I purchased a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle from Genny and Keith Poteet in Pineville, Louisiana last August. I was informed by Keith Poteet that the only thing wrong with the car was that the inside roof upholstery (bonnet) needed to be re-installed and that the center console was cracked.
I paid approximately $26,000 (including tax and shipping) for this vehicle. When I received the vehicle, it didn't even run. I brought an extra battery just in case and the driver who delivered the car helped me install it. I then limped home with the car.
The following day I took my "new" car to be washed. After that I went for a ride. I took the car on the freeway and opened her up. I wanted to see how she ran at high speeds.
I then noticed the temperature gauge shoot up and saw steam coming out of the engine compartment. I limped the car into a local repair shop. They gave me some bad news.
They told me that the fan belt was broken. They also told me that the pulley system was bent down, indicating that the car had a front-end collision and had never been properly repaired. The fan housing was also cracked.
They did a band-aid repair, enough for me to get my car to my mechanic. I then drove my car to my mechanic. My mechanic gave me more bad news. I had noticed earlier that this car, which has a huge V-8,350 horsepower engine, had little acceleration power.
My mechanic pulled off the air cleaner and sprayed some temporary sealant on the carburetor. He informed me there was a vacuum leak and that I would possibly need a new carburetor. He told me to leave the car with him and he would get back to me.
Incidentally, I am very good friends with my mechanic. I went to high school with him and have known him most of my life. I trust him completely. I know he was telling me the truth.
After a couple days, my mechanic called me and had some really bad news. He had found the following problems: The brakes needed to be replaced, the emergency brake did not work, the fuel gauge did not work - continued
The speedometer did not work, the backup lights did not work, the master cylinder was bad, the radiator was shot, all belts and hoses were shot, the core support needed to be replaced, the car was completely rusted out underneath a shoddy paint job, there was an undercoating sprayed on the undercarriage which hid rust.
My mechanic also told me that the car had a ton of bondo (a substance which is used to fill holes and scratches on a car in lieu of fixing these things the proper way by welding, etc.) He also said that the car had been in several accidents.
My mechanic did what he could. I ended up paying him $5,500 in repairs. I checked the progress on my car every other day for a month, so I know what he was doing and how long it took. I am now over $30,000 into this vehicle.
I then took the vehicle to my friend's auto body shop. This man is another person I have known for years and trust completely. I asked him what it would take to make this car right. He told me to light it on fire and drive it over a cliff.in other words, he said this car was beyond redemption.
He took a look at the car. He told me that the floor pans were completely rusted out. He took a look inside the engine compartment and told me that the engine compartment would have to be completely replaced. He told me that a ton of bondo and seam sealer were used to hide the rust in the doorjambs and under the rear bumper.
Finally, before I purchased the car I asked Keith Poteet where the car originated. He told me it was a "southern car, that it was from Arkansas." He also refused to send me a picture of the undercarriage. When I received the pink slip for the car, it said it was from Michigan. Cars from northern states are notoriously riddled with rust. I would never have bought this car if I knew it was from Michigan.
I then contacted Genny Poteet. I told her what had happened. She offered to try to sell the car for me. She told me to feel free to contact her any time I wanted.indeed, she put the car on her website for sale ($18,000) I spoke to her intermittently over the next few weeks. Then I got the "brush off" and she would no longer accept my phone calls.
My only recourse now is to try to prevent others from purchasing vehicles from this company. I hope I can prevent others from making the same mistakes I did. I admit I was completely naive to believe I would get a quality vehicle. Thank you for reading this.
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