Scammed by North Jersey Auto Mall

I purchased a 2002 Volvo from North Jersey Auto Mall also known as Lencore Auto Group of Paterson, NJ in May 2011 after seeing it listed on eBay. I had extensive telephone conversations with Lenny Belot who verbally represented the automobile in “excellent physical condition and in perfect mechanical shape” during each telephone call before and after the purchase.  

 

Lenny insisted the automobile was worth high blue book because the car was low mileage and was “flawless, mint and without any scratches, dents or dings.” He said he drove the car several times, taking it home to show his wife because “the car was just like brand new” even though it was a 2002 model. 

 

Before the car was shipped to me in California Lenny cautioned, “be sure to check the car for body damage and rock chips by the auto shipper when you get it. This car is perfect and doesn’t have a scratch.”  

 

I called Lenny immediately upon receiving the car to express my concern on the physical and mechanical condition. There were obvious signs of body damage and the car drove with a significant vibration.  

 

Lenny initially denied any physical body damages and wanted me to pursue an insurance claim with the auto shipper saying it was their fault. He continued to claim the car “was perfect when it left” and that damage had to be caused by the shipper and to make an insurance claim for damages with the shipper.  

 

However, shipping records from Corporate Auto Movers, signed by Lenny’s staff clearly call out significant pre-existing body damage including obvious signs of an accident repair and re-spray on the left side and dents on both right side driver and passenger doors. 

 

Lenny backed down only after being presented with the signed shipping records showing pre-existing damages. I have an estimate to repair the body damage of $2, 081.61.  

 

 

Additionally I spent $1, 436.72 to replace a defective front driveshaft and left side mirror motor and electrical assembly that caused shorts when the car was unlocked remotely. Both issues were easily detected from the first moment I drove the car and repairs were required for safe vehicle operation. I believe these issues were so obvious that they should have been known by others driving the car beforehand.  

 

Lenny initially said he would provide monetary compensation to fix the vehicle and make me happy. However, repeated efforts to resolve this claim with Lenny were unsuccessful. Ultimately I took Lenny Belot and Lencore Auto Group to Small Claims Court in NJ and settled. There was one other party suing Lencore the same day I was there. 

 

Lencore has a BBB rating of “F” which is not unexpected given the numerous online posts. Lenny Belot and Bobby Marmo are expert salesmen and masters of the con. They are advantaged when selling to out of state purchasers. 

 

Here is a recap of my lessons learned. 1) Have the car inspected by a reputable company, 2) look at the online reputation of the company you do business with, 3) check online with the local BBB. Had I done this I would have found significant reasons not to do business with Lencore Auto Group or North Jersey Auto Mall.