- A Scott Evans Jeep salesperson allegedly visited the man at a senior facility.
- Family says he may not have held a valid driver’s license and died in February.
- His widow has reportedly been left with $750 monthly payments for the SUV.
A family in Douglas County, Georgia, is seeking a full refund after their late 83-year-old father reportedly paid nearly $70,000 for a new Jeep Grand Cherokee under circumstances they claim raise serious concerns about his mental capacity. If substantiated, the situation could point to a troubling lapse in judgment or oversight during the sales process.
According to Alicia Miller, a salesman from Scott Evans Jeep in Carrollton visited the senior living facility where her father, James Benson, lived with his wife after he responded to an advertisement. Miller alleges that her father, who had been diagnosed with dementia, then went missing for approximately 30 hours after telling his wife he was going to the store.
Read: Dealer Sold Him A $30K Jeep SRT, Then Allegedly Lured Him Back And Gave It Away
He did not return until the following day, and when he did, he had reportedly purchased a new Jeep. The 83-year-old is said to have not held a valid driver’s license at the time and had not been actively driving prior to acquiring the SUV.
Questions Around Consent
Speaking with WSB-TV, Miller said her father’s wife had co-signed the loan, although she reportedly has memory-related issues and does not recall doing so. Benson passed away in February, and his widow has since been moved to a mental health facility, where she is now responsible for monthly payments of $750 tied to the vehicle.
Miller says the dealership has offered to refund just over $3,000 in purchase-related fees but has not agreed to a full refund or the return of the $5,000 deposit. The dealership has acknowledged that it completed the sale but declined to provide additional comment. According to the news station, Scott Evans Jeep reportedly told Benson’s daughter that it “didn’t discriminate against the elderly.”
What Happens Next?
“My mother signed it,” Miller told WSB-TV, adding that “she doesn’t remember signing it. My dad never thought he bought a car.”
With the dealership reportedly unwilling to reconsider its position, Miller says she is exploring legal options. Should the claims be verified through appropriate channels, the matter could ultimately be resolved through legal proceedings or settlement, if only to avoid any more bad publicity.
