Carnet Cars

Review: On 6/18/13 I purchased a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta for $2,990.00, As-Is from Carnet. While I understand the law, I feel that major mechanical issues were not revealed about this car. The Jetta was paid for and left at the dealer location to be picked up later that day. At pick up, the car was started and the check engine light came on. The dealer was closed so the owners were called and there was no answer so a voicemail was left about the light and leaving the vehicle at their location. Two days later, one of the owners took the car to a mechanic who had previously did work on it to check it out. Initially the mechanic reported that there was a bad O2 sensor. Somehow it was later determined that the sensor was not the issue, the check engine light was reset, and supposedly the car was fine. On 6/21/13, the car was picked up and on 6/23/13 the check engine light came on again and the car which is an automatic started driving like a manual as it struggled to accelerate up to 30 MPH. I immediately thought there must be something wrong with the transmission. On 6/24/13, I took the car to another mechanic for a diagnostic. On 6/25/13 when I picked up the car, the mechanic informed me that multiple codes show up when the check engine light is on (i.e. transmission, brake light switch, tiptronic switch, turbo & throttle valve, and fuel trim, just to name a few). The mechanic again reset the check engine light and said the car drove fine. He told me if the light came on again that I should take it a VW dealer. I went home and emailed the dealer owners and informed them about the findings and asked for their consideration in buying the car back. I didnt get a response, so I called [redacted] on 6/26/13 and spoke with her and she told me that [redacted] was on vacation and she would get back to me. On 6/28/13, the check engine light came on again, and I had not heard from either of the owners so I took the car to another mechanic. On 7/1/13, the last mechanic told me that the transmission is bad on the car and estimated the repair cost at approximately $3,000. I immediately called both owners and got the voicemail for both of them so I left each of them a message and neither has called me back yet. This is unacceptable and unfair because no information was revealed about a transmission or check engine light issue and in fact when I initially found the car online I emailed the owners and asked about mechanical issues and I received two responses, one stated there were no mechanical issues and the other stated a complete timing service had been done and there were no known mechanical issues. This was a deceptive car sale and I think the owners know it because they will not answer/return my calls or respond to my emails.Desired Settlement: I request the dealer owners take this vehicle back and give me a full refund. From day one there have been problems with this car. It would be different if the "check engine" light initially came on after driving "off the lot" but it happened before leaving.

Business

Response:

re: complain [redacted]

Dear Sir or Madam,

Below is a response to the above referenced complaint. If any of this complaint is made public, we do kindly request that all personal information such as our names is removed.

We are very sorry to hear that any of our customers are unhappy. We have decades of combined experience in the auto industry and strive to offer great service and value to all our friends and customers. While we are very sorry to hear that there have been mechanical issues with this particular automobile, we would like to stress that every effort was made to ensure a properly running vehicle and a satisfied purchaser.

The purchaser has failed to mention several very important and relevant details.

1. Before ever purchasing the vehicle, the buyer’s brother took the car to a third party mechanic shop of their choice to be evaluated. That shop found nothing wrong with the car.

2. We offered a range of Penn Warranties on this vehicle that were all declined by the purchaser both before and after the sale of the vehicle.

3. Immediately a resolution buy back was offered on the vehicle at full sales price which was declined.

4. Before being offered for sale, we had this car VA State Safety Inspection and fully serviced. We had the car test driven by the repair facility, all fluids checked, and a full $962 timing service performed.

5. This car was seen four mechanics. First by our mechanic before the sale, secondly by her brother’s mechanic before the sale, third again by our mechanic immediately after the sale, and fourthly another mechanic the buyer selected after the sale. In all of these four visits, no recommended repair was left unperformed.

6. We provided copies of the pre-sale work we performed on the car. We provided a full [redacted] report. We allowed the purchaser to take the car to a 3rd party repair facility pre sale for inspection. There was never any attempt to hide or deceive any aspect of this car.

7. All of the purchaser's concerns have been addressed by us in a timely manner. We have never avoided contact with her. During the last conversation with the purchaser, it was stated that there was no belief that we could still buy the car back at full sales price. However, if after discussing it with all relevant parties, if that changed she would be called back in a few days. We have simply reached a point where no further dialogue or email is necessary as there is nothing left to discuss.

We never did anything to deceive the purchaser of this car. She purchased a 2002 VW Jetta with 128,358 miles on it for $2,789.60. We went beyond reasonably possible in making sure this was a great running car. Because we cannot predict the future for any used vehicles, we offer Penn Warranties on all qualifying cars and trucks we sell. Full unlimited mileage warranty coverage for up to 4 years was offered and declined on this car.

As long standing business women in the Richmond market, we are certainly happy to further discuss any of these details with the representatives at the Revdex.com. Just as we do with all our customers, our direct cell phone numbers are listed below. We thank you in advance for your help with this issue.