Complaint Review: Fletcher Jones Imports Las Vegas - Las Vegas Nevada

"The auction ended that day at 12:38PM. At that time I was notified by E-bay and E-snipe that the auction was over and my bid did not meet the reserve."

  You seemed to be well aware that you didn't win the auction, so at that point, the dealer had no commitment to sell you the car.

  Sounds to me like they sent you a follow-up email to offer to sell you the car outside of Ebay.  That's a lot different than winning an auction.   Like any other car for sale by a dealer, you should not expect them to hold a car unless you have some money down on it (and usually a signed purchase agreement to go with it). 

  Looks to me like the dealer in this case isn't entirely clean either.  It appears that they put cars on Ebay with high reserves in order to get bidder info. Then after the auction is closed without the reserve being met, they bypass Ebay so they don't have to pay a commission.  The mention of a "winning bid" in their email sounds a bit shady.

   I imagine they had every intention of selling you the car, but someone came along with more money than you were offering.   Since you had neither won the auction or put a deposit on the car, you shouldn't expect them to hold the car for you.   Cars are sold out from under prospective buyers all the time because people think car dealers are nice people that will turn down cash in hand for their promise to buy the car.   That never happens.

I this was not an E-Bay auction, I don't know what is.  You the public decide.

1.  The e-mail i received from Fletcher Jones states thefollowing

   a. Fletcher Jones Imports your request ebay High Bidder

   b. clearly says eBay Bid

   c.  Sas "Congratulations.  You are the High Bidfder on eBay for the pre-owned E550, stock number 8485EX, Vin#WDDHF7CBAA048581.  Your bid of $57000.oo is the winning bid."

The ad for the car says,"The successful high bidder will submit a $1000 non-refundable deposit within 24 hoursof the close of the auction to secure the vehicle.  Buyer agrees to pay remaing balance due (plus applicable fees and taxes) within three days of the auction"  I did not receive the notice from Mr. Manoff until Monday morning, April 19, 2010 at 10:18AM.  When I attermpted to call him back at 4:30PM the sae day, I had about 18 hours left to make the $1000 deposit.

As I have stated before, anyone that wants to see the e-mail notifying me as the "winner" or hear the voice mail of Mr Manoff is welcome to.

On behalf of Fletcher Jones Imports, I would like to address the situation regarding this post.  It is true that the person was notified that they were the 'winning bidder' and was subsequently contacted to complete the sale.  It is noteworthy from a technical standpoint that the transaction was never completed via ebay.  Howard used a poor choice of words in say 'winning bidder' due to what it implies in the world of Ebay.  We did ask for a deposit to secure the vehicle, but the customer was busy at that moment & unable to place the deposit at that particular time.  Until a deposit is secured, the vehicle is available for sale (standard policy).  In the meantime, someone came in, met with another salesperson and purchased the vehicle.  We immediately contacted the customer to explain what had happened & attempt to rectify the situation, but were unable to do so.  This is not a case of shady business practices or unethical behavior.  It was a coincidence, combined with unfortunate timing, and a lack of; or miscommunication.  We can appreciate the customer's frustration and attempted an alternative solution, but we remained at an impasse.

In the last four years I have bought a 2004 Lexus sc430 from a franchise dealer in Florida anda 2004 Jaguar XJ8 from a referred deal in Texas sight unseen.  Both had about 2 years on the factory warranty left and were in primo condition  at the right price. 

 Chances are a franchise dealer is not going to screw you on the condition of the car, but, I guess, on the price is a possibility.

Alan

(((Redacted)))

Let me look at your original posting...you were willing to send off $57,000 to buy a used car, sight unseen, on the internet?????

Looks to me like they may have done you a favor!