It’s not uncommon for the U.S. Army to make some questionable bars off-limits to soldiers, but Fort Huachuca’s ban of a local auto dealership is quite unprecedented. The base – which is located near Tucson, Arizona – has banned soldiers from doing business with two area dealerships, Wildcat Mitsubishi i n Tucson and Ideal Automotive in nearby Sierra Vista.
Both dealerships are owned by the Johnston family, and are no strangers to customer disputes. Over the last three years, the two dealerships have amassed 30 complaints filed with the local Better Business Bureau, according to Automotive News.
The complaints – which the Johnstons admit to – range from improperly recording vehicle VIN numbers, authorizing financing deals with the appropriate licenses and even failing to return vehicle deposits.
The Army ban directly relates to a dispute between officer James Tuman and the Johnstons that occurred in 2006. Tuman purchased a used 1995 Pontiac Firebird only to discover the vehicle had some major mechanical issues. Tuman tried to return the vehicle shortly after its purchase, but the Johnstons refused to give Tuman his money back, or even refund his trade-ins – a 1994 Isuzu Rodeo and a motorcycle. The dealership also threatened to repossess the Firebird, a move that would have tarnished his credit and affected his security clearance.
Although the Johnston family claims the complaints were simply cases of paperwork mix-ups and other mishaps, the BBB, the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions, the Arizona State Transportation Department, the U.S. Army and even the local police department have findings that say otherwise. Father Rick Johnston says the Johnstons are “just a family trying to make a living,” which sounds a lot like something Tony Soprano might say.
