Went to Grand Junction Affordable Auto Sales with a friend on August 25th, 2014 and looked through their lot, Took a truck on a test drive and immediately noticed a squeal as if the breaks were bad I was advised by Flip Hawkins, owner that the breaks had just been replaced although he offered to drop the cost of $3,000.00 by $50.00 in case something needed repaired. The truck was purchased the vehicle we discovered had two gas tanks so in one tank $40.00 in gasoline was placed, the other $60.00 because we discovered the gas gauge occasionally stuck I drove fine until the following day when we stopped at a gas and noticed leaks in the rear of the truck around the differential and from a hose on the radiator which Flip Hawkins, owner stated he had just replaced. We placed another $20.00 in the gas tank and immediately found the vehicle would not start after several attempts and several stares a man approached and stated "It sounds like you may not be getting any gas to the engine so we flipped the switched to change the tanks and still nothing 20 minutes later we were fortunate to have it start we continued our journey that day another 45 minutes into the drive it kept wanting to stall and immediately as soon as we approached an intersection with accelerator pedal to the floor we were fortunate if we were getting a top speed of 1 mile and hour basically coasting. Once through the intersection the vehicle was parked and left sitting overnight at the post office. With this being said I contacted Flip Hawkins, owner and he was advised of the issues It was mentioned that if necessary I would be forced to contact the Better Business Bureau, he responded in email with this,
Aug 25
to me
Sorry to hear about the troubles. You understand the truck was fine other than the brake noise and you said if I lowered the price $50.00 that you would take care of it, so I did. Normally I would be happy to look at fixing the other issues that occurred after the sale. At this point, based on the threatening language of your letter, I am inclined not to help you. If you return the truck to me I will refund your money.
Thanks,
Flip Hawkins, owner
Grand Junction Affordable Auto Sales
2302 Highway 6 and 50
Grand Junction, CO 81505 www.GJAffordableAuto.com
Flip Hawkins, owner did refund the money for the cost of the vehicle although he placed the $75.00 burden on us for the tow truck as well as left us hanging for about 75.00 in the cost of the gasoline which still remained in the vehicle as well as our financial loss caused by early cancellation of the vehicles insurance once returned.
Bill
Grand junction,#2Author of original report
Mon, September 22, 2014
Noting I notated was false or misrepresented I still retain the email from flip as well as a witness to all statements within my comments.
Richard
melbourne,#3Consumer Comment
Mon, September 22, 2014
We have learned that Bill from grand Junction is a jerk. 100% of dealers wouldn't have made that offer to buy your truck back. And i LOVE LOVE LOVE your spin on the letter you wrote. 'I mentioned the BBB" oh my dear. You didn't mention it, you threatened him. I would bet dollars to donuts that if you had called and said, 'Flip, i am having a problem and need your help" this would have ended much differently. I am dealer in Florida and when people ask for help instead of demading it, they get help. When they threaten me, i show them the as-is sticker and wish them good luck.
On a side note, i am going to be in GJ in a week to visit my brother and his family. My 16 year old nephew needs a first car. guess where we are going to find one. I am going to go see Flip.
So your Rip Off report had the exact opposite effect that you were hoping for.