Manhattan Motor in Turf City shuts down

[Fett]

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/manhattan-motor-in-turf-city-shuts-down-car-buyers-may-lose-tens-of-thousands-of?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&xtor=CS1-10#link_time=1512106715

 

 

Manhattan Motor in Turf City shuts down, car buyers may lose tens of thousands of dollars

Manhattan Motor closed shop after leaving more than 20 buyers without cars which they have paid for.

 

SINGAPORE - The names have changed, but the story is the same.

Another motor firm has closed shop after leaving more than 20 buyers without cars which they have paid for.

Manhattan Motor in Turf City, a sole proprietorship owned by used car dealer Lee Kum Kuen, had sold the cars to several buyers in the last month or so, collected the money, but did not transfer the ownership to the buyers.

 

The finance or leasing companies which the cars are still registered with then proceeded to repossess the cars.

Dentist Daniel Chan, 34, was among those affected. He bought a used Volkswagen Tiguan in November and collected the car on Nov 6. On Nov 15, he tried to renew road tax for the car, but could not.

He contacted the Land Transport Authority, and was told that the vehicle had not been transferred to him.

 

 

 

The car has since been repossessed, and Manhattan has closed shop.

Asked why he did not buy from authorised agent Volkswagen Centre Singapore, which has a used car division, he said: "I didn't want to spend too much on a car. The (Manhattan) price was right. I did an internet search on the company and there were no bad reviews.

"I've bought two used cars before, and never had a problem," he added.

He bought the six-year-old car for $70,000 and paid $50,000 in cash.

 

Volkswagen Centre Singapore said it does not have a similar car in stock currently, but estimated that one would cost around $50,000.

Police said they have received "more than 20" reports from consumers regarding Manhattan Motor. "We are looking into the matter," a spokesman said.

Auto Lease Pte Ltd, one of the companies that repossessed the cars sold by Manhattan Motor, had already towed back seven cars. "Four are still at large," said director Anthony Lim.

Mr Lim said such cases have become "very common".

"You don't need a licence to be a motor dealer," he said. "Buyers just have to be vigilant."

The Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) said it has received 14 complaints against Manhattan Motor since January, with 11 filed in the last two weeks.

Executive Director Loy York Jiun said: "The complaints were primarily about the lack of transfer of ownership of the car to the consumer's name.

"Some consumers feedback that despite having made full payment to the car dealer, their cars were repossessed as payment was not made to finance company.

"Case is of the view that collection of payment by the dealer with no intention to fulfil their obligations under the contract is highly unethical and it is an unfair practice under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act. Consumers can seek recourse under the Act."

But Case noted that “options are more limited in the event where a business ceases operations”. 

Manhattan Motor has not been contactable. 

 

 

 

Happening more and more often these days. Im sure its hurting all the other Parallel Importers as people lose faith in smaller dealers. what do you think can be done to stop this?

 

 

Edited December 1, 2017 by Fett

[Keithchue]

doesn't take much capital to scam money. maybe should impose certain restrictions to protect consumers

[t0y0ta]

No matter all the bad reviews, incidents, scams exposed etc... still many buyers continue to walk along the edge of cliff.

 

I have also encouraged to buy new cars from AD, rather than lottery of PI.

 

Used cars more difficult to say. I bought from small shop before and had no problems, would I do it again... almost certainly not.

[Soya]

Toothless tiger giving useless advice....again

[Fett]

No matter all the bad reviews, incidents, scams exposed etc... still many buyers continue to walk along the edge of cliff.

 

I have also encouraged to buy new cars from AD, rather than lottery of PI.

 

Used cars more difficult to say. I bought from small shop before and had no problems, would I do it again... almost certainly not.

 

 

I think so too, buyers need to ownself check ownself also. Maybe some are first time buyers. and used car also no choice, if u wan a particular model then not everywhere have. 

 

some of these cheaters advertise in newspapers too. car buying is so scary

[Kopites]

Toothless tiger giving useless advice....again

Tiger? Should be meow meow..hahaha

 

Well in buying used car one need to be very viligent. The moment he/she signed on the dotted line. Follow the process through from reg. at LTA to securing the insurance/finance. Do not take for granted everything will be done smoothly.

 

Example..I even took leave accompany my young cousin to LTA. Hand over cashier order to the sales guy once he submitted the form. I even advisedo my cousin not to pass his IC over to the sales guy. In need of IC can always make a trip down. Once insurance approved..call personally to confirm. Is a hassle but necessary when dealing with resales.

 

Buying new with PI..I handed over the balance amount (cashier order) three days before collection. Check the coe info bearing your name. Etc.

[Fett]

Tiger? Should be meow meow..hahaha

 

Well in buying used car one need to be very viligent. The moment he/she signed on the dotted line. Follow the process through from reg. at LTA to securing the insurance/finance. Do not take for granted everything will be done smoothly.

 

Example..I even took leave accompany my young cousin to LTA. Hand over cashier order to the sales guy once he submitted the form. I even advisedo my cousin not to pass his IC over to the sales guy. In need of IC can always make a trip down. Once insurance approved..call personally to confirm. Is a hassle but necessary when dealing with resales.

 

Buying new with PI..I handed over the balance amount (cashier order) three days before collection. Check the coe info bearing your name. Etc.

 

Shud make a list of wat u said, very good advice.

 

- Do research on dealer

- Use Cashiers Order for deposit

- Do not pass ur IC

- Call insurance company to confirm

- Pay balance in cashiers order

- Check the coe info bearing your name

[Tohto]

No matter all the bad reviews, incidents, scams exposed etc... still many buyers continue to walk along the edge of cliff.

 

I have also encouraged to buy new cars from AD, rather than lottery of PI.

 

Used cars more difficult to say. I bought from small shop before and had no problems, would I do it again... almost certainly not.

This are not new car. Thus are 2nd hand car.

[Hamburger]

meow meow really only know how to horse back cannon. News of it under fire is known since January and nothing is done. Close shop lah and dont waste people time going down!!!!!

 

such practice has been around for years and who condone it?

 

just make sure  you pay your due taxes of any kind and its all that matters to it.

 

And yes, we deserve it.

Edited December 1, 2017 by Hamburger

[Ysc3]

i thought this was reported 2 weeks ago liow ?

[Friendstar]

doesn't take much capital to scam money. maybe should impose certain restrictions to protect consumers

Make PI place 1 Mio SGD BG

[Kopites]

Ya a lot of young and new buyer of resales. There already ton of info from mcf here.

Spend a day or two search through yours will get a better idea on how to deal with PI or resales.

 

My opinion only...mcf search engine cmi. Don't shoot me BB and mod.

[Wt_know]

this is a sure win scam in spore

no jail term for PI and dealer who sell car, take deposit some even collect full cash then close shop and never transfer car ownership. wtf to the max for spore rule of law .

Edited December 1, 2017 by Wt_know

[ER-3682]

Owner already fled to US Manhattan enjoy life..    

[Jamesc]

I remember they always had the lowest prices.

 

 

 

[Othello]

Nothing new mah. All industries worldwide is the same lah. To me, just a normal business failure.

[kdash]

my advice to new buyers is, get someone senior and experienced to go with you to deal wth the PI. agree that MCF has a lot of info but when SE does his magic, new buyers are easily gone...

 

also, CASE is useless one... probably most of the victims wont get their money back...

Edited December 1, 2017 by kdash

[Kopites]

my advice to new buyers is, get someone senior and experienced to go with you to deal wth the PI. agree that MCF has a lot of info but when SE does his magic, new buyers are easily gone...

 

also, CASE is useless one... probably most of the victims wont get their money back...

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