Four Forty Seven Auto Outlet

Review: The automobile purchased at this establishment was represented to us as roadworthy, when in fact it was not. It is a dangerous vehicle. Attempts to allow the dealership to stand behind their product were met with a complete lack of customer [redacted].

On 8-19-2013 my son, [redacted], purchased a 2000 [redacted] from 447 Auto Outlet. The car had an inspection sticker valid until February 2014. To us, this meant the car was road worthy. The dealership has a garage attached which led us to believe they [redacted] their cars. They do not [redacted] their cars, the garage is apparently just for show.

The check engine light went on less than a week later. The car was taken back to dealership by my son [redacted]. He was told to go to [redacted] (an auto parts place).

Three weeks later, the brakes failed as the car was being driven. We topped off the brake fluid, only to discover a severe leak. We took the car to [redacted]’s [redacted] (our long term mechanic) a few days later; we were told the car is unsafe and advised not to drive it, it should have never passed inspection. Brakes, fuel lines and power steering have major issues (documented in copies from [redacted]’s [redacted]); brake lines are rusted and leaking; fuel lines are rusted and need to be replaced before they rust through; power steering is ready to go. We were told these issues were long standing by the advanced condition they are in and the dealer should have been aware of them. Some “repairs” that were previously made would not pass PA state inspections. Basically, the car is a deathtrap.

First attempt at the dealership with this issue we were met by [redacted]. He basically said they won’t do anything for us and downplayed what mechanic said, saying “they will say anything”. We insisted this is a safety issue. We left him a copy of the mechanic’s report. I asked that someone in charge call me. He took my number. I waited a few days, no one called.

Second attempt at dealership we were again met by [redacted]. No one in charge was there. Again he said he would have someone call me. I waited a few days again, no call.

Called and spoke to [redacted] a few days later. She seemed receptive, though also downplayed what the mechanic said.

We went to [redacted] for a second opinion on safety of the car to prove to those at the dealership that the problem was not made up. We were given an identical report. We were strongly advised to not drive it by the mechanics at [redacted] and were given permission to let it stay on the premises until we contacted the dealership.

Third attempt with 447 Auto Outlet the older gentleman (the owner?) was there. I asked if he was aware of our issue. He said no, which we thought was odd as we had been there several times before, and a copy of the [redacted]’s report was left there. We explained what was wrong. He immediately started saying how mechanics will say anything to make money and downplayed the issues. He also admitted they do not make sure the cars are road worthy; if it has an inspection sticker on it, they sell it. We showed him the copy of the [redacted] report and asked him to make a copy for his files, he refused. Conversation became heated on his part, at which point I said I would prefer one of three things; a full refund, a car of equitable value, or to have all issues repaired. His answer was then “what do I get out of it”. I replied a happy customer. He then said you will never be happy. We were basically told we bought it “as is” and there was nothing he was going to do.

We returned a few days later to give a copy of [redacted] report. [redacted] was there. She became defensive and for some reason could not understand the math of the reports; [redacted]’s gave an estimate of approximately $450 to repair ONLY the brake issues, but noted on the report the failing fuel lines and power steering. [redacted] gave a rough estimate for repair of ALL 3 issues. I was told again that mechanics are only out to make money, then I was told the whole issue is “b” and that all we want is a new car. I explained to her the reason for the differences in prices and that we paid for a roadworthy car. Had my son been driving on the highway and had to make a panic stop he would have either killed himself or someone else; told her that had we known the car had over $1000 worth of issues, we would not have purchased it; told her we had gone to several dealerships that told us up front what was wrong with the cars, at which point you could decide if it was worth it to repair. She said “you expect me to believe that a dealer would point out what’s wrong with their cars” I said yes, we had gone to several dealerships with used cars and were told up front what was wrong with the cars. After a while longer, the older gentleman calmed her down and said he would have his mechanic call me and we will “work something out” to get the car back on the road.

The mechanic did call. He said he would call a bit later to meet later on. Never called that day. Called the next day, Saturday, and said he would look at the car on Monday (at this point the car has been at [redacted] for at least 5 days). [redacted], my fiancé, met up with him, it was pouring rain. He drove it a bit and basically said the amount that [redacted]’s said was right. The mechanic, [redacted], then called and said the dealership would pay “half” on the repair of the brakes. Again, we never heard from the dealership. We would also have to pay to tow the car to his garage in [redacted].

We approached the dealership on Friday the 18th and proposed to them instead of towing the car to their mechanic, since he is charging the same amount, we would like to take it to our mechanic which is closer. We were told by [redacted] she couldn’t make that decision and needed to talk to the older gentleman who was not there, and would get back to me. Yet again, I have not heard from them since.

Attempts by my brother in law to talk to them were met with similar responses.

We were basically sold a dangerous car which could have killed either my son or some unsuspecting person on the road. As it states on the Pennsylvania Attorney General website; “A vehicle that is sold "as-is" means that there is no warranty and the purchaser will bear the cost of repairs. However, vehicles that are sold must be roadworthy and be able to pass state inspection unless disclosures are made by the dealer.” By having a valid PA inspection sticker on the car, we were led to believe this dealer made sure the car was roadworthy and safe. Had we been told of these major problems (as other dealerships did as we shopped around), we would not have purchased this car.

Obviously this dealership is not interested in return business or good “word of mouth”. They are not interested in keeping their customer happy, or safe for that matter, as I have had contact with at least one other person who bought a car with major issues from this dealership that they refused to take care of. As I mentioned to them at the dealership, I frequent local / small businesses because I believe in the hard work that is put in to maintaining a business in this area; unfortunately this company gives small businesses a bad name.

I am paying insurance on a car that cannot be driven. We are inconvenienced by having to drive my son around because he cannot drive the car he purchased with his money because it is unsafe. There have been lost wages as well because there have been times where one or the other could not get to work because there was not another vehicle available.Desired Settlement: At this point, due to their lack of customer [redacted] by ignoring me as a customer and not calling to keep us updated and / or see what our problems were, I will only be happy with a full refund of the entire purchase price, $3888.50 (this includes all fees and taxes). As I have been going back and forth and wasting my time waiting for the owners to get back to me for over a month, I would prefer this matter be taken care of in an expedited manner so we can go elsewhere and my son can purchase a car from a reputable dealer so he can get to work and school without having to be driven around. This entire situation has been a huge inconvenience to the entire family and a major disappointment to my son.

Consumer

Response:

Attached are scans of the cancelled checks.

If you need anything else, please let me know.

Review: I went into 447 Auto Outlet in [redacted], PA to give them the remaining deposit on the vehicle and to complete the paper work on December 5, 2013. I left the car there because while I completed my end of the paper work they had to complete it on their end and I couldn't wait any longer for them to complete them as I was already late for work and had to go to. When I went back that night to pick up the vehicle the low beams didn't work only the high beams. So, I drove the vehicle home with the high beams on and took the vehicle back to them the very next day on December 6, 2013 and sat there for more than an hour for the shop to open at 10.00 AM. I told the guy who sold me the car that the low beams didn't work when I came to pick up the car and that they needed to fix them since it was that way when I picked up the vehicle and because I didn't think it was fair to sell a car that had no lights. He went out to look at the vehicle and saw that the lights didn't work and sent me to their mechanic Dec. 6, 2013. The mechanic diagnosed the problem and called the dealer to tell them. They didn't answer his calls or mine, finally the mechanic told me to drive back over there and so I did. They gave me an excuse that they were out running errands and that's why they didn't answer our calls; this all took place on the same day Dec. 6, 2013. The owner said that he was going to fix the problem and for the last month he has been giving me the run around and lying to me about fixing my car. I finally, spoke with the owner on January 8, 2014 to let him know that I took the car to a mechanic because I noticed some oil leaking from underneath the vehicle also, to have it inspected and to find out when they were going to fix my car. I told them that my car failed inspection or at least would have had I not paid money I didn't have, money I had to take from the car payment to get the rear breaks fixed which were shot totally. The owner screamed, yelled and hollared at me, he was rude, disrespectful and he used lots of vulgar language towards me. He told me to bring the car in to get if fix and when I asked him how long will he need it for he said that he didn't know and wouldn't give me an estimated time as to how long he would have it and he said that he wasn't aware of any oil leak and indicated that he wasn't going to fix it. This place should be shut down.Desired Settlement: I want to be reimbursed for the money that I spent out on breaks and I want the oil leaks fixed that were found by the mechanic.