My husband and I purchased a car from Victory Motors in Myrtle Beach SC. I was a student at the time and not working. The car we had at the time broke down and left me stranded. At the time my husband had student loans hanging over his head and I did not have a job. Through friends we had heard about Victory Motors being able to get through the student loan issue. (Should have been a RED Flag right there!) So like unsupecting idiots we in a bind went to them. We were financed by Arcadia Transouth. As luck would have it, the car drove okay for a couple of months. Soon we would start having problems with the car. When we went back to the dealer they were no longer in business. We contacted Arcadia Transouth early on about the problems but they quickly let us know it was not their problem.
To make a long story short we ended up putting a new engine in the car, and if the truth be told, I put the engine in the car with money that was supposed to be for my education. My husband fell behind in the payments due to the fact the car didn't have an engine. Arcadia Transouth of course said that they could help. (If any of you out there sent me money for my car then Transouth did)
We started making payments and on occasion I would allow the payment to be electronically pulled from my checking account. I repeat my checking account. The account for the car was in my husbands' name. Well last month (June) I authorized a payment. This month to my surprise another payment had been electronically pulled. Now at first I thought that it had just taken some time for the payment to be pulled. Then after reviewing my June statement I realized that Arcadia Transouth had pulled another payment.
I called to speak with a Ms. Wright who always left messages at my house. Even negotiated a payment out of me to get the account caught up. I spoke with Ms. Wright on 7/8/04 the call quickly escalated because Ms. Wright insisted that my husband authorized the payment. (Out of my account with only my name on it!!!) I demanded that the money be returned because it was taken without my permission. Ms. Wright transferred me to a supervisor to see what she could do. Now I get Ms. Dumbson Ms. Wrights immediate supervisor. This call went no where fast with me calling Ms. Dumbson ignorant because she told me that no one in her company could just pull a payment without the customers consent. I explained that it really didn't matter because my husband was not on my account. She then told me to take it up with my husband because there was nothing they could do. I asked for the corporate office number and was given (704) 676-1488.
When I called this number from my home I was routed back into Ms. Wrights extension. I called from another number and went into the main customer service number and spoke with a Michelle. She researched the account and saw where the notes said that my husband would call back with a payment and make arrangements for another payment. The next section of notes notated that he called to make a payment but no mention of next arrangement HE WOULD CALL BACK! I called Ms. Dumbson back without telling her that I knew what the notes said and she would eventually hang up on me because I demanded my money back. Ms. Dumbson hung up on me because in her words, "she didn't have to discuss anything with me because my name was not on the account and I had no authorization from my husband to have anything to do with his account!" THE IRONY!!!
Arcadia Transouth refused to refund my money which made checks that I did authorize bounce. Oh yeah I forgot the check number that Ms. Wright and Ms. Dumbson said my husband authorized for the July payment was used the day before I had authorized the June payment. Further showing the dishonesty of the company. I filed an Affidavit of Unauthorized or Improper ACH Withdrawal with my bank. My next move is to speak with the State Attorney General here in South Carolina.
I refuse to let Transouth get away with bulling tactics, illegal operating practices, and violations of basic constitutional rights, Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Rona
Columbia, South Carolina
U.S.A.
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