Complaint Review: Modern Automotive LLC - Spartanburg SC

I went to Modern Automotive LLC to get a vehicle to drive back and forth to work. They were only able to get me into a 2005 Mustang Convertible through Buy Here Pay Here program. At the time of test drive everything seemed good with the vehicle except the motor for the convertible top, the trunk latch was sticking, a ticking in the motor and a major ant infestation problem. My salesman Dave and the Finance Manager (also the business owner) Paul (Justin) Gibson stated that those are all issue that their mechanic can resolve after the purchase of the vehicle was completed. So, we sat down signed the paperwork and for $500 down with full coverage insurance requiring $500 deductibles, the vehicle was mine. After driving the vehicle for a few hours, the radio died and the odometer jumped 200 miles in just 14 miles of driving.

We scheduled a date for the mechanic to look at the vehicle however, the dealership wouldn't tell me the mechanic's name, location or certifications and wouldn't allow me to drive to his shop. They said I would have to bring the vehicle to the dealership and someone from the dealership would drive the vehicle to and back again from the mechanic. At that point, I started to become suspicious and skipped out on the appointment.

I took the vehicle to Fiat and had it appraised to try and get into something more reliable and they stated the car was only worth at most $1,200. Well, I knew at the time of signing I was shown a document from NADA that had the vehicle appraised at $5,100. I went to NADA and researched myself. The NADA has guidelines to show which category a vehicle will appraise for. Modern Automotive had the vehicle listed under "clean retail" which was far from the truth. The vehicle having all the mechanical issues, non-working stereo, cosmetic problems such as torn seats, the power controls were held on by zip ties, the center console was split in two and all the writing was rubbed off the vehicle controls as well as the steering wheel deteriorating, is only worth to NADA under "average trade-in" for $2,550.

When I called Geico to put the insurance on the vehicle and have BG Finance LLC listed as the lien holder, Geico told me they never heard of BG Finance, never done business with them in the past and they weren't even coming up in a Google search. BG Finance is the company that Modern Automotive utilizes to finance Buy Here Pay Here. Turns out both companies are owned by Justin Gibson and his wife Barbara Gibson. 

I feel that I have been scammed into this vehicle and now having to pay a total of $8,457.93 over the lifetime of the 28% APR loan.

Below is research I've conducted into the businesses and their addresses owned by Gibson. I also feel that there may be some financial wrongdoing or fraud in this matter and it should be investigated by law enforcement. I've made a report to the SC Department of Consumer Affairs and they have already approved the case and are moving forward to try and negotiate with the dealership. Unsuccessful negotiations will go to court. 

Justin Gibson has already agreed on 9/19/18 via text message to return the vehicle and refund the moeny I had already invested. Since that time he has taken that offer off the table.

Modern Automotive LLC owned by Paul Justin Gibson with a registered address of 102 Turnberry Dr. Spartanburg, SC 29306 (Residence owned by Paul Justin Gibson confirmed by County Tax Records) was created on 07/18/2018.

Spartanburg Auto Mall LLC owned by Barbara Gibson with a registered address of 143 Harvin St. Spartanburg, SC 29303 (Residence owned by Barbara A Gibson confirmed by County Tax Records) was created on 04/09/2018.

AC Finance LLC owned by Paul J. Gibson with a registered address of 402A McCravy Dr. Spartanburg, SC 29303 (Business Car Lot named Auto Center of Spartanburg LLC) was created 08/04/2011 and dissolved on 06/06/2018.

Auto Center of Spartanburg LLC owned by Justin Gibson with a registered address of 330 Carleton Cir. Spartanburg, SC 29301 (Residence owned by Paul M Gibson and Gibsons Financial Holdings LLC) was created on 06/01/2011 and dissolved on 06/06/2018.

BG Finance LLC was owned by Barbara Anne Gibson with a registered address of 205 John B White Sr Blvd. Spartanburg, SC 29306 was created on 01/12/2017 originally known as BGibson LLC and had a name change to BG Finance LLC on 05/07/2018.

Gibson's Financial Holdings LLC is owned by Paul M Gibson with a registered address of 489 W. Main St. Spartanburg, SC 29301 (Business Gas Station QuikTrip) was created 01/12/2000.