Planet Ford In Belton Closing

Kathy Barrett of the Better Business Bureau told us Wednesday that Planet Ford of Belton was closing.

The dealership, located at 6129 Belton Highway, is one of the larger dealerships in the area.

She also said the the owner, Michael Roberts also owns the Suzuki store in Anderson.

Planet Ford had its membership dismissed from the BBB last year because of advertising issues, unresolved complaints and a pattern of unresolved complaints, Barrett said.

The Dealer Association, based in Columbia, said this will not impact existing customers at all.

If you have warranty work any Ford dealer can take care of it according to the association.

The BBB issued the following suggestions on what consumers should do:

If you have had a problem with this company:
1) File a complaint with the BBB at www.upstatesc.bbb.org
2) If your complaint involves non-receipt of title or registration for a vehicle you have purchased file a DLA5 with the SC Department of Motor Vehicles
(http://www.scdmvonline.com/DMVNew/forms/DLA-5%20Revised%202-6-04.pdf)
3) File a complaint with the SC Dept of Consumer Affairs. www.scconsumer.com
4) If your credit has been negatively affected, contact the creditor that has the negative report on you and give them your police incident number. Ask them if it is possible to conduct an investigation in regard to the company.
5) Get a copy of your credit report at www.equifax.com; www.experian.com; and www.transunion.com. If this has affected your credit negatively you may also send a 100 word or less, letter of explanation to be attached to your credit file when requests are made for your credit report.

Read the complete reliability report on Planet Ford from the BBB below:
The Planet Ford
6129 Belton Highway
Belton, SC 29627

BBB issues Reliability Reports on all businesses, whether or not they are BBB accredited. If a business is a BBB Accredited Business, it is stated in this report.

Original Business Start Date: 04/18/1996
Principal: Scott Flavell, General Manager
Phone Number: 864-338-8080
Fax Number: 864-338-8909
Email Address: SFlavell@theplanetford.com
Web Site Address: www.theplanetford.com
BBB Accredited Business Status:
This is not a BBB accredited business
Type of Business: Auto Dealers-New Cars

BBB ACCREDITED BUSINESS

On October 10, 2007 this company's membership was dismissed by the BBB's Board of Directors due to failure to elimate the underlying pattern of complaints and advertising matters.

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

The company has an unsatisfactory record with the BBB due to advertising issues, unresolved complaint(s) and a pattern of unanswered complaint(s). The company has responded to other complaint(s).

When evaluating complaint information, please consider the company's size and volume of business. The number of complaints filed against the business may not be as important as the type of complaints and how the business handled them.

The BBB processed a total of 24 complaints about this business in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. Of the total 24 complaints in the last 36 months, 8 of those were closed in the last 12 months.

Complaints Concerned
Advertising Issues: 1
Outcome of the complaint -
Resolved: 1; |[1 - Company resolved the complaint
issues. The consumer failed to acknowledged acceptance to the
BBB.]|

Sales Practice Issues: 3
Outcome of all complaints -
Unresolved: 1; |[1 - Company failed to resolve the
complaint issues through the BBB voluntary and self-regulatory
process.]| Administratively Closed: 2; |[1 - Company agreed to arbitration in accordance with their BBB agreement, but the consumer declined.]| |[1 - BBB determined the company provided proper verification that indicated there was no obligation to resolve the issues of the complaint.]|

Delivery Issues: 1
Outcome of the complaint -
Resolved: 1

Repair Issues: 1
Outcome of the complaint -
Resolved: 1; |[1 - Company resolved the complaint
issues. The consumer failed to acknowledged acceptance to the
BBB.]|

Service Issues: 10
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 2; |[1 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]| |[1 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]| Unresolved: 1; |[1 - Company failed to resolve the complaint issues through the BBB voluntary and self-regulatory process.]| Administratively Closed: 5; |[1 - Company agreed to arbitration in accordance with their BBB agreement, but the consumer declined.]| |[2 - BBB determined that despite the company's good faith effort to address complaint issues, the consumer remained dissatisfied.

]| |[1 - Company agreed to mediation in accordance with their
BBB agreement, but the consumer declined.]| No Response: 2;
|[2 - Company failed to respond to the BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.]|

Refund or Exchange Issues: 1
Outcome of the complaint -
Resolved: 1

Contract Issues: 6
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 1; |[1 - Company resolved the complaint
issues. The consumer failed to acknowledged acceptance to the
BBB.]| No Response: 5; |[5 - Company failed to respond to the BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.]|

Billing or Collection Issues: 1
Outcome of the complaint -
Resolved: 1; |[1 - Company resolved the complaint
issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]|

COMPANY ADVERTISING

The BBB contacted the company and requested substantion of an advertisement stating, 'Buy One Vehicle Get One Free' after receiving a customer complaint that she could not receive one free. The company failed to subtantiate the offer.

The company also advertised vehicles for one price, but customers state the vehicles were not available for the advertised price. The BBB questioned the company on bait and switch tactics. The company failed to substantiate the advertised offer.

ADDITIONAL FILE INFORMATION

This company was formerly doing business as Foothills Ford.

As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. BBB Reliability Reports are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Information in this BBB Reliability Report is believed reliable, but not guaranteed as to accuracy. BBB Reliability Reports generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Reliability Reports are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted the BBB for a BBB Reliability Report.

BBB reports may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.