Purchased engine for 2001 Ford Ranger on December 28th, 2010 from Regions Auto Parts on order number 157081. Was told the engine was coming out of a 2001 Ford truck on Region's Auto Parts lot in Tampa Florida, that had rear end damage and the engine was being sold separately, that the engine had been compression tested, with Mileage: 59,382, for a Quoted Price: $635.99 with the following additional notation: "We specialize in getting you the parts you want, for the price you want!" Our used parts are tested and guaranteed so you know it'll work the way it should. The prices listed below already include shipping cost. Also, all of our parts come with a STANDARD 90 DAYS WARRANTY..
My mechanic received the engine 1/18th through Saia shipping company. Upon arrival, the engine was packed on a pallet, stuck in a tire, with numbers and tags attached, and is visibly not at all what Regions Auto Parts claimed it to be. The engine is completely rusty, to the point that parts of it are falling off. The nuts and bolts are so rusted you can't even see them, the engine's identifying marks are so rusted you can't read any numbers other than the numbers that Region's Auto Parts added to the engine, there is an obvious oil leak as the engine and head are coated in burnt oil, the head gasket is cracked, and my mechanic said that there is no way this engine only has 59,382, and isn't even the right engine for my truck.
It has been discovered that the engine shipped from a placed called Arthurs Auto Parts in Gaylor Michigan. Upon calling Arthurs Auto Parts, they told me that Regions Auto Parts purchased the engine from them based on an online add. That the add stated the engine had 127,000 miles on it and had been sitting in snow melt. None of which was disclosed to me at any point of my dealings with Regions Auto Parts. Instead, they said the engine was in Florida, had 59,382 miles on it, had been compression tested, and pressure washed, and was in completely working and usable order.
Upon contacting Regions Auto Parts, they are happy to refund my money, however want me to pay for shipping and a potential restocking fee to send it back to them which I don't feel is fair given the situation. Regions Auto Parts waive the shipping cost on the original purchase. They have a contract with Unified Shippers for a lower rate. The return shipping rate is $685.99, which is more than I paid for the engine. The warranty expires in 60 days, I have a complaint filed with the BBB, to which Regions Auto Parts keep responding to saying that they will waive the restocking fee and gladly refund my money, but I have to pay for shipping. If I pay for shipping, that means I'm financially out more than what I paid for the engine. If I don't return it, then I'm out the cost of the engine, and do not have anything I can use, which is a scam to quote someone for something and then to send them something else, and have loopholes in the policy that make it impossible for the customer to act on the warranty and return policy offered. Please help, I need resolution.