Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/02/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On March 2, 2024, I bought my car from Kobey John Automotive. Later that same day, the engine light came on and I assumed it was due to needing an oil change. On Sunday, I took the car to Firestone to get the oil changed. The owner, Toneal Legatte, offered to reimburse me for the oil change, which he did.
  
  However, on March 4, 2024, the engine light came on again and I took the car back to Kobey Joney Automotive. The issue this time was a need for a tune-up, which was done on March 5, 2024. Unfortunately, the engine light came on again that evening.
  
  On March 7, 2024, the car hesitated to start and when it did, thick white smoke came from the exhaust pipe. I sent a video of the smoke to the owner, but did not receive a response. On March 8, 2024, the white smoke appeared again when I turned on the car, and it ran extremely hot before cutting off. I managed to put water in the car to cool it down and drove it to my mechanic.
  
  My mechanic informed me that I needed a new engine. I spoke with the owner and we agreed that he would pay for my mechanic to fix the car with a new engine. I specifically stated that he would pay for my mechanic to fix the vehicle with a new engine and he agreed.
  
  On March 21, 2024, my mechanic provided an invoice for $3,460.00 to the owner. However, I received a check for only $2,000, which is not enough to cover the correct amount of the vehicle and is not what we agreed upon.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/08/2024

  We actually were paying for all of it and this customer jumped the gun on reporting us. We planned on paying the rest when the work was done thats what we agreed to. Now she will not answer the phone. We had no legal obligation to do this and decided to do the right thing. Now we have a false bad report all because this customer did not want to communicate. She could have had everything paid for just as we agreed. Tell her to please answer the phone and communicate before assuming the worst. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/09/2024

  Complaint: ********
  
  
  In response of Kobey John Automotive, LLC response I am rejecting this response. I had a conversation with the
  owner, Toneal Legatte, and he had assured me that he will pay the invoice upon receiving it.
  After he had received the invoice, he inquired about the payment method and I
  suggested a business check. However, when my husband went to collect the check,
  the amount was only $2,000.00, which is not the full amount of the invoice.
  
  
  
  Sincerely,
  Nicosia T*****

  Business Response

  Date: 04/09/2024

  Once again, a conversation was had with the mechanic. The conversation was that we would pay for the parts up front and then pay for the labor once the labor was completed. We sent the check based on how the mechanic conducted his business. There was a chance that the final amount, based on the labor rate, could change slightly. Due to this conversation, we proceeded with the instructions the business gave. Please call the mechanic. We had witnesses to this conversation that was on speaker phone while two other employees that needed to know the information were present. Our regret is not saving the mechanics phone number. We do recieve hundreds of calls a day and just assumed we would have clear communications with Ms.T*****. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/10/2024

  Complaint: ********
  

   I am rejecting their response as it does not accurately
  reflect the situation. My mechanic and I had agreed on a full payment for the
  invoice to get my car fixed in a timely and correct manner. However, Mr.
  Leggett did not issue a check for the total amount, which is why I filed this
  claim. I have been in constant communication with my mechanic throughout the
  process, and he did not agree to receive a partial payment. Therefore, I insist
  on receiving the full amount of the invoice to ensure that my vehicle is
  repaired correctly.
  Sincerely,
  Nicosia T*****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/30/2023

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Paid $9k for a truck that had $5k worth of engine issues but was told the only thing wrong was the speedometer cluster. I was unaware of the oil leaks from the engine. I took it to a mechanic and was advised it would cost $5k to fix the leaks.

  Business Response

  Date: 10/30/2023

  The vehicle was sold AS-IS. The vehicle was marked down significantly. The only known problem was disclosed. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/02/2023

  
  
  Complaint: ********
  
  
  
  I am rejecting this response because: it’s hard to believe Kobey John had the vehicle since June ,according to the car fax and didn’t do any inspection of the vehicle before putting it on the lot for sale? You guys don’t have mechanics on hand to inspect the vehicles? To be out of pocket $ $15k after all said and done is insane. The motor is the main part of the vehicle and to say you was unaware of any engine issue is just bad business. Expensive lesson learned on my end. Good luck in the future.
  
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  
  **** *****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/08/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This is a complaint against Kobey John Automotive in Lexington SC. Please see attached very detailed document that my daughter has compiled. In short, they sold us a car that within two days was showing transmission problems. They agreed to fix it, but instead made the problem worse and then refused to take responsibility. At this time we are trying to possibly trade the car in somewhere because she has been borrowing a car since the beginning of April. The problem we are running into is that most dealerships will only give us $5000 for a car that we paid almost $12,000 for and still owe $5600. In addition we are not finding anything suitable for that money. As much as we would like a full refund, we would be satisfied with the $7000 difference.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/13/2023

  In this situation we did replace the entire transmission on good faith of the customer bc we did not know that there was an issue with the transmission. We were threatened with a lawsuit and was advised to no longer communicate with the buyer. When we fixed the transmission there were no other problems that were found upon pick up of the repaired vehicle. Any problems that came after our repairs are the responsibility of the buyer. The buyer did have the opportunity to take the car to a mechanic and have it checked out each time they visited the dealership which was multiple times. The buyers mechanic also did not find any major issues with the vehicle at the time. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/17/2023

  
  
  Complaint: ********
  
  
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Yes, we did have an opportunity to take the car to a mechanic prior to purchase, but as we now know, that was a mistake. However, when we got the car back from Kobey John, after they had their unlicensed mechanic work on replacing the transmission, which Ciara was told they had to do twice "because some things broke", we did take it to two different mechanics. The items that are broken or missing we were told are things that "logically only could have happened when someone was doing a transmission replacement". We are still in possession of the car and would like a full refund. If the BBB has an impartial mechanic that would assess the condition, that would be great. If this is not acceptable, we would like assistance with the arbitration process. I did not threaten a lawsuit, I simply stated that we would go to arbitration, since we agreed at purchase to do that if there was a dispute. We also still have not received a copy of our purchase document packet via email. We need that as well. 
  
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  
  ******* *********

  Business Response

  Date: 06/20/2023

  We provided all documents required at the time of purchase. We will absolutely cooperate with anything legally required. We have no further comment on this matter. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/17/2023

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Dear Sirs and Madams,
  In August of 2022, I, **** ***** *****, and wife, **** ****** *****, purchased a 2017 Honda Accord from Kobey John Automotive, at 1820 Augusta Highway, Lexington, SC 29072.
  The car was purchased as is, but we were told by Kobey John and the bank, ******** ********, that the car had a clean title and that it had no issues. As far as visual inspection, all looked well. We ran the VIN number through several agencies and found nothing to question what we were told. We thought to be safe we would purchase the Platinum Plus car plan and GAP insurance with the bank, hoping to cover any possible issues.
  We moved to Pennsylvania in October 2022. The car was towed on a full car carrier, not driven. After arrival here, we had to have a tire replaced and were told that there was an issue on the frame that had been spot welded, that had broken loose. Then we started having issues with the transmission on the Honda, and I and my bro-in-law checked for the VIN again and found evidence that the car had been previously in a head on collision, all air bags deployed and totaled, then sold for scrap and later sold for under $3000.
  We called Kobey John and the bank to ask what we could do to have the issues repaired. We were told to take it to Honda to have the transmission checked and fluids changed. But after servicing we still had issues with transmission.
  Long story short, we noticed several more issues. We took it to 2 frame shops and again to Honda in Hanover, PA. None of them will repair or fix the car. They state that there is more damage to the car then it is worth and needs totalled. We cannot get the car inspected and we were told NOT to drive it, because even a small fender bender could be a fatality.
  We would like a resolution, and out of the $20,000 owed on the vehicle.
  Sincerely,
  **** ***** *****
  **** ****** *****
  contact at: ***********************@gmail.com
  ************
  **** **** ****, PO Box ***
  Abbottstown, PA 17301

  Business Response

  Date: 05/17/2023

  I have included a report from ******. **** ****** ***** knew about the condition of the vehicle and had a copy of the ******. Everyone had all the information on this vehicle; ourselves, ****, and ******** ********. This vehicle did not have a salvage title nor a total loss reported. We can only go off the information we have access to and we do have vehicles pre-inspected by a third party. This vehicle passed inspection and was able to have a warranty and gap coverage. We wish **** all the best and have enjoyed working with him. We are confused at how he received this information and we have no knowledge of his claims. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/10/2023

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  After deciding to go through with Kobey John and purchase a vehicle we was told the company automatically add a warranty for $1800 to our contract to protect them as well as our vehicle. Rep clearly stated the cost is calculated into the bill, and it's good for a year. She did mention not everything will be covered under the warranty but major problems are. I called kobey John Friday to get info on my warranty because of the major oil leak I was having on the vehicle I purchased the last week of December. Rep provided me with warranty contact info, calls them on Saturday and they explained what I needed to do. I drops my car off to the Hyundai dealership near me on Monday. Received a call today stating they called my warranty and was told I have no warranty, it's expired. Now I'm responsible for paying $1150 for my car to be fixed! Once I hung up with him I calls my warranty company. They tells me my warranty for 1800$ is for 12000 miles. I explained what we was told and ask why was I told something totally different, rep couldn't tell me a states I have to speak with kobey John. I calls them to see whats going on and why is my warranty expired when it's only been 4 months and a few weeks instead of the year? Rep claims she doesn't recall saying a year and claims she didn't automatically include the unless warranty into my bill! Ask what can we do to fix issue rep gets anger and disconnect call. I call rep right back, tried to compromise with the rude individual but she claims I waited warranty and I'm out of $1800 and it's m6 fault for driving so many miles within Months, which is clearly not any of her business and doesn't have anything to do with my expired warranty that I didn't want but was told it's company policy. My car payment due today for 360 and I have to have the 1150 by Thursday. I need some assistance to see how can I get my $1800 back or my cost for repairs reimbursed back to me.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/12/2023

  The customer bought a 1 year 12,000 mile warranty (whichever comes first). She drove more than 12,000 miles within 4 months. This is equal to driving from New York to California 4 times. She signed the warranty paper work and agreed to the terms. This was done electronically. She also verbally confirmed her warranty on a recored line with Westlake Financial services, who provided her the contract and is her lien holder. In this scenario we are only the middle man who executed her offer from an outside loan source. She did have full access to all documents and was made aware of the terms of both her loan and warranty purchased. At no point was it required for her to purchase a warranty she had an option between 12 months 12,000 miles and 24 months 24,000 miles.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/19/2023

  My husband and I reviews all documents more than once. We saw nothing about a warranty but recall the rep saying we had one for a year in the amount of $1800 that we had to get to protect us both. We had to call Kobey John to get information on the warranty. Once we called we were told the contact number and contract number for the warranty, not that we had so many miles or never was miles mentioned. When we call the warranty company, they didn't ask about any miles, or any questions concerning my warranty. They confirmed we have a warranty and steps to take.  Which we did. I want my cost to fix the car or the warranty amount for 180p refunded to my account.