I searched online for a replacement motor. After several queries, and emails from a number of businesses, I had a telephone conversation with Antonio Dominguez.
He assured me he had my motor. He said he just had to have "his guys" go over it and prepare it for shipping. I believed at this time (Date/Time: 22-Apr-2011 11:40:25 AM ET Transaction ID: 3585363774) that he had the motor in his possession, and if I paid for it immediately I could receive it by Friday, April 29. I paid the money via debit card. The money was debited before I hung up the phone.
Mr. Dominguez then sent an email with two attachments which, among other things, added a statement not previously mentioned that he would deduct a 20% "restocking" fee on any canceled order. This was after the debit cleared my bank.
Then, April 29 came, and went.
On Monday, May 2, 2011 I called Mr. Dominguez to inquire as to the location of my motor. He said he would call me back in 20 minutes. After three hours I called him again, and at that time he said "his guy was having problems with the shipper". I told him then that I didn't want to wait, he already was late on the delivery, and now he tells me he never actually had the motor. It was going to be straightened out, and I would get the motor we agreed on. (60k miles, 2002 Ford Focus SPI Vin 8) with a 60k mile warranty.
Then he gave me the phone number of "his guy"who's name is Paul the owner of an auto parts recycling business in Windsor, Ontario. When I called and talked to Paul (May 2, 2011)he informed me he had already told Mr. Dominguez that his shipping costs had doubled, and "no way" was he going to loose money on the deal.
He also said he had returned the money in full to Mr. Dominguez, and read to me the letter he emailed. I called Mr. Dominguez and told him what Paul had told me. Mr. Dominguez said he would return my money, minus the restocking fee.
I told him there was nothing to restock, that Paul did not charge him, and since he broke the contract he could not charge me.
Now, when I try to call Mr. Dominguez he does not answer the phone, nor does he reply to my emails.
On May 4, 2011, he sent an email stating "YouR order has been Canceled.. A credit to your card wiLl be issued. Thank you for using parts.com". That part was copied and pasted.
Other than that no contact. I did not "cancel" the order, he did.
He did not have the engine he said he did.
I called him and left a message that if I didn't hear from him by today, Friday May 6 2011 I would turn this matter over to the FBI to have him investigated for internet fraud. I believe this to be fraud because he never had in his possession the engine he sold me.
He led me to believe he had his own salvage yard, as depicted on his website. He also led me to believe he had the motor, or I would not have sealed the deal.