GRETNA – A used car dealership is being sued by a woman who claims a salesman sold her a salvage vehicle and fraudulently inflated the cost of repairs needed to make the vehicle functional.
Claire Bowman filed suit against S&M Auto LLC, S&M Collision Center LLC and Selvin Dreis in the 24th Judicial District Court on Oct. 16.
Bowman alleges that she on Sept. 4, 2013 she went to S&M Auto located at 1801 26th St. in Kenner where she met Dreis, a salesman. The plaintiff contends that she was inquiring about a salvaged 2007 Toyota Camry, which Dreis allegedly said he would be able to procure through an auction and repair for her. Bowman asserts that she found that the vehicle was purchased for $3,579 and was in need of repairs, but she put $5,500 down on the vehicle with the understanding it would need substantial repairs.
The plaintiff claims that she eventually made a total of $8,500 in payments on the vehicle and complained to the defendant that she was overcharged for parts, labor and cost of repairs to the vehicle, the details of which she maintains were never disclosed to her.
The defendant is accused of fraud.
Damages for an excessive amount of retail value for the vehicle plus court costs are sought by the plaintiff.
Bowman is represented by attorney Kimberly Spruill of Baton Rouge.
The case has been assigned to Division L Judge Donald A. Rowan Jr.
Case no. 743-491.
Used car dealer sued by customer who claims cost of repairs to salvage vehicle were fraudulently inflated
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