Dealer Fraud - CMC Santee, CA

[pcbikedude]

I waited as long as I could to make this post because I wanted to see if the dealer is going make things right. Obviously they didn't.

Back in late September I was considering purchasing a second scooter and give my Buddy 125 to my 17 year old daughter who will be attending Jr. college next year. I wanted time to teach her how to ride.

Another family member happened to give me a copy of the Cycle Trader one week and I noticed a new 2007 Kymco People 150 for $2399 which is an incredible price. It was at another dealership that was a little closer than my usual scooter shop. I asked my usual shop (Motorsports) if they would match the price. They said they could not. The Kymco rep had said that this other dealer may have purchased a bunch of Kymco scooters at an auction and that's why the price was so low.

So I purchased a beautiful white Kymco P150 at $2700 OTD from this dealer. I wouldn't have recommended anyone go there because they knew nothing about scooters. They sold mostly ATVs and dirt bikes and accessories.

Last week I got a letter from the "new" owners stating that the old owner was under DMV investigation for fraud. Allegedly, the owner had pocketed the monies meant for registration and ownership transfer. People who paid cash (I used a credit card) were asked to describe their purchase and contact the guy's attorney. I don't want to speculate on things that I don't have information on.

The letter also stated that I had to file a complaint with the DMV so I can get my scooter registered. The DMV requires documentation of the receipt and paper registration. There is more to this than was stated in the letter. The funny part is that they sent me a 10% off any purchase because of my inconvenience. Yeah, right. Like I would go back there.

I called the dealership the day after I received the letter and they were less than helpful. They had forgot to enclose the complaint form. The person who answer the phone danced around answering questions.

The new owner can make this right for the customers by paying the DMV fees out-of-pocket now. But they choose to inconvenience us.

I don't know the relationship between the old owner and new owner but one does exist. The new owners would not take my call. I also called Kymco USA but they have not returned my call.

The dealership is called CMC out of Santee California. They also go by the name of California Motorsports. If you live in the San Diego County area, avoid this dealership.

I have alerted the BBB and a local television station is interested in picking up the story. Hopefully, this guy will get what he deserves. I just want to get my scooter registered, get the plate and title.

[Mike @ NoHo Scooters]

California DMV law gives a dealer 20 days to register a new vehicle. After that the dealer will be fined. Personally I am suprised that the dealer did not honor the previous owners contract and register the scooter. The registration fees on a People 150 are $60-80 depending on what you paid and what county you live in. The current owner could lose their DMV license by not registering the already sold vehicles. No DMV license=no dealership.

Unfortunately Kymco talked alot of non scooter shops into carrying their scooters. We have had problems in my area with a used car lot and a boat dealer that were signed up. Scooter buyers buy scooters from scooter shops. Many of these non scooter shops have been dumping the scooters at cost or close to cost, and are not honoring warrantys. Some dont even have service departments. Fortunately Kymco learned from their mistakes.

From what I have heard, Vespa is now signing up random businesses to sell their scooters. Here we go again.

[ericalm]

Their website claims, "Voted #1 in Lowest Prices & Best Service 5 Years in a row!!!" Wonder who did the voting.

Looks like they're trying to expand into Chula Vista, San Diego and San Marcos. More dealerships to avoid.

[pcbikedude]

FYI, Kymco has responded and they are going to investigate!!!!
They don't really have to get involved but they are because it is the reputation that will be hurt.

Good for Kymco!

Their website claims, "Voted #1 in Lowest Prices & Best Service 5 Years in a row!!!" Wonder who did the voting.

Their service is lousy BTW. They didn't know anything about scooters.
That website still has the personal Email address for the alledged-crooked former owner. I won't flame his Email address because he'll just ignore it any way.

[mattgordon]

I have alerted the BBB and a local television station is interested in picking up the story. Hopefully, this guy will get what he deserves. I just want to get my scooter registered, get the plate and title.

I'm sorry to hear about this, I think TURKO can help, if anyone can!