Complaint Review: Desert Motorsports

In early January Pauline Johnson asked me to co-sign a loan for a
motorcycle for her roommate Jerry Petrovich. I refused.

On Feb 3, 2000 my father Dr. John Williamson passed away after suffering from metastatic bladder cancer. Shortly thereafter, I was prescribed medication for depression. During this time I was again approached and asked to co-sign the loan. I agreed to accompany Mr. Petrovich to Desert Motorsports only.

At the end of February or beginning of March I met with a sales person at Desert Motorsports who filled out paperwork for what I believed was a credit check. I believed that Pauline Johnson had already filled out the application as the primary borrower. I asked the sales person if any of this would show up on my credit report and was told that it would not. I was not given a copy of any documents.

On March 18, 2000 Jerry's roommate Corey Fischer contacted me and told me he needed to come over with some loan documents because Desert Motorsports wanted to change the loan around. About 15 minutes after contacting me, Corey Fischer arrived at my home with a sales person from Desert Motorsports. In the presence of the Desert Motorsports sales person I made statements that clearly indicated that I thought the paperwork I was signing was for Jerry Petrovich's loan. The sales agent
made no effort to correct this mis-perception. I was never given a copy of any documents I signed that day. I later learned that the paperwork was for a $30,000 motorcycle.

On April 14, 2000 I received a payment voucher from Harley Davidson Credit for $573.05. I contacted Harley-Davidson Credit and learned for the first time that I had "purchased" a Big Dog Vintage 2000.

On April 17, 2000 I went to Desert Motorsports and spoke to Matt
Chiappetta, the store manager, and explained that my signature on any loan documents associated with the purchase of the Big Dog was obtained based on misrepresentations, that I had not received copies of any documents, and that the sales person had assisted in committing fraud. Mr. Chiappetta responded by saying that he could always say that he had given me a copy of the loan contract and that it would be his word against mine.

On April 19, 2000 I signed a voluntary repossession agreement since I was not in possession of the motorcycle.

On July 5, 2000 I received notice that the Big Dog had sold for $16,150 which is $14,890 less than the loan amount and that Harley-Davidson Credit was holding me responsible for the deficiency balance.

On August 22, 2000 I received a notice that the motorcycle purchased by Mr. petrovich was late. I contacted the finance company and obtained a copy of the loan documents from Conseco finance. I learned that my signature on the Consumer Application had been forged. The forgery was witnessed by "MC" which presumably stands for Matt Chiappetta. In addition, the application does not contain an accurate drivers license
number or expiration date, my employer name and annual salary are wrong, and it is dated on a day when I worked every hour that the store was open. In fact, Conseco Finance has issued a buyback to Desert Motorsports for the full amount of the loan because their legal team determined that my signature was forged either by someone at Desert Motorsports or with the knowledge and assistance of someone at Desert Motorsports.

I then obtained a copy of the Credit Application from Harley-Davidson Credit and learned that my signature on this application was also forged.

At least two documents that support the sales of vehicles for over $40,000 contain forged signatures. I believe that the sales staff at Desert Motorsports knowingly perpetuated this fraud for the purpose of selling a vehicle at an inflated price to a third party without his knowledge or consent.

This illegal conduct by employees at Desert Motorsports has led to me being potentially responsible for the deficiency balance of $14, 890 on the Big Dog Vintage as well as potential harm to my credit. I allowed a salesperson from Desert Motorsports into my home so he could fraudulently induce me to sign paperwork for a $30,000 loan when he knew that I had not been in the store previously to sign a credit application for this amount. I have spent countless hours documenting this fraud and trying to get it resolved.

I contacted the better business bureau and spoke to Jeanette Carter. She informed me that the company has been a member since May 1999. Mark Tkach is the registered member. Desert Motorsports has a satisfactory rating. I asked if there were any complaints against them and was told that they have a record of responding to any complaints. I asked again if this meant that there were any other complaints and I was advised that I would need a court order to get copies of any complaints.

Thanks,

Jack
Glendale, Arizona

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Desert Motorsports

STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, it's paid for!