Baldwin Auto Sales

Review: I met with someone named [redacted] that worked there, and I bought a 2005 Audi A4 from him in January 2013. When I first took the car off the lot it worked fine, then about 50-100 miles in the check engine light came on. I took it to a shop, and it turns out the car had a problem for quite some time but that [redacted] had turned off the check engine light to hide it. I called [redacted], and he said that he would have his mechanic look at it. He did look at it, and claimed to fix it but once again the check engine light came on right after leaving. His mechanic informed me that they would need a new part, so I paid $100 for a secondary air pump, only to find out later that it was bought from a junk yard that I hadn't been told about, and didn't have the warranty it was promised to have had. This of course didn't work either, but then after having work done on my car, the coolant pipes sprung a leak caused by the work that was done on it, and this led to me getting coolant in the secondary air pump and clogging up those pipes. So then I had to get the coolant leak fixed, the pipes linked to the secondary air pump cleared, and a new secondary air pump all on my own expense. The windshield also had cracks in it that I didn't see at first since it was barely visible right next to the windshield wipers, but that [redacted] had tried to fix/ cover up that ended up cracking my entire windshield that I also had to replace. All in all, I spent around $1200 fixing a car and taking it into the shop every day on my day off for 4 months after I bought it. This business should not be in business, or at least not be handling business like they do right now if they want to stay open.Desired Settlement: I have spent numerous hours dealing with these issues, and also a lot of money that I should not have had to. I would like to have all of my expenses refunded until the check engine light is not longer coming on and my car is running without issues.

Business

Response:

mr [redacted] did indeed buy a 2005 audi from Baldwin auto sales in januaray 2013.After driving the car for some time mr. [redacted] called me to tell me his check engine had come on.I asked him to come by and we would do a free diagnostic check for him,which we did.We informed him that his air injection pump was not working,which triggered the check engine light.We informed him that the pump was not covered under the warranty we provided,but that we try to save him some money by having our local technician work on it.We found him a remanufactured pump for 100.00 dollars,as opposed to 650.00 from the dealer for a new one.After the work was completed he called a month or so later saying that the engine light came back on,which must have happened when coolant leaked into the air injection pump.Our other source for repairs also helped mr [redacted] by reparing his car and informing him he need a part to repair a coolant leak,but mr [redacted] never retuned to have the problem fixed.[redacted] was that facility in el cajon.No one tyried to deceive mr [redacted].He had the car PRE sale inspected by his own mechanic before the purchase.We know nothing about windshield cracks.Mr [redacted] was offered an extended warranty at the time of purchase that may have helped offset some of the repair expenses but he declined.

Review: To Whom it may concern: I [redacted] A [redacted], residing @ [redacted] Dr. # [redacted], Az. [redacted]. I bought a 1996 Cadillac Seville from Baldwin Auto Sales @ 8327 Hercules St. La Mesa Ca. 91942. This car was listed on Cars .com. The headline billing was a two owner pride of ownership, stated as in PRISTINE condition.I bought the car and paid 1,000 over book in excellent condition. I had the car shipped to [redacted] Az., when the shipper went to remove car from carrier it would not start, I knew at this time I was in trouble. I bought it AS IS and I understand what that means, but this goes way beyond.I had to take the car right away to auto shop. As I write this so far I have had A new alternator,battery,hood shocks,and one new drive axle. It also has a two amp draw down which kills the battery over night. The first shop could not find this. Dec. the 6th I took car to get oil changed and when I left the radiator started leaking and also the heater core needs to be replaced. After this I still have to go to an Auto Electric Shop to find why there is a two amp draw down on this car. To date am @ about 1,900 dollars in repairs. I feel that this was fraud perpetrated on the internet. I paid 3,565. for this car and there should be some type of recourse. Yours Truly [redacted]Desired Settlement: see above

Business

Response:

To whom it may concern,

We are a company that has been in business for over 30 years. We do not misrepresent our products. The vehicle in question is an 18 year old Cadillac that was sold as-is as the customer stated and paid approx. $3000. When the vehicle was shipped it ran and drove as advertised. We sent the customer hood shocks by mail and specifically called him before the car was shipped saying that we were replacing those for him no charge even though the car was being sold as-is. I noticed he did not mention the rest of the condition of the vehicle which is top notch including all new tires beautiful pearl white paint, cold a/c, no accidents or damage other that regular wear and tear. When purchasing an 18 year old vehicle it is assumed that certain components of it may be wearing out and have to be replaced but when exactly that will be is always the question. This customer had never called us to let us know any of these concerns and if he had we would surely have been glad to help out in whatever way that seemed justified.

There was absolutely no fraud perpetrated on the internet. Simply unrealistic expectations of a vehicle of this caliber should not justify a complaint of this matter.

-B A S

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

Regards,

This car was on Cars.com as a two owner pride of ownership in pristine condition. It was not, I am acutely aware that a used car does need things repaired, but this goes way beyond that the owner of the dealership said he was sending hood shocks before the car was sent to me. The reason this car was on the internet was due to fact that it was on the dealers lot for about eight months and if the hood has too be held up by a broomstick, do you think someone is going to buy this? Why do you think the owner sent hood shocks? The price payed $3565.00 not $3000.00 which is way over book for the condition.

Review: I recently purchased a used 1998 Buick Century, which has turned out to be the worst car purchase experience of my life. During the whole sales pitch I was told how the car was in tip top shape, repeatedly told how I would be pushing 30 Mpg, how great the car was running, all lies. The car ran good enough for the 5 min test drive, mostly on curved streets, which is probably why I didn't notice the alignment being slightly off and the steering wheel cocked to the left when driving straight. By the time I was done, the blinker light had crapped out, which was replaced there before I left. Didn't even make it home before it crapped out and I had to bring it back to the dealership when they finally returned my call to get it replaced again, and it died again, then I was finally sent to their mechanic, who told me he replaced said bulb before and warned the owner that if it occurred again, the harness was probably bad. So having known this, the owner let me drive off the lot knowing there was an issue and had me waste my time with driving back and forth from the dealership instead of sending me to the mechanic in the 1st place. Was told the mechanic would take care of the problem and when I went to pick up the part, which I had to call and inquire about since I never received a call that It had arrived, I was told that I had to pay full price for it since the owner said he could get it cheaper, so I had to wait another week and a half before picking it up, which I had to call about again since again no call informing of the parts arrival. As far as the car being in tip top shape and 30 Mpg, I am was getting 17 Mpg street/freeway mixed and the car sometimes didn't start. After being told how good the car ran and that a ton of work was done to it, I requested the maintenance records and discovered it hadn't even received the 100k maintenance, but the car runs great, wink wink. Having come out of pocket since to get that maintenance, the car runs great, no problems starting and I'm getting 20+ Mpg. The dealership apparently couldn't afford the $250 it cost to make the car run as well as they said it would. I understand it is an used vehicle and can only expect so much, but I have a huge problem with them deception and the owner knowing the was a headlight issue.Desired Settlement: I would like, however unlikely it is to happen, the dealership to cover the cost of the maintenance required for the car to run properly, An apology would also be nice.

Business

Response:

[redacted]-

I am shocked to hear this from you because you told us what a great car buying experience you had here with us.?? The gas mileage of the car was clearly stated on the sticker window and in the ad and we can only relay to you what the manufacturer reported. The car was running perfectly when you purchased it and I am sure that if it was not you would not bought it. Nobody here lied to you at any time about anything. The bulb that you were referring to was fixed immediately and before you took delivery. Apparently there were further repairs to be done and you brought it to my attention. I then said to drive it back to the dealership so I could look at it again for. Your time was not wasted as I was trying my best to help you with the issue you had and sometimes used machines need further repair to fix something that earlier had a an issue. I immediately ordered a new part for you that the mechanic said it needed. You did not pay for the part. We paid for the part. You were called when the part came in as well. The car was in excellent shape for a 1998 buick century with low miles and you attested to that fact upon delivery. As for the gas mileage that would depend on your particular driving style as to what numbers you would average. When it comes to maintainence we did not promise anything beyond what it was delivered to you with. The car ran well when it was delivered to you. There was absolutely no deception at all in any way. The headlight issue was taken care off in a timely manner and was known buy you and us and nothing was trying to be hidden from you.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

I didn't expect Baldwin Auto Sales to do the right thing, so this isn't a surprise. As far as the owner being shocked at our unhappiness, if being told directly that we would not consider purchasing from him again or recommending to anybody we know doesn't tell you we are unhappy with the purchase, I don't know what will. I will just have to use this as a life leason, don't buy from little [redacted]-ant dealerships, from now on it's only big reputable dealership for me.

Regards,