1) Lease Fraud  2) Fraud against the Elderly  3) Fraud against People with Disabilities  4) Forgery  5) New for used  6) Theft Gard/National Theft deterrent Scam  7) Fidelity Warranty Scams  8) Bait & Switch  9) Fraud Purchase Price  10) Fraud Financing  11) Fraud Down Payment  12) Abuse & Intimidation  13) Vehicle Theft   14) Zero percent financing scams  15) Pro-Tec protection package scam  16) Illegal Debt Collection Scams  17) Certified & Inspected used vehicle scam

             Did you buy from Ricart or PayDays? Enter our class action registry. More actions forthcoming!

Understanding Attorney General Complaints     

     The content of the complaints indicate a sense of arrogance and invincibility on behalf of Ricart. These 1000 complaints are not just complaints, but situations where a consumer alleged fraud or some other violation of Ohio consumer law and confronted them about it. What is tell-tale is their response to getting "caught". Numerous individuals have complained that the Ricart response is to threaten legal action, intimidate or bully the customer. Customers have complained that they were told if they didn't complete a sales transaction, what they believed was a scam in progress, they would call the sheriff. And yes, there have been documented cases of customers having the sheriff's office called. Others relate being berated and insulted by sales personnel and threatened with legal action.

    When you read the AG complaints you get a sense of the emotional and financial devastation that each person experienced. Some are financially wrecked and others emotionally overwhelmed with survival issues from their experience. Complaints are from single moms, working class stiffs, the elderly, minorities and many others. I can't do justice in this web page to all the victim's stories I read. I encourage you to take a trip for yourself to the consumer affairs office at the Ohio Attorney General's office and read the emotional tone of the complaints. You too will probably feel as nauseated as I did.

    

1) Lease Fraud- "The Lease Fleece." This is probably one of Ricart's favorites. Many customers have complained about the misrepresentation of lease programs and of hidden costs. The salesperson tells blatant lies about the program to entice completing the paperwork. Often times the unsuspecting consumer doesn't learn they have been scammed until they try years later to get into a new vehicle. Then it's too late. The three largest banks participating are Huntington, Star, and Bank One. Each lease program at the bank is aware of Ricart's lease tactics. One customer complained about paying close to $60,000 for a new Mustang. Another person filed a complaint when they discovered the price for their new Escort was over $30,000. Why the big push on Leases and by any means necessary? Maybe that's why Ricart is Number one in financing revenue! Think you are immune from Ricart's tactics? Many of the complaints are from professionals in fields like, business, financing, health care, military, law enforcement, college professors, and yes, even a car salesman from another dealership. A few years back Ford Motor had a training program for dealers that encouraged and utilized fraudulent methods in leasing. They have been sued by 22 states. I think Ricart finished first in the class. 

2) Fraud Against the elderly- Sad to say that there are numerous complaints from elderly customers who are on fixed incomes. One of the most disturbing cases I had reviewed was from a 70-year old Russian immigrant who was taken to the cleaners. Mr. Cohen (not his real name) called Ricart seeking to purchase a truck that was advertised in the Columbus Dispatch. He asked whether he could have the truck delivered as he was house bound and agreed to purchase the vehicle for the price advertised in the paper. Upon completing the paperwork, and writing a check, Mr. Cohen went out to look at his new truck. Alas, Mr. Cohen wouldn't have to bother his neighbors for a ride to the grocery store or trips to his doctors appointments. Independence and pride were important to this elderly gentleman. Upon inspecting his new vehicle he discovered he was sold a different, more expensive vehicle than the one he asked for! In addition, with the help of a neighbor, he discovered that he hadn't purchased the vehicle but completed lease paperwork instead. Mr. Cohen's neighbor filed the AG complaint on his behalf. In essence, this poor man will either outlive his lease and find himself in the same shoes again or he will pass before the lease expires and have the outstanding balance deducted from the estate of this indigent immigrant.

3) Fraud against People with Disabilities- Numerous complaints abound from individual's with disabilities. Rather then seeing people with disabilities as a viable and profitable customer base that may require slight accommodations, Ricart sees them as easy prey. One young man with a hearing impairment was a victim of lease fraud. He agreed to a 3 year lease for the total cost of $10,000. According to the young man, "the sales manager stated he was sympathetic because he had a daughter that was almost blind and that people often take advantage of her affliction." When he received his payment booklet, he was shocked! Total payments on this used 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse were $28,555.96. The only accommodation done in this case were to the individual's wallet. Another high priced leased scam was done to a woman with a cognitive disorder (AKA the non-politically correct term  mental retardation). The payments were so high, she didn't have any money to live on. Another scam was done on a woman with a visual impairment who was co-signer. WTDN recently busted Ricart swindling a "mentally impaired" individual. Is this any way to run a business?

4) Forgery- This Ricart specialty is a felony. It appears that having your unauthorized signature put on legal documentation by sales personnel is OK at Ricart Automotive. On multiple occasions customers have complained that Ricart made unauthorized inquiry into personal credit records. The scam goes like this, a customer comes in to test drive a vehicle, they obtain your drivers license and then take your social security number and forge your signature, then pull your credit. This is illegal and punishable according to the Federal Trade Commission. Apparently, the sales personnel are trying to see if you are credit worthy so they know whether or not to waste their time and how much they can gouge you. Other customers have complained of having their signatures forged on over priced warranties and other add-ons they didn't want. Still others complain that figures are changed on legal documents. One customer had their car repossessed by Ricart with contents still inside. A month later this person found that Ricart helped themselves to his checking account that was left in the vehicle forging the two payments he was behind on. Shop at Ricart anyone?

5) New For Used-Within the collection of AG complaints are a group I categorize as "New for Used." These are individuals who were told they're buying/leasing a new vehicle and later found out they paid new car prices for a vehicle that was actually used and titled before. One of the worst cases I uncovered dealt with a man I'll call "Poor Joe." Poor Joe was worked over worse than road-kill in a rendering plant. He went to Ricart to lease the car of his dreams, a 1998 Mustang. Poor Joe negotiated hard with the salesman and eventually hammered out a 2 year lease-- That Mustang looked mighty pretty on the lot and the odometer only had 20 miles it. Poor Joe was starting to feel mighty uncomfortable with all the paperwork and questions whirling around in front of him. No sooner did he finish all the signing did he notice an odometer statement indicating 948 miles?  Upon further inspection, Poor Joe found out that the vehicle was a 1997 not a 1998, it was also a rental car and not new, and it was a 5-year lease instead of the 2 year he had agreed upon and the big whammy (drum roll please), the total cost of the lease was $57,000. That's a lot of money for a used Mustang with odometer problems don't ya think? Joe was baffled and subsequently had difficulty with refinancing his home because of this. Like many of the people who filed complaints, Poor Joe had shopped at Ricart previously and wasn't aware of any problems in the past.

6) The Theft Gard/National Theft Deterrent Scam- This scam deals with a products Ricart sells as Theft Gard Insurance and National Theft Deterrent System. This particular scam appears to be another Ricart favorite judging by the number of complaints. Theft Gard Insurance is actually not an insurance; to the best of my knowledge it is the engraving of serial numbers into a windshield in case your vehicle is stolen, taken to a chop shop, it can identified. Ricart sales personnel have been extremely creative with this little money maker. There are several variations of this scam. First, they have informed many of their customers that in order to get financed they need to purchase the Theft Gard Insurance or they won't be approved. Second, they have informed customers its free and later fraudulently charged them or forged their signatures. Third, they have charged anywhere from $50.00 to $2,700, yet their own sales manager under deposition stated it was worth about $15.00. Fourth, they usually marketed this as literally "Theft Insurance" that in the event of theft you will be reimbursed for the vehicle. Fifth, they often build in in to the price of the vehicle and charge the customers without knowing (PayDays). One customer was smart enough to take his Theft Gard Insurance paperwork to his insurance agent, who in turn contacted the Theft Gard folks for clarification. I'll pass on the Theft Gard Insurance via Ricart and take two oui ji boards instead. Read the deposition of a sales manager discussing the Theft-Gard scam and other details. In addition, read the small print "limitations" & "exclusions" on each contract to see how ridiculous it is, e.g., "your vehicle cannot be stolen as the result of a criminal act."  Is there another way?

K. Fink deposition

Theft Gard/National Theft Deterrent System (NTDS). Plus, see a $2000 Ricart NTDS contract that is worth only $15 (Common). 

7) Fidelity Warranty Scams-This little scam involves fraud regarding either the price, or coverage, or misrepresentation of a warranty. There are several variations to this scam as well. Often times the warranty is overpriced or customers are told they have to purchase it in order to get financed. One customer was informed that the additional warranty he was to purchase would cover him for an additional 75,000 miles for $1,500. After discovering that he was also a victim of lease fraud he decided to cancel his Fidelity Warranty to as to save funds. Two years pass and this guy decides to check with his bank and finds no proceeds were sent. He decides to call the Fidelity Company and finds out that he paid $1,500 for 3 oil changes and a visual inspection. There was no warranty coverage, but a service contract, and the proceeds were sent to Ricart. The equivalent service provided in the "warranty" costs about $25.00 at a local Jiffy Lube. This bonehead then decides to call Ricart to get his money back and gets the total smoke and mirrors run around. Total proceeds to Ricart for 3 oil changes never used, $3,000. I'll never do that again (OOPS) I mean I bet that customer learned a lesson.

    Another version of the Fidelity Warranty scam has to do with the 60 day warranty sold to used car buyers. This scam is currently one of the class action endeavors. First, it really isn't a warranty as you are required to pay 50% of any bill assuming it makes its way through a litany of unrealistic exclusions.  Second, you are required to take back to Ricart/Paydays for repair. If they decide you meet requirements, you are still screwed. If the repair really costs $250 to repair, they charge you say $600, you pay 50% of that = $300. In essence, you have no control over the estimate and they can charge you what they want for repair. By doubling the estimates, they pay nothing, make money from the policy, make money from keeping garage mechanics happy, and get to work you over twice! And yes, I have seen complaints on these estimates.

   There are numerous variations of the Fidelity Warranty, some more legit then others. Eventually we will show additional PDFs.

Fidelity Warranty Scam documents.

8) Bait and Switch-This illegal advertising ploy is very common at Ricart. Numerous customers are led in by advertisements that list low or special prices on certain vehicles. Once in, customers are pressured to look at up graded models that are more expensive. Often times customers stick to their guns in wanting the advertised vehicle only to be told they are all out when actually they have plenty within eyesight. This is category is too numerous to list. One car salesman from another dealership who was a victim at Ricart said it best, "they try everything to get you into the lot and once you're in they have you." I've often wondered whether the ominous guard shack at the entrance of the mega mall is more psychological manipulation then a security issue?

     What I find even more disturbing is that Ricart victims have complained to the Dispatch and Channel 6 in Columbus only to have their pleas fall on deaf ears. Numerous AG complaints speak of calling 6 on your side for assistance. I also called them multiple times and never received a call back.  To date, I've never seen their Trouble Shooter investigation segment do a Ricart piece. Maybe this is because the size of Ricart's advertising budget gives him editorial powers in Columbus. The disturbing part is that they advertise for Ricart and keep their mouth shut about the complaints regarding his practices, including bait and switch advertising. As long as they get their cut of the pie, it's OK. Isn't there a code of ethics for journalists? (See "Ricart Myths" section more discussion of this).

9) Fraud Purchase Price- Evidence in this section of AG complaints deal with act of fraud and misrepresentation of purchase price. What typically happens is that a verbal agreement is haggled out, however, the actual paperwork reflects a total different price. If you think the paperwork reflected a lower price, you're wrong. Sometimes the paperwork price was raised above the actual sticker price. It appears they are pros at the "shell game" of "guess what you're gonna pay." Care to confront them about this? Forget it, they have you. One gentleman, a deputy sheriff with 30-years service,  went to Ricart to purchase a 1999 Mitsubishi. I'll call this gentleman, Barney or better yet, Barney Fife. Deputy Fife was forced to deal with 3 different salesman during the paperwork signing process. When the smoke cleared, poor Barney had paid more then $3,600 over and above the price he negotiated. This was a switch in price and not because of add-ons like warranty, service agreement, etc. How does this happen to people you wonder? You need to realize that you are at the mercy of a car dealer when you step onto the lot. The mountains of paperwork you sign would either take all-day and a legal dictionary to read entirely, or you would need to bring your lawyer with you. In essence, most people rely on the integrity and honesty of the sales personnel at certain times during the transaction and accept the verbal explanations. In fact, most people rely on the sales personnel to some extent or the other. If the dealer is crooked, watch out. That's why an honest car dealer that you have a relationship with is worth their weight in gold. You rely on them like any other professional service provider. At Ricart, it appears that verbal contracts mean nothing, yet are used extensively.

10) Fraud Financing- This is another Ricart favorite. The fraud financing category of complaints deals with customers that experience some type of fraud or misrepresentation with regard to the financing of a vehicle. This could involve the type of financing program, interest, or length of the agreement. I've reviewed all the above variations. One case involved a young woman who was illegally informed that "the best she could qualify for given her credit was 21% interest." Fortunately, after being suspect, she later learned he bank was willing to refinance for 10%. She did so but not without penalties and interest. Who do you think pocketed the difference?  Another gentleman caught Ricart switching the interest rate from the agreed upon 8.25% to 15%. Since he busted them before signing the paperwork, they agreed to correct their "mistake." He busted them a second time time when they tried to sneak through a rate of 10%.

    Another gentleman receives my Bleeding Heart Award.  He had PURCHASED a new van from Ricart and driven it home. He felt comfortable with his deal which was for 11.60% interest, 60-month term, and a 2-year warranty. Hours later a Ricart sales personnel call to state that they needed to get his wife's signature on the paperwork in order to process it. Since it was Ricart's mistake they agreed to meet his wife at their home. She signed the paperwork and off they went. When the husband came home he discovered that the rate went from 11.60% to 14.62%, the terms were increased from 60 months to 72 months, the warranty went from 2 to 3 years, and the paperwork was for LEASE not a purchase. In essence, Ricart tore up the old purchase paperwork and had the wife sign new lease paperwork. Some of you who saw my original Ricart page recognize this from the "Double Whammy" section. Numerous complaints are from unsuspecting folks who get called back to fill out different paperwork because of some proclaimed "problem." What they eventually discover is higher prices, longer terms, add-ons, and lease instead of purchase paperwork.

   Why the big push on financing fraud? Its called Dealer Reserve or F & I dollars. When the dealer handles the financing for you, even if its through your own bank, they get a cut of the percentage. If you are financed for 8%, in reality it probably was more like 6.5% and the dealer got the remainder being 1.5%. This is legal and customary, however, costs and percentages to the customer cannot violate Federal Trade Commission and Ohio Consumer Laws with regard to financing. In other words, they can't gouge you or rip-you-off or engage in fraudulent acts. The fee allowed by law is strictly for the handling and convenience of getting your financing and purchase/lease at the same stop. What is disturbing is that some banks know about Ricart's fraud in financing, I know, I told them, and yet do nothing because they get a piece of the pie. So I bet you're wondering, if Ricart is a crook, how does he compare to the rest of the nation's dealers in F & I Dollars and why? -----------> F & I Dollars Graph            Scam Techniques

11) Fraud Down Payment- Another common scam by Ricart. An individual either trades in a vehicle or pays a down payment, however is defrauded of that equity in the deal. For example, one woman traded in her vehicle and according to Ricart she had equity over and above what she owed. She traded in her vehicle and thought she was applying the equity to her new lease. Ricart also informed her they would take the trade in and pay off the balance. Three months later she receives a call from her old bank wanting to know why she was behind in her payments. It turned out Ricart not only switched the price of the new vehicle, they also only applied a small partial payment instead of a payoff and pocketed the difference. She still had over a $3,000 dollar balance on her trade-in. This poor woman ended up with two car payments each month and a trashed credit rating courtesy of Ricart. Numerous variations of this scam are on record.

12) Abuse & Intimidation- A common response from Ricart sales personnel when they see the customer is on to their tactics is to verbally abuse them. Numerous victims identified that they were called "liars" when when trying to tease out the blatant contract discrepancies. Single woman have reported being intimidated into deals they didn't want by  groups of male sales personnel surrounding them. They reported feeling trapped, threatened and intimidated. As mentioned earlier, another ploy is to threaten to call the sheriff alleging that the customer is engaging in fraud. Attorney General complaints have also identified that Ricart's attorneys get involved as part of the ploy as well. One young African-American woman went to trade in her leased vehicle on another one. Half way through the transaction she dedicated a scam and refused the deal. Ricart refused to return her vehicle or give her a ride home when asked. This young woman had to walk home to her 3 children. There are numerous other complaints of customers being insulted and even sexually harassed. One woman was told that her trade-in was "crushed" already so she better finish the deal. Men have also been victims of abuse and intimidation. Ricart also appears to use time as a tool. The longer you are negotiating, the more tired you are, and the more they can wear you down. On the flipside, the more time they have invested in the deal the more angry they will likely be if it falls through because they were busted in some scam.

13) Vehicle Theft-  "Vehicle theft" is the name of my category when consumers go to purchase another vehicle, with a trade-in, and they unable or unwilling  to take the new vehicle, they lose their trade-in and are without a car. Several customers have complained to the AG that they were unable to get their trade-in back in these situations or that the trade-ins are severely damaged when returned sometimes months later. One gentleman and wife were told their financing was approved on a 1997 Jeep Wrangler. Later, the finance guy called them and stated they had to return the vehicle as they needed to get a cheaper vehicle in order to get financed. Ricart directed the man to what I call the "death row" of every motor vehicle dealer lot. The customer refused claiming they wanted him to get a lemon and decided to leave. According to the customer, Ricart then "called the police on us and we were trying to leave." "They kept us there until the police arrived and acted like they didn't know they were coming." "When we were leaving Ricart's employees and managers were all standing in a group laughing at us." "They wasted our time and money." This family never got their trade-in back. If you are negotiating a deal with Ricart and complete the trade-in transaction first, and the new purchase falls through, say hello to COTA.

14) Zero Percent Financing Scams This one comes as no surprise and should be a common sense. I include it as a "Scam" specifically because of the feedback I received from a long time Ricart salesman and contributor to ColumbusConsumer. He stated "I think you should inform customers of their latest scam 0% on new and used vehicles. They add the cost of interest to the price of the car up front. I know a lady that didn't have a trade and paid 18000 for a 14000 new car to get 0%. Now that's a scam alert." Do you really trust them to be honest with you?

15) Pro Tec Protection System- Read the fine print on this one in the PDF file below. This basically is the use of a can of scotch guard sprayed on your interior and the promise to clean and wax your vehicle should you meet stringent exclusions and limitations. When you consider the exclusions and limitations along with the fact that most new vehicles have manufacturers coverage for defects, this is basically worthless. At best it covers a future wax/buff, interior cleaning and a can of scotch guard sprayed on your interior. Total value? $35? Yet it is sold for hundred and even thousands. See a $2000 protection package sold + in the PDF.

Pro Tec Protection System scam

16) Illegal Debt Collection Scam- I have received numerous complaints from PayDays' customers that financed through Ricarts' Central Ohio Credit Corp. What happens is that when they get behind, Ricart gets nasty in an illegal way. Customers have told me about harassing and threatening calls at home and work. These border on being strong arm tactics as even when customers ask to be called at home instead of work because of employer concerns, they refuse. They have even visited customers at their place of employment harassing and embarrassing them in front of co-workers. Tactics also include name calling, illegal threats, repeated phone calling in the same day and a host of others. After reading some of the complaints it almost sounds like a loan shark operation. 

17) Certified & Inspected Used Vehicle Scam- Uh oh! This is a PayDays scam that may also be at the Ricart lots. Turns out that the certified and inspected stickers are just that, stickers. They are reportedly contracted out to a third party for this process. Numerous vehicles are sold to customers under the guise that they are in good running shape because of this "Certification and Inspection process." Reality is that many of the vehicles are ready to fall to pieces: Bad brakes, transmissions ready to fall out, trashed rear axles, steering components shot, yet all end up with the "certified and inspected" sticker. There are numerous complaints of major mechanical problems occurring immediately after driving off the lot. One person found out that gear oil was put in the engine, another had a accident because the vehicle was unfit to be on the road according to a PayDay's manager. Ricart demanded that the unsafe vehicle be put on the lot and sold even though his own employees were against it. (will have PDF of this soon). I had an extensive interview with a PayDay's mechanic who stated that they often found a ton of serious and major problems on vehicles that were routinely put out on the lot with the bogus stickers and customers were never informed. Tragically, Ricart likes to target the poor because they tend not to have the resources to fight back.

Please note that these are NOT isolated incidences but patterns of conducting business with numerous complaints for each category.

    Boycott Ricart & Paydays! It is the proper thing to do!

     We need lawyers! Our class action registry is out of control with potential plaintiffs. Do you know someone who is interested?