Auto Palace

Review: I purchased a 2002 Porsche from Auto Palace on 8/1/2014. The salesman, [redacted], made false claims about the vehicle. He claimed the car was so clean it would have been Certified had it not been a 2002. He said it had all keys, a manual and full records. During a test drive the brakes seemed mushy; Mr. [redacted] claimed I couldnt expect great brakes on a 2002. Later a CarFax check showed that the car had a left rear accident in 2003 not mentioned by the dealership. Mr. [redacted] responded that a negative CarFax wasnt an issue unless the air bags deployed or if the car was flooded, saying it wouldnt affect the vehicles value. Taking his statement as truthful, and relying greatly on Auto Palaces reputation I decided to purchase the car. At the closing Mr. [redacted] he stated he had no records, nor a manual or second key, but would order them.I soon noticed the passenger door was not hung correctly, that the right headlight was brand new, while the left was original, the front bumper had been repaired/repainted poorly and the right air intake was missing. I didnt notice these things during the purchase and they were not disclosed by the dealer. Another Porsche dealer did notice I would soon need new brakes, another disappointment. The General Manager, Mr. [redacted], said they were not aware of previous accident damage. I then had the car inspected by three ASE certified collision centers and two car dealers. All said the car had been in a right frontal impact. Mr. [redacted] then offered a 1999 Porsche he had in stock, plus $5,000 from me in exchange. He later offered the same car as an even trade, and later the same car again, plus $1,200. I rejected these offers and asked for a full refund or a fair exchange. I sent him a list of 10 suitable vehicles on AutoTrader. After three more weeks and hearing nothing I suggested a cash settlement. On 10/22/2014 Mr. [redacted] agreed in writing to $4,000, then one week later emailed that they changed their minds and were finished with me.Desired Settlement: Auto Palace knew about the pre-existing front damage and chose not to disclose it. Damage/repair of this nature is easily recognizable to those in the car business. It is also clear that Auto Palace management knew they were culpable of selling a car with diminished value and that they used unfair trade practices to do so. As settlement I desire a full refund including taxes and documentation fees, and Auto Palace Porsche recovers the car from Florida at their expense.

Review: I purchased a 2012 Porsche Cayenne on July 27, 2012 from Auto Palace Porsche. I had my first service maintenance in December of 2012. At that time service informed my husband the in service date was March 2012 and not the date we purchsed the car which we were told was brand new and never titled 07/27/2012. We contacted our salesman, [redacted], who assured us in writing the car was never titled and paperwork was filed to correct the wrong in service date. We assumed it was over. In June of 2013 the car needed service maintenance and again we were told the incorrect in service date. I not only contacted our salesman, [redacted], once again but also contacted Porsche. Porsche informed me there is no way anyone including [redacted] can request a new in service date. I forwarded my emails to Porsche to prove he not only stated the car was brand new but also stated we were the only owners and that he did file the paperwork to change the in service date to our sale date. Porsche, [redacted] The Porsche Contact Center [redacted], states nothing can be done. I bought what I thought and have in writing a new car only to find out it was put into service and warranty started four months before I bought the car. In addition, I purchased three warranties for glass, leather and door dings for $3,995.00 plus tax and don't understand if my what was sold as new car warranty was in service for four months already what date do my extended warranties start? And to make matters even more complicated Porsche sent us a copy of a window sticker that does not match the options our vehicle has. I did also bring that to the attention of [redacted] and to date he has never resolved any issues. My most recent findings with our second service appointment promted me to call Porsche only to find out Auto Palace sold us what was suppose to be a brand new car but yet has a in service date four months before we purchased the car. My trade was a 2008 Escalade worth $30K.Desired Settlement: I don't feel any dealer especially a luxury dealer should be able in writing to assure a customer that a warranty date was changed when in fact per the manufacturer it is impossible to change an in service date. I did not spend my money on a used car that was put into service four months before I bought the car. I thought I purchased a brand new car on 07/27/2012 and a warranty that started 07/27/2012.

Business

Response:

In a message dated 7/26/2013 1:49:23 P.M.

Thank you for being patient while we look in to this. I know it can be frustrating, and doubly so since we thought the issue was resolved last year. After really digging in to this, I have found that the vehicle was reported as a service loaner in error. In other words, we use a car or two here for service loaners. When some one reported to Porsche, they must of hit a wrong key and this vin was used. The warranty then starts at that point. After speaking with Porsche, since it had demo status, it can not be reversed. We typically have demo pricing after they come out of service with some miles on them. Yours had no service miles and was not actually used in the program. You actually received a year end deal better then a demo price. That said, I have been authorized to issue a check for an additional $500 for the confusion. Let me know where you would like it to be sent. Thank you.

Consumer

Response:

It is fraud to sell a customer a demo car whereas the warranty start date was 4+ months prior to my sale date as a new car. To make matters worse this dealer claimed to have corrected the in service/warranty date to my sale date. I found that unreasonable because in talking to Porsche USA there is no way ever to change an in service date. Had I known this car was a demo with a warranty that started 4+ months before my purchase I would not have purchased this car. A dealer must have accountability of what it is selling and present the true and correct information to the buyer. In addition my finance company also thought we bought a new car.

Regards,

Business

Response:

See attached file 08/22/2013 Mrs. [redacted] purchased a car here as she stated. It was a brand new car and had never been titled. As can happen for a number of reasons, the car's warranty was put in to service prior to here purchase. It was a mistake on our end. We did try to correct it and thought it had been but then later found it not to be the case. We are unable to change the in-service date at this time. Mrs. [redacted] purchased an extended warranty at the time of purchase with the correct dates so she will be covered. I have also told here that should the extended warranty happen to not cover something during the period the Porsche warranty would have been in effect, Auto Palace will back the repair. On top of the guarantee we have given her, we also offered $500 for the inconvenience she was caused. We have made Mrs. [redacted] whole on all accounts and there is nothing further we can do at this time.

Auto Palace Porsche