Showroom Sales and Leasing, Inc. aka showroomsanjose.com usedcarssanjoseca.com Illegally sold me a car that hadn't been smogged, then stuck me with the bill after agreeing to do the repairs. Santa Clara California
Showroom Sales and Leasing sold me this vehicle without disclosing that they hadn't performed a smog check on it. They agreed to pay for the repairs, then when it came time to pay they stuck me with the bill.
Oct 3 2013, I purchased the car for $9500 out the door.
Oct 3, 2nd Start, it threw the check-engine light. I immediately called Paul Mudgett, they asked for me to take it in and report back what the problem was. "Please let us know what they say and we can work something out."
Oct 10, They called me and told me that due to a mistake on their part they had neglected to get the car smogged, and asked me to complete the smog and send them the certificate. Not thinking it would turn into a fiasco I agreed to get it smogged. They sent me a letter and check of a refund of $58.25, which I have not cashed.
Oct 11, Took the vehicle to Shucks Transmissions ASE certified repair. I identified some regular maintenance that I wanted done, as well as to diagnose the P0322 and P0161 codes. I only wanted Showroom Sales and Leasing would be responsible for the repair of what caused the check-engine light to come on. The car could not be smogged with the check-engine light lit anyway.
Oct 14, I picked the vehicle up from Shucks Transmissions, work attributed to the codes was spark plugs 79.92, spark plug wires 92.36, and 2.4rs @ 129.77 hr at that time.
Oct 15, The vehicle again threw code PO332. Shucks wanted to see the car again, but I told them that if further repairs were not covered by the warranty of the first repair that I wanted them to not continue. I would take the car to an Authorized Pontiac Service Center Dublin GMC, I emailed Paul Mudgett with the same information.
Oct 20, Word from Shucks Transmissions, is that they believe the next step is to replace the Knock sensors. I'm unwilling to continue guessing. I've instructed them to button up the car, and I've taken it to the authorized service center for Pontiac's which is the Dublin GMC service center. Shucks was able to reproduce clearing, and re-throwing the code consistently within 60 miles of travel.
Oct 23, I sent the diagnostics and quote done by Dublin GMC to Paul Mudgett, their initial quote totaling $3801.60. Which included addressing the visible P0332 code, as well as the hidden P0410 and P1637 codes that were automatic smog fails uncovered by GMC's electronic diagnostics.
Mechanic's story from Dublin Buick GMC: (copy and pasted unmodified)
Oct 24, In a telephone conversation with Paul Mudgett, he said Showroom Sales & Leasing would be willing to pay for the work at Dublin Buck GMC if the invoice could be done under Showroom Sales and Leasing as a wholesaler.
Oct 25, I crafted email messages to both Paul Mudgett (Showroom Sales and Leasing) and Ernie Avalos (Dublin GMC) detailing each others contacts, the GMC provided estimate, permission for the invoice to be changed to Showroom Sales and Leasing permitting them to pay for it as a wholesaler.
Oct 28, the OK was given to begin the repairs, and Showroom Sales and Leasing faxes their sellers permit
to Dublin GMC.
Oct 31, The repairs were done, invoices were faxed and Paul Mudgett begins backpedaling.
Nov 1, Paul Mudgett says he now needs to get the owner involved and will get back to me. I refused to let
him put me off and tell him I’m picking the car up as planned and now they will need to reimburse
me. GMC invoice #1 $2907.19.
Nov 2, I attempt to get the vehicle smogged at TriValley smog center $69, it passed the visual inspection,
and emissions inspection but failed because the ECU didn't have enough miles on it from it being cleared
due to battery disconnect while it was being repaired.The technician suggested putting another 60 or so
miles on it and bringing it back to the smog test station for a retest. I took the car out sunday at about mile
79 the check engine light came on again. This time with a PO410 Air System. This *should* be warranty
work by Dublin GMC since they just replaced the air pump, so the car is going back to Dublin GMC.
Nov 5, Dublin GMC now needs to replace the Air System Check valves, an item on the original quote that
was optional and was only going to be done if necessary. Well it’s determined it’s necessary, GMC invoice
#2 $288.61.
Nov 6, I take the vehicle back to TriValley smog center for it’s retest $28.25, and it finally passes.
Nov 13, I send the following demand letter, including all copies of invoices to Paul Mudgett
Paul, sorry for the delay. I unfortunately had to have emergency spinal surgery. However before that
happened I was able to get the firebird smogged.
Here's the tally:
GMC #1 2907.19
Tri valley smog #1 69.00
GMC #2 288.61
Tri valley smog #2 28.25
Total $3293.05
Invoices are attached, cut me a check and I'll forward you the smog cert and we can be done with
this.
Dec 9, Paul attempts to negotiate .50 on the $1.
Donovan,
Hope you are doing well today. Will you accept half ($1452.60) of the full amount ($2907.19) for the
repairs of the Firebird. If so, Doris will send you the credit this week.
Dec 9, I flatly refuse
Paul,
No, I'm already $1300 into repairs at the first shop that I'm not asking you to address.
Dec 16, No contact from Paul has been received. It’s the sellers responsibility to smog the vehicle, I shouldn’t be stuck with footing the bill, and after more than 60 days since purchase and payment the vehicle still hasn’t been legally transferred to me.
Dec 17, I emailed Paul the following
Paul,
GMC #1 2907.19
Tri valley smog #1 69.00
GMC #2 288.61
Tri valley smog #2 28.25
Total $3293.05
Donovan,
We can cover half of all the expenses on the pontiac but cannot cover all of it. Originally I did tell you on the phone that we would have the car picked up by flat bed and have it fixed but you were not comfortable with that.
That is the best i can do, please let me know.
Regards,
Dec 21, My response to Paul Mudgett
Paul,
Jan 22, 2014 I got the pink slip in the mail, but no registration tags. Emailed Paul Mudgett, asking him to still make it right, no response.
Jan 28, 2014 I got the registration in the mail. Emailed Paul Mudgett again reiterating that I expect them to pay $3293.05, no response.