kamma
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by kamma on Mar 28, 2012 0:10:20 GMT -4
The owners of Lowe's Automotive give a great first impression.They're an attractive, well-spoken couple with an adorable baby. The American flag flies outside, and the office is appointed with cute collectibles and a children's tv area. They were eager to help my son find a car- a peach, according to the salesman, and take it for a test drive. The next day, she spent almost two hours chatting with me as if we were friends. There were several "quirks" with the car, which we were assured were "Honda things" ( she had always driven a Honda) .The car was " in very good condition" and the salesman said he actually had wanted it for himself. We paid in cash, and drove our "as is" car off the lot. Five days later the car wouldn't start. We checked and tried everything obvious, and then gave them a call.Spoke with the salesman. No call back.Called several more times, spoke with her- she said he would come to our house to have a look. He showed up with their tow truck, took a look, and somehow knew instantly what was wrong. Said that he needed to order a part for it, and he'd be back to take care of it. Told us that he would cover it. Didn't hear a word for a week. Called 20 times, left messages. No answer, no calls back. Went up to the lot the following Saturday in the middle of the afternoon, closed. More unanswered calls and messages- I lost count. Son actually reached them at one point and was told they were being given the run around by Auto Zone ( where they " ordered the part").They told him that the salesman no longer worked there. Finally caught the owner, his wife, all of their children, AND the salesman in the office last Saturday. He disappeared immediately ( the owner) . I asked her what was up and she said that Auto Zone had sent them the wrong part, and she didn't think they had the right one. I asked her what the part was- and she said she didn't know.She mumbled about having too many kids there, they were "driving her crazy". It got sketchier by the second after that, and the conversation ended with the salesman saying that they were going to let us"handle it". Wouldn't even give us the facts sheet on the car. Several of our friends who have auto repair experience have checked everything they can think of, and we've combed the internet about the "quirks", to no avail. Do I have legal recourse? Doubtful. Was the car sold "as is' ? Yes- and "as is" was in good running condition. Was the car very expensive- that's relative. Yes, if it was all of your savings, and the car doesn't run. Were there other cars,similar models and prices all over Craig's List, etc. ? * Sure- but I told my son it would be better to deal with someone here, in our little town, where people care about their reputation , treating people fairly. and keeping their word. : (
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Post by Mike on Mar 28, 2012 0:13:59 GMT -4
Keyword: as is
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kamma
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by kamma on Mar 28, 2012 0:28:41 GMT -4
Other keywords: "We'll take care of it" "We ordered the part at Auto Zone" Oh, and REPUTATION HONESTY
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Post by deputy on Mar 28, 2012 6:46:02 GMT -4
I saw Lowe's get called out on Craigslist for posting the owner's section. Then I saw what was supposed to be Lowes's response and it wasn't very nice.
I stopped in a couple times to look at the hot rods they had in there.... total turds and priced about 5x what they were worth.
If you're asking $15-$20k for a car, the hand crank window should at least work.
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Post by Frank on Mar 28, 2012 8:10:31 GMT -4
I hate to say it kamma, but it's probably time to cut your loses and move on. Unfortunately, that's the used car business, hence the reputation as shysters. The best you could ask for is to get a couple hundred toward getting the car fixed yourself. 'Island Tech' here on the forum is a Honda technician and could probably help you out a lot cheaper than towing it to a shop.
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Post by bluecrabber on Mar 28, 2012 9:16:27 GMT -4
^^^ Yep..
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2012 11:06:27 GMT -4
The "As Is" was a no warranty right? Was it State Inspected or do you have to do it to get it tagged. They're a dealer, so it should have been inspected.
Inspections don't cover run-ability, only safety stuff. But, if you can get this car running and plan to keep it.....and this is all current, little time has passed with minimal miles put on it, I would suggest spend another $100 or so and have it State Inspected again, by a place of "your" choice. Get the piece of mind and have them verify all is ok, and if not, find out what should not have been passed.....that you'll end up paying more money on soon to fix.
Now, this is assuming Lowe's is that type of place and who they had do the inspection may be of questionable reputation also.
If there's issues with the re-inspection.....I would get the MSP involved and see where that might go. It may or may not hurt them directly, but there could be some satisfaction for you.
Just my 2 cents worth.
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Post by RobMoore on Mar 28, 2012 11:15:51 GMT -4
Is Lowes the place right off 50 on the westbound side just before the cox?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2012 12:37:28 GMT -4
They're right passed the Acme shopping center, across from Willis tire along the Rt 50 Kent Bernie strip.
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Post by RobMoore on Mar 28, 2012 13:01:18 GMT -4
Yes. That is what I was thinking. They always have interesting cars there.
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Post by deputy on Mar 28, 2012 13:36:33 GMT -4
Yes. That is what I was thinking. They always have interesting cars there. Interesting, yes- that would be another word for them!
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kamma
New Member
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Post by kamma on Mar 28, 2012 22:13:33 GMT -4
Thanks Frank and mj. Sound advice, and very appreciated.
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Post by AquaHolic on Mar 29, 2012 6:11:36 GMT -4
Thanks Frank and mj. Sound advice, and very appreciated. There is a very good Honda Tech who is on KIO...he might be able to help you. He is honest...
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Post by einebierbitte on Mar 29, 2012 7:31:57 GMT -4
Doesn't the Lemon Law apply to Used cars? I don't know..I would just throw that out there...
Seems to me you should have some recourse within 30 days of purchase.
I don't know.. but there are plenty of reputable mechanics on the Island and this forum that perhaps can give you some resolution!
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Post by cranky64 on Mar 29, 2012 8:09:34 GMT -4
The place with all the graffiti? Pretty tacky if you ask me. They're right passed the Acme shopping center, across from Willis tire along the Rt 50 Kent Bernie strip.
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Post by island tech on Mar 29, 2012 21:21:35 GMT -4
Lowes has had all kinds of trouble with the law also. Selling cars illegally. I bet she owns every type of car they sell. If you can't take the car back and need to get it fixed I work on Hondas. Let me know. I will work with you as much as possible, seeing how you've been screwed.
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Post by Frank on Apr 5, 2012 9:22:11 GMT -4
As far as spending $100 and getting it re-inspected, save your money. You can contact the MD State Police, automotive enforement dision, and let them know what happened. They will reinspect your car to insure it went thropugh the inspection process legally. The drivers door glass must roll up and down to allow for hand signals. That's the law. 'As is' still ust pass MD inspection and meet the minimum standards. Hence, not starting is not covered by MSI, but not stopping is. You really need to let Lowes know you will not walk quietly away leaving only your money.
BTW: Island tech is a good guy and a lot less than local shop prices!
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Post by deputy on Apr 5, 2012 9:33:32 GMT -4
As far as spending $100 and getting it re-inspected, save your money. You can contact the MD State Police, automotive enforement dision, and let them know what happened. They will reinspect your car to insure it went thropugh the inspection process legally. The drivers door glass must roll up and down to allow for hand signals. That's the law. 'As is' still ust pass MD inspection and meet the minimum standards. Hence, not starting is not covered by MSI, but not stopping is. You really need to let Lowes know you will not walk quietly away leaving only your money. BTW: Island tech is a good guy and a lot less than local shop prices! As-is does not need to pass any inspection, cars sell as-is all the time with the old car hobby. as-is is just how it is, no warranty, nadda
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Post by kiboater on Apr 5, 2012 10:39:50 GMT -4
A lot of dealers will not sell a car to a consumer as-is. The problem is that most people don't understand what this really means, if something happens to the car. Obviously if you trade in a car and something happens to it the next day you do not expect the dealer to call you up and ask you to fix it. This is because you sell the car to the dealer as-is. The problem is that most consumers don't realize that they are taking a risk without a warranty.
Like the sergeant said on Hill Street Blues: "Hey, let's be careful out there"
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Post by deputy on Apr 5, 2012 10:52:10 GMT -4
yep, most dealers wont do it for just that reason. Another question for the buyer: WHOSE name was on the title? I've heard that Lowe's "consigns" vehicles... If they "flipped" the title it could be a problem for them if the authorities were to "find out" also a no-no in Md.
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Post by Frank on Apr 5, 2012 11:02:09 GMT -4
As far as spending $100 and getting it re-inspected, save your money. You can contact the MD State Police, automotive enforement dision, and let them know what happened. They will reinspect your car to insure it went thropugh the inspection process legally. The drivers door glass must roll up and down to allow for hand signals. That's the law. 'As is' still ust pass MD inspection and meet the minimum standards. Hence, not starting is not covered by MSI, but not stopping is. You really need to let Lowes know you will not walk quietly away leaving only your money. BTW: Island tech is a good guy and a lot less than local shop prices! As-is does not need to pass any inspection, cars sell as-is all the time with the old car hobby. as-is is just how it is, no warranty, nadda Private sales do not need to be inspected, but a licensed car dealer has to have the car inspected before selling it. Agreed, any repairs needed after the car leaves the lot are the responsibilty of the buyer, but the car still needed rto meet the minimum requirements prior to sale. If the vehicle was sold and the title was still in the name of the previous owner, thats bad news for Lowes. That means Lowes never paid the taxes on the vehicle and thats against the law.
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Post by kiboater on Apr 5, 2012 13:59:14 GMT -4
If the vehicle was sold and the title was still in the name of the previous owner, thats bad news for Lowes. That means Lowes never paid the taxes on the vehicle and thats against the law. I am not trying to defend Lowes but dealers don't pay sales taxes on cars they buy for resale. They are required to collect and remit tax on sales.
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Post by Frank on Apr 5, 2012 15:08:43 GMT -4
If the vehicle was sold and the title was still in the name of the previous owner, thats bad news for Lowes. That means Lowes never paid the taxes on the vehicle and thats against the law. I am not trying to defend Lowes but dealers don't pay sales taxes on cars they buy for resale. They are required to collect and remit tax on sales. Yes, but if they buy a car for $1000, and sell it for $5000, they are expected to report the additional $4000 as income. If the dealer never titles, reassigns, or removes the previous owner from the title, the income is never reported. That's the crime!
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Post by bchevy on Apr 5, 2012 21:11:35 GMT -4
I am not trying to defend Lowes but dealers don't pay sales taxes on cars they buy for resale. They are required to collect and remit tax on sales. Yes, but if they buy a car for $1000, and sell it for $5000, they are expected to report the additional $4000 as income. If the dealer never titles, reassigns, or removes the previous owner from the title, the income is never reported. That's the crime! Dealers don't title them in their name, they use the dealer section on the back for dealer sales. BUT If they don't do that, and just hand the buyer a signed title from the registered owner.... he has flipped the car without any fees to the state.
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alice
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Post by alice on Apr 6, 2012 9:18:01 GMT -4
So who would be responsible for the tax the owner that sold it to the dealer? and would the tax be for what the dealer sold it for or what the original sale price to the dealer was? assuming the dealer was a dealer for a reason "to make a profit" Sales and income is easy if you make X profit it is taxed at X%. If you don't pay tax of X% of the income that's cheating. Has anyone sold a vehicle filled out the title for way less then it was sold for and still didn't pay tax on the income? Maybe there are some hypocrites out there, maybe.
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