J & S Autohaus Jean Saliba Deceptive business practices, withheld damage on preowned car: BEWARE Internet, Internet
I went in April 2008 to buy a "off lease" 2004 Infiniti with very low miles. It looked great, drove well, and was priced competitively. I asked all the usual questions about whether it had been in accidents, etc. and was told no. So the deal was made. (The whole nonsense with the "protection package" they sold me is another story.)
The car has had numerous issues since then, so much so that we decided to get rid of it. In checking out the trade-in value with the new car salesman I was talking to, I found out via the Carfax he pulled that the vehicle had had structural/frame damage before I bought it! This was the FIRST I had heard of it! I contacted them, furious. And after a few phone calls, my salesman called back and denied that they knew about it. He noted the date the information had been reported was in 2011, so "we didn't know about it either!" He offered to give me a good deal on it trade-in - for another of their used cars.
Hearing this, I challenged the Carfax report - only to find that the damage had indeed been disclosed to them at the auction where they bought the car. They chose not to disclose this to me in order to get me to buy the car.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Patmo1
Shamong,New Jersey,
United States of America
Fraud in NJ
#5Author of original report
Mon, February 06, 2012
Just FYI for those who responded:
In the state of NJ, dealers are required by law to disclose any/all damage to a vehicle prior to its purchase. If they do NOT, this is considered consumer fraud in our happy little state. (This came from a lawyer, and was verified.)
I did not see the CARFAX prior to purchase due to this fact; however, it would have made no difference, as the damage to the vehicle was added 3 years after I purchased it.
Since it WAS added so late and I was in possession of the car, I went through the dispute process with CARFAX. (You're allowed to do that if you doubt the accuracy of the report.) During this process, it was discovered that the condition of the vehicle had been disclosed to the dealer at auction (where it was purchased).
Flynrider
Phoenix,Arizona,
USA
Carfax is no guarantee.
#5Consumer Comment
Fri, October 28, 2011
Even Carfax reports are not infallable and they make that plain on their website. That's why there is no substitute for having a prospective used car purchase checked out by a trusted mechanic. They can spot this kind of stuff very easily. It's well worth the $100 or so.
The value of what a car salesman tells you is worth the paper it's printed on. If you read a typical used car sales contract, they make that pretty clear.
Ken
Greeley,Colorado,
USA
You DID check the Carfax report before signing the contract....right?
#5Consumer Comment
Fri, October 28, 2011
Checking the report AFTER purchase is not really the right way to buy a used car.
In 2011, after buying the car in 2008, 3 years later, you contact the dealer about the car.
What did you expect them to do?
Sorry for your problems, but used cars are very much buyer beware.
coast
USAquestions
#5Consumer Comment
Fri, October 28, 2011
"I challenged the Carfax report - only to find that the damage had indeed been disclosed to them at the auction where they bought the car."
Please explain what you mean by that statement. How do you know the dealer was informed of the damage at the time they purchased the car? The damage could have been added to the report after they purchased the car unless you have proof that it wasn't. Did you view the CARFAX report prior to your purchase of the car?