Complaint Review: AutoNet Owner Sean Nia Joey Villegas-Sales Rep George Hernandez-GM - Dallas Texas

2007 Acura RDX—purchased from UNITED AUTONET INC on Regal Row in Dallas, TX

05-03-17, my spouse and I purchased a 2007 Acura RDX SUV after locating it online at AUTONET in Dallas, TX off Regal Row. We both liked the vehicle and decided it would be a good third vehicle to use every day to keep the miles down on out lease vehicles. So I emailed and called the dealership prior to 05-03-17, inquiring as to whether or not the vehicle was still available. I received a call back from Joey Viiegas stating that the vehicle was still available and to come in and take it for a test drive.

On 05-02-17, after I got off work at 5:00 PM, I went over to Autonet, where I meet Joey Villegas in person. He begins to explain that the vehicle was in good condition and that the owner’s wife had been driving it. And that it was in good condition and that they guarantee that the transmission and engine both will pass inspection should I have any concerns. I then asked would it be OK to have the vehicle checked out by a local Goodyear that we have used to service our vehicles and he said no problem. I took the car for a test drive and I must say I was pleased with the way it drove and how well maintained it appeared. So after the test drive and giving it some thought. I told Joey that I was interested in purchasing the vehicle.

So we go into his office and noticed a sign over his desk stating a deposit was required but in the form of a CC. I didn’t feel comfortable with putting the deposit on my CC. So I told him that I could leave a check. He said he wasn’t supposed to do it that way, but agreed too and stated that I could deduct the deposit of $250.00 from the balance or just pay the total amount we agreed upon ($5490.00 plus TT&L)  and the check for $250.00 would be discarded. After getting home and speaking with my spouse, the next morning I arranged to have a cashier’s check drafted out of my account for $61046.43 to purchase this vehicle. 

On 05-03-17, my spouse dropped me off at work, so that we could go pick the vehicle up after I got off. At noon my spouse came back to my job and picked up the cashier check ($6106.43) and went to Autonet on Regal Row to make the purchase. After arriving at Autonet, he met Joey and completed the paperwork needed to purchase the vehicle. When asked about the viewing the vehicle, Joey told him that the vehicle was being cleaned up prior to it being picked up later that evening. After getting off and my spouse picking me up we head over to Autonet whom had closed at this time. However, Joey left the vehicle unlocked and the key under the driver side floor mat. We both inspected the vehicle and agreed that we both liked it. But did notice a few things about it that needed to be addressed. The fog light on the front driver’s side was missing, the rear door lifts to hold the rear door open were not working and the passenger side step board was damaged.

I told my spouse that I would get with Joey and have those items addressed. I then get in the vehicle and turn out of the parking lot and wasn’t half way down the street and the check engine, check emission and SH-AWD system all three lights come ON. My stomach dropped, (red flags go up) I immediately called Joey, this time he answered after the second ring. I apprised him of the lights coming on and he instructed me to bring it in the following morning to have their mechanic look it over. I continued to drive and the entire time I’m driving all kind of thoughts were going through my mind. I hadn’t even had the chance for my repair shop to look it over yet. That was my plan on my way to work the morning of 05-04-17 was to drop it off that morning and have it looked over. But due to the issue with the check engine lights etc coming on. I took the vehicle back to Autonet during my lunch break. I texted Joey prior to going over to Autonet and inquired about a loaner and he said no problem, I will have a loaner ready for you when you get here. I get there and Joey is in the middle of what appeared to be selling a vehicle to a couple. He told me to leave the key in the vehicle and let me go get your loaner. Joey was moving so fast and seem to be somewhat annoyed I would say. He wasn’t as relaxed as he was when I went to test drive the vehicle.  Joey comes driving all fast in an older Nissan Altima that looked like it had seen its share of the highway.

So, he said here is your loaner and I will give you a call once you vehicle is ready. I said want do you think the problem is and he said I am not sure, but it may be a sensor that needs adjusting. To me that was weird, of all the things he could have said, he said a sensor issue….hmmm. I also brought up the fog light, rear door lifts and the side board issues. He said I will have them check that out as well. I don’t see how I overlooked those items.  The second set of red flags go up, not to mention that when I get in the loaner. The car on was E. Totally empty, I then thought to myself something doesn’t seem right about all of this.So I go and put $8.00 in gas into the loaner and headed back to work.

On 05-05-17, at 4:30 PM, I texted Joey to remind him about the missing fog light, the lifts for the rear door & side board. He texted me back, asking did I want to pick the car up that night and if so what time would I get there. Not once did he mention anything about what I initially texted him about. I then texted him back at 6:25 PM, which Autonet is now closed. I asked in the text what the issue with the vehicle was and that I did not want to go through the weekend having the same issues. I never heard back from him, but still headed over to pick the vehicle up. I arrived and asked one of the two gentlemen there if Joey was available and the gentleman said he had left for the day. So I left the loaner, got in the vehicle and proceeded to get onto 35 South. I exited Mockingbird and took the turnaround lane and came to a complete stop. Then proceeded to get on the gas a little to gain speed and low and behold all three lights came on again (the check engine, check emission and SH-AWD system).

It was at that point that I knew we purchased a vehicle with some serious issues. I pulled over and sent Joey a lengthy text expressing my dissatisfaction, concerns and how I felt that we had been sold a lemon. Did Joey text me back, NO. So I drove the vehicle home and parked it until Sunday night. Where on 05-07-17, we drove it to the local Goodyear that services our vehicles, left the keys and instruction for the owner to call me to discuss. Keep in mind taking it to the repair shop was my original intension on 05-04-17 to have it inspected. However, after picking it up from the dealership from the time of purchase I have been having this issue. This is so unfair and uncalled for and just flat out deception on the end of Autonet.

On 05-08-17, I called Joey on his cellphone and he actually answered and said he was on vacation. (Well I would imagine that we did pay for him to have a decent vacation with the portion of his commission he received from the fraudulent sale) And that he would be returning the following Monday, 05-15-17. I then hang up with Joey and contact Autonet and requested to speak to the General Manager. I was directed to George Hernandez and explained to him the issues I was having with the vehicle since the day I picked it up. I also mentioned that I had spoken with Joey and asked George when he would be back in the office. George stated Joey will be back tomorrow from vacation on Tuesday, 05-09-17. I then said well isn’t that funny, because he just told me he would be back on 05-15-17. George was SPEECHLESS, I then knew they were full of BS. George proceeds to tell me that he couldn’t believe something was wrong with the vehicle due to the owners wife had been driving the vehicle prior to us purchasing it. He also asked me what is it that I wanted to happen, with respect to addressing the issues, which I thought was weird. I said I wanted the issues with all of the lights on addressed being that it’s been that way since the day I picked up the vehicle. He explained to me that he would speak with the owner as to how he would like to handle the matter.

From 05-09-17 to until now, I have called and asked to speak to George and the response is that he’s on another line, he’s busy with a customer. I have even been placed on hold up to 12 minutes. So I hang up and call back and they hang the phone up on me. Purchasing a vehicle AS IS comes with concerns and doubts. But to have these type issues since the day it was picked up and for the dealership to NOT back up what was stated to me regarding the transmission and engine per the information expressed to me by Joey. Is downright fraudulent, Joey knew from the time he called me back that he was selling me a vehicle with major items. But yet made his verbiage sound as if they would address issues stemming from those two components.

Total just to repair this car that we have not gotten to drive 2 days at all yet is going to run close $4000.00 depending upon what we have done as well as should we purchase new or used parts. Totally unbelievable.

Talk about hurt, disappointed, deceived, and angry, pissed even embarrassed which we have nothing to be embarrassed about, Autonet should be. How do these people sleep at night is beyond me. We are so angry that when I think about it and how I feel that we have been taken advantage of all I see are DOTS. We both are good decent ppl and try and do what is right and do right by ppl. But, I will say this and I am done, AUTONET you can best believe we are GOING TO seek justice and this is not the last you all will hear from us. We am not going to speak about anything as to what our plan will be to address this matter.  

To Date Tot Cost of Repairs for Acura 07 RDX*$3271.17*Veh Cost=$6106.43=Total $9377.60