Action Auto Preowned

Review: On 2/8/2014 my husband and I were out looking for a car for our teenaged son. We test drove a [redacted] that my son really liked at Action Auto Sales. While we were driving I mentioned the cracked window (the crack ran along the bottom of the window and the saleswoman told me that would be replaced and any work that had to be done to pass inspection would be completed. We wrote a check for the full amount of the car and drove it home. We were to return in 2 days time with it for them to clean it up and get it inspected. We dropped it off Sunday night for it to be taken care of.

On Monday when I returned to the dealership, I paid for the inspection and I was told it had “passed inspection with flying colors”. When I noticed the window was still broken I went back in and asked about it. The owner informed me that it passes because the crack didn’t impair the driver’s vision. I know this wouldn’t pass at my inspection station so I told him it needed to be done but he pointed out that I didn’t have anything in writing saying it would be replaced and he hadn’t agreed to it. He informed me that [redacted] did not have the authority to "spend his money". He “generously” agreed to split the cost with me and told me to call after the snow melted off since we were supposed to have yet another big storm.

In the meantime, I took the car and had a new stereo with Bluetooth installed. The installer asked me about where I had gotten it inspected because the horn didn’t work. I was a bit perplexed about that because I thought that was necessary to pass inspection. Then I went to the [redacted] Dealership down the road in [redacted] for an oil change because I was pretty sure that hadn’t been done. They told me that the CV boots were ripped wide open and the axle needed to be replaced. At this point I was feeling a bit frustrated but went to get my son so we could go to the DMV and take his driver’s test. They wouldn’t test him because the horn didn’t work. I drove directly to MY mechanic in [redacted] and left the car with [redacted], asking them to check the horn, the CV boots and just look it over. I also asked them about the window and how much fixing the automatic locks would be. The next morning [redacted], the mechanic called me to ask where I’d bought it. He told me I needed to get my money back and gave me a HUGE list of proble** that needed to be addressed for the car to pass inspection. He’d already contacted the state police about it so we left the car there so that they could take a look at it. The mileage on the inspection was even incorrect so his mechanic obviously performed a completely bogus inspection. The list from my mechanic also had brake pads that were worn, a light that didn't work, windshield wiper blades that didn't work properly, brake calipers that stick, a brake pad that is cutting into the rotor, and a myriad of other issues totallying over $1600. just to make it pass a real inspection. [redacted] did go see the car and took pictures. He also spoke with the inspection station ([redacted] in [redacted]). I’m not sure what the outcome of that was yet but it’s apparent that they certainly did not really inspect this car.

The next morning I drove up to Action Auto Sales but the owner of course wasn’t there. The saleslady, [redacted], called him and told him of the problem. He requested I provide a copy of the police report. I’ve had contact with both [redacted] from the state police and [redacted] from the state used auto division. I’m currently waiting for Officer [redacted] to complete the police report. The owner of Action Auto Sales does not return my calls. He did attempt to return one of my husband’s phone calls but by then no one was home. When my husband and I went there today to see if he would either refund our money (plus the money we’re already put into it) or pay our mechanic to fix it we were told he “has meetings all day” and won’t be there tomorrow. He is obviously not in any hurry to resolve this situation. We currently have an appointment with him on Monday at 4. **. [redacted] did say that he has other mechanics but we informed her that we wouldn’t be willing to have any mechanic of his choice to do anything. This was not an offer to fix anything from the owner, it was just a statement from **. [redacted] and he has already stated that he doesn't honor what his salespeople say. We don’t want one of his mechanics to fix everything simply because that’s been proven to be unreliable. If he were an honest businessman, he would be horrified that the inspection station he contracts with would be so negligent and making an attempt to do the right thing. Actually, he sent another car there today to be “inspected” so obviously he is not concerned about the safety of the cars he sells or being ethical in any way.

I’m appalled that a businessman like this can actually get away with this. I’m sure that this is not the first time that he’s taken advantage of someone. He's been provided with the list of repairs needed for this car to be considered roadworthy but he keeps putting me off. It certainly appears to me that he was in collusion with the mechanic.Desired Settlement: He can either refund my money for the car plus all monies I've put into it or pay the money for my mechanic to make it roadworthy. In WV all used cars are required to be able to pass inspection when they are sold but his mechanic performed a bogus inspection and he sold us a car that is not roadworthy at all.

Business

Response:

April 09, 2014 Dear [redacted]:We have received your letter in regards to the complaint made to your office by [redacted]. First of all, I'd like to point out the fact that according to the information you sent us. you received [redacted]. [redacted]'s complaint in writing on February 27, 2014, However the notification from your office was post marked March 27,2014, In other words. [redacted]. [redacted] took twenty days to prepare her complaint. Your office took twenty seven days just to notify us of the complaint. However, you have asked us to provide to you an adequate defense in just ten days.On 2/8/2014 [redacted]. [redacted], her husband, and her son were looking for a car when they stopped at our dealership, I showed them a 2000 [redacted] which we had gotten in the day before, [redacted]. [redacted] and her son really liked the [redacted] after test driving it and she did ask about a crack which ran across the very bottom of the windshield, When she inquired about whether or not we would replace the windshield she was informed that we would replace anything necessary for the vehicle to pass inspection,[redacted]. [redacted], her husband, her son. and I took the [redacted] on a test drive in which, she was very pleased with the car and satisfied that it would be a safe and dependable vehicle for her son; so much so that upon return from the test drive and after talking it over with her husband and son, she purchased the 2000 [redacted].We made arrangements with [redacted]. [redacted] for her to return the car on Monday, February 10, 2014 to be cleaned and inspected. She dropped the car off Sunday night and the next morning one of our employees took the car to be inspected. The [redacted] passed inspection and we contacted [redacted]. [redacted] to notify her that she could pick the vehicle up.When [redacted]. [redacted] came to pick up the [redacted] and saw that the [redacted] had passed inspection with the crack in the windshield she demanded to know why and that it be replaced. We explained to her that since the crack was all the way at the bottom of the windshield and completely out of the driver field of vision it does not cause the fail of inspection.To keep a happy customer, our manager offered to replace the windshield on a 50/50 basis with us covering 50% of parts and 50% of labor on the replacement of the windshield. [redacted]. [redacted] left and didn't say anything else about itTwo days later [redacted] returned with a laundry list of issues found by “her” mechanic totaling $1600.00; which was mind boggling seeing how none of the issues seemed to exist at the time we test drove the car just days before. Again, in an attempt to satisfy the customer, Our manager offered [redacted]. [redacted] a refund for the 2000 [redacted]. [redacted]. [redacted] ? however, she wouldn't be satisfied unless she was reinbursed not only for the cost of the car but also for the monies paid to “her” mechanic during their "re-inspection” when it is a well known fact that many service stations are known to take advantage of unsuspecting customers who don’t know any better.Action Auto and all of our affiliates handled every aspect of this sale with-in the law. We sold [redacted]. [redacted] a 2000 [redacted] which we had inspected at a reputable inspection station which has been in business for 40 years. The vehicle not only passed inspection but, [redacted]. [redacted] herself test drove the vehicle and found nothing suspicious about the vehicle or it’s handling and deemed it a safe and dependable car for her son.We apologize for any inconvenience caused to [redacted]. [redacted] and her family. However, we are a car dealership only and we use outside mechanics and inspection stations to inform us of problems and issue which may exist but may not be noticeable to us during a test drive. We no longer use this inspection station and further allegations or issues should be directed to them.Sincerely,