Dear CEO.
Re: CEASE AND DESIST ORDER
The company (Transamerican Auto Parts d.b.a 4 WHEEL PARTS) advertises on your station and also advertises your logo on their website on occasion as well. This company has earned a (D) score rating with the BBB which can be verified at www.BBB.org.
You are promoting/sending your viewers to have a very unpleasant financial situation at their nationwide store chain.
The Enforcement State Agency, Bureau of Automotive Repair has just completed their several month long Fraud investigation into the company known as 4 Wheel Parts Performance Centers, d.b.a. Transamerican Auto Parts Inc., d.b.a. TSI; resulting in the issuance of 19 violations.
This company operates 45 off-road stores nationwide, including but not limited to the selling of Factory Truck Warranties redeemable at all major nationwide dealerships along in being in the business of selling after-market parts/accessories to dealerships nationwide.
However, there may also be a serious conflict of interest issues with these warranties as 4WP mechanics are not GM/FORD/Daimler/Toyota/Nissan certified, nor retain the proper diagnostic equipment to give the complete required mechanical inspections, but they do anyway, and then sell these power-train warranties to be claimed at local dealerships.
In Addition, the title of 4WP's, No Questions Asked Tire Warranty has also caught the interest of multiple Federal & State regulating agencies for being, False & Misleading period.
Despite Violations, President Denies Any Wrongdoing
President Gregory W. Adler of has vehemently denied any wrong doing to date and has stated via the internet that, The customer is number one at 4 Wheel Parts.
However, his statement completely contradicts his companies Better Business Bureau Company Report of a Grade/Score (D) and an (F) for his sister company, Steel Horse Automotive. A BBB Company Reliability Report on his companies can be obtained at www.bbb.org.
Furthermore, Mr. Gregory W. Adler's statement of, The Customer is Number 1 is once again contradicted by the 19 Violations recently issued by the State Agency, Bureau of Automotive Repair.
This is just some of the following State Agencies final report violation subject matter below:
Written False and Misleading Statements etc. Sections (17500 & 3370) BAR Laws & Regulations
Failure to Provide Written and Revised Signed Estimates etc. (Bennett v Hays Act)
Charging for Items Not Specifically Described etc.
Installation of Non-Calibrated (Zero-Mile) Odometer, installed on factory leases.
14 other violations were issued similar in nature
Several severe crimes were committed; unfortunately no enforcement action was taken, due to the fact that there are no laws/regulations and/or introduced legislation for swift action to be taken.
The State Investigator audited the annual idler arm sales records between a major dealership and 4 Wheel Parts. Service Manager stated (name withheld), That after approximately (600) 1500 series idler arms were sold to 4 Wheel Parts, they began to return them for credit/exchange. Service Manager continued, I know that you are not installing these parts on factory stock trucks, but installing them on trucks with larger wheels and tires that puts a huge strain/wear on these parts causing them to wear prematurely.
The service manager continued, Not only am I going to stop crediting you these idler arm parts, I'm going to stop selling them to you altogether. 4 Wheel Parts were purchasing factory stock parts and stating that they were Heavy Duty to handle the larger wheels and tires. The State Investigator elected to issue a violation in this matter.
Then the same service manager decided that it was a prudent choice to turn over several sensitive complaint documents to the 4 Wheel Parts Corporation. The dealership service manager, now in bed with 4 wheel parts made the improper effort to smear the reputation of the original complainant, when he was being interviewed by the State Investigator. The State Investigator elected to audit the annual sales records between 4 Wheel Parts and this dealership. This is just one of several audits that are expected to come in the near future.
(Actual Invoices & Documents That Incriminated 4 Wheel Parts):: www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff112163.htm
To obtain a copy of the State Agencies 19 Violatins and other finding, you may contact them directly below:
Consumer Affairs
Bureau of Automotive Repair (Main Office) C/o 4 Wheel Parts Fraud Investigation
(FL 2004009600) Closed March 25, 2005
400 R Street, Suite 5200 Sacramento, CA 95814
(916)-322-3333
No Questions Asked Tire Warranty is False & Misleading to Consumers Despite the Torrent of Consumer Complaints, 4WP Only Responds by Lowering Price By $50
The following fraud analysis was completed by an actual 4 Wheel Parts Employee, which was taken off the website RipoffReport.com.
Even though my company's tire warranty clearly states,
(No Questions Asked,) the scam artists at our corporate headquarters specifically wrote it in for us to be able to do just that (Ask Questions) and deny claims.
Even though my company advertises, (No Questions Asked
On & Off-Road Hazard Tire Protection Warranty,) my company's contract specifically states, (Tires which have been run flat or abused will not be covered by the contract,) opening the door for us to ask questions. This allowed my manager to wrongfully reject several customer tire warranty claims. This warranty does not credit tires for known defects, such as severe tire pulls and/or bulges, even though the warranty clearly states, No Questions Asked.
Several of our customers rightfully argued and that our advertisement was, (False and Misleading) for the following reasons below:
1) No questions asked meant what it stated, (No Questions Asked regarding the tires,) or else change the tire warranty advertisement.
2) The title of the warranty, (No Questions Asked) contradicts the terms set forth of the tire warranty specifically, (Tires which have been (abused) will not be covered by the contract).
3) The contract FAILS to define specifics and limitations to the contractual word, ABUSED. It is common sense and fact that when a tire is taken off-road and exposed to the various elements, It is abused by definition. Furthermore, when a truck is stuck and wheel-spin is initiated for the truck to get out of this emergency
condition.
During this time, the tire experiences various ranges of heat and vibration, which is defined in the industry as extreme conditions and/or abuse. Another example might be emergency braking which is defined in the industry as extreme conditions and/or abuse on tires.
4) The tire warranty contract also (FAILS) to state for who is to make the final determination that a tire and/or tires have been abused, such as COOPER TIRE COMPANY or an independent entity.
5) FALSE AND MISLEADING DEFINED....In determining whether any advertisement, statement, or representation is false or misleading, it shall be considered considered in its entirety as it would be read or heard by a persons to whom it is designed to appeal. An advertisement, statement, or representation shall be considered to be false or misleading if it tends to deceive the public or impose upon credulous or ignorant persons.
Note: Authority cited sections 9882 and 9884.19 of the Business and Professions Code 9884.7(1)(a) and (h) and 17500 Business and Professions Code.
6) CONCLUSION: My ex-company has marketed an On & Off-Road Tire Warranty that is clearly defined, (False and Misleading) to consumers by using the words, No Questions Asked. My ex-company has failed to fully define the word, (ABUSED) as it is a term used for exclusionary purposes of the tire warranty contract. In failing to define the word (abused), it can NO LONGER be applicable in the decision to whether or not honor a customers tire warranty.
NEED TO FILE A COMPLAINT: http://www.eatoncounty.org/prosecutor/proslist.htm
RIPOFFREPORT.COM
Current Federal & State Investigations
(FTC) Federal Trade Commission
www.ftc.gov/
(IFCC) Internet Fraud Complaint Center
www.ifccfbi.gov/
(BAR) Bureau of Automotive Repair
www.dca.ca.gov/
(NHTSA) National Highway Traffic Highway Safety Adm.
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/
(Attorney General) Public Inquiry Unit
www.caag.state.ca.us
MONICA
BEVERLY HILLS, California
U.S.A.
STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, it's paid for!