[jac1976]

brads911sc-

While I agree with your position on "buyer beware," I do not think this is entirely an issue of "a little common sense."

While Victory Motorcars is not an "internet based" business, they do conduct much of their business online via eBay and other outlets. I find it difficult for any dealership with an inventory to be "internet based." Nevertheless, just as Mr. Neal has done much to promote his business online, others have used the medium to express their displeasure with his business practices. Buyers' accounts of unprofessional behavior, some supported by email correspondence, on behalf of Mr. Neal are easily found online and seemingly well substantiated. While you purport that these are merely disenchanted buyers displacing their remorse for their own lack of due diligence, many of us are inclined to believe their stories of forged titles, misrepresentation and outright denial of prior body or mechanical repairs.

On the other hand, Mr. Neal has managed to garner a great number of stellar 5-star reviews on Citysearch and Google. Kudos to him. Most of these reviewers refer to him by his first name. Interestingly, the reviewers have more in common with each other than just a first name basis with Mr. Neal. Not only do they give 5-star reviews to Victory Motorcars, they give 5-star reviews to every business they review. In fact, these folks are so close-knit, many of them seek services and goods from the same businesses even if it means traveling hundreds of miles to buy furniture at Bob Mills Furniture in Amarillo and bicycle parts at Bike Stop in Wichita Falls. Becker Animal Hospital in San Antonio must be damn good (not willing to spring for top tier care, I take my mutt to Houston's own GCVS) as many of Mr. Neal's clients use their services. Let's hear it for Lonestar Maids out of Austin, a number of Victory Motorcars customers use these guys. One client was so overjoyed with her experience she apparently bought two wedding gowns, one in Dallas and one in Houston. I bet she rode a unicorn from town to town with the other Victory Motorcars reviewers. I can just see her clad in a wedding dress doing the old Toyota "Oh, what a feeling" leap in front of a VMC 911.

Now I would hate to jump to the conclusion that these reviews are the work of spam services paid for by Victory Motorcars. I will try my best to keep my common sense in check. Wouldn't it be tragic if I were to assume the commonalities between these "reviewers" are anything more than mere coincidence?

Caveat emptor does not exempt the seller from professional behavior and conducting his business with the "honor" and "integrity" he promulgates online.