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Customers Affected By Car Dealerships' Federal Raid

Posted: 6:27 pm EDT July 12, 2005Updated: 7:50 am EDT July 14, 2005

Customers of four Charlotte car dealerships raided by federal agents said they are being forced to re-sign loan papers and are having trouble getting their new cars insured.

The Better Business Bureau has gotten calls and complains from more than 12 people in the last two days.

Customer Debbie Brindley said they now wish they could get their old car back.

"If I had it my way, I would have them tear up the contract, give me back my old Mazda and put it behind me," said Brindley.

Brindley said she bought her new car from Harrelson Mazda on June 28. She said since then, she has had nothing but trouble.

"I'm going to have to sign another contract, which I told him, 'I feel like I signed my name in blood two weeks ago when I purchased the car,'" said Brindley.

As part of her deal, the car Brindley traded in should have been paid off. Monday, she got a letter in the mail stating that it wasn't paid off.

"I also called my insurance company. They had no record whatsoever that the car had been traded," she said.

Harrelson's attorney, Peter Anderson, told Eyewitness News that whatever the company promised before the raids will be delivered.

"The company shares the customers' concerns surrounding the documents that were taken by the federal government. Fortunately, this issue should be resolved by the end of the week," said Anderson.

Tuesday afternoon, the dealerships' owner, Louise F. Harrelson, said his company did nothing wrong.

"I'm here from 8:00 in the morning to 9:00 at night. I don't even take a lunch. I'm here to handle any problems from any customer," said Harrelson.

Anderson said if there are any missing papers and they lead to any extra charges, the company would be more than happy to take care of them.

The federal government won't comment on what agents were looking for in the Harrelson dealerships they raided.

Those details are not expected to be released unless the FBI files charges.

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