The story that has Kansas City buzzing continues.
Customers of Chad Franklin Suzuki are demanding answers after our Call For Action Investigation: Deal or no Deal?
More than 40 additional customers have come forward, filing complaints with Call For Action since Wednesday's airing of the investigation.
They all tell the same story. They're stuck with a huge loan payment and questioning what to do next.
Their options may be limited.
When Rich Milburn saw our report last night, the story sounded all too familiar to him. His car payment went from $43 a month to $743.
They say they want to make it right with everybody and I have no idea what that means," Milburn said.
Milburn and other consumers are more confused after receiving a one-line letter from the dealer. It is called an arbitration resolution.
Many customers signed arbitration agreements when they signed up for the deal.
"I didn’t think much of it at the time you don’t think you are going to be coming back in and suing these people later on."
But by signing the agreement, Milburn lost many of his rights.
"it handcuffs the consumer because it takes away one of the most important rights a consumer has and that is the right to take their case before a jury," lawyer Dale Irwin said.
The arbitration agreement has large print at the top that says either you or we, meaning the dealer, may choose to have any dispute decided by arbitration and not in court.
The agreement goes on to say if you go through arbitration, "You give up your right to participate…on any class claim," and that certain rights are limited.
Some customers believe that if they sign this resolution, they agree to arbitration. So consumers are wary.
"I don’t think to sign away my rights to any claim on this because right now I'm stuck with a vehicle that's worth about half of what I owe on it," Milburn said.
While Milburn is waiting to see what happens, other consumers are taking action.
A lawsuit filed Wednesday alleges fraud, violations of the Truth in Lending Act and Missouri's Merchandising Practices Act. It includes a request for class action status.
Thursday, the Better Business Bureau issued a warning regarding Chad Franklin Suzuki urging consumers to "Read and understand any disclaimers and contracts before signing and agreeing to anything."
The United States Postal Inspectors are also looking at this case.
Chad Franklin said in a statement Wednesday that he is not speaking publicly due to privacy matters but is cooperating with the attorney general's investigation in Kansas.
Our invitation still stands for Chad Franklin to sit down with us and share his side of this developing story.
