Don Beyer Volvo - Subaru Ripoff Dishonest Automobile Sales Alexandria Virginia
I'm writing regarding my horrible car buying experience. I'm a college student and married mother of three and recently decided to purchase my very first car. I did a lot of research and finally decided on a 1995 Honda Accord featured at Don Beyer Volvo-Subaru. I called and spoke with the salesperson, Peter Farris, who told me the car was still available.
A few days later, I went to the dealership to look at the car and fell in love, but had a big problem with one of the stipulations of the sale: The car did not come with a warranty. If fact, this dealership was selling the car "As Is".
I was very skeptical about doing this. Why wouldn't a car dealership that sells new cars not offer a simple 30-day warranty for the cars on their lot? Nevertheless, after discussing it with my husband, we decided to consider purchasing the car, IF they let us take it to have the car inspected. They agreed but wouldn't let us take the car that day (Saturday to be returned on Sunday). We would have to come back on Monday. I now realize, that they used that extra time to "patch" the car up to run smoothly.
After getting a clean bill of health (with the exception of the brake pads), we purchased the car for $4900.00
Approximately three-four weeks later, I noticed that the car was not driving properly. The car would drive and rev in very high RPM's yet not actually go more than 0-5 mph. The problem would only be corrected after I'd come to a complete stop (most of the time I had to stop in the middle of the street/traffic).
After determining there was a problem, I took the car to a Honda service station and requested a diagnostic. The results were that the transmission had a severe leak and was extremely low on transmission fluid. The seals would also need to be replaced. I agreed and paid them $400.00 for the work.
A week and a half later, the car began to experience the same problem, yet intensified. Instead of the problem correcting itself from my simply coming to a complete stop, now the car wouldn't move when I press on the accelerator from a red light (or whenever the car was stopped). To fix the problem, I had to turn the engine off, let the car sit for a minute or so and then restart it. Most of the time, I had to do this in the middle of traffic!!
I managed to drive the car back to Honda who performed more tests on the car and advised me that the transmission was bad and would have to be replaced for a charge of $2500.00!!! Needless to say, I was stunned.
Why hadn't Don Beyer told me of the transmission troubles?? Honda then told me of how transmissions can be "patched" by dealerships to work properly for a few weeks only to go bad on them once a buyer has taken possession of the vehicle.
This is exactly what happened to me and I'm very upset by this experience. My salesperson, Peter, seemed very nice and honest, and I feel totally scammed by this dealership's dishonest business practices. They knew that the car had a bad transmission; that's why they didn't offer a 30-day warranty!!! And they fixed it so that the transmission would run properly during my inspection!!!!!!!
I'm writing in the hopes that others who see an ad for a used car from Don Beyer Volvo-Subaru, TURN AND RUN THE OTHER WAY. They're dishonest, greedy, salespeople who take advantage of people for a quick buck.
Lekia
Oxon Hill, Maryland
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Mike Turner
Alexandria,Virginia,
U.S.A.
accusations made are unfounded and false
#5UPDATE Employee
Sat, December 27, 2003
Don Beyer Volvo's side of the story.
The accusations made by Lekia are unfounded and false. The first time anyone at Don Beyer Volvo was made aware of Lekia's problem was after being faxed a copy of her "rip-off report". NO ONE at Don Beyer Volvo was ever contacted, but within 1 day of being made aware of her problem, we made arrangements for her car to be repaired.
I feel it is very unfortunate that ripoff.com would post a slanderous accusation of a reputable company such as ours, without first having gathered ALL of the facts involved. In over 30 years of business, Don Beyer Volvo has always addressed our customers concerns.
We're happy that we were able to address Lekia's concerns, and hope that any other customers who have concerns please voice them directly to myself, or anyone of my management team.
General Manager
Don Beyer Volvo and Subaru
Alexandria, VA
703-768-5800
Mike Turner
Alexandria,Virginia,
U.S.A.
accusations made are unfounded and false
#5UPDATE Employee
Sat, December 27, 2003
Don Beyer Volvo's side of the story.
The accusations made by Lekia are unfounded and false. The first time anyone at Don Beyer Volvo was made aware of Lekia's problem was after being faxed a copy of her "rip-off report". NO ONE at Don Beyer Volvo was ever contacted, but within 1 day of being made aware of her problem, we made arrangements for her car to be repaired.
I feel it is very unfortunate that ripoff.com would post a slanderous accusation of a reputable company such as ours, without first having gathered ALL of the facts involved. In over 30 years of business, Don Beyer Volvo has always addressed our customers concerns.
We're happy that we were able to address Lekia's concerns, and hope that any other customers who have concerns please voice them directly to myself, or anyone of my management team.
General Manager
Don Beyer Volvo and Subaru
Alexandria, VA
703-768-5800
Mike Turner
Alexandria,Virginia,
U.S.A.
accusations made are unfounded and false
#5UPDATE Employee
Sat, December 27, 2003
Don Beyer Volvo's side of the story.
The accusations made by Lekia are unfounded and false. The first time anyone at Don Beyer Volvo was made aware of Lekia's problem was after being faxed a copy of her "rip-off report". NO ONE at Don Beyer Volvo was ever contacted, but within 1 day of being made aware of her problem, we made arrangements for her car to be repaired.
I feel it is very unfortunate that ripoff.com would post a slanderous accusation of a reputable company such as ours, without first having gathered ALL of the facts involved. In over 30 years of business, Don Beyer Volvo has always addressed our customers concerns.
We're happy that we were able to address Lekia's concerns, and hope that any other customers who have concerns please voice them directly to myself, or anyone of my management team.
General Manager
Don Beyer Volvo and Subaru
Alexandria, VA
703-768-5800
Lekia
Oxon Hill,Maryland,
U.S.A.
Only after faxing a copy of my Rip-off Report, they decided to make the transmission repairs to my car
#5Author of original report
Mon, December 22, 2003
After faxing this report to the dealer, I was contacted by the General Manager who after a lengthy phone call, decided to make the transmission repairs to my car. They picked the car up the next day and had it ready for me by the beginning of the next week.
As it turns out, the salesman who sold me the car, and whom I'd been communicating with about this problem, no longer works there. While I'm not suggesting that he ripped me off, as a result of his lack of communication, I assumed that I was getting taken. This turned out not to be the case and the dealership, took responsibility and corrected the problem.
While I hope that the repair of the transmission holds up, I'm grateful that Don Beyer Volvo took my concerns seriously and we were able to amicably resolve the situation.