Complaint Review: AutoMax of Brevard

On Feb 20, 2016, after viewing the website for Auto Max of Brevard, Melbourne, FL, we drove from St. Cloud, FL (an 1hr and 1/2) to view a GMC Jimmy Sport.  The picture on the website viewed the vehicle as in good condition but I now believe the photo is photo shopped.  When we got there we were greated right away.  We were taken by golf cart over to the lot where the vehicle was by a salesmen they called "Prince".  He showed us the vehicle. It was in horrible condition.  I felt this wasn't right in my gut and I was there with my daughter to help her purchase a vehicle.  I told them, it wasn't anything like the picture on the web and Prince was charming and kind and he offered to show us another vehicle.  We mentioned our price range.  The web stated the GMC Jimmy was as cash for $1990.00. Our price range wasn't to go over $2500.00.  Later, it will be revealed that nothing are their web is at the cost they advertise.  The web mentioned the vehicle was in great condition and runs great.  All of their ads state the same thing, which is Clue #1. 

I mentioned to my daugther that we could look elsewhere but "Prince" stated he would find something for her and that they didn't have anything in our price range but that we could be financed.  I mentioned my daughter lives on a monthly SSI check of $488.00 a month, raising 3 yound children as a single mother and that we need to buy something cash out.  He said that they would make a deal with her and they could make sure she leaves with a vehicle even though it would be financed.  He took us over to another vehicle.  He showed us a Town and Country van.  I noticed immediately that it had a flat tire, the body wasn't all that and the seats were in terrible condition.  The back seat had been removed.  I looked at my daughter and said "no".  He then took us over to another lot to show us a 2004 Mercury Mountineer.  The body was in good shape, the tires looked almost brand new, the seats were weather worn but it did appear to be a nice vehicle for her and the children.  So we agreed to look into the deal they would offer on this vehicle.  We told them of my daughter's circumstances financially and they agreed to help her with my $2500.00 down to give for her down payment and she could pay $250.00 a month. 

The then rushed her to the financing department.  We sat there for a little while, they started her paperwork.  They were most concerned with her getting insured.  We dealt with that.  Staff kept running in and out of the place the hole time.  Staff kept being paged over and over again.  While my daughter was waiting for paperwork, I wanted to inspect the vehicle.  I'm no mechanic but I know some things.  They never offered her a test drive.  They finally brought the vehicle over to the main office and had it running.  I noticed our salesman running a water hose over the vehicle to, I guess, wash it.  No soap or anything.  I told him, I wanted to have a look at it.  He let me.  I popped the hood, there wasn't a latch to hold the hood up.  That wasn't a major deal.  I listened to the engine.  It did sound good.  There was no knocking, no rattling, I couldn't see anything on the surface.  It did have a "hot" smell but they did have it running for a little while before I looked at it.  This vehicle has a screen on the dash that reads things to you. It stated it needed coolant, it barely had any gas in it, and that it needed an oil change.  I couldn't find the dip stick to check it so I asked "Prince" to help me find it.  The oil look dark but I didn't feel any grit in it.  It wasn't black but it would need an oil change soon.  I spoke with the man (very large black man who never left the chair at the desk) who offered the deal and told him that think my daughter would want a test drive before she signs any paperwork.  He told me that "it was a good running vehicle" and that they are going to do a "101" and have everything checked out before we leave.  He also stated that my daughter didn't have to worry as they were going to give her a "2 year warranty" on it. "OKay", I said.  I went to my daughter and told her. 

At that time the woman doing the paperwork was telling my daughter about the 'warranty" and that it was a "50/50 type warranty".  I asked what that meant.  I was told that we are responsible for half of the repairs if need be. I went back out to the vehicle and it was gone.  I was told they took it over to the mechanic to do a "101".  I asked what a "101" is.  I was told that the mechanic would look at all the fluids, hoses, belts, etc....  We were then there for four more hours.  The paperwork was done.  I asked what was taking so long. I was told they only had one mechanic today (this was a Saturday).  We waited and waited.  My daughter was happy to finally leave with her vehicle she purchased.  We start to go home.  We go back through Melbourne (speed limit is around 35-45 mph) to get back on the highway to head West on 192 back home.  The speed limit goes up to 55 then 65mph.  I noticed my daughter was lagging behind me as I kept an eye on her heading back.  We get 8-9 miles down the highway when I see her pull off the road.  I knew right then this wasn't going to be good.  I pull off and start to turn around when she texted me:  "I need you, mom".  I hauled a** back to get to her.  I pull up and the whole engine was smoking.  I popped the hood.  It was white and orange smoke coming from the middle of the engine.  It looked like it wanted to catch fire but I don't believe it ever did. 

I called AutoMax asap and told them what happened and that they were going to need to get a tow truck out here to pick this up and at no cost to me.  They offered her a "loaner" to have until they fixed the vehicle.  I told them at this point, I didn't trust any vehicle they had.  I drove my daughter back to AutoMax to get our money back.  That was going to happen.  We spoke to the man (large black man) at the desk again and explained what happened.  They stated that we needed to give them a chance to "rectify" the problem and that they would fix the vehicle.  Another staff member came to sit down and he asked what happened and then made a joke about going 8-9 miles before the engine blew wasn't bad.  The large black man (I apologize as I can't remember his name) and him both started to laugh.  The "loaner"(s) they were offering were in worse shape than any other vehicle we looked at that day.  The offered a Grand Marque, which my daugther didn't feel comfortable enough to drive. Then they offered a Chrysler somwhat like a PT Cruiser.  They pulled up a black one that still had a stroller and car seat in the back seat.  I asked, "What are you going to do with that" and I was ignored.  The car smelt like baby fisces and vomit.  I said "no"  They then offer a gold one that had the driver door handle broken and the power steering was going out.  I said "no" they then brought the black one back and stated that I would just need to put an air freshner in the car.  How rude.  I then looked at the tires of this vehicle and the front passenger tire was as smooth as a baby's bottom.  Absolutely, no tread on it whatsoever.  I stated, "my daughter is not driving all the way back to St.Cloud in this "unsafe" vehicle.  One little anything that she drives over is going to cause that tire to blow and she may reck which is most important to me but then I don't want to be responsible to getting the vehicle towed somewhere if she survives?!!"  They didn't offier to change the tire or nothing. 

I was then starting to be ignored by everyone. Everyone was trying to ignore me.  We decided to take the Grand Marque. The large black man said that it is a "good running car' and that is why he offered it in the first place.  Then it took almost an hour more to get this vehicle up to the front as they had to change the battery.  We finally left to go home in this "loaner'.  We make it home, which is the only other place we went.  It was pulled up into the yard beside the driveway and shut off.  I didn't want my daughter using the vehicle only if necessary.  Three days later, it car wouldn't start back up.  Nothing was left on.  I called AutoMax and told them.  They seriously wanted me to pay to get the vehicle towed back to them and they would give her another "loaner".  I went off on them.  Absolutely not!!!!  You will pay to get this piece of s*** back to you piece of s*** business or you can let it sit here and rot.  There isn't one vehicle on your whole entire lot that is worth it.  We don't want a "loaner' I told them.  My daughter was upset about the whole situation. 

After one week they called my daughter and wanted her to get the vehicle insured.  No way!! Not until you fix it!!!  The financial department called wanting a pick up fee off there lot for the vehicle of $684.00.  No!!!!  They kept telling her everyweek that her car would be fixed (they bought a refurbished engine) and to follow up with them on Friday or Monday -- Every week she was told that the mechanic wasn't in, they needed another part, the mechanic left, the first engine they bought wasn't good.  Every week for 2 MONTHS STRAIGHT...  she was told the exact same thing.  During this time, I spoke with an attorney who looked over the paper work she signed and because they made her sign a "NO WARRANTY"  "AS IS"  document, there wasn't anything she could do.   I would chew them out everytime they messed around with her that they stopped taking my phone calls.  My daughter is 25yrs old and the vehicle is registered in her name so they weren't going to listen to me anymore.  I

t is now, April 20, 2016 and they called her to tell her her vehicle is done and that she would need to pay them $600.00 to pick it up.  They charged her $900.00 for the whatever work they never really explained or disclosed to her what they were actually doing with it.  They wouldn't give her an assessment of what they are doing and the name of the parts they "needed" to replace.  I have a suspicion that they are taking parts from her vehicle and fixing other people's vehicles with them.  I can't prove it but once you are there and looking at things, I would not doubt in a heartbeat that that is what they were doing.  I apologize if I'm wrong but they do not have a "trust" record with me.  Why the secracy of not telling what parts are actually being replaced? Why the secracy of not giving her an assessment of what has been done?  Why all the excuses?  Why 2 MONTHS?  I'm not an expert but I'm not that stupid. 

I feel really bad about this because I should have been smarter not to let this happen to my daughter.  I can't believe how much they brought my guard down and how quickly they did it!!!  My daughter needs to be compensated.  We want the $2500.00 down back and the loan to be null and void.  I don't know how to go about doing so.  If anything comes of this, I hope people read this site.  I wish I would have seen it sooner.  Please take warning and NEVER GO TO AUTOMAX OF BREVARD!!!!!