Complain about a product or service

J.D. Byrider

This organization franchises used car dealers around the country. On its recruitment Web site, it waxes poetic about its vision, which it describes as: "Build a national chain of used car sales and sub prime finance dealerships that consistently meets or exceeds the expectations of our customers, associates, and franchise partners." Maybe, but we're not sure the Kentucky Attorney General would agree.

Robert of St. Louis (1/28/04):
I test drove a 1997 Pontiac Bonneville on January 3, 2004 at J.D. Byrider, 4101 Chippewa, St. Louis. After test driving the car I ran a Blue Book value on the vehicle. The Blue Book value was $5810.00. I went back to the dealer and asked the price and was told by Steve it was $5295.00 with $1000.00 Down. That's when the trouble began.

First without my knowledge they jacked the price of the vehicle up to $5545.00, a difference of $350.00. Then they told me I would have 2 deferred payments toward the $1500.00 down payment, $500.00 more than was agreed to.

On January 6 I made my first deferred payment of $250.00. January 23 my second deferred payment was due, however after paying the taxes, license fees and insurance I did not have enough money to make that payment. So I called CNAC and spoke to Angie. I told her I would make all payments on the 6th of February, my next pay check.

She told me that there is no grace period and if I did not make the payment I would have to bring the vehicle back. I told her no, she then informed that they would report the vehicle "STLOEN". That's pretty funny since the vehicle is legally registered and insured to and by me. I have already paid 1250.00 toward the vehicle and will bring my account to date including late charges on February 6, 2004.

Amanda of Milwaukee (11/25/03):
I purchased a used vechile (Chevrolet Lumina 1990) from J.D. Byrider/CNAC, 7776 N 76, Milwaukee, on 08/26/2000. In 10/00 the vechile's rack and pinion was not functioning correctly. J.D. Byrider told me that I would have to pay for the repairs. I did not feel that it was right for me to pay for the repairs when I only had the vehicle for not even two months and it's not working. So in 11/00 I went and purchased a new vechile from Braeger Chevrolet. I returned J.D. Byrider's vehicle.

In the year of 2001 J.D.Byrider sent me a notice stating they sold the vechile for about 1,700.00 give or take a few hundred. Now (11/2003) I received a notice from Ameristar Collection Agency saying I owe J.D. Byrider $8,028.59.

Roger of Phoenix writes about the Mesa, AZ Byrider:
My ordeal started when I went to look for a dependable used vehicle, I checked with the BBB of Arizona and they said they were members in good standing (I later found that the Arizona division has numerous complaints against but they are not doing anything about it and advertised them as premier BBB customers).

I drove the car 2 miles and the clutch came loose, I hobbled back to the lot and 4 hours later they said it was fixed. I drove home and then found out that it refused to drive in reverse or move. Byrider had to tow back to the lot and then took 2 weeks to get it repaired through a contract mechanic (Cottman Transmissions). I talked to the mechanic and he said that they used junkyard parts to fix it, and that they were usually supposed to use new parts to fix this type of problem.

After taking expensive taxis to work (they did not pay for any traveling reimbursements nor offer a temporary vehicle during repairs), things went fine except that the car lights would only work in high beam mode not normal (I later learned this is indicative of potential electrical problems). I was told oh, thats nothing it's just the lights. I replaced the lights and same thing happened.

Three weeks after that I had to replace all the brake pads and drums, as the car had been sold with worn parts. That took about 2 days. Then the next problem was a chronic electrical problem, the car would spurt and shake physically, I took it into Byrider and they said they could not duplicate the problem. I took into a mechanic who fixed the problem by replacing the electrical wiring harness for the engine, that worked. However the problem starting recurring after 3 weeks, I was told by one mechanic that it was the worst vehicle he had ever driven and showed it to his fellow mechanic.

The same problem kept occurring. I had taken to numerous mechanics and they did same repair, replacing the wiring harness. I had tried to get Byrider to fix the problem, but they stated that it's not our problem, even though the warranty covered electrical problems, and I had mentioned that to them; they refused to talk to me after that.

I found out that the vehicle had major electrical problems and that it would take $2500-$3000 to fix. I had the vehicle towed back to Byrider and told them that the problems had occurred during the warranty period and that they had refused to fix it, and also that it was a recurring problem. They said it was not their problem and I had better pay up or else they would destroy my credit. I offered that if they would permanently fix the expensive electrical problem, that I would be happy to keep the vehicle, but that it was a hazard in its present condition.

They said that they would contact me once it was fixed. I have heard no word from them since. I asked to have them call when they fixed the vehicle of any electrical problems. They never called back and threatened to put a voluntary repossession notice on my credit report if i did not pay them every month, even though they had the vehicle (they followed through with the threat).

I complained to the local Arizona BBB and they said that Byrider had disputed and that all charges were dropped even though I had evidence. As a result I had no vehicle. I could not get any clients (my profession required transportation), and my credit report was ruined so I could not finance any vehicles or loans; as a result I ended up homeless for a bit. I am still feeling the economic effects from this, but I am recovering finally 3 years after the incident.

Alice of Bolingbrook, IL, writes about the Bywater dealership in Aurora, IL:
In Jan. 2000, I purchased an '89 Buick Lesabre from J.D.Byrider. The car hed 106,000 miles on it and I was charged a little under $8,000 for it. I was also paying 23% interest.

Three days after, I tried to return it because I had gone online and discovered it's only worth $1,400. The total amount financed is $13,000. When I had taken the car back I was told that it was "just too bad" and that I had better not miss a payment or they would repo it.

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