99 Auto Dismantler

Review: On 7/23/2013, my boyfriend [redacted] purchased a 2001 Toyota Celica engine for $1,125.87 (Invoice #: [redacted] from 99 Auto Dismantlers. Upon installation of the engine in our car, we realized the engine was defective due to a rod bearing that was spun, which caused the engine to make a loud knocking sound. We brought the car to 99 Auto Dismantler to inform them of the defective engine that was sold to us. They asked us to return a different day so that their mechanic could have a look at it. The mechanic insisted the problem was due to a ticking rocker arm; however, that specific engine does not have that part on the motor, so that diagnosis was irrational. Because my boyfriend is a mechanic, he told their mechanic, look, I know what the problem is and it is coming directly from the rod bearing. Their mechanic then agreed and informed the owner that we were right, and that the engine was no good. The owner refused to recognize the problem and kept insisting that the engine was perfect and he does not know what we are talking about. Finally, their mechanic convinced the owner that the engine was nonfunctional. After putting much labor installing the engine, now we had to pull it out to return in within the specified warranty period (30 days) in order to receive an exchange. We dropped off the engine that same week. They told us they would be actively seeking the engine we needed; however, after several calls and attempts, we were told that they would call us back or keep us updated. They never called once. They are evading our issue and stole $1,125.87 without providing a product. It is going to be 4 weeks that this matter as not been resolved, and we are in desperate need of this engine as it is needed by our daily commuter vehicle. We are full-time college students and invested our college financial aid to purchase it. They have made life extremely difficult, and I am requesting a refund for the total amount charged to me. Thank you.

Product_Or_Service: 2001 Toyota Celica Engine

Order_Number: 4196Desired Settlement: DesiredSettlementID: Refund

I am requesting a refund of the total amount charged for the mal-functional engine: $1,125.87

Business

Response:

Initial Business Response

OUR STORE POLICY IS NO CASH REFUNDS. STORE CREDIT ONLY. ALL USED PARTS ARE SOLD AS IS, AND THEY AGREED TO THAT WITH THE SIGN THEY DID. WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER ENGINE RIGHT NOW IN STOCK. ONCE WE HAVE IT WE WILL DO THE EXCHANGE FOR THEM AND THEY ALSO AGREED TO THAT TO.

Final Consumer Response

(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)

Since we completed the return within the specified 30-day warranty period stated on the reciept, 99 Auto Dismantlers agreed to a one week searching period of the proper engine in order to complete the exchange. Upon contacting them after that one week, they entered in a verbal contract of "taking no longer than 3 weeks" to complete the required exchange of the defective engine. We made several attempts and repetitively called to check on the status of the exchange, they tried evading us and ignored phone calls, hung up on us, and never called ONE single time to let us know the status of the exchange. I am in an extreme time sensitive matter, and share the car with someone else that is also a full-time college student & depend on the car as our main form of transportation. It has now been 3 months and after the second month of waiting and assuring they were going to just play games with the $1,125.87 we gave them, we purchased the necessary engine elsewhere. They have my money and the defective engine in their possesion. Therefore, I am requesting a refund for the fraud committed. Thank you.