Customers of an Akron used-car dealership are struggling for answers after purchasing vehicles but never receiving the auto titles — even after a month, in some cases.
Since last week, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office has received at least seven complaints from customers of Phoenix Indoor Auto Sales, 903 E. Tallmadge Ave. They allege the dealership’s owners, Dave and Lisa Severy, failed to complete the auto titling process for several vehicles leaving customers with no proof of ownership.
There have been 20 other complaints filed against the dealership since 2011, primarily regarding failure to uphold warranties.
When contacted by phone, a message indicated the dealership was closed and prompted callers to leave a message. However, there’s no option afterward to leave a message.
Earlier this week, the business’ indoor lights were on, but the “open” sign was unlit and the doors were locked.
When a reporter approached the store, the owners’ son, Austin Severy, said from the dealership’s doorway that he didn’t know where his parents were and there was nothing he could do for customers struggling to obtain auto titles.
“I have no control,” said Severy, the store’s general manager.
He said the store was going through a transitional period while new ownership took over, but he declined to name the new owners or provide contact information.
When asked what customers could do to obtain proof of ownership of their vehicles, Severy reiterated that he could not help before closing and locking the door.
Customers said they received a similar lack of answers.
Steve Smith of Louisville said he traded the dealership a 2005 Nissan Altima for a 2001 Chevy Silverado on Dec. 9. The truck broke down just before Christmas.
“We tried to get a hold of the dealership because we had a warranty on it, but no one answered,” Smith said. “So we kept on calling and got no answers.”
Shortly after that, he received word that he owed a car payment on the Altima he had traded because the car was never transferred from his name. He also discovered the truck was still registered to a man in Mantua, meaning the dealership probably never transferred registration from the previous owner.
On Monday, Smith tracked the Nissan to a car repair shop, where workers said he could take the car because they never started repairs after failing to receive payment from the dealership.
This isn’t the first time David Severy has faced accusations of failing to transfer a title.
In 2007, he was charged with seven counts of offenses involving motor vehicle titles, seven counts of operation or sale of a motor vehicle without certificate of title and other charges, including one count of passing bad checks, according to Summit County Common Pleas records. He pleaded guilty to the one count of passing bad checks in 2008; the other charges were dismissed.
Some customers now are voicing similar complaints.
Jodi Lahew of Wind Ridge, Pa., said she bought a 2013 Ford Focus for her 17-year-old daughter on Nov. 15. She paid $9,700 cash.
“I went to do my paperwork to pay my taxes and get the registration, but I need the title to do that,” Lahew said. “I called over there and they said they were backed up and they’d get it to me soon. But now when I call, I can’t get through. I’ve been trying for two weeks to contact them.”
She said it’s a three-hour drive for her to get back to Akron, so it’s not an easy problem for her to fix.
“I thought maybe they were out for Christmas, but they’re still not answering their phones,” she said.
John Stover, another out-of-state buyer, said he purchased a 1-ton dump truck from Phoenix on Nov. 7 for about $20,000.
Stover of West Virginia said the truck broke down within weeks and isn’t drivable.
“It’s still under warranty, but they won’t even talk to me,” he said. “It’s just sitting there. I’m paying insurance on it, making payments on it, and I can’t drive it. It’s just a mess.”
He said the temporary tags on his vehicle expired last week, but — like other customers — he can’t get the auto title.
“I called and talked to Austin, and he said he didn’t know why it wasn’t through yet,” Stover said. “He said he’d call back in 10 minutes or so, and I never heard back from him.”
Another customer, Jorge Albores, said he bought a $5,500 2001 Toyota Seneca on Dec. 12. The motor was running too hot, though, so he brought the vehicle in for repairs because it was covered under a warranty.
Albores of Canton said he waited four days before checking on his car.
When he arrived, the dealership was closed and his car wasn’t there. It had been taken to Classic Akron Auto Service for repairs.
“They’re telling me they don’t want to give me my car because the dealer owes them money,” he said,” and I’m trying to tell them it’s not my problem.”
A manager of Akron Classic Auto Service confirmed cars were being held there, but declined to comment further.
Albores, who has not filed a complaint with the attorney general’s office, said he needs the car for work.
“If they don’t want to give me my car, then I need my money,” he said. “They keep telling me they can do nothing, but I tell them yes they can because they sold me my car.”
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com.