Cherry Hill Triplex
*** Fraud Warning ***
Brought To You By
UsedCarSale.com
No where in the Delaware Valley have we seen so many complaints, lawsuits, and fraud, as we have with those associated with the "Cherry Hill Triplex"!
We have been in the auto business for many years, and are well aware of the "games" most dealers play in the attempt to sell their vehicles. In most cases it is harmless, and we have found most to be honest in the end.
We are also aware, as are the dealers, that most customers are prepared for the "let me talk to the manager" speech (and the like), and are fully prepared for it. Some even look forward to the battle of wits!
In the end, in most cases, the dealer is happy with his profit, and the buyer is happy with his deal. It's business!
But - Then you get a
dealership (or, in this case, a group of dealerships) such as the Cherry Hill
Triplex! After doing a great deal of research, we have found complaints that
go far beyond that which we would consider part of the car business!
Just SOME Of The Complaints We Have Found Are:
Bait And Switch: Cars advertised, but not available. The Cherry Hill Triplex will advertise one vehicle, but when customer comes to buy is told they don't have that vehicle, but have another one. That vehicle is much more expensive, and not at all the deal advertised!
"$8000 - $10000 for ANY trade": We don't think we have to tell you what the problem with that is?!? Cherry Hill Triplex simply adds $8000 - $10,000 to the price of the car the customer wants to purchase.
"Everyone Approved": A very common
advertising slogan. Because of the increasing number of folks with troubled
credit histories, more and more dealers are trying to gather banks that will
accommodate them. Cherry Hill Triplex is simply robbing these customers.
They are playing on the idea that customers with no where else to turn will HAVE
to accept outrageous terms!
Applicants with poor credit scores ARE eligible for
auto loans, but will have to pay a higher interest rate - SIMPLE!
Physical Threats: Customers who catch the salesmen and/or managers "in the act" of bad business practices are routinely threatened.......PHYSICALLY!!
Fraud Buried In Paperwork: Customers reach agreement with salesman, only to have the agreement completely ignored, and the numbers inflated in the fine print of the paperwork. Trade allowances, percentage rates, and purchase price are routinely changed in the dealership's favor. In many cases the unsuspecting customer doesn't realize how he/she has been "robbed" until long after leaving the dealership. By that time, it is too late. Many cases have been documented in which the customer has returned to the Cherry Hill Triplex (sometimes within hours) after catching the "mistakes", only to be told that it was too late...."You signed it, it's your problem".
Absolutely False Claims (LIES) Via Advertising: TO MANY TO MENTION!! The prospective customer would be best served if he/she just ignores all claims made by CHERRY HILL TRIPLEX on its print, and television advertising! Eventually this dealer will be held accountable for all of the fraud committed, but, in the meantime, don't become a victim of this dealership. (You may have good cause to sue in the future, but are not likely to recover any thing close to what you will lose now!)
In Summary
- There are many reputable dealers out there, most of which can even handle
customers whose credit is less then perfect. Don't let a "loud" TV ad, or
fraudulent sales practices cause you to do anything that you will soon regret.
We have found that these "mega dealerships" are in many cases built on the backs
of many unfortunate customers. Look for your neighborhood dealer....the one
without the outrageous claims, and obnoxious TV commercials! These dealers will
be around long after places like the Cherry Hill Triplex is out of business, and
it's owners are doing time.
Whether you purchase a
vehicle from a seller on UsedCarSale.com,
or somewhere else, we strongly suggest that you don't purchase so much as
a Pepsi from the CHERRY HILL TRIPLEX!
Remember: "If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is"!
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Attorney General Farber
and Consumer Affairs Sue Camden County Auto Dealerships
NEWARK – The Attorney General’s Office and Division of Consumer Affairs have sued a company operating car dealerships in Camden County , alleging the company violated the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act and related regulations as well as a 2001 settlement agreement with the State. Foulke Management Corporation, owned by Charles W. Foulke Jr., does business as “Cherry Hill Triplex” and operates Cherry Hill Dodge, Cherry Hill Jeep Eagle, Cherry Hill Kia, Cherry Hill Mitsubishi and Mt. Ephraim Chrysler/Dodge. Among other things, Foulke Management Corporation engaged in a marketing campaign with the advertising pitches “$8,000 GUARANTEED FOR YOUR TRADE,” “no credit check” and “you instantly qualify, regardless of your credit.” The State’s complaint, filed in Superior Court in Camden County , alleges that Foulke Management Corporation violated the Consumer Fraud Act, Motor Vehicle Advertising Regulations, Used Car Lemon Law and Used Car Lemon Law Regulations as well as the provisions of the Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (“AVC”) entered into with Consumer Affairs in April 2001. “This company allegedly advertised great deals that, in reality, were not available at its dealerships,” Attorney General Zulima V. Farber said. “This was a typical bait and switch operation. We will not tolerate such deceptive practices.” Consumer Affairs has received more than 100 consumer complaints from Cherry Hill Triplex customers to date. The alleged violations committed by Foulke Management Corporation at its dealerships include:
In 2001, under the Assurance of Voluntary Compliance with Consumer Affairs, the company agreed to pay a $40,000 penalty and pledged to operate lawfully. “These car dealerships promised to take the high road in dealing with customers but the volume of complaints we’ve received tell another story,” said Kimberly Ricketts, Consumer Affairs Director. “We expect an open and honest transaction when a consumer spends thousands of dollars on a new or used vehicle.” The State is seeking enhanced civil penalties because of Foulke Management Corporation’s alleged violation of the 2001 AVC. In addition to penalties, the State is seeking restitution for consumers, reimbursement of its costs and fees and appointment of a receiver. Consumers may file complaints against Foulke Management Corporation by calling Consumer Affairs at 800-242-5846 (within New Jersey ) or at 973-504-6200. Complaint forms are available online at http://www.njconsumeraffairs.com Deputy Attorney General Brian M. Brennan is representing the State in this matter. |
A senior citizen with disabilities from Falls has sued a New Jersey car dealership, claiming its sales staff tricked him into buying a car for nearly twice its value
Kenneth Hammel, 77, and his lawyers say the Cherry Hill Triplex car dealership pulled a bait-and-switch scheme in which a salesman sold him one car with known problems, then sold him another one for more money when he returned for repairs.
“This is a gentleman who is very vulnerable,” said Hammel's attorney, Craig Thor Kimmel. “He comes across as a trusting man, who perhaps isn't as attentive to the details these days. He had no chance against the experts.”
Hammel, a retired union carpenter, said Monday that he's angry.
“They gave me a rough time down there,” he said. “I wish that I never went there.”
Kimmel filed the suit for Hammel last week in Bucks County court. Kimmel's law firm is known for representing consumers, especially in car dispute cases.
Hammel went to the Cherry Hill dealership on Dec. 20 to trade in his 2000 Chrysler Town & Country for a new car that could fit his wheelchair lift, the suit states. Hammel was attracted to the dealership by a TV advertisement promising $8,000 for any trade-in, the lawsuit said.
The suit states that Hammel dealt with three or four salesmen during his 12 hours at the dealership. At the end of the day, Hammel agreed to buy a used 2005 silver Kia Sedona, the suit said.
Before running a credit check or disclosing the purchase price, the salesman wanted a $4,000 deposit and accompanied Hammel to his bank to make the withdrawal, the suit said. The price was $23,940.78 — $700 more than the suggested retail price of the minivan, according to the lawsuit.
The next day, Hammel's suit said, he discovered problems with the car. Those included the dealership's improper installation of the wheelchair lift he provided, the suit said. Someone at the dealership told him to bring back the van for repairs in three weeks, according to the lawsuit.
When Hammel returned to get his car, a salesman presented him with a used beige — not silver — 2005 Sedona and claimed it was the same car he dropped off, according to the suit. The salesman also said he had to fill out more paperwork and asked for his ATM card as a credit reference.
The lawsuit stated that the salesman then acknowledged the beige car wasn't the same one Hammel had bought, and that, in fact, the initial purchase never went through. Hammel was then told he had to sign more paperwork.
The suit said Hammel later realized the dealership had traded in the silver car he purchased a few weeks earlier, subtracted $8,000 for depreciation and rolled that into a new purchase price of $42,662.92 —$18,000 more than the other used car.
“I don't even make that much in a year,” Hammel said. “Ten years, I should say.”
The dealership also used his ATM card, without permission, to withdraw an additional $2,000, the lawsuit stated.
Cherry Hill Triplex on Route 70 is comprised of Cherry Hill Dodge, Cherry Hill Jeep, Cherry Hill Kia and Cherry Hill Mitsubishi. Dodge and Jeep are part of the Chrysler Group. Dealership representatives didn't return phone calls for comment Monday.
On its Web site, the company calls itself the largest triplex of dealerships in the United States. The Web site says, “Our success and growth over the years has been made possible only because of our commitment to customer service.”
In March, New Jersey's attorney general sued Triplex parent company Foulke Management Corp., claiming it violated the Consumer Fraud Act, lemon law regulations and advertising laws.
The suit claimed the dealer, among other things: didn't honor its guarantee of $8,000 for each trade-in vehicle; used bait-and-switch practices to sell vehicles for more than advertised; and failed to disclose that a vehicle had been damaged and subsequently repaired.
That lawsuit is pending.
Mike Bannon, director of Bucks County Consumer Protection, said his office has received no complaints about Cherry Hill Triplex. But his counterparts in Camden County have received a number of complaints, he said.
“It is a very sad story,” Bannon said. “It's always sad when this kind of thing happens.”
Bannon said consumers should first and foremost bring a family member or friend with them when buying a car. They should always take their time and read the fine print.
“It's difficult when people are trying to trick you,” he said. “The devil is in the paperwork here.”
CAMDEN
The company operating Cherry Hill Triplex and several other Camden County auto dealerships is charged with consumer fraud in a suit filed Monday in Superior Court here.
The state Attorney General and the Division of Consumer Affairs accuses Foulke Management Corporation with violating the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act and related regulations connected to the sale, lease and advertisement of new and used motor vehicles.
To date, Cherry Hill Triplex customers have filed more than 100 consumer complaints, according to a press release issued Tuesday by the state Office of the Attorney General.
The state is seeking restitution for consumers, reimbursement of its costs and fees, penalties and appointment of a receiver.
Foulke operates as Cherry Hill Triplex and manages Cherry Hill Dodge, Cherry Hill Jeep Eagle, Cherry Hill Kia, Cherry Hill Mitsubishi and Mount Ephraim Chrysler/Dodge.
Attorney for Foulke, Carmen Saginario of the law firm Capehart & Scatchard, did not immediately return a Courier-Post phone call requesting comment on Tuesday.
The state alleges Foulke engaged in a marketing campaign with false advertising pitches such as: "$8,000 guaranteed for your trade," "no credit check," and "you instantly qualify, regardless of your credit."
The Division of Consumer Affairs accused Foulke previously. In 2001, the division charged the company with violations of the Consumer Fraud Act, the Consumer Protection Leasing Act, and the Federal Odometer Disclosure statute.
Without admitting liability at that time, Foulke agreed to pay $40,000 and pledged to operate lawfully.
Now, the state is seeking enhanced civil penalties because of the prior accusation.