the general manager, and the receptionist asked, "Who's calling?" I gave my name. She placed me on hold. After waiting on the line for thirty minutes, I hung up the phone. I immediately called back, and they answered and immediately hung up on me without saying anything.
I have also contacted the corporate office in Bentonville, Arkansas, and left numerous messages with the receptionist on March 6 asking to speak with the area manager for Carmart of Pine Bluff. I have not received a call back from either location as of today, March 8.
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