Wakefield Buys Joe Gibson Suzuki in Spartanburg

By Heather Sullivan
Anchor
Published: October 10, 2008

New developments in the Joe Gibson case, the Suzuki and Mitsubishi dealerships in Spartanburg and Gaffney that filed for bankruptcy after about one hundred customers sued.  A new owner is re-opening the Spartanburg Suzuki dealership.  And lawyers say any other customers with claims against the Joe Gibson dealerships need to file them soon or they’ll be out of time.

After Joe Gibson Suzuki and Mitsubishi began an ad campaign about two years ago, offering very low monthly payments, they sold more than two thousand cars.  Lawyers suing the dealerships say about 500 of those customers have come forward, saying they were duped into buying cars they cannot afford.  But they say any other customers who believe they have claims have only until November 13th to either file a claim form with U.S. Bankruptcy court or retain an attorney.

Said David Alford, an attorney representing about one hundred customers, “If they’re not represented by an attorney, they’re going to somehow be excluded from any of the settlement discussions that are probably going to go in December.“

Lawyers say they’re trying to negotiate a settlement with Gibson’s insurance policy, “that we’re trying to get lined up right now, to bring into the pot so we can see about whether to undo deals or give people money back,“ explained attorney Rodney Pillsbury, who represents about 300 customers. 

In the meantime, the Joe Gibson Suzuki dealership in Spartanburg is about to re-open under a new owner:  Jay Wakefield of Wakefield Buick Pontiac GMC.  Wakefield says he’ll begin selling new Suzukis and offering repair service on October 21st at his dealership at 300 St. John Street in Spartanburg.

Said Wakefield, “Mr. Gibson has been servicing this market for ten years.  He’s got years and years of customer base and those customers need to be taken care of.  He did a great job.“

Wakefield says you will not see the familiar Gibson ad campaign.  Wakefield says he will sell cars the way he always has at his own dealership.  Said Wakefield, “We want to give people a dollar’s worth of merchandise for a dollar, and not fifty cents and not two dollars.“

With this purchase, Wakefield does not assume responsibility for any claims against Joe Gibson. 

No buyers have been found yet for Joe Gibson Mitsubishi in Spartanburg and Joe Gibson Suzuki in Gaffney.
   
Customers who believe they have a claim against Joe Gibson Suzuki or Mitsubish can retain an attorney or file a Proof of Claim form with the U.S. Bankruptcy court. 

Then mail the form to U.S. Bankruptcy Court, 1100 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC 29201.