What should have been the excitement of rolling off the lot in a new ride has turned into a costly headache for several metro Atlanta car buyers, who say an auto broker took thousands of dollars for vehicles that never showed up or arrived in terrible shape.
The complaints focus on Marcus Flowers, listed as the owner of Triple M Auto Consultants, and have already sparked civil lawsuits and criminal scrutiny in DeKalb, Gwinnett and Rockdale counties.
Customers' accounts
Buyers told reporters with Channel 2 Action News that they put down hefty deposits, only to be strung along with shifting delivery dates until the deals fell apart.
One customer, Regina Bond, said she paid $6,500 up front for a Mercedes-Benz that never materialized. Another buyer, Shenika Phillips, reported paying more than $30,000 for a Lexus and a pickup that did show up, but needed thousands of dollars in repairs after delivery.
Business listings and status
Public business records connect the Triple M name and Flowers to locations in Tucker and Conyers, and consumer listings now suggest the company is no longer active. The Georgia Secretary of State database shows a Triple M Auto Consultants filing tied to Marcus C. Flowers, while the Better Business Bureau listing notes the business “appears to be out of business.”
Probes and court action
Court filings and interviews reviewed by reporters show Flowers facing multiple pending civil lawsuits in Rockdale, Gwinnett and DeKalb counties. He is also out on bond in a 2023 DeKalb County theft by conversion case, in which prosecutors say he accepted more than $20,000 from a customer for vehicles that were never delivered, according to Channel 2 Action News.
The station reports that the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office has widened its review and is now working with other law enforcement agencies, as more customers step forward with similar stories.
Where victims can turn
The DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office says it wants to hear from anyone who believes they may be a victim. The office lists victim services contacts and a main phone number on its website for people seeking help or guidance on what to do next.
On the consumer side, buyers can also file complaints with the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division and with the Better Business Bureau to get their disputes on the record and explore options such as mediation or referrals.
Legal implications
The conduct described here, taking money for vehicles that never arrive, has triggered both civil lawsuits and criminal investigation. Under Georgia law, theft by conversion covers situations where someone legally receives money or property under an agreement, then knowingly uses it for their own purposes instead of honoring that agreement. See Georgia Code for the full statute text.
How buyers can protect themselves
Anyone who handed over money and did not get the promised car is urged to hang on to every scrap of documentation, including contracts, receipts, text messages and emails. Filing a police report and keeping detailed notes on any repair costs or other expenses can be critical if the case ends up in court.
Consumers can submit a complaint online to the Georgia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division and also document the dispute with the Better Business Bureau, while considering civil options such as small claims court or a magistrate filing, depending on how much money is at stake.
