Public Wholesale

Review: I was sold a 2003 Impala by [redacted](owner) of Public Wholesale. It overheated and had severe leak and mechanic says head gasket about to blow. Also trans

I called [redacted] at Public Wholesale to get information on the condition of the 2003 Impala I purchased for $4000 + tax, lic. and other fees, cash. He said it looks like it is in good condition as he sat in it, and it has been checked out as normal by his mechanic. On 10/19/13 I drove from Oroville to Sacramento with a friend to look at it. It appeared to be in good condition. I drove it in the neighborhood. I told him I need a reliable car for my job, transporting my grandkids around, and good fuel mileage. We negotiated the price from $4500 to $4000. He never mentioned it being purchased prior to me and being returned, nor that it wasn't smogged. He told me it was smogged and charged me for it. As I drove home, I noticed the temperature going up and down, going as high as 3/4 of the way or more. On 10/22/13 [redacted] called me and asked me to take the car to a Smog Shop and get it smogged. I asked him why, because he told me it was already smogged and I paid him for this. He told me that someone wrote a bad check,and since it was transferred in their name, it had to get a new smog. On 10/23/13 I took it in and got a smog in Oroville and sent receipt to him for reimbursement. Since the car was overheating, I asked a friend what to do and he noticed it low on water, and told me it had a lose cap to get a new one. I did immediately, but it continued to lose water and overheat, so I parked it and waited until payday to drive it to the mechanic. The mechanic said the thermostat by-pass pipe was cracked and leaking and also did a pressure test. He replaced the plastic piece, which had been cracked and leaking for a while. This cost me another $186. The mechanic also told me that the car had Block Leak in it, and he gave me a sample. He also told me that they bled the air out as much as possible, and for longer than usual because they could not get rid of the bubbles in radiator. He told me that indicates the head gasket is about to blow. I called [redacted] at Public Wholesale and asked him if he knew about the leak, transmission clunking, and rattle in the back of the car. He said he did not. I told him, he had to because it had been leaking for quite a while, according to mechanic, and overheating, and that this is probably the reason the previous buyers stopped payment. He then told me, that they had to pick it up because they werent paying insurance on it. This is totally different from when he told me they wrote a bad check. He asked me what I want him to do. I told him I want him to take it back and give me a car that is without these major problems and good mileage as this one has. He told me he cannot do that. I told him then I will ask the DMV Investigator to come out and talk to him then.

I know he had to have known about this car leaking and overheating. The prior owners who either brought it back or [redacted] picked it up from, had to of told him it was a lemon. I don't know who they are, but I would love to talk to them. I want [redacted] to take this car back and either give me my money back or replace it with a car that is not about ready to break down, and has similar fuel mileage. I paid $4400 cash to [redacted], and expect much more than the piece of junk I got, that he knew about. Desired Settlement: I would prefer that all I paid $4400, and repairs $186, be refunded to me so that I can purchase another reliable vehicle. Second choice is to have him replace this with a reliable very good condition vehicle of my preference, and with same or better fuel mileage, and no more than the same miles.

Business

Response:

Initial Business Response

She came from out of town with someone who new about car. I gave them the key and let them take the vehicle for test drive and check-up. they drove that vehicle for half hour and check everything that they thought must be checked. she signed all the legal documents and contract cancellation option agreement. I asked if she like to pay only $175 and keep the vehicle for

for 48 hours and 250 miles for any reasons whatsoever bring the vehicle back. she refused.

as far as I knew the vehicle was in good mechanical condition. have no idea what may happened while she had the car.

Final Consumer Response

(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)

The response from owner of Public Wholesale, is unacceptable. He is wrong about the amount of time I drove the car, due to there not being much of an area to drive it. I did not drive it for 30 minutes, and he assured me the car was in good running condition. When I asked him for a car fax or similar report, he said he did not have one. I ran one at home after buying the car, and I noticed the leak and overheating, rattling of the car, the transmission shifting rough, and the mechanic in Oroville stating that the dealer must have put Block Leak in the radiator. He also said that the head has a leak, about to blow, which is very costly.

The Auto Check Report I ran had records under the category "Damaged title record(s) or major damage incident record(s)", stating this car was "AUCTION ANNOUNCED AS STRUCTURAL DAMAGE" in 2011 and in 2013. Then there was a correction to the title. This was not advertised this way, nor did he tell me about this. He had just sold it in September (this I found out on the report), and he later told me it was returned. This car is a LEMON and I want [redacted] to take it back! He has been very dishonest from the beginning.

Final Business Response

she said she did not have any place to drive the car before buying it. did not she take the car with the person who was checking it to street twice and check it more when they came back to car lot. I bought the car at auction and no mention of structural damages was announced. it was sold to me as is which lots of cars are sold as is at the auction. there are even almost brand-new cars sold as is at the auction. I have the auction paper to prove it. she says I knew the cr was bad when I sold it to her. I also have document to show her I drove that car for 1200 miles at the car lot. if I knew the car had bad engine and all that why would I drive that car for 1200 miles. I have been diagnost with cancer. I do not what any more stress from her back and forth talk about this car. to finish this deal once of all I am willing to give her $1,000 to leave me alone or I will deduct $1,000 from her money for all fees and use of the car and return the rest back to her, or she can take me to court and whatever the judge says.

thanks