I originally came to Marshall Motors, because I had a vehicle that was repossessed and I needed to re-establish my credit. My car was repossessed because I was laid off at work. When I found work again, I went to Marshall Motors with a partial down-payment that we agreed to work out in 2 installments.
When I purchased the vehicle, (a 1992 chevy astro van), in March. I've had nothing but problems with the vehicle since inception and Marshall Motors will not let me drive my vehicle and is asking me to pay off the principle balance of $4000 in order to get it back. I am only $235 behind on my payment as of 8/23/08. Since acquiring the car, I've had to constantly repair it.
Within the 1st 24 hrs, the van stopped working. The van stalled while going through an intersection and with my kids in the car. We almost got hit! I called Marshall Motors and left 3 voicemails, the first stating the van stalled while driving through an intersection, the 2nd to inquire if they can tow the vehicle, the third was about an hour later to restate the issue and to call me first thing in the morning. So, the next day, around 11 AM, I called Marshall Motors, they did not call me, to inquire about getting the car towed and repaired. Jim told me he would call a tow truck within the hour. After 3 hours of waiting, the tow truck arrives. At this time, it was 3pm. Once i got to the dealership, I requested that I get my money back and I will take my business elsewhere. Jim told me that since I signed the contract, I am entitled to pay and not entitled to a refund. So, the "mechanic" in the back of the dealership replaced a connector behind the battery. The vehicle starts, but still does not run well.
3 days later, (easter weekend), the van starts to sputter, backfire and spill antifreeze. I called marshall motors and jim once again suggests that i bring the van in and his "mechanic" would look at it. The "mechanic" pointed out that i needed a new heater hose, but that i would have to pay for it. I told jim that i shouldn't have to pay for it. I only had it for less than 2 weeks. Jim said again that once i drove off of the lot, i am responsible for paying for repairs or i can bring it in and have his "guys" work on the car. Jim's other rebuttal was "these guys are a separate company from marshall motors, so i don't know what they charge". After paying the "mechanic" $60 to trim 2 inches from my existing heater hose, i decided that i will have any other repairs done elsewhere. (the 'mechanic' originally wanted to charge $120).
Since that weekend until last week, I have needed to replace: the water pump, the outlet for the water pump, the distributor cap and rotor, spark plugs and spark plug wires, the return hose for the radiator and reconnected numerous vacuum hoses under the hood. I also had discovered from another shop that someone had unsuccessfully tried to convert the R12 air conditioner to R134a and had damaged the oriphous (phonetic). So, i paid a shop to repair it and the shop also discovered that the previous "mechanic" had not secured the spark plug wires and the insulation was melted off. This was prior to me working on the vehicle. That is when i started doing work on the vehicle myself.
During these last few months, with spending on average $120-$140 for gas on an inefficient vehicle, i contacted BOB, (whom jim and joe always refer to when it comes to payments), and asked him if we can work out a payment modification, because i would be short on payment with all the repairs. Bob also tells me that he can't validate any repairs, but he would work with me on the payments. So, i make the payments that i promise on time and finally am on schedule again.
So, I've had to catch up with rent during this time and had to pay $1700 over the last 3 weeks to catch up with 2 months of rent and I handed Jim $195 of the $420 I was behind on payment and via telephone, Bob tells Jim that if i don't have all $420 to hold the vehicle. I comply and tell Jim I will return 8/29 to pay the remaining amount. Jim says to call Bob. I contacted Bob on Tuesday 8/26 and he tells me that he will contact the "bank" and then call me back. After two days, I call Bob back on 8/27 at around 1030AM and he tells me "the bank pulled a note" on me. I asked what that means and he says in order for me to get the vehicle back, i have to pay off the remaining principle balance of $4000 dollars. I told him that i am only $235 behind on payment and if i pay that, it should be fine. Bob said he would call me back. He hasn't called me back.
I received no noticed of late payment nor have i been given a 30 day notice of repossession if payments are not met, which are part of basic protocol with repossession. All i have received was a generic letter that looks like it was done on microsoft word, containing no balance, not stating how much behind i am, nor what vehicle it is. Also, there is no specific name of the person that signed the document. Just a really bad signature. So, it could be from anyone. They also have affixed on their window that they are a member of the Better Business Bureau. That is also a reason that i purchased the vehicle from them. They are not members of the bbb. I checked.
I spoke with Bob about the poor practice of the dealership and he said that in the last 80 years, no one sends letters forewarning of the repossession. That's crap. He then started being rude to me and said "this conversation is over" and hung up. They feed off of people in bad situations and they have not reported any payments to experian. Their mechanic does not know what he's doing and they are the worst pair of salesmen i've ever seen. Proceed with caution! They are liars and they will wait until you fix the crappy car they sold you and will resell it.
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