Car Buying and Repair

August 31,2006

There are two companies that we are dealing with..

1st Complaint Against:

Gulfview Motors, Inc.

9932 US Hwy 19, Port Richey, Florida

(727) 845-7200

Company Contact:John D. DeSeaso Jr.

2nd Complaint Against:

Buddy Foster Chevrolet

36822 State Road , Zephyrhills FL 33541

813-782-1538

Company Contact: Douglas B. Robinson

On May 28, 2006, my son, Adam bought his 1st car, a 2003 Ford Focus from Gulfview Ford at a tent sale in Dade City, Florida. Because he had no credit, I co-signed for him.

On his way to work on June 9th,the vehicle broke down and was towed to Autoway Ford of St. Pete. The clutch needed to be replaced. We spent $1002.34 to have it repaired. He got it back on June 14th. On his way home from work on June 22nd , the engine died two blocks from home. We had it towed to Buddy Foster Chevrolet in Zephyrhills on June 23rd. We were told that it needed a new engine because the engine had blown. So we called Gulfview Motors, only to be told that it was not their problem

because it was bought at a tent sale and it was not affiliated with them. Altho there name is all over our paperwork. So we went to our insurance company and they informed us that they would cover the expenses but we would have to pay the $250.00 deductible.Which we did. We were told by Buddy Foster that there was an airflow aftermarket part on the car

that caused the engine to cease up because it sucked water into the engine. We had them replace the engine and we fixed the aftermarket airflow. Less then a week after getting the car back from Buddy Foster, the vehicle broke down again. This time the tension pulley broke and when it did, the serpentine belt busted along with the other belts. So once again it was towed to Buddy Foster and they sent the head out to be tested to make sure that it

did not overheat because the engine company would not be liable if it had. Steve Shaw, Assistant Service Manager, called us to tell us that the engine came back and it did not overheat because the freeze plugs were still intact, the company that

had sold them the engine would honer the warranty. so they would repair the engine and we'd have Adam's car back in a week or two.

We called Steve again because we had not heard from them, only to be told that Steve had been out of work for several days. So we called back the following Monday and was told that they would get to the car asap. After a couple of days, we called Steve again and he was unable to take our calls everytime we called. Monday, August 21st, I spoke w/the Operations Director,Doug Robinson and he told me that Steve had left for lunch and never came back and they were still trying to reach him. On Tuesday August 22nd, once again I have spoken with the Mr. Robinson and he has informed me that Steve quit and that the engine company was

NOT going to cover the engine and that whatever Steve told me was null and void because he did not work for them anymore. Not only that but all work they had done to the car to this point we owed them for, although we never authorized them to work on the engine.

We picked up the car on August 29th about 4pm along with a bill of $1498.23 and that did not include the cost of the 2nd new engine which was over $700.00. The very next day Adam was

having problems with the engine once again. We brought it to another mechanic and found that Buddy Foster had put old spark plugs in it and had not checked the timing after they had installed

the new engine and the mechanic told us that there were old wires on the new engine. We have reciepts for everything we have done to this car up to this date.

We are at our wits end. For almost 3 years now, Adam has worked hard in construction driving to St. Pete. everyday.He's made 3 payments on a vehicle that he's only been able to drive for about a wk and 1/2 total. Something has to be done to help the working man. He's a good person trying to establish his own credit. But he does not know what to do about this whole

situation. We contacted The Better Business Bureau and have the first complaint w/Gulfview on file with them. They mediated with them for us and Gulfview sent us a check for $250.00,

which we still have and have not cashed. I am in the process of filing a complaint w/the BBB about the situation with Buddy Foster also. We're also contacting a lawyer to see what our

legal rights are for both cases.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and we appreciate any and all help or advice

that you could give us.

Sincerely,

Robert W. Botelho Sr. Adam A. Botelho

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