Heard Blames Economy For Closure

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. -- The biggest Chevrolet dealer in the country is closing its doors at all 13 locations, putting 2,700 people out of work. The head of Georgia-based Bill Heard Enterprises says the company is unable to survive in a weak economy with high gas prices.

In a statement, the company said it has too many gas guzzlers sitting unsold and not enough money on-hand to keep going. But all afternoon, customers called or came by all four Metro Atlanta stores to try to retrieve their cars, and their money.

Nick Dudley just learned he's losing his job. As he tried to help Kiekee Mosley find the old car she traded in on Saturday, he was thinking of his future.

"Just hoping we get paid, just hoping we get paid," he said. "That's our biggest thing right now."

Mosley was worried about her money. She had come in to pick up the new car she'd bought, but now the deal -- and the dealer -- were gone.

"I just want the keys back to my trade and my check for my down payment back," Mosley said. "That's all I want."

Getting her old car back is one thing. Getting her down payment check back might be quite another.

"I don't think anybody expected the closing between 12 and 3 today, of all the dealerships," said Bill Cloud of the Governor's Office Of Consumer Affairs.

Cloud said state officials will confer Thursday with representatives of GMAC, the General Motors lending arm that financed most customers' loans. The state is already suing Heard for $50 million, for what it calls decades of deceptive business practices, including what the state says were bogus recall notices sent out last October.

Right now, the state wants GMAC to make sure customers like Kiekee Mosley don't lose the money they paid for cars they won't get.

11Alive News asked, "Can you assure someone who has money there now that they'll be able to get their money back?"

Cloud replied, "Right now, I'm, can't assure anybody of anything. This has been a very busy day.

So, if you have a car or money at a Bill Heard dealership, call the dealership first. If that doesn't work call the Governor's Office Of Consumer Affairs at 404-651-8600.

And if you've got a lot of money at stake, Bill Cloud of Consumer Affairs says you might want to call a lawyer.