Diane in Orlando
Orlando,#2Author of original report
Wed, May 02, 2012
She was iffy about the mileage, as I looked at a few cars which she said had low miles but were very very high. When she asked why I did not pick one of those, I said the miles odometer-wise were very high. She said the engine had much less, indicating to me she swapped engines, which I felt strange about... that is why I am sure this car has nothing on it which is not a salvage item. Anyway, I am sure that the miles were way higher than on the odometer, b/c when I had the car, the odometer often did not move. I felt this was part and parcel of other things which did not work on the car like the fake door that fell off, the missing airbag, no horn, etc. However, they never did even give me my plate or registration until after they took the car back, I received it in the mail and have them here... so I do not even know what they reported as mileage. There was some clause on the paperwork that had no miles b/c it said they did not have to report it over so many years old. Who knows how old this car is... originally the sticker on the car said 2002, but the paperwork and VIN said 2000 and so did my insurance company. This is another reason I believe it is a salvage car, of many different parts.
Anyway, I am glad you got them for fraud on the DMV, but there is little I can do. BBB gave them a B rating (bumping it up) after my complaint b/c she said they tried to work with me, but I would not work with them. So this made their company look good while I looked bad. This is a lie. They never tried to work with me.
The car is still for sale on their website. My bank is investigating through mastercard what I got for the money, and if I still have it. If the merchant cannot prove that I got something for the money and still have it, I have the refund... I still wait.
Thanks for sharing what happened to you. I am sorry it did. I am glad you won. But I don't believe that I can do anything at this time with the DMV, b/c I never got the formal registration until after they took the car back and guess what my sale paperwork was in the glove compartment of the car when they took it away, b/c she told me that is where I should keep it! (another thing I trusted and idiotically worked against me).
Ripped Off in Orlando
United States of America#3Consumer Comment
Wed, May 02, 2012
I too was ripped off by MP Auto Trading. I found out when I went to trade in my vehicle that it had higher mileage than it was stating on the odometer. I filed a fraud claim with the DMV. You should do the same. I have since found out that the DMV found some fraud administratively, but in order to continue the case against them, the more people that complain, the better chance of having them shut down. I hope this helps, and hopefully you can get your money back.
MovingForward
Palm Beach Gardens,#4Consumer Comment
Sun, April 15, 2012
If you go by cab, the salesman knows he has a "live one" and will hose you. You didn't have a chance unless you had the ability to walk away. With no vehicle, your chance of walking away was severely reduced (but not eliminated).
If you really need a vehicle at least have a friend that has the strength to say "no" come with you.
Your friend will have a vehicle so you both can walk out if the salesman proposes a high price or bad terms or the vehicle is a piece of junk.
Do your research on line first so you know what the value of the vehicle is without relying on the salesman. Better yet, bring your smart phone so you can research everything the man says at the time he says it. Don't believe anything the salesman says - do your own research. Protect yourself.
If you only have $2k then you know you are getting a beater anyway, but there is as much variance in beater's as there are vehicles. It is especially important to have it inspected by a mechanic prior to your purchase - no matter where you buy the vehicle. You stand a much better chance of getting a "better" beater if you buy cash from a private seller rather than a Buy Here Pay Here lot.
This is a lesson learned.
Jim
Orlando,#5Consumer Comment
Sun, April 15, 2012
I echo the comments of the others...you should have checked this car out better. Not only that, but they further DEFRAUDED you with some kind of an add-on, phoney, bogus fee. The BBB is NOT what you think it is and they could care less about you. The BBB has people making hundreds of thousands of dollars as they RUN THEIR SCAM in Orlando. The BBB is NOT part of the government, the attorney general's office, the prosecutor's office or judiciary. What the slimeballs at the Orlando BBB will now do is use your complaint as a sales lead and attempt to SHAKEDOWN this dealership by selling them a PHONEY ACCREDITATION. For a price, they will give them a phoney "A" rating and as long as the dealership continues to pay what they call "dues", they will have that PHONEY RATING while continuing to sell garbage cars with bogus add-on fees. Next time have your own mechanic check out the car in advance and never, ever place ANY importance on the BBB. The BBB is a well crafted scam. Check out BBBroundup.com or enter "bbb scam" in a search engine.
Diane in Orlando
Orlando,#6Author of original report
Sat, April 14, 2012
Unfortunately I went alone, having had a cab drop me off. I saw some of the things but not all. I told them I did not want the car, and she said, have a seat, we will make it work for you... that was the beginning of a terrible situation...
Neva
oxford,#7Consumer Comment
Sat, April 14, 2012
Did you happen to test drive the car? Did you have the car checked out by a mechanic? Did you happen to notice all the body damage, lack of airbags, various parts not working correctly?
I am so sorry you got a lemon, but I did have to suggest before buying another car, getting it checked out.
Ken
Colorado,#8Consumer Suggestion
Sat, April 14, 2012
"When I drove the car home, I found it was unsafe. No airbag, no horn, inside of the door on the passenger side front fell off, no locks, extremely bad body."
" My son and his friend were in the back seat, no seat belts! The kids took the seat apart and found the buckles! The whole car is falling apart! I am studying for the ministry and there are curse words written on the inside of the car ceiling!"
"The paint is coming off around the car windows! Obviously it has been spray painted! The check engine light is on and the car says fuse. AAA did not know what it was. They said it is probably the electrical system as the locks don't work, no horn and the inside dome light does not work."
"The car has no front grill."
How, in the world, did you miss all this on your inspection of the car at the dealers and your test drive?
Sounds like they sold you a piece of junk, but YOU aided and abetted them. YOU ripped YOU off. I would also bet it was sold "As-Is."..right?
Sorry...next time I'll bet you'll do better.