Grayson West
In a deeply unjust turn of events, a Knoxville resident found herself in a harrowing predicament after a used car dealer not only failed to rectify her vehicle’s issues but also proceeded to sell it off without her consent. These shocking events compelled her to seek assistance from Don Dare of WATE, especially after receiving a notice from the Tennessee Department of Revenue stating that her car was still registered in her name.
The incident, which unfolded in November, traces back to Lindsey Thompson and Larry Cole’s hopeful purchase of a 2005 Ford Taurus from Cherokee Auto Sales on Broadway in North Knoxville in June 2023. What initially seemed like a promising investment quickly soured when their newly acquired vehicle encountered transmission issues merely five months later.
Thompson vividly recalls the harrowing moment when the car malfunctioned while Cole was behind the wheel. Promptly contacting the dealership, they arranged for the car to be towed back for repairs. However, to their dismay, they discovered that their car had been sold off without their knowledge or consent upon their return to Cherokee Auto Sales ten days later.
Thompson’s frustration and confusion were palpable as she grappled with the dealership’s explanation. They claimed that the car exceeded the mileage covered by the warranty. Despite Thompson’s protests and her bafflement over why her car wasn’t returned, she found herself entangled in the aftermath of a transaction that had gone terribly wrong.
Adding insult to injury, a recent notice from the State Department of Revenue highlighted another alarming revelation: her car was still listed under her name despite being sold off months ago. Cherokee Auto Sales had failed to notify the state of the vehicle’s change in ownership.
Don Dare’s investigation led him to Cherokee Auto Sales, where he encountered resistance from a salesman unwilling to address the situation. Despite attempts to reason with the dealership, their silence only served to compound Thompson’s frustration.
Faced with mounting financial losses and bureaucratic hurdles, Thompson is now seeking legal recourse to reclaim her investment or obtain a replacement vehicle. With nearly $2,700 invested in a car she drove for only five months, her plight serves as a warning against the pitfalls of dealing with unscrupulous dealerships.
As Cherokee Auto Sales remains tight-lipped amidst mounting pressure, Thompson’s battle for justice continues, bringing the importance of consumer rights and holding businesses accountable for their actions into the public spotlight.