HELP !!!! - THE AUTO COLLECTION - PA | FerrariChat
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HELP !!!! - THE AUTO COLLECTION - PA

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by lawwdog, Nov 21, 2005.

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  1. lawwdog

    lawwdog Formula 3

    Dec 4, 2002
    1,178
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Mario
    #1 lawwdog, Nov 21, 2005
    I need some help from anyone who lives near this dealership.


    Long story made short.

    I made an offer to purchase a 95 355B at this store www.theautocollection.net

    The offer was of course contingent on a PPI. I sent a $2500 Refundable deposit along with a signed agreement/contract with the PPI contingency clearly marked.

    The car was sent over to Ferrari of Central NJ for a PPI. They were the nearest dealer almost 3 hours away.

    The owner of the store Bobby - AKA Robert !!! WAS quick to answer the phone, return calls, set-up the PPI, deliver the car etc.

    The PPI showed major C-pillar cracks, RUST on the door sills and Major craked front nose with Overspray galore...YADA YADA.

    I passed on the car and Bobby/Robert Apologized about not disclosing it and he didn't know what a C-pillar crack was when I asked Yada Yada.

    No hard feelings. I paid for the PPI and the Refund would be back on the Way to California.

    14 Phone calls later and Now 1 week...I have nothing.

    The Ferrari is still at the dealer and I have instructed them to not release it since I have a paid $2500 interest in the car. They agree and assure me the car will not go until I say.

    I just want my money back !!!!!

    Anyone know this place...can anyone take a trip there for me? Can anyone brake legs ? !!!!!!!!

    I'm frustrated as all hell and I have every protection via contract, check, etc. I hate this B.S. I want my money back

    Let me know....

    Mario

    P.S. I posted this in the PA Section but I want as many people as possible to steer clear of this car and dealer !!!!!!!
     
  2. ferrarigtofan

    ferrarigtofan Formula Junior
    BANNED

    Sep 26, 2005
    510
    USA
    #2 ferrarigtofan, Nov 21, 2005
    How did you pay? If by credit card, file a chargeback request. I am guessing you sent a check however, based on your saying you "sent" the money. Has your check cleared? If not, stop payment.

    Let's suppose your check has cleared, I'd call the police in the town the dealership is in and speak to a detective. They will probably tell you it is civil matter, but I would contend that the money was stolen and push to speak to the Chief of Police if they brush you aside, and that will probably get them to make a phone call for you.

    The dealer maybe assuming you are across the country, you will not hire a lawyer to recoop $2500. Calling the police is free, worst thing they can do is say no, and I'd call them daily until they said yes to get rid of me.
     
  3. lawwdog

    lawwdog Formula 3

    Dec 4, 2002
    1,178
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Mario
    #3 lawwdog, Nov 21, 2005
    I did in fact send a check - The check has cleared.

    He did not have a credit card machine to take the deposit.

    I have not yet contacted the police - my knoweldge of the law is that this is in fact a civil matter like you said. Maybe it's good to talk to their fraud unit. I don't know.

    To enforce the contract and re-coup my $2500 it may/may not be worth hiring counsel. After all, this would be a small claims issue here in California, I don't PA law.

    thanks for the ideas though.

    mario
     
  4. jungathart

    jungathart Guest

    Jun 11, 2004
    3,376
    NoVA, AmeriKa
    Full Name:
    Komrade Jung
    #4 jungathart, Nov 21, 2005
    Hope you get your money back. I wish you had been suspicious when they said they had no credit card machine. :(
     
  5. lawwdog

    lawwdog Formula 3

    Dec 4, 2002
    1,178
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Mario
    #5 lawwdog, Nov 21, 2005
    Me too. But the transaction was really text book up until the PPI failed. I had not one reason to feel leary at all.

    thanks for your support.

    Mario
     
  6. ferrarigtofan

    ferrarigtofan Formula Junior
    BANNED

    Sep 26, 2005
    510
    USA
    #6 ferrarigtofan, Nov 21, 2005
    It costs you nothing to be a pest to his police department, to get rid of you they will call him if you are polite but persistant. Stand your ground and insist it is criminal theft reguardless of their assessment of the law. If the police become combative, inform them you are willing to contact the county prosecutor and the state's attorney general if needed. Basically you are in a gray area and if you let the police be lazy they probably will, but if they realize you are not going away easy they will make a five minute phone call and that may just scare the guy enough to refund your money.
     
  7. lawwdog

    lawwdog Formula 3

    Dec 4, 2002
    1,178
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Mario
    #7 lawwdog, Nov 21, 2005
    Good Idea....

    I will research who the local PD is in Exeter PA tomorrow morning.

    Mario
     
  8. whturner

    whturner Formula Junior

    Nov 25, 2003
    315
    Western Pennsylvania
    Full Name:
    Warren Turner
    #8 whturner, Nov 22, 2005
    Could the Post Office be involved? A postal inspector can do wonders just by inquiring! It did once for me.
     
  9. Fred2

    Fred2 F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 2, 2005
    18,189
    nj
    #9 Fred2, Nov 22, 2005
    It would not hurt to tell the bank that you still want to stop payment on the check.
     
  10. M.James

    M.James F1 Rookie

    Jun 6, 2003
    2,721
    Worcester, MA
    Full Name:
    Michael.C.James
    #10 M.James, Nov 22, 2005
    Hehehe.....I'd have the PPI inspectors just ship you the car, on your dime of course.....then you can tell the Auto Collection that the car is now sitting in your driveway. I'll bet they'll answer the phone PDQ when they find out their car is in CA and not PA.....
     
  11. lawwdog

    lawwdog Formula 3

    Dec 4, 2002
    1,178
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Mario
    #11 lawwdog, Nov 23, 2005
    THANK YOU FIRST !!!!!

    EC308 - I owe you BIG TIME !!!! Your connection got me $2200 or my $2500 back.
    Robert from the Auto Collection has avoided my 21 phone calls over a 10 day period. Your connection got him on the phone in 20 seconds and Got him to wire the money into my account.

    ONE BIG ROUND FOR EC308.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Everyone else thanks for the ideas. Ultimately...EC308 made it happen.

    Update:

    Robert from the Auto Collection has decided to keep $300 of my $2500 refundable deposit for a "transportation fee." This came from his bank. Robert will not answer the phone let alone return messages.

    I still have the car in lock down at Ferrari of Central NJ. Raplh Bencivenga has been the most cooperative and I highly recommend him if ANYONE needs a PPI done. Ralph saved my ASS when I asked him to send over digital photos. He knew he did not want a phone later after the car showed up here in California. Rust, C-Pillar Cracks, yada yada..

    If anyone is considering this Ferrari of doing business with THE AUTO COLLECTION AND ROBERT - STAY AWAY AND RUN !!!!!!!

    I am a business man and believe in holding to a word. This is not the case with that establishment and I do not want anyone to go through the B. S. I have had to go through. If not for this Forum and EC308...I was on a Plane to PA to p/u that Ferrari and store in a Storage Facility until I received the money.

    Thanks again everyone.

    Mario
     
  12. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 30, 2003
    18,067
    Savannah
    #12 thecarreaper, Nov 23, 2005


    sorry to read about this.

    and thank you for sharing. i am " on the hunt " for another car and i will NOT buy from these guys , thats for sure !!! hats off to the PPI guys!
     
  13. lawwdog

    lawwdog Formula 3

    Dec 4, 2002
    1,178
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Mario
    #13 lawwdog, Nov 23, 2005
    By the way...

    Total Lost on this little Venture:

    $395.00 Ferrari of Central NJ - PPI
    $21.50 Fed-Ex for Deposit Check
    $300.00 Robert's charge that he pulled out of his ARSE !!!!


    Total Gained -

    $67,783.00 Still in My Account !!!!!!!
     
  14. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
    10,142
    Orange County, CA
    #14 SrfCity, Nov 23, 2005
    Have the dealer charge Robert for a $300 storage charge before releasing the car so you can get your money back ;)
     
  15. riverflyer

    riverflyer F1 Rookie

    Nov 26, 2003
    3,583
    Mendocino, Ca
    Full Name:
    John
    #15 riverflyer, Nov 23, 2005
    Great thinking!


    Mario, sorry to hear this guy is causing so much frustration but this exposure will certainly cost him more than $300!!, and you saved the big number. Glad for that.

    Rob, how about a section for feedback for ferrari shops and tradespeople??
    Would be a great resource and save a lot of time and headaches for everyone.
     
  16. Dcup

    Dcup F1 Veteran

    Jan 3, 2005
    8,645
    Between 2 Implants
    Full Name:
    Claude Balls
    #16 Dcup, Nov 24, 2005
    you want me to go theri and kick someones ass ????
     
  17. jungathart

    jungathart Guest

    Jun 11, 2004
    3,376
    NoVA, AmeriKa
    Full Name:
    Komrade Jung
    #17 jungathart, Nov 24, 2005
    LawDog.
    I am glad your story has a happy ending.

    I wonder if we should create an ongoing post of dealerships to avoid based on members' bad experiences with them??
     
  18. whturner

    whturner Formula Junior

    Nov 25, 2003
    315
    Western Pennsylvania
    Full Name:
    Warren Turner
    #18 whturner, Nov 24, 2005
    Good Idea. Might have to be careful to avoid legal problems - but I notice E-Bay and many others rank various suppliers and merchants in several ways. It looks like they stay out of trouble by merely listing the number of complaints or bad reviews, without taking sides on the particular issue. Just reporting!.

    Cheers
    Warren
     
  19. jungathart

    jungathart Guest

    Jun 11, 2004
    3,376
    NoVA, AmeriKa
    Full Name:
    Komrade Jung
    #19 jungathart, Nov 24, 2005
    Warren,
    good to see your posts. looks like we'll have to wait until
    Spring to get together!
    I'm having snow tires put on the ol' SAAB tomorrow. :(
     
  20. Ducman491

    Ducman491 Formula 3

    Apr 9, 2004
    1,591
    Mentor OH
    Full Name:
    Jason
    #20 Ducman491, Nov 24, 2005
    What did Ferrari of NJ have in stock. I think their cooperation should at least be considered. Glad things went well for you.
     
  21. Tomf-1

    Tomf-1 F1 Rookie

    Jan 17, 2004
    4,528
    Leawood KS/ South FL
    Full Name:
    Thomas
    #21 Tomf-1, Nov 24, 2005

    excellent point. their conduct is a good testament of their integrity and warrants purchase consideration. sorry you had to experience this but i am glad everything worked out to your satisfaction.

    bst rgds,
     
  22. ghost

    ghost F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Dec 10, 2003
    10,046
    Singapore
    #22 ghost, Nov 24, 2005
    Ferrari of CENTRAL New Jersey (as they are known) is a top quality shop.

    Give a call to Chris Miele ("mee lee"), who is the head sales guys there to talk about inventory. Last I checked they didn't have any 355's on the floor, but they always have customers turning their cars in for trade, etc., so you never know.

    Tell 'em Vik sent ya.

    Good luck.
     
  23. Easyrider7467

    Easyrider7467 Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2005
    980
    Northen N.J.
    Full Name:
    John
    #23 Easyrider7467, Nov 24, 2005
    Man that shyt angers me. People like that are scum, being polite. I just added them to my "Stay Clear Of" list
     
  24. lawwdog

    lawwdog Formula 3

    Dec 4, 2002
    1,178
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Mario
    #24 lawwdog, Nov 24, 2005

    Excellent Idea !!!!

    I was going to have Robert Make the Check out to Ralph Bencivenga and for his troubles...have Ralph keep it.
     
  25. lawwdog

    lawwdog Formula 3

    Dec 4, 2002
    1,178
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Mario
    #25 lawwdog, Nov 24, 2005
    Thanks everyone.

    I want this thread to be a permanent record for anyone considering doing business with The AutoCollection and Robert.

    more importantly though.... I want this to be a sign of the good.

    Good people make good situations. All those I gave thanks to desearve it.
     
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