Allentown auto auction

Review: On 7/17/13 I was high bidder on auction [redacted]. This was my first auction I bid at and didn't understand or hear that the car was a stick shift and not an automatic which I am unable and not comfortable driving. There were 2 auctions going at the same time and I couldn't hear any stipulations of this vehicle due to the 2 auctioneers talking at the same time. When I went to pay my deposit and saw the stick shift I told the girl that took my deposit and she told me "no problem they will fix that in the office but you have to pay the deposit here first" when I told her of my issue before I paid my deposit when I saw the shift in the Jeep. When I got to the office to take a test drive I was given the keys and told that someone would be with me shortly. I went to the vehicle and verified the stick shift again and went back to the office for help. A very nice man was waiting outside for me and I now informed him of my issue and he responded that I was basically stuck and would lose my deposit. He drove me for a test drive of the vehicle where I informed him that I think my wife can drive a stick shift and would try to get her to come down with me for this vehicle if I was trapped in this deal. When I spoke to her she does not know how or is not comfortable in driving a stick shift either. I then called 2 hours after the initial transaction and told the same man (who was identified to me as the owner by the girl that answered the phone) that I would be unable to take the vehicle and asked if he could again help me. He told me if he had another vehicle he would swap it out but he didn't and I was stuck. He said he would mark down that I was not coming back and forfeited the deposit. I called the company back in good faith to ensure they would have enough time to re-sell the vehicle the same night and not lose a sale. I only went there because I recently filed for bankruptcy resulting from my son having cystic fibrosis and couldn't pay the enormous medical bills. I would like my deposit of $800 back.Desired Settlement: I would like my deposit of $800 back from auction [redacted] on 7/17/13 within 2 weeks of this complaint.

Business

Response:

August 3, 2013

Revdex.com of Metro Washington DC and Eastern Pennsylvania 50 West North Street Bethlehem, Pa. 18018-5789

RE: Complaint [redacted], [redacted], Pa.

To Whom it may Concern;

I am responding to the above complaint for a 2004 Jeep Liberty purchased at our wholesale auction on 7/17/2013. The vehicle was inspected and bid on at our auction. The vehicles are available for inspection 2 hours prior to the auction and can be looked at as the vehicles pass thru the auction block and are bid on by many bidders.

It is very easy to see that this vehicle has a manual transmission. Also, it was clearly written on the front window that it has a 5 speed manual transmission. There was full disclosure. He bid on the vehicle on his own free will and bid the price he felt good on in the auction process. When he registered to bid and receive a bidders badge, he acknowledged that he received and reviewed a copy of our terms and conditions and agrees to abide by the auction rules. This he acknowledge by his personal signature and date. There is a how to buy section which takes you step by step on how an auction works and procedures to follow. Paragraph 3 in the how to buy section states they need to inspect the vehicles thoroughly before the auction. Also, base your bid on your examination. Paragraph 5 tells them to know what they are bidding on before they bid. It specifically states, (know if it is an automatic or manual transmission). Paragraph 6 states the legal facts, the last bidder is the absolute purchaser and is obligated to pay foj; the vehicle. PLEASE DO NOT BID UNLESS YOUR ARE PREPARED TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE. **. [redacted] had the policies and procedures and agreed to abide by them. He made the decision to purchase this vehicle by his own inspection and free will. He knew it was a manual transmission before he bid. Paragraph 3 also tells buyers to look at any writing on the windshield as to specific things about the vehicle. This one said it was a MANUAL TRANSMISSION.

He also went for a test drive with our arbitrator and was happy with the vehicle. Mechanically there was nothing wrong with the Jeep. He was happy with the test drive and called his wife to inform her what he bought. At this time, he found out she was not happy with the manual transmission. However, it was his decision, knowing full well it was a manual transmission, to buy the vehicle.

Since a purchase in an auction environment is a legal and binding procedure, at this time he owned the vehicle. The options given to him were, 1. Finish paying for the vehicle and learn to drive manual transmission, (not very hard), 2. Finish paying for the vehicle, re-register the vehicle in the auction and resell it after the title came back in his name. Doing this would probably have resulted in no loss and the possibility of maybe even a gain in price. 3. Walk away from the deal an lose their deposit, which would be given to the seller who at this point suffered a loss, not having payment for their vehicle.

He chose to walk away, not caring about losing his deposit money. That was his decision.

We give people till Friday at 2:00 to come in and pay for the vehicle. He did not come in, and did not care about their deposit.

Lehigh Valley Auto Auction did everything in their power to make this transaction a very fair one for both the buyer and seller. **. [redacted] made a decision by his own free will to purchase the vehicle and also agreed to abide by the terms and condition of the auction. He was given the opportunity to complete his purchase and enjoy his purchase or resell it and chose to just walk away.

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to this complaint. If there are any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Respectfully submitted

LEHIGH VALLEY AUTO AUCTION

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

I was lied to when I was giving my deposit to the person at the auction block. Also some of the arbitrator's comments are outright lies. I was never bidding before in any auction and for them not to make any type of exception based on he circumstances outlined in the complaint are bad business practices. This is a business no one should patronize unless they are a auto reseller. They advertise this is for the everyday consumer to get a deal but you obviously only get taken advantage of and they hide behind their contract stipulations instead of being a service business.

Regards,