Horrible Jeep dealer experience...Wells Custom

[Vawildjeep]

I’ll make a long story short as possible.

Multiple customers purchased jeeps through a dealership in NC, Wells Custom Autos. Apparently due to criminal activity including a ponzi type scheme with fraud, and facing a long prison term, the owner fired all his employees and then committed suicide. Being a one man show (except for his wife who also worked there) the business has now closed the doors. This left nearly 50 customers who have fully paid for their jeeps out in the cold. They will not turn over any jeeps even though they sit in the building fully built and completed AND fully paid for by customers. Many have invested their life savings into this purchase and are left with no answers and no Jeep. Such a horrible situation for so many people involved. I’m not sure if anyone on here is involved in this mess but I hope it gets figured out soon and these people get thier jeeps. This mess involves not only this man but also his wife and numerous dealerships across the country that he was buying jeeps from and some finance company who is holding the titles of many of these jeeps. Sending positive thoughts and best wishes to everyone involved for a positive outcome.

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[TrailTorque]

I’ll make a long story short as possible.

Multiple customers purchased jeeps through a dealership in NC, Wells Custom Autos. Apparently due to criminal activity including a ponzi type scheme with fraud, and facing a long prison term, the owner fired all his employees and then committed suicide. Being a one man show (except for his wife who also worked there) the business has now closed the doors. This left nearly 50 customers who have fully paid for their jeeps out in the cold. They will not turn over any jeeps even though they sit in the building fully built and completed AND fully paid for by customers. Many have invested their life savings into this purchase and are left with no answers and no Jeep. Such a horrible situation for so many people involved. I’m not sure if anyone on here is involved in this mess but I hope it gets figured out soon and these people get thier jeeps. This mess involves not only this man but also his wife and numerous dealerships across the country that he was buying jeeps from and some finance company who is holding the titles of many of these jeeps. Sending positive thoughts and best wishes to everyone involved for a positive outcome.

Holy crap man! I’m assuming you got screwed too? At any rate I am SURE it is under investigation and everyone will have their Jeeps. So glad I moved away from NC! Best of luck to anyone involved that got screwed!

 

[blnewt]

Wow, echo what Morton said, hope if you were one of the unlucky ones that this somehow gets resolved and you get the Jeep or reimbursed. Sure makes for a depressing Holiday Season

 

[Vawildjeep]

It is under investigation for sure. And it’s not looking good for anyone getting thier jeeps at this point. No one knows if she and her attorneys will bankrupt the company and seize jeeps to sell to settle the huge amount of debt that is out there for her and the company. We are all praying for a good result that won’t cause many to declare their own bankruptcy.

 

[JeepDave]

More like a Horrible Custom Shop Experience...

 

[VNT]

Could the OP change the Title to horrible Shop experience, has nothing to do with the Jeep brand or Jeeps other than this place customized Jeeps, and commited fraud, people visiting the site will think it is a dealer stealing customers money.

 

[Carlton]

Were the jeeps purchased in the customers' names or by the company. If they were purchased by the company, and the company went under/owner is deceased, everyone is most likely out of luck.

 

[Joe98]

Yes, from an accounting point of view, some of the wife's assets will be transferred to the company. Then the company will probably sell all the company's assets including the Jeeps on the lot. The funds are then distributed among all the creditors.

If a Jeep was already sold and paid for, there will be documentation as evidence. The owners can come and collect their property.

If instead, a buyer paid a deposit, the buyer must line up as a creditor. Either way it could take months or years to sort out.

 

[Vawildjeep]

My intention wasn’t to offend the Jeep brand, only to bring attn to a situation that may help others who plan to purchase this way. It’s not the normal path to do so but it is an option for some. I was also looking to see if anyone had knowledge of the situation and could offer assistance to those involved. There are a few on these boards who purchased thier Jeep from this company and may have info to help others. Hopefully this never happens to any of you, but it did happen to some and no one wants it to repeat itself. Enjoy your jeeps.

 

[aml]

I remember they operated out of Virginia previously. I drove by their shop once. I was surprised when they up and left to North Carolina. I wonder if this issue was chasing them?

Sorry for anyone having to deal with it.

Oh and it wasn’t a Jeep Dealership. It was more of a custom shop that specialized in Wranglers. The wheels they put on didn’t have enough sidewall for me...

 

[TrailTorque]

Were the jeeps purchased in the customers' names or by the company. If they were purchased by the company, and the company went under/owner is deceased, everyone is most likely out of luck.

This.

 

[TrailTorque]

I remember they operated out of Virginia previously. I drove by their shop once. I was surprised when they up and left to North Carolina. I wonder if this issue was chasing them?

Sorry for anyone having to deal with it.

I googled them after reading this. They have ‘shops’ in several states..

 

[digitalbliss]

Who the heck fully buys and pays for a vehicle before actually taking delivery?

 

[aml]

I googled them after reading this. They have ‘shops’ in several states..

I don’t think so. The one in Virginia is gone...there are other “Wells Automotive” tire repair shops, but not “Wells Auto Sales”.

Edit... I just searched again, I am not positive...

 

[TrailTorque]

I don’t think so. The one in Virginia is gone...there are other “Wells Automotive” tire repair shops, but not “Wells Auto Sales”.

Probably right I just did a quick search but on their website didn’t it list Jeeps in other ‘locations’ I can’t remember

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