- Report: #667339
Complaint Review: Thrifty Car Sales Clearwater - Internet
Reported By:
J. Thompson -
Clearwater, Florida, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Thrifty Car Sales Clearwater
24639 US Highway 19 N Clearwater, FL 33763 Internet, United States of America
Phone:
(727) 726-6112
Web:
www.ThriftyCarSales.com
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
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Thrifty Car Sales Clearwater My wife Donna and I saved our hard earned money for 6 months to get Donna a new Audi A4 (Well, a used A4as we knew that couldnt afford the payments on a new one). After searching for 3 months; we f Internet
My wife Donna and I saved our hard earned money for 6 months to get Donna a new Audi A4 (Well, a used A4as we knew that couldnt afford the payments on a new one). After searching for 3 months; we found the prefect car at Thrifty Car Sales. They approved our financing; but could not deliver the car as it was being serviced in their in-house service department. They told they would have it ready the next day; and we both were very excited. After a week (9/7/10 financing approval and down payment of $1500 9/14/2010 Delivery) when they pulled the car around; the check engine light was on. When we questioned them about itthey stated: Theres no problem there.its on because of the work that was just done on the car.the warning light will go off in 15 ignition cyclesthe computer will reset itself. And if it does not go off in 2 weeks bring the car back. The warning light did not go off. The 1st return, they hooked a computer up under the steering wheel and diagnosed the car.telling us they are ordering the needed part (A transmission control module (TCM)) , 3 weeks of excuses later the part was still not in, another week later AJ service manager, and Brian a tech conveniently did not remember what the car needed and told us we needed to bring the car back in for diagnostics again. This time we were told they need to research to error codes. After 3 total months of this they now paid for our trip to the Audi dealership ($126) to professionally diagnose and fix the problem. When the estimate came in at $2000-$3000 (as this is a severe problem), they are now refusing to do anything at all. We drove this car off the lot with a promise from them and they are now turning their back on us.
I think a very important fact here: is that Brian the service advisor at the Audi dealership (A great guy) showed me an estimate prepared 12/2009 a year ago; with the exact same issues listed as Audi diagnosed today. This cars problem has been there before we ever dreamed about an Audi. Thrifty is also turning their back on their 30 day warrantee, stating if it were only a couple hundred dollars for the repair they would step up, but not with such a costly one.
Please help our family. Sincerely,
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Flynrider
Phoenix,Arizona,
USA
Change the way you shop
#2Consumer Comment
Fri, December 03, 2010
The dishonest used car salesman is an American icon. Who doesn't know this?
I see a lot of problems with your buying process. Never buy a car without test driving it and making sure everything works. On top of that, you need to take it to a trusted mechanic to verify that it has no major problems. Buying a car with the "check engine" light on is like rolling the dice at a casino. It could be a $3 spark plug, or the engine might be about to blow up (or anything in between).
What a salesman tells you about the car carries no weight. They could tell you that gold nuggets pop out of the exhaust every 100 miles. When you sign the document that says you are buying the used vehicle "as is", that contractually cancels out anything the salesman told you. If it's not in writing, it won't happen.
The only possible out you may have is the 30 day warranty. Please tell me you have this in writing. If so, read it carefully and determine if the problem you have is covered. The dealer's explanation that the warranty covers only inexpensive problems sounds pretty far fetched for a written warranty. If you are indeed covered by the warranty then file a small claims suit against the dealer. No lawyer required and filing fees are minimal.
Steve
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
NEVER buy ANYTHING on verbal "promises"!!
#3Consumer Suggestion
Thu, December 02, 2010
You forgot about rule number 1 in any business transaction. ALWAYS get it in writing!!
WHY did you not thoroughly checkout the vehicle PRIOR to signing the sale contract and paying the $1500 down payment??
Your only option now is small claims court to try and enforce that verbal promise made to you. But keep in mind, the burden of proof is on you.
Anyway, you can get that TCM online for a fraction of that price and any monkey can install it. Or, you can buy a used one with usually a 30-90 day warranty from any salvage yard. All you need is the Audi part# which will surely be on one of your estimates, or from the dealer.
I used to have a SAAB, and learned that used electronics parts on Ebay had a better warranty than the new one from the dealer!
Food for thought. Good luck.
