Complaint Review: AutoNation Illegal Practices - Nationwide

 Your prodding and poking at what is going on with my situation isn't going to work, not here at least. If it were more of you just asking a question, I would have said more. I have spoken in depth with all the evidence that I have after spesking to the right party and I am proceeding with my case and no one on rip off report is going to stop the process. I can tell you again that after taking certain steps things took off from there. With that being said, because something in not answered in the way that you want it to be answered doesn't make it false. Bottom line, the car doesn't work hasn't worked for a longtime and the parties that were suppose and take care of it, didnt. I will continue to say time and time again. Advice was taken and considered and this subject has moved on long ago. I thank everyone for their advice it has helped me a lot. To everyone have a great Sunday.

Your right, you don't have to tell us a thing.  But when you don't we are left to draw our own conclussion based on what you have written and what you have refused to answer.

In this case you have been caught in several contraditions.  When confronted you basically gave us the finger.  So with that your posts are at best an exaggeration, at worst an outright lie where you intentionally posted false information.  

You can continue to tell us that you aren't going to give us any more information. But one would figure if you were telling the truth and were an honorable person you would be more than willing to tell us the progress.  Especially if it is progressing in your favor.

Once again you can comment on whatever you want just like I can. The car doesn't work. I refuse to give you a blow by blow of what happened and what's going on. Things have progressed in my favor so keep commenting and I will keep progressing. Have a good weekend.

Apparently, AutoNation [not the repair facility] declined your warranty request because you invalidated the warranty. Perhaps you didn't honor a financial agreement or neglected maintenance requirements such as routine oil changes and inspections. Maybe you continued to operate the vehicle with the check engine light on or ignored the temperature gauge. Whatever the reason, you have elected to omit it in your verbose responses. You posted your complaint to shame AutoNation but didn't expect it to backfire when challenged by inquiring minds. That is a chance you take when posting on a public forum. Happy motoring!

Another childish attempt to get more updates. I don't owe you anything and you constantly keep worrying about what I am doing rather than taking care of your own business. Try taking care of you. As I stated before, all the information was taken into consideration and I moved forward with what was best for me and my situation. I don't owe you a blow by blow on what next steps where taken, or what progress was made. This discussion has been over with yet you still try to find out more information and guess what that is not going to happen. Now you can keep talking, I could care less. I will proceed further. By the way a lair wouldn't provide you with phone numbers and names. Any information that you I have is all I am willing to give. Yes this is an open forum. The answers that you received was all that you going to get.

Dodging questions is the first sign of deception. Your refusal to respond indicates that we are getting closer to the truth.

In your blog you wrote, “I submitted my complaint and got a NO from the AutoNation Corporate Office.”

I would expect your next words would have been, ‘Why not?’ There must have been some sort of response.

Over the numerous times you have been asked specific questions, you have gone round and round on how you are just being threatned and that we all must work for the company. 

Are you now telling us that in fact they did refer you to mechanics, and those mechanics did provide you with an actual estimate to send to the company?  

So one question remains.  In this case what does the written warranty provide for?  If the repairs exceed the value does the warranty company just "walk away", or do they pay you the current value of the car as part of the claim?  

If they are to pay you the current value, how long do they have and when did you submit the claim?

 ......Moving on

The reason that AutoNation the dealer? The dealer didn’t give an answer as to why they wouldn’t repair it. I was told by the dealer first to go through the warranty, then the warranty sent me to repairs shops, I then sent the estimates for the repair shop estimates over to the warranty. Once the warranty place saw the amount of repairs vs. car value. The warranty company said that based on the estimates for repair that their isn’t any point trying to repair the vehicle when the repair costs more than the value of the vehicle.  I apologize if this wasn't clear.

What was the reason given to you by AutoNation (not the repair facility) for declining your warranty request?

 ONCE AGAIN IT'S DONE AND OVER WITH. All advice that was given, was taken under consideration, such as re-reading of the contract, reviewing laws in regards to my situation, reviewing all written estimates of vehicle and that's what matters. Also the advice was given about taking the car to a mechanic, which is good advice. This is a situation where lessons have been learned and I hope that other readers will take all of this advice under consideration.

First, I would not consider the advice of a relative who tells you drive 190+ miles to buy a used car.  You respect the advice you were given and then you very kindly reject it.  I mean I suppose every family has a relative who tosses out scattered pieces of odd advice, but as an adult, you're at a point in your life when you have to critically think about the advice you were provided and say, thanks but no thanks - unless of course the relative is going to drive you from Jersey to Maryland on a whim.

You are rejecting the idea of an attorney, thinking you get by on the cheap and try to do this yourself.  In the meanwhile, you are stressing out, had a heart attack, suffering from the paranoid delusions we work for the dealer, think we want you to have a crack in your head, think we're threatening you....all because you're trying to do this yourself.  A letter from a lawyer for maybe $100-$150 threatening the dealer with a lawsuit (as your representative), would likely start the process of getting these guys off their duff and a settlement done.  Even if the cost of the letter is more than that, the lawyer could likely collect a sufficient amount of damages of "pain and suffering" to cover the cost of the letter.  All of this assumes you have a document from an auto repair place indicating the repairs to the vehicle would be $3000 or more.

Speaking of which, Robert asked an important question I didn't see an answer to, which is you went from repair labor at $142/hr (pretty standard for where you are) to, "if I have to keep it overnight, it would cost $3,000."  That's baloney.  Repair places don't store your vehicle for $3,000 per day.  But you did have a statement indicating the repairman said the car was worth more in parts.  There's only one reason why the mechanic would say that.  But for my benefit and the others, you may wish to expand on that comment the mechanic said.  That mechanic can and should provide you a detailed estimate as to what it would take to repair that vehicle and if the mechanic won't do it, you have a bum for a mechanic.

The dealer is going to drag this out further and further until you have no way to recover anything - I mean you indicate this happened back in May, or earlier?  We're now more than 5 months out from that date, and no movement.  The longer it takes, the less chance for recovery and with no ability to utilize the lemon laws in Maryland, a lawyer will really be the only way you drop the stress on this issue and let the lawyer deal with the dealer.

Best of luck, and yes, you'll need it if you try to do this without help.

 Shandra West Orange,NJ THIS SUBJECT IS CLOSED, DONE AND DEAD. LET IT GO. MOVE ON TO OTHER PEOPLE. LET IT GO!

First as stated this is a PUBLIC web site, as such anyone can post. You don't get to make up the rules or decide when and if someone is allowed to make a comment. Just so you know I am posting because I want to, not because you have asked a question.

As for your relative.  Yes, it's great you listen to your relative  and yes if you want to respect your relatives suggestion..great.  But are you really going to say that your relatives would have disowned you if you told them that your closest dealer for that company was 190 miles away?  So no, it was still YOUR choice to drive almost 190 to this dealer.  Where the first question you should have asked yourself is "Gee..what if something does go wrong, am I going to have to return here and are they going to pay for the tow".

I want to look at this dealer you went to for the estimate who explained this entire process. You stated that they charged $142/hr to diagnose the problem, that is actually fairly normal, and should be a couple hours at most, especially with the conditions you described.

But then you stated that if it was kept overnight you would be charged $3000. Is that something you are just assuming, or did they in fact state that is what you would be charged even during the overnight hours when no one is working on it? If this is a statement that came out of that dealers mouth, then you need to find another mechanic ASAP.

You the wrote that the dealer(is this the same dealer) stated that the cost to repair would exceed the value. You also stated that the warranty company said IF a repair exceeds the value they will only pay up to the value. But you did not actually connect the two. That is did the dealer ever give you an actual Written estimate, and did you submit an actual claim to the warranty company. If you did then did they make you an offer to pay the value or did they deny the claim outright?

This goes back to your original claim, that they are doing something ILLEGAL.

Once again what specific things in the written warranty have they violated. I am not talking about what you think they should do. I am not talking about other mechanics who don't want to deal with the warranty company. I am talking about what you have done, and what specific things did they not do that they should have done per the terms spelled out in the warranty.

I will say you also do appear to have additional issues in Reading Comprehension.  If you would look at the posts even though you somehow "think" I chimed in after other comments, you would see that the first comment made was from me.

You also seem to take things out of context

As far a me needing a crack in my head, what is that about?

- What's that about? That's about it not being what I stated. I stated "But just in case your mind is even open just a crack". In reference to if you still have an open mind to accept additional suggestions, nothing about cracking your skull open..gees. Apparently this persecution complex you have turns just about everything stated into some sort of attack on you. And I really don't know how to help you there.

You made the statement saying that there are other things that I can do. This is interesting.... what are those things?

- Actually what you can do has been stated by me and many others, so there is really no need to rehash them here. All you need to do is read.

 You made the statement saying that there are other things that I can do. This is interesting.... what are those things?

 Your comments are not needed. I have already spoken to someone and obtained an answer for this. As far as your feelings regarding me trying to obtain sympathy are pointless . The story is the story, full and documented and that’s what matters, what I can prove, and I can prove it. As far as the FTC, I don’t do the BBB complaints, matter of fact this is my first complaint, I have the right to file a complaint with whom I choose. I also have the right to give share information with people. I don’t do it in a nasty way because I understand how it feels and when turning to a site such as this one for information. I don’t take lightly being talked down to, but you know what that’s you, not me. When it comes to moving forward I can say that I learned a lot from this experience and I can make the right decision whether or not I want to proceed further.

 Yes the answer to the warranty questions were answered in 3 parts; 1)The owners of the shops don’t deal with third party warranties. They had issues in the past with payment. 2)The maker of the car explained the process, vehicle inspection, the cost and prior to any work being done they would fax over paperwork to the claim department of the third party warranty for approval. Now regardless of whether the claim department approves the claim or not, the cost of the inspection of the vehicle would still need to be paid whether work is done on the car or not. 3) The warranty customer service department explained that if the repairs cost more than the value of the car then they would only pay for the value of the car. That’s the information given.

I read your Blogger post and both posts on Ripoff Report. Most of your statements are irrelevant and verbose. Try offering direct answers such as a reply to Robert’s question as to the reason you were given as to why your request for warranty service was declined. Please be specific. Perhaps you answered the question and I overlooked it.

What really bothers me about this report is your attempt to get sympathy. Your mentions of disabilities and hospice and the health decisions you had to make have absolutely nothing to do with it. You bought a used car, didn't bring it to a mechanic first, and now you are finding any reason to blame the dealer.

The Attorney General doesn't care, the FTC doesn't care, and the BBB doesn't care. Next time BRING IT TO A MECHANIC FIRST! PERIOD!

And no, I do not in any way work in the automobile industry,

LG

 I meant to say that I will not allow it.

 Shandra West Orange,NJ First thing is first, you knock that chip off your shoulder. I conversed with another guy on my rebuttals and doesn’t give you the right to bark at me. I will allow it. Granted you say that you have more experience than me, how about taking a breather before you hit those keys. Getting back to my case, I was referred by a relative in Florida, this is where I was born and raised. So when your elder gives you advice I take it seriously, especially when you’ve seen it with your own eyes and watched them purchased a couple of vehicles and things have worked out well. This is why I went to AutoNation. I won’t give you all of the information regarding my case but I have taken some of the information given by your colleagues. As far a me needing a crack in my head, what is that about? Maybe you need a crack upside your head speaking to people in the manner in which you have. You can keep talking, I’d rather converse with someone else regarding my matter. I had actually found one before this flaming post came through. Keep your information and nasty attitude to yourself. If I want to be treated badly, I have AutoNation for that.

 Shandra West Orange, NJ This is my story not yours and I do have the right to tell the way it happened to me, not you, not anyone else. Since my story is public, not just here but everywhere and those who have an opinion have the right to comment, yes. Although you say that you have expertise in this apparently you missed why I am reporting this. This is information given to the people and I have commented on isn’t for money, it’s for informational purposes and what they can do to stand up for themselves. People have that right and should not be afraid to voice their opinions to their Attorney General, Senators, FTC or whomever will listen and it can be recorded. That’s my purpose. Get it? AutoNation has actually scared people out of filing any sort of report against them and I was one of those people. As you can see, I’m not easily scared away. Number one isn’t correct but due to my situation a lot has been left out, but thats fine your opinion on this is respected, wrong, but respected. Maryland’s Attorney General does deal with used cars and they once again have the same complaints regarding AutoNation. Some individuals have been in serious accidents due to failure of their vehicles on the road. Also I am fully aware that a lot of dealers aren’t like AutoNation and actually care about its customers and they take care of them. Your ICC laws amongst other laws come into play when it comes to my situation which makes it an even more of a sticky situation for AutoNation. I absolutely agree with answers two and three.

These were my suggestions before it became this huge mess, but to be honest with you a refund worked for me. I wouldn’t trust a trade or a Q-Tip from AutoNation’s lot, it’s like singing my own death certificate. Also I am glad that I documented my situation and although in your first rebuttal you felt as though I was looking to gain sympathy, looks like you actually have a touch of both, empathy and sympathy. Getting back to number three the warranty company, AutoNation and the maker of the vehicle have different points of view on my situation. The maker and warranty company are on the same page based on evidentiary support, the dealership is on planet-Not. As far as the Attorney thing is concerned, I think I’m better off on my own. Thank you for the luck but I don’t need it, but thank you anyways. FYI.....I’m not stressed out, I’m actually doing pretty good. Writing about AutoNation has actually been quite cathartic.

The fact is that I, nor Jim or for that matter anyone else that would post here works for AutoNation. How do I know he doesn't. Because if you would take a look around this site you would realize that the "You must work for them" is standard when someone doesn't like what is said, and instead of attacking the post they try to discredit the poster. But just like how all of those claims were wrong, so is yours.

If you would actually knock that chip off your shoulder you would realize we are actually trying to help you. We are not attacking you, nothing we stated could even be remotely seen as a threat. In fact we are actually trying to help you by pointing out things you may not have considered.

Yes we get where you are coming from, you have considered every angle and know every in & out where there isn't a single additional item you can learn from anyone...well unless they agree with you 100%.

But just in case your mind is even open just a crack, let me point out a few more things.

You stated that they asked you to take the car to them but you refused because you wanted them to pay for the tow. Okay, so is the tow covered for that mileage? If not, then they are under no obligation to cover the tow. The distance to the dealer didn't seem to bother you when you bought the car, it can't all of the sudden become an issue if you need to take it in for service.

Next I took a look at the Warranty and there are a couple of questions. It stated that they would honor that Warranty at any Licensed Mechanic nationwide. Since I figure that the dealer you took it to was also licensed, are you now saying that AN will not honor the Warranty Claim? If not what is the reason they gave?

If you are saying the repairs exceed the value of the car they only pay up to the MSRP. Again, if that is what is in writing then they are not legally bound to pay anything additional. In this case would you still be responsible for the difference, or would they just "total" out the car and take the car off your hands giving you the current value?

As stated complaints against dealers are a dime a dozen, they rival banks, insurance companies, and various payday lenders. Am I going to say that every one of those complaints were bogus or unfounded..NO. Am I going to say your claim is unfounded..NO. Are we saying there are other things you could do..YES.

If you want to say they are being investigated by all of these agencies, go right ahead. I'm not here to debate you on that nor do I have the time or energy to try and prove you right or wrong(in this format it really doesn't work). But if you ever find out that a decision was made on these such as fines or some other consequence of specific actions then please post it here for the entire world to see.

In the end you are going to do what you want, just like everyone else who is so certain they are right they won't listen to anything anyone else has to say. But like a majority of those, eventually reality will set in and you will realize that most if not all of what we are saying is what happened. Just when that realization does come, please try to remember we did try to help you.

Even though you don't want it once again...Good Luck

Obviously, if I were the dealer, I would not be indicating to you how it was possible for you to sue the dealer, nor would I explain to you the very simple ways in which you can try to get this car repaired.  In addition, if you're going to post on a public website, you invite criticism of your complaint when you're completely off base.  For example, once a complaint is filed with the entities you filed with, no one goes back to says - oops, never mind - when the entity satisifes the consumer, at least in the case of the FTC.  They file the claim and shut the drawer on it.  Neither the FTC nor the state AG will act unless you're talking about millions of dollars in fraud.  Even your local city folks won't move on something unless it's in the $100K range.  On that, I do have expertise.

Also, no one who rebuts anyone is posing a threat - no wonder you're stressed out.

So let's move on with your update:

1.  It's too bad the Lemon law in New Jersey wouldn't apply to you, because you'd actually have a chance under NJ law to have the car declared a lemon.  Maryland Lemon laws on used cars do not apply to you in any way, shape, or form - based on what you wrote.  The used car would almost have to be new in Maryland.

2.  The written estimate to repair the vehicle sounds like very good evidence the dealer should have reasonably known the car was on its last legs and should not have been on a lot for sale.  The dealer really screwed up in not doing their due diligence on the car.  You likely have a case for fraud.  I would have the car towed at their expense back to the dealer, and yes, they ought to absorb that cost.  You also have a case under Federal ICC laws governing interstate sales.  If they were smart, they would void the contract and allow you to either purchase another car on the lot, OR...refund you.  I don't know if they'll do the latter, but they should at least do the former.  I'd say contact  an attorney, but I doubt there's any $$ for the attorney in the case.  Maybe there is??

3.  Legally, the warranty company is separate from the dealer - they have to be.  But they are sometimes distantly related because the warranty company can advise the dealer in a situation like yours on assessing the car after the sale.

Best of luck to you....

Shandra West Orange, NJ My issues are with AutoNation not you. You seem to take it way too personal, do you work for them ? The answer is probably yes. Also you don’t know where I am in the process. As I stated over and over again AutoNation is already being investigated by the FTC so they do actually do care. AutoNation has a history so this is not new. Everyone can’t be lying if it is the same issue Jim, if that actually is your name. As I stated before and will continue to state again and again, this fight isn’t over no matter how many rebuttals you guys right.

If you rebute this well then AutoNation would not have so many complaints from so many people. I will agree with you when you say a complaint is a complaint but every complaint is different. Yes documentation is key when it comes to matters such as this. My car has serious issues that renders it undriveable. Also you don’t know my situation. This is why everything is been documented. I will keep on with this fight and I don’t need your good luck, you, AutoNation will.

Just for the record I purchased a 3000.00 AutoNation Vechicle Protection Plan Toll For Road side assistance 1-888-536-1303. To file a claim 1-800-594-8424. I have the platinum plan which should cover both engine and tranmission, again as I stated due to the value of the car the warranty is useless. I have no reason to lie.If you want the information to the auto dealers where I live and where I have gone, well mainly family have visited on my behalf. Let me know. AutoNation in Timonium requested that I go to the maker of the car and have it inspected, to see what the issue is, and I complied.

I set an appointment with the maker, towed the car there and sat down with parts and labor and they explained to me the process. The process is that they take the vehicle, charge 142.00 per hour, if they need to keep the vehicle overnight, the cost would be over 3000.00 basically more than the warranty and almost more than the vehicle, and this doesn’t include parts and labor. So if I left my car there, I would be responsible for the cost of the inspection, which must be paid before the vehicle is released. If the decision would be made to fix the car, everything would have to be approved by the protection plan under AutoNation because it’s considered a third party warranty.

The maker of car looked up the KBB value and let me know that it isn’t worth it to fix it and that it should be left on the side of the road or sold for parts. Either way it’s useless. I had the car towed back to my home where it has been sitting since then. Don’t assume that you will stop me from going forward with the Attorney Generals office or the FTC. Your threats don’t scare me. By the way my car doesn’t fall under NJ Lemon Law, it falls under Maryland since that is where the car was purchased. I know that you will deny this but I can also give you the number to New Jersey Lemon Law’s direct number. Again AutoNation there are powers in numbers, don’t forget that. Once again, you have a lot of complaints out there. Inquiring minds want to know, why do you continue to rebute mine?

I see a few problems and solutions here:

1.  At this point in the process, you're just about the point where the dealer (in this case AutoNation) can really help you.  As someone already pointed out, the car was sold as is, even with the additional warranty.  If you can provide proof the dealer was fully aware the car was severly defective prior to purchase, you certainly have a case of fraud and you can sue the dealer.  A mechanic should be able to tell you that.  Unfortunately, you are in a state where lemon laws don't really apply to used car sales.

2.  Your 3rd party insurance purchased from AutoNation is not an AutoNation warranty.  It is a 3rd party company that is not part of AutoNation.  I generally would never buy one because you'll never get the value out of it that you put into it, but then if I were to buy a used car, I would have brought my mechanic with me who would have beeen happy to check things out for me prior to purchasing the car.  It's also the most profitable business for a used car dealer, which is why they push them.  But I do know there are many repair shops that honor 3rd party warranties, so I wouldn't just assume your local repair shop is representative of the entire industry.  Call and see who will repair your car - your dealer should be able to provide repair shops where the car can be repaired.

3.  The FTC isn't going to care about your complaint (sorry) nor do I believe for a minute the Attorney General of your state will either.  Used car dealers rack up these sorts of complaints just like moving companies do.  Citing the number of complaints a used car dealer has is sort of similar to citing the number of sunny days in August.  Sure they get them.  The question is how many are legit??  If the customer also received satisfaction, the complaint still exists on the books and doesn't get removed, so....even good companies can rack up complaints.

Best of luck to you....

Shandra West Orange, NJ  Oh I forgot to mention that I purchased a warranty for 3000. I was informed by the warranty company that if repairs exceed the MSRP then that is what they will pay. Here’s the other issue, because it’s an AutoNation warranty, which is considered a third party warranty, auto repair places refuse to take them because they have had issues in the past with third party warranties and payment. All documentation was submitted to AutoNation Corporate, and their process makes no sense. Bottom line, I filed a complaint against them with The Attorney Generals office and the FTC, where their are a number of serious complaints pending. This is not a game, this is real life and I plan to keep living a for AutoNation to take responsibility. Make no mistake soon the media will get a hold of this, I have had friends place calls, and it will take itself from there. If your comment was simply sent to obtain information, just ask I am willing to give all information so that you or other consumers can start the process for yourselves. In a previous repdort I put my blog information which will guide everyone with the information they need.

You spent 90% of your report giving us your "story, this was done for one reason.  To try and gain sympathy.  Yet all we know about the car is that you bought it in November of 2016 and have had problems ever since.

Now we can figure you bought a USED car, and most likely bought it "As-Is". Which means that unless you have a Written Warranty or something else in writing from the dealer stating otherwise, anything and everything is YOUR responsibility.

Salesman are not going to know every single thing that could go wrong about a car, that is why the cars are sold "As-Is".  Did you even test drive it? Did you have this vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic? In looking at their web site they have a 5 day money back guarantee that would have given you plenty of time for you to take it to a mechanic.  Oh but you say you are 189 miles away and they only allow 250 miles for this. Really..so coming from West Orange NJ this was the closest dealer you could have gone to to purchase a car?  Where if you were willing to travel this far to buy it, in spite of your family and medical issues, you should have allocated the time to find a local shop to look at it before you went back home.

But in the end since you refuse to take it to them to look at what do you want them to do?

Good Luck in what ever you want them to do.