Petro Automotive Group

I talked with Petro in October and told them that I was going to investigate prices before renewing my contract, which was to expire on November 1, 2009. I told them that I would be calling them back. I was on automatic delivery at the time and did not complain when they delivered fuel oil on October 30, 2009. When I received the bill, they had charged me the maximum that was allowable under contract. It was the cap of $3.29. I called Petro and was told that they were able to charge that amount because of my contract.

They stated that they would adjust the amount if I would renew. I then called the normal number and inquired as to the cost of fuel oil if I was a regular customer and had requested delivery. They quoted my $2.58 per gallon. This practice preys on the consumer and is not good business. I was not about to renew my contract with a company that used such business practices.

After filing a complaint with the BBB in my area, I paid the overcharged amount and will share my experience with others. I believe I was overcharged approximately $50.00.

On Friday October 9th, my mother and I went shopping for a new car. We tested numerous models at numerous places and ended the search at Petro Automotives in Hattiesburg, MS. Mom drove a Nissan Altima, then a Nissan Maxima. She liked the Maxima above any other car and told the sales representative that she was interested in the car and wanted to compare trade In with cash payment for difference of the Maxima (that we tested) verses financing that particular Maxima.

She preferred finance but had plans for later that day and didn't have time to complete the sales contract that day but she definitely wanted that car & placed a $500.00 deposit (we were told would not be cashed before Oct, 13) for that car and would complete the transaction on Tuesday October 13th. She & I each provided our individual signatures to be evidenced that we would purchase the car being held. When returned to dealership on October 13th, the sales rep. wasn't on duty a supervisor agreed to assist but couldn't find the all of the original sales information and could simply have documents completed to complete the trade-in & sale as originally agreed upon.

The transaction was quickly processed, while the staff prepared the vehicle for delivery (Wash, detail and fill up.) Upon completion, the supervisor informed us that the original sales person had the deposit check, owner's manual and extra key locked in his office and that we could pick these items up the following day. We walked out and and the staff at Petro bought us a New Nissan Maxima that looked like the one we left a deposit for. We moved our belongings from mom's trade into new Maxima so she could get me home and rush back to work.

On the way home, I noticed that the car didn't have paddle shifts like the one we placed the deposit on. We both had busy schedules and rush on about our business without further thought.

On Oct 14, I stopped in after work to pick up the owners manual, $500.00 check and the extra key. The staff informed me I'd have to speak with the original sales person. After about an hour wait, he entered the dealership & told me the key would need to be programmed to the car and the vehicle needed to be present for that service, the accounting department accidentally deposited the check and it would have to clear before a refund could be paid but he could get me the owners manual. I was told to notify mom that she should call and schedule a service time to program the extra key and by that time the $500.00 deposit would be refunded.

Mom scheduled the appointment for Thursday Oct. 22. During the week of driving, she had a cold day and realized that the car did not have one of the features she had insisted on having. Heated Seats! She and I closely examined the car and realized that she was not in the car that we had paid the deposit on. Petro switched cars, giving us a less expensive model that didn't have the features that we voiced were important to us yet they charged us the original sales agreement price.

We bought a $35,000.00 car that was replaced with a similar yet different car. We don't want financial compensation, we want the car we agreed to buy or one EXACTLY like it. We walked out of the dealership and escorted to the car was given demo explaining how to open trunk, driver door and crank with the smart key and it was parked beside our Volvo to get our personal contents so we could leave. The only financial loses above the $35,000.00 switch-a-roo, is approximately 144 miles drive time and fuel cost.

I have a Nissan Quest that has had an oil leak coming from the rear main seal area for the last 3-5 months. The leak is small and minor at this time, but vehicle is still under warranty. The first time I took the vehicle to the dealer, they told me there was no leak and everything was dry under the vehicle. So I brought the vehicle back home and looked under it myself. I found small area around the rear main seal area that showed signs of leaking.

I then dropped it off again to the dealer and told them where the leak was. I was called the next day with the same outcome. I told them to leave it on the rack and I would come show them. I went to the dealer and upon my inspection, the area was wiped clean. I ask him why they wiped off the area. The service manager told me they had to clean the area and run it to try and find a leak. I replied that the leak was visible if it would not have been wiped. This is actually the second time I have had warranty work denied.