Class Action Says Florida Toyota Dealer|Takes Its Customers For A Ride

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (CN) - A class action accuses a Toyota dealer of falsifying financing information on customers' contracts, then wrongfully selling their trade-in car and repossessing the new one.

Lead plaintiff Tina Moreau says Coggin Toyota of the Avenues took her for a ride. Moreau claims the Jacksonville car dealer sent her home with a new car after having her sign a waiver that allegedly relieved the dealership of its legal status of "creditor."

Moreau says even though she left behind her trade-in, drove her new car home and was made to believe the sale was final, that was not the case.

She says she believed she had a contract for a monthly installment of $285 and had been driving the car for days when she was informed that her credit had been rejected. She was called back to sign a second contract, which raised her monthly payments to more than $320.

Almost a month later, she says she received a call from Coggin, telling her that her credit had been rejected again, and demanding that the vehicle be returned to the dealership.

Moreau said she agreed on the condition that her trade-in and $1,000 down payment be returned. She says Coggin told her it already had sold her car. The dealer said it would pay her what it felt the car was worth, leaving her without transportation.

"You mean to tell me you want me to bring you the car?" Moreau asked. "How am I supposed to get home or to work? Walk?"

She said Coggin responded, "Yeah, I guess."

The dealer added, "We deal with people like you all the time. We will find the car. We will charge you $350 for us having to hire a repossession agent," according to the complaint.

The car was repossessed. Moreau is represented in Duval County Court by Lynn Drysdale with Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and Raymond Ingalsbe of Palm Beach Gardens.

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