Posted 6:31pm 8/27/08
(WSB Radio) -- GMAC is suspending a credit line to Bill Heard Chevrolet, a chain of dealerships that has been under fire for shady consumer practices for years. The company is also facing new charges from the state.
An ad from the company running this week promises to pay off trades with big balances. James and Kathy Cullen responded to the advertisement.
The couple owed $12,000 on the 2005 Chevy Malibu they traded. But the dealer did not pay off the Malibu and it was actually repossessed off the Bill Heard lot.
Bill Cloud with the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs tells Channel Two Action News, "We know of a number of consumers that have not had their trade-ins paid for yet."
The state is leveling several new charges of deceptive practices against Bill Heard Chevrolet and they fear the dealer's financial troubles with GMAC will lead to a parade of unpaid trades from deals made over Labor Day.
Bill Heard Chevrolet issued a statement to Channel Two Action News saying, "We are talking actions to address the decision made by GMAC. We have been successful in the business for four decades and we have navigated successfully through challenging economic conditions before."
The company is denying the latest allegations brought by the state.
What others are saying
- the truthHEY! If you think you got ripped off don't blame the salesman because he did to!
- tactictsi remember when they used to throw the customers keys on the roof when they did not agree to a deal!!! I AM NOT JOKING!
- reply to DonnaThe dealership agreed to pay off the trade and they failed to do so. Donna how would you like it if you traded in a car after entering into a good faith agreement with a car dealer and then found you had to make 2 car payments? Sounds like you are are both insensitive and uninformed.
- oh please!how deceptive can a transaction be that is contracted on a LEGAL contract?? People in this like most other situations need to take responsibility for their own actions!! trade information is listed on several documents in a car deal...I mean really! Typical of the governemnt however to WASTE taxpayer dollars on ridiculus allegations from people that change their mind AFTER signing something!
- Worst of the worstLast year I was happy enough to test-drive a Chevy on Heard's lot in Kennesaw which was a convenient location, but I'm so glad that I knew better than to purchase there thanks to info. from friends and the subsequent web search. The staff there was precisely as I'd been warned. I purchased the same model in McDonough from Bellamy Strickland and I'm still very pleased with that transaction. I guess I see it as my OWN bait-and-switch. Take that, Heard!
- bill heardpeople are still buying from bill heard because they have slick salesman who take advantage of nieve people. I hope they get whats comming to them.
- Their RoadAnd to think the gov't named it Bill Heard Parkway down near their dealerships!
- BILL HEARDBecause its possible they are not aware of the issues at hand with Bill Heard,and maybe the customers like chevrolets.Thats why people still buy from Bill Heard.
- Bill Heard ChevroletBoycott this dealership and that in itself will shut 'em down along with their deceptive practices.
- It's TrueI have a friend who works for Bill Heard and anything you've heard is probably true. With a few exceptions, they are staffed from top to bottom with selfish, horrible, ridiculous people. Unfortunately my friend really needs his job.
- Auto DealersWhy do people still buy cars from Bill Heard?
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