Wichita car dealer will pay $30,000 to settle four consumer protection complaints

A west Wichita used-car dealer and one of its salespeople have agreed to pay $30,000 in civil penalties in response to four separate complaints that they violated the Kansas Consumer Protection Act.

Superb Motors LLC and Thomas Griffin Jr. denied violating the act, but entered into a consent judgment with the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, which alleged that the business failed to deliver a title within 60 days on two sales, failed to disclose an odometer problem and a missing catalytic converter on another and used an unlicensed salesperson on a fourth transaction.

According to a news release from the District Attorney’s Office, all four alleged violations took place between 2020 and 2021.

The consent judgment requires a 12-month probationary period, as well as cooperation with future complaints. Superb is also required to conduct an audit of prior sales to determine whether consumers were sold vehicles without being informed of safety recalls.

Under state law, if a person purchases a vehicle and doesn’t receive a title within 60 days, the transaction is “fraudulent and void” and the customer is entitled to a refund.

Car dealer employees must be licensed by the Kansas Department of Revenue to act as a salesperson in the state.

This story was originally published October 21, 2021 at 12:06 PM.