A WOMAN who was forced to commute four hours to work after paying for a car that vanished.
Debra Godsey from Rosedale, Maryland, is hoping the company she paid $2,800 to for a used car finally delivers what they promised.
After paying $2,800 for a used car that never materialized, Debra Godsey is left car-less, cash-strapped and fighting for answers[/caption]
It’s also meant she faces a four-hour commute to work[/caption]
According to a report by WMAR-2, the company called Vehicle Veterans was handed the cash with the instruction to find a reliable used car within her budget.
Godsey received photos, emails and texts from the company, but that all stopped in the middle of May when they went silent.
Now, completely car-less and low on cash, Godsey is forced to travel for hours to get to work, leaving her home around 5:30am to reach her job at Arundel Mills mall in neighbouring Hanover by 9:45 am
“I’m catching two buses and the light rail and a lot of walking,” said Godsey.
“I get my steps in, and I’m thankful to be able to do it, but I don’t want this to be my life.”
Godsey has needed a car since February when her old one packed up.
A friend of hers then recommended Maryland-based Vehicle Veterans, LLC, who she researched thoroughly before meeting with them at their office.
She said: “I am looking for that car that Pop Pop or Grandma drove, and unfortunately, they’ve gone to heaven and nobody wants the car.
“But there’s nothing wrong with it. I’m looking for that car.”
She was told by the company that they could find a car within her budget with a clean title and a six-month warranty.
She added: “She said, I saw that older African-Americans were being taken advantage of trying to get a used vehicle.
“I understand if it looks good on the outside, but if you really don’t know the ins and outs, yeah, you can waste your money.”
Godsey then paid a $300 fee on April 1 to get on the broker’s list and the company then sent her photos of cars pre-auction.
“I followed all of their instructions,” Godsey said.
“For the first several weeks, I was getting pictures. You respond to the pictures as to whether you want that vehicle, interested or not.
“They do not go over your budget without your permission.”
Her budget was a firm $2,500, which she sent via Zelle on April 17 – but by mid-May, the texts and emails had stopped.
She also said she had no responses to her calls or messages.
When contacted by reporters, they stated they have up to 5 months to get vehicles for clients and claimed they couldn’t share a copy of Godsey’s contract due to client privacy.
Godsey, though, denies signing one.
Their website also states that they issue refunds after one month if they can’t find a car, although the company later called this a “marketing strategy” and said refund timelines are determined on a “client to client basis.”
When asked if they plan to refund Godsey, they said they would when “everything is sorted out.”
“No, this is not a good moment right now, but it doesn’t have to end like this. The moment can still be good,” said Godsey.
For her, a car would allow her to return to what she loves doing.
“I was a professional driver after retiring from state government,” said Godsey.
She has driven celebrities and even had a profound conversation with William Shatner.
“My joke, sorry husband, my joke is I love driving more than I love my husband, but he knows. He knows I absolutely love driving.
“Maybe you need to get to the airport, you’re a senior.
“No, you can’t afford a lot of the bigger places, but you could afford the chauffeuse – that’s me, and I love it.”
Later, it was revealed that the Maryland Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection Division received a complaint and Godsey plans to file one as well.
She also sent Vehicle Veterans a formal letter requesting a refund.
This followed a message from a broker and part owner with Vehicle Veterans, who said he’s no longer with the company but is trying to make things right – ultimately agreeing to deliver a car to Godsey.
How to spot add-on fees at the dealership
The Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on dealerships that charge buyers unfairly.
However, as many transactions aren’t spotted due to electronically signed documents, many added-on fees aren’t spotted. Here’s how the agency says you can spot them.
- Demand a physical copy of the sales contract or invoice, and read it carefully. Customers aren’t required to pay for add-ons they don’t want, like nitrogen-filled tires, paint protectant, wheel and tire insurance, etc.
- Be sure you understand the total cost, not just the monthly. Make sure the total cost is in writing so you can get an idea of how other fees play into the monthly fee. If it’s different from what you originally agreed on, the dealer may be adding fees.
- Explore your options for financing. First, check with your bank, as they can give better rates on auto loans depending on your credit. Bring a hard copy of your preapproval notice to entice the dealer to meet or beat those terms.
- If you’ve been charged illegally, the FTC encourages you to report it.
Source: FTC
