TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – A Tucson car dealership has been issued a cease and desist order after a customer filed a complaint with the Arizona Department of Transportation.
It all stems from a used car purchase and the dealership’s failure to resolve the title issues in a timely manner.
13 News broke the story about the state’s investigation and since then, even more customers have come forward.
We have been flooded with viewer emails and news tips about questionable business practices at Quebedeaux Buick-GMC of Tucson.
Additional Quebedeaux customers describe a pattern of quick trade flips, title trouble, and expired tags.
Quebedeaux customer Matthew Guy showed us the initial temporary plate he was given.
“They gave me this one first. Then the one in the back that’s the second. And then they’re going to give me a new one.”
Another Quebedeaux customer Miguel Florez said, “I went through two 30-day temp plates, and two 90-day plates. And two of them, I paid for.”
Nessa Anderson, another Quebedeaux customer said, “One of the financial managers I spoke to said, ‘You know we sell 500 cars a month and if we only mess up on two, those are pretty good odds.’”
Under state law, dealerships have 30 days to get information to the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division for proper titling and registration.
But the Quebedeaux customers we talked to waited much longer.
Florez, who lives in Oracle said he waited nearly eight months for a clear title.
Quebedeaux sold him a 2015 Ford Explorer two years ago.
He says it came with multiple speeding tickets and a lien from the previous owner.
“And they basically were like, ‘We’re trying to contact the guy to see if he can just pay those off,’” said Florez.
After seeing our report, Florez filed a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
13 News obtained a copy of Quebedeaux’s response from Aug. 4.
Quebedeaux’s general sales manager Cisco Gonzales wrote, “These types of delays are rare but can happen when there are unresolved issues tied to prior ownership. We regret that he was caught in that delay and had to take extra steps on his end.”
Quebedeaux sent Florez a $100 check for out-of-pocket expenses related to the extended tags he paid for.
Adding to his dissatisfaction, Florez said the vehicle didn’t come with a warranty, and after two years, it no longer runs.
Navy veteran Kiamesha Guy from Casa Grande and her son Matthew are experiencing similar title delays.
After the initial 45-day temporary plate expired in July, Guy called the MVD to check the status of her registration. She learned still not the legal owner of their 2012 Chevy Camaro.
“I said, can you at least tell us if it’s registered to the dealership?,” she said. “They were like, ‘It is not’.”
In Arizona, dealerships are not supposed to sell used vehicles until they have a certificate of title for it. It’s the law.
On July 16, Quebedeaux was issued a cease and desist order from ADOT after selling a Yukon with a lien to a woman in Wisconsin. Click here to view the story or watch in the player below.
Quebedeaux’s Chief Financial Officer called 13 News on July 29, the day after our first investigation aired.
We set up a date and time for an interview and showed up for the appointment.
But almost as soon as we sat down, Basilio Gonzales decided against doing an on-camera interview.
When told we were doing the story regardless of his participation, Gonzalez said he’d consider providing a statement in writing and answering our questions via email.
10 days later, a Phoenix law firm representing Quebedeaux provided a statement.
“As you were informed, our client will not consent to an on-camera interview,” the law firm wrote. “I can assure you, however, that it is taking this matter very seriously and is committed to taking the necessary steps to improve its policies and procedures to prevent similar situations.”
Guy, meanwhile, filed her own report with the Attorney General.
13 News obtained a copy of Quebedeaux’s Aug. 4 response.
Gonzales wrote, “We spoke with Ms. Guy and truly appreciate her understanding and patience while we worked on resolving this matter. We’re pleased to share that as of today, the title has been transferred into her name.”
Nessa Anderson bought a 2019 Toyota Tundra in May.
She said it was on the Quebedeaux lot for just three days, and it took Quebedeaux more than two months to get her title paperwork submitted to the MVD.
Anderson credits 13 News for calling attention to what she calls a pattern of delays.
“Absolutely, I think that poor woman in Wisconsin reaching out to you guys gave me the courage to come forward,” she said. “You realize, this is not just happening to me, this is happening to other people.”
ADOT recommends customers ask for a copy of the title to verify the owner’s information and make sure it’s clean.
Cross-check it with the MVD before handing over any money, and don’t be afraid to walk away if the deal seems rushed or too good to be true. Click here for additional tips from ADOT.
Why would a dealership sell a used car it doesn’t own, and with a lien on it from the previous owner?
13 News talked with insiders in the automotive industry who said this is an issue that dealerships go through from time to time.
In some cases, it’s a legitimate mistake; other times, we’re told employees skirt the law to meet sales numbers or to earn financial incentives.
If you’re a car buyer and suspect fraud, report it.
In addition to the AG’s office, Florez and Guy filed complaints with ADOT’s fraud hotline.
We’ll let you know if further action is taken against Quebedeaux.
To contact the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) click here.
To file a consumer complaint with the Arizona Attorney General’s office, click here.
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