UPDATE AS OF JULY 28th,
2010
While I still remain cautiously optimistic that the new ownership and management at Planet Hyundai will create a better customer sales and service experience, they definitely did not want to have to prove it over time. Instead of leveraging this site as an outlet to link consumers to potentially positive testimonials that would validate the changes in how they treat customers, they instead decided to attack me in the form of a lawsuit.
Today, I had the pleasure of defending myself against Planet Hyundai's lawyer at a hearing to rule on a motion for a Court Ordered Temporary Injunction against my website, claiming the site to be a malicious campaign of lies and deception, intended to fool you all into thinking that the new ownership was responsible for all the past actions of prior ownership. It was actually a very civil process, and a learning experience for me, as I have never been sued before, not even by the prior owners who actually were responsible for all of the previous mistreatment of customers.
The judge ruled in my favor this time around, which means the site can continue to run until the matter is resolved by a jury of my peers.
Free Speech - Score 1 Corporate Bullying - Score 0
More to come...
UPDATE AS OF APRIL 1st, 2010
For people who have followed this site, or who have forever seen the sleazy ads offering 4,995 Hyundai's in the Vegas valley, you may think this is an April Fool's joke - but it is NOT. It is 100% official, as of April 1st, 2010, for the first time Planet Hyundai can actually legitimately say it is under new OWNERSHIP and MANAGEMENT. John Staluppi, Moe, and Frank, this time the joke is finally on you. There is a new sheriff in town. So, the big question now - are the new owners going to do business any differently?
As I have always said, information is power, so here are the things I do know.
- The old owner and managers have nothing to do with Planet Hyundai at all.
- Ron appears to be less involved in the day to day ops and has not owned a car dealership before
- Don Tamburro used to own Round Rock Hyundai in TX, but nut sure how long ago. The dealership is currently not accredited with the BBB, has a 'B' rating, and only 4 complaints in the last 3 years. As I said, I have no idea when Don was there and if Round Rock Hyundai can provide any insight into how things may or may not change at Planet Hyundai.
- The store's new GM is Don's son, Jason Tamburro. I have no info on Jason's past experience.
- The new owners and manager do not like my web site, and sound genuinely motivated to change the way things are done for the better
- I have not seen any sleazeball 4,995 Hyundai ads on TV in over a month. Bad for that horrible "actor," but possibly good for Las Vegas?
Have you visited the NEW Planet Hyundai? Visit our FORUM and share your experience!
This site was originally developed by a frustrated customer of Planet
Hyundai in 2004. The intent of this site is to share with the public my experience and
personal opinion, provide a central location for information and tools related to resolving issues with Planet Hyundai, and to provide a forum for others to share their unbiased opinions.
It
did not take long for the Company in question to get wind of this forum, and
although this site is by no means defamatory, they have seen fit to threaten
legal action to keep this information from being
freely shared.
As a consumer, and as an American, I have the right to
publish my opinion. As consumers, we all have an obligation and a right to
research important potential purchases. You can take this site for what it is -
a collection of opinions. If you take the time to read our bulletin board, you
will find testimonials of both good and bad experiences with the company in
question. I can only speak for my own experience.
It is a sad day in
the state of our nation when a company can bully an individual into giving up
their First Amendment right to the freedom of speech.
I will not be
bullied - and this site will not be shut down unless mandated by a court of
law.
Information is power - Consumers fight back!
-
Webmaster
