The “Auto Market 18”, once popular for its promise of finding buyers in no time, suddenly went out of business, leaving behind a nice jackpot of unpaid debts. The total damage is estimated at more than 100,000 euros, a dizzying sum.
Many similar cases
This Tuesday, November 5, the Bourges commercial court officially declared the compulsory liquidation of the company, marking the end of a financial adventure which proved much more bitter than lucrative for the aggrieved owners.
For these owners of cars sold but not paid for, things had started well. The company, until then rather well reputed, offered to take care of all stages of the sale: from welcoming potential buyers to signing the transfer papers.
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Seduced by the simplicity of the process, many customers have dropped off their vehicles there, hoping to make a quick and hassle-free transaction. But the scenario took a nightmarish turn when the expected payments never arrived.
Let's take the example of a witness transfer in June, after telling me that a buyer had been found. According to them, delivery and payment were scheduled for September. They owe me 8,000 euros. Since then, there has been no sign of life: neither the landline nor the cell phone responds. »
And he's not alone. This message, with just a few words, has become the refrain of a bad song that many others now have in their heads despite themselves. At least ten owners, for a total loss estimated at more than 100,000 euros, are in the same situation.
There is no hope to find their money
Between anger and incomprehension, they helplessly witness the legal liquidation of the company, and the chances of recovering their money are diminishing day by day.
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The worst part of this affair was that the “Auto Market 18” seemed to operate without visible problems. The company was well established, and customers had plenty of proof of seriousness before the situation suddenly deteriorated. But the promises of payment never materialized, and the company left behind cars, contracts and… very unfortunate salespeople.
Today, these owners find themselves with a sold car… but without a single euro in their pocket. Social networks and local forums are ablaze with similar testimonies, and several complaints have already been filed. However, judicial liquidation complicates appeals, and for many of them, the hope of seeing their money again is slim.
The “Auto Market 18” will have left a bitter mark on the automotive landscape of Saint-Doulchard, where the expression “breakdown” now takes on its full meaning…
