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Payless 4 Wheel Drive

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Payless 4 Wheel Drive Reviews (1)

Review: I live in Austin but bought a 1970 Bronco sight unseen from a private owner in Chico. Before I bought it, I had it taken to Payless 4-Wheel for a complete mechanical check-up to ensure there weren't major issues with the vehicle. Payless identified a few odds and ends that I would need to fix but gave it a clean bill of health. $400 well spent I thought! I bought and had the car shipped to Austin, started it up (it was difficult to start) and drove it to my mechanic to address the issues Payless found. While driving, it dangerously pulled hard to the right when braking at high speeds. My mechanic looked over the vehicle and verified both front and back brakes were bad and the back needed new drums, the fuel pressure tested low which he later found a leaking fuel line and bad fuel pump (this was causing the starting issue). He also identified a tick in the engine that could be heard when revving. The tick, which Payless completely missed, led to me needing a new engine. We were able to drive the Bronco home but ultimately had to have it towed to the engine shop. All in all, I spent well over $4000 for a new engine, the things my mechanic found as well as list of odds and ends (a number of leaks, a loose tie rod and loose u-joint) that Payless identified. I spoke to [redacted] the owner immediately after learning it would need a new engine along with all the other things Payless had missed. He agreed to reimburse me. He never did, and he hasnt responded to me since (2 months later).The very least Payless can do is to reimbuse me that money I spent with them to avoid all the expenses I ultimately had to pay.Desired Settlement: I want them to reimburse my AMEX card like they said they would.

Business

Response:

The customer asked us to inspect a bronco for any flaws and to list those flaws on an invoice. The cost was to be $116.00 dollars which was to be a one hour inspection. The inspection had no verbal or written guarantee and included the following. I drove the vehicle 3 miles at 30 mph and 4.6 miles at 60 mph and did not hear or feel any problems that would be dangerous or should be addressed in the future. We were to inspect and listen to the components without tearing down or disassembling. 1. Brakes (All brakes had over .218 of pad) no noise and no pull. 2. Engine had no strange noises, leaks, or knocks. 3. Lights to include headlights, directional, and taillights all functioned. 4. No broken glass and windows/doors worked correctly. 5. Dashboard illumination and gauges all functioned correctly. 5. Heater and windshield wipers worked correctly. 6. Steering alignment to include steering wheel alignment and tracking was normal with no shake or vibration. 7. Tired had no uneven tread, cuts, or cracks that would be considered dangerous or wear into the track bars. 8. Both front axle seals were leaking (could cause bearing failure or pull on brakes if oil to contaminate brake pads). Buyer said his mechanic would handle. 9. Right tie rod worn out. Buyer said his mechanic would handle. 10. Soft brake line which rubbed header (dangerous should be repaired) buyer said his mechanic would handle. 11. Small rear axle leak into brake drum. Could cause pull at later date. Again, the buyer said his mechanic would handle. 12. The gas tank filler neck leaked gasoline. The buyer said his mechanic would handle. 13. The engine valve cover leaked oil. The buyer said his mechanic would handle. 14. The rear u joint was loose. Buyer said his mechanic would handle. 15. Transfer case had small leak. Buyer said his mechanic would handle. 16. The emergency crake did not work. Buyer said his mechanic would repair. 17. U bolts on rear axle were loose and buyer said his mechanic would tighten. 18. Tested 4 wheel drive function and the locking hubs and transfer case work correctly. All flaws were listed on invoice and were told to buyer on the phone. We were instructed by the buyer not to repair anything as his mechanic deal with the flaws.We tested the vehicle on the 4 gas diagnostic smog machine and it was set up at the lean roll with acceptable carbon monoxides and hydrocarbons. Good for fuel economy not performance. We did a balance test on the engine which indicated all cylinders were firing equally and we had good compression at idle and 2400 rpms. We did not do any mechanical work on the engine. There were no indications that there was a major flaw in the engine as the buyers mechanic noted three weeks later. When the Bronco left our company it had no major engine problems as the buyers mechanic asserted three weeks later.Over three weeks after the vehicle left or shop, I received a call from the buyer of the vehicle wanting a full refund of $387.68. I told him that I would get the invoice and consider compensation based on the work done to the vehicle. He only complained about the engine noise and said he wanted the inspection money returned which amounted to $113.00. He did not complain about the additional goods and services he obtained which included a complete lube and oil on all components of the drive train. The additional amount was $271.68. It bothered me at the time that his mechanic (and the buyer) accused us of not hearing a terminal noise in the engine and I was not going to make a judgement till I got all the facts.The buyer was insistent that the noise was there in the engine (his mechanic said so) even though he and his mechanic were not our company at the time of inspection over three weeks earlier in California. The buyer and his mechanic were in Texas at the time of the inspection.The two mechanics that inspected the vehicle have 61 years of experience; they both have all ASE’s in engine performance/advanced engine performance/electronic systems, ATS automotive training school state tests and are both licensed Smog inspectors.Why delay in response to buyers request? The seller, after repeated phone calls finally returned our calls after 5 weeks. We also investigated the hauler and obtained a witness to the loading of the Bronco. Results of what happened:1. The Bronco was picked up the morning of 7/2/15.2. The Bronco was driven daily for 9 days after it left our company by the seller. It’s a 4 wheel drive. We have no idea what type of use or abuse happened.3. The Bronco was driven on 2 trips to include a trip to Sacramento. “115 miles to Sacramento”4. The Bronco was loaded on transport. “45 degree ramp/2ndgear/slipping clutch/over reviving engine” witness stated. The comment was made that the transporter did not know how to drive a manual transmission Bronco.After the vehicle left our company, we could not control the use and abuse of the vehicle as we were no party to the driving of the vehicle after the inspection, the sale of the vehicle, or the delivery of the vehicle. Also we have no control over the 4 days it was driven in Texas before the buyers mechanic was able to look and listen to the vehicle. Obviously the 45 year old Bronco suffered an engine failure after it left our company. We did no mechanical work on the engine, brakes, fuel system or the axles and therefore we are very sorry to inform you that there will be no warranty or refund. Payless 4 Wheel DriveOwner

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because:If we were to try this in a court of law, it would be easy to bring the owner (who has owned this vehicle for years) in and ask what kind of driving he did to ruin the engine in 9 days. I spoke to him as well. He has a bad back and can no longer take the harsh ride of the bronco- that's why he was selling it. Secondly, [redacted] and his 61 years of experience missed a severe brake/safety problem. After my mechanic looked at it, he suggested that I had been "taken" and asked if the owner and the [redacted] new each other. Regardless of what [redacted] has stated, there are two facts:1. When I received the bronco, the engine was bad (amongst other issues) and that had been missed by [redacted] and his "experienced" staff.2. He told me I would receive a re-reimbursement over the phone and I didn't.He can choose not to pay me but I'm going to make sure others don't have the same experience I had.[redacted]

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Description: Auto Smog Inspection

Address: 971 E 9th St, Chico, California, United States, 95928

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