- Report: #425747
Complaint Review: Tiffany's Auto - Houston Texas
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Tiffany's Auto
5813 Breen Dr / 6015 Killough St Houston, 77086 Texas, U.S.A.
Phone:
281-405-8900
Web:
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Tiffany's Auto Co Dealer sells vehicles with extreme FRAME damage - passes them off as ALMOST NEW Houston Texas
*Author of original report: Owner sends me an email asking me to apologize for publishing this report
*Author of original report: See you in court Tom Nguyen a.k.a. http://myworld.ebay.com/tom1650 and Christina Nguyen owner of Tiffany Auto!
*Author of original report: See you in court Tom Nguyen a.k.a. http://myworld.ebay.com/tom1650 and Christina Nguyen owner of Tiffany Auto!
*Author of original report: See you in court Tom Nguyen a.k.a. http://myworld.ebay.com/tom1650 and Christina Nguyen owner of Tiffany Auto!
*Author of original report: See you in court Tom Nguyen a.k.a. http://myworld.ebay.com/tom1650 and Christina Nguyen owner of Tiffany Auto!
*Author of original report: new name 12345christina http://myworld.ebay.ca/12345christina
I purchased a 2007 Honda Odyssey on January 4, 2009 from Tiffany's Auto Co.
The US Border officials cleared this vehicle for export out of the USA and Canadian Border officials cleared the vehicle for import into Canada January 17, 2009 at the Pembina/Emerson border crossing.
As part of the import process I now needed to have the vehicle inspected by a Certified Auto Inspection Center, which authorized by the Government of Canada was Canadian Tire.
The vehicle was taken to Canadian Tire on January 16, 2009 for the first of two inspections, the Federal Inspection, to ensure that it was equipped with all of the safety features specified by Canadian Law. This inspection was also to ensure that the vehicle did not have any outstanding manufacturing recalls for defects, or other.
Once the vehicle passed through the Federal Inspection, I was required to have the vehicle inspected by the Province where I reside, to ensure that it is road worthy and physically sound to drive. On January 21, 2009 I again returned the vehicle to Canadian Tire, and was advised that the vehicle had damage to the subframe, which holds the motor in place and could not be cleared to drive in my province until this was fixed.
On January 21, 2009 I contacted Tom Nguyen, owner of Tiffany's Auto Co. by telephone 713-376-9056 and email [email protected] to discuss my concerns, and he denied that there could have been any frame damage to this vehicle. I then sent him pictures and a copy of the Provincial Safety Form indicating the damage, to which he submitted that there was in fact frame damage, but that he fixed it. As a solution Tom Nguyen offered to send me a new subframe for me to install. At this, I advised that I would first have a Certified Honda Dealer, inspect the vehicle in order to understand the full extent of the frame damage.
On January 26, 2009 I brought the vehicle to a Certified Honda Dealer to assess the damage and was advised that the extent of the frame damage was well beyond the subframe and there was substantial damage to the vehicle's front uniframe.
On February 13, 2009, Winnipeg Honda was finally able to have the vehicle moved to its frame pulling facility and continued to dismantle the vehicle to assess the damage. I was then advised by the Honda Service Center Manager, that the vehicles frame was damaged beyond repair and would actually need to be cut away and replaced. The Service Center Manager actually explained that the damage was unrepairable due to previous repairs that had been conducted on the vehicle. He indicated that because the frame had been previously welded together to accommodate a bent subframe, and had not been pulled straight prior to the installation of a new front bumper, the whole front quarter panel would need to be replaced. At this he advised that my cost for repairs would be anywhere between $4,000 - $10,000 and/or more and that is only what he could see before starting to cut away the visual damage.
On February 13, 2009 I contacted Tom Nguyen to understand how he wanted to proceed, and I suggested that I return the vehicle to him, at his expense, and that he refund my money and pay for any costs I incurred regarding this van. He advised me to call him February 16, 2009 to work it out.
Between February 16, 2009 and February 18, 2009, I tried contacting Tom Nguyen several times, but he has not returned a single call or email since.
Tom Nguyen, operating under the Business Name Tiffany's Auto Co, sells the majority of his vehicles on eBay under the user name tom1650 http://myworld.ebay.ca/tom1650. Every listing that I have viewed from him since the date I purchased this 2007 Odyssey has claimed to be restored to new condition and explicitly states NO FRAME DAMAGE. His listings indicate that his vehicles have passed Texas Department of Vehicles Safety Inspection, but after contacting TDOV I discovered that this test is a joke all they do is connect the car to a computer to check if the readings are accurate REALLY THAT'S IT.
I filed a complaint with the Texas Department of Vehicles Dealer Enforcement Division, Texas Attorney General, Better Business Bureau, the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center and now ripoffreport. My next step is civil litigation
I have learned NEVER to buy a vehicle online, NEVER trust a good deal, and NEVER trust a Texas Auto Dealer because the safety standards for Texas vehicles are from the Stone Age.
I would really just like to return the car for my money back but I am running out of hope :-(
Pat
esp, Manitoba
Canada
The US Border officials cleared this vehicle for export out of the USA and Canadian Border officials cleared the vehicle for import into Canada January 17, 2009 at the Pembina/Emerson border crossing.
As part of the import process I now needed to have the vehicle inspected by a Certified Auto Inspection Center, which authorized by the Government of Canada was Canadian Tire.
The vehicle was taken to Canadian Tire on January 16, 2009 for the first of two inspections, the Federal Inspection, to ensure that it was equipped with all of the safety features specified by Canadian Law. This inspection was also to ensure that the vehicle did not have any outstanding manufacturing recalls for defects, or other.
Once the vehicle passed through the Federal Inspection, I was required to have the vehicle inspected by the Province where I reside, to ensure that it is road worthy and physically sound to drive. On January 21, 2009 I again returned the vehicle to Canadian Tire, and was advised that the vehicle had damage to the subframe, which holds the motor in place and could not be cleared to drive in my province until this was fixed.
On January 21, 2009 I contacted Tom Nguyen, owner of Tiffany's Auto Co. by telephone 713-376-9056 and email [email protected] to discuss my concerns, and he denied that there could have been any frame damage to this vehicle. I then sent him pictures and a copy of the Provincial Safety Form indicating the damage, to which he submitted that there was in fact frame damage, but that he fixed it. As a solution Tom Nguyen offered to send me a new subframe for me to install. At this, I advised that I would first have a Certified Honda Dealer, inspect the vehicle in order to understand the full extent of the frame damage.
On January 26, 2009 I brought the vehicle to a Certified Honda Dealer to assess the damage and was advised that the extent of the frame damage was well beyond the subframe and there was substantial damage to the vehicle's front uniframe.
On February 13, 2009, Winnipeg Honda was finally able to have the vehicle moved to its frame pulling facility and continued to dismantle the vehicle to assess the damage. I was then advised by the Honda Service Center Manager, that the vehicles frame was damaged beyond repair and would actually need to be cut away and replaced. The Service Center Manager actually explained that the damage was unrepairable due to previous repairs that had been conducted on the vehicle. He indicated that because the frame had been previously welded together to accommodate a bent subframe, and had not been pulled straight prior to the installation of a new front bumper, the whole front quarter panel would need to be replaced. At this he advised that my cost for repairs would be anywhere between $4,000 - $10,000 and/or more and that is only what he could see before starting to cut away the visual damage.
On February 13, 2009 I contacted Tom Nguyen to understand how he wanted to proceed, and I suggested that I return the vehicle to him, at his expense, and that he refund my money and pay for any costs I incurred regarding this van. He advised me to call him February 16, 2009 to work it out.
Between February 16, 2009 and February 18, 2009, I tried contacting Tom Nguyen several times, but he has not returned a single call or email since.
Tom Nguyen, operating under the Business Name Tiffany's Auto Co, sells the majority of his vehicles on eBay under the user name tom1650 http://myworld.ebay.ca/tom1650. Every listing that I have viewed from him since the date I purchased this 2007 Odyssey has claimed to be restored to new condition and explicitly states NO FRAME DAMAGE. His listings indicate that his vehicles have passed Texas Department of Vehicles Safety Inspection, but after contacting TDOV I discovered that this test is a joke all they do is connect the car to a computer to check if the readings are accurate REALLY THAT'S IT.
I filed a complaint with the Texas Department of Vehicles Dealer Enforcement Division, Texas Attorney General, Better Business Bureau, the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center and now ripoffreport. My next step is civil litigation
I have learned NEVER to buy a vehicle online, NEVER trust a good deal, and NEVER trust a Texas Auto Dealer because the safety standards for Texas vehicles are from the Stone Age.
I would really just like to return the car for my money back but I am running out of hope :-(
Pat
esp, Manitoba
Canada
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Patrick
East St Paul,Manitoba,
Canada
new name 12345christina http://myworld.ebay.ca/12345christina
#2Author of original report
Fri, August 07, 2009
Tom, Christina and Tiffany's is operating under a new online profile. 12345Christina (http://myworld.ebay.ca/12345christina) buyer beware!
Patrick
East St Paul,Manitoba,
Canada
See you in court Tom Nguyen a.k.a. http://myworld.ebay.com/tom1650 and Christina Nguyen owner of Tiffany Auto!
#3Author of original report
Thu, June 25, 2009
So Tom Nguyen, Independent Sales Agent for Tiffany's Auto, and Christina Nguyen, Sole Proprietor for Tiffany's Auto have stated that I will need to sue them to recover the near $10,000 I had to pay to fix the frame damage oN the vehicle I purchased from Tom on eBay, under alias Tom1650 (btw - there are several cars listed there currently @ http://myworld.ebay.com/tom1650 - all salvage cars claiming to be safe for use - ha) As a result of their unwillingness to settle this matter, I have hired a Texas attorney skilled in litigating Deceptive Trade Act cases. Yes, there was a great law passed in Texas stating that sellers may not knowingly decieve buyers into thinking an item is not what it really is. For example, stating that the vehicle I purchased had "NO FRAME DAMAGE" was an act of deceptive trade, because in fact the vehicle had several thousand dollars in frame damage. Just because they attempted to cover-up the frame damage is not the same as NO frame damage. The vehicle history report even states that thevehicle sustained significant frame damage. So I have all of the documentation, including the listing, the pictures (before, during and after I fixed it) and all correspondence with this sleezy dealer. Here's the best part! The vehicle purchase price was $18,950, and under the Texas Deceptive Trade Act I am allowed to sue for, and could very well recieve as much as 3x the original amount. That's $56,850! Really I am not kidding. Tiffany's will have to sell a lotof salvage cars to recover that loss. And to think all they had to do was take back the vehicle, or pay for my repair costs. Even if it takes several years to litigate, with appeals, it will be worth it. I encourage anyone that has dealt with Tiffany's Auto, or Tom Nguyen (Tom1650) to inspect their cars ASAP. If you find damage that wasn't supposed to be there, contact me, I will put you in touch with my lawyer in Houston. Never, never, never let anyone get away with this crime! I have no use for people that knowingly defraud others for profit, and leave them in the driver's seat of an unsafe and dangerous vehicle. Learn your rights! Do not just walk away - SUE IF YOU MUST - but stop salvage dealers from selling their junk online to unsuspecting buyers. WISH ME LUCK!
Patrick
East St Paul,Manitoba,
Canada
See you in court Tom Nguyen a.k.a. http://myworld.ebay.com/tom1650 and Christina Nguyen owner of Tiffany Auto!
#4Author of original report
Thu, June 25, 2009
So Tom Nguyen, Independent Sales Agent for Tiffany's Auto, and Christina Nguyen, Sole Proprietor for Tiffany's Auto have stated that I will need to sue them to recover the near $10,000 I had to pay to fix the frame damage oN the vehicle I purchased from Tom on eBay, under alias Tom1650 (btw - there are several cars listed there currently @ http://myworld.ebay.com/tom1650 - all salvage cars claiming to be safe for use - ha) As a result of their unwillingness to settle this matter, I have hired a Texas attorney skilled in litigating Deceptive Trade Act cases. Yes, there was a great law passed in Texas stating that sellers may not knowingly decieve buyers into thinking an item is not what it really is. For example, stating that the vehicle I purchased had "NO FRAME DAMAGE" was an act of deceptive trade, because in fact the vehicle had several thousand dollars in frame damage. Just because they attempted to cover-up the frame damage is not the same as NO frame damage. The vehicle history report even states that thevehicle sustained significant frame damage. So I have all of the documentation, including the listing, the pictures (before, during and after I fixed it) and all correspondence with this sleezy dealer. Here's the best part! The vehicle purchase price was $18,950, and under the Texas Deceptive Trade Act I am allowed to sue for, and could very well recieve as much as 3x the original amount. That's $56,850! Really I am not kidding. Tiffany's will have to sell a lotof salvage cars to recover that loss. And to think all they had to do was take back the vehicle, or pay for my repair costs. Even if it takes several years to litigate, with appeals, it will be worth it. I encourage anyone that has dealt with Tiffany's Auto, or Tom Nguyen (Tom1650) to inspect their cars ASAP. If you find damage that wasn't supposed to be there, contact me, I will put you in touch with my lawyer in Houston. Never, never, never let anyone get away with this crime! I have no use for people that knowingly defraud others for profit, and leave them in the driver's seat of an unsafe and dangerous vehicle. Learn your rights! Do not just walk away - SUE IF YOU MUST - but stop salvage dealers from selling their junk online to unsuspecting buyers. WISH ME LUCK!
Patrick
East St Paul,Manitoba,
Canada
See you in court Tom Nguyen a.k.a. http://myworld.ebay.com/tom1650 and Christina Nguyen owner of Tiffany Auto!
#5Author of original report
Thu, June 25, 2009
So Tom Nguyen, Independent Sales Agent for Tiffany's Auto, and Christina Nguyen, Sole Proprietor for Tiffany's Auto have stated that I will need to sue them to recover the near $10,000 I had to pay to fix the frame damage oN the vehicle I purchased from Tom on eBay, under alias Tom1650 (btw - there are several cars listed there currently @ http://myworld.ebay.com/tom1650 - all salvage cars claiming to be safe for use - ha) As a result of their unwillingness to settle this matter, I have hired a Texas attorney skilled in litigating Deceptive Trade Act cases. Yes, there was a great law passed in Texas stating that sellers may not knowingly decieve buyers into thinking an item is not what it really is. For example, stating that the vehicle I purchased had "NO FRAME DAMAGE" was an act of deceptive trade, because in fact the vehicle had several thousand dollars in frame damage. Just because they attempted to cover-up the frame damage is not the same as NO frame damage. The vehicle history report even states that thevehicle sustained significant frame damage. So I have all of the documentation, including the listing, the pictures (before, during and after I fixed it) and all correspondence with this sleezy dealer. Here's the best part! The vehicle purchase price was $18,950, and under the Texas Deceptive Trade Act I am allowed to sue for, and could very well recieve as much as 3x the original amount. That's $56,850! Really I am not kidding. Tiffany's will have to sell a lotof salvage cars to recover that loss. And to think all they had to do was take back the vehicle, or pay for my repair costs. Even if it takes several years to litigate, with appeals, it will be worth it. I encourage anyone that has dealt with Tiffany's Auto, or Tom Nguyen (Tom1650) to inspect their cars ASAP. If you find damage that wasn't supposed to be there, contact me, I will put you in touch with my lawyer in Houston. Never, never, never let anyone get away with this crime! I have no use for people that knowingly defraud others for profit, and leave them in the driver's seat of an unsafe and dangerous vehicle. Learn your rights! Do not just walk away - SUE IF YOU MUST - but stop salvage dealers from selling their junk online to unsuspecting buyers. WISH ME LUCK!
Patrick
East St Paul,Manitoba,
Canada
See you in court Tom Nguyen a.k.a. http://myworld.ebay.com/tom1650 and Christina Nguyen owner of Tiffany Auto!
#6Author of original report
Thu, June 25, 2009
So Tom Nguyen, Independent Sales Agent for Tiffany's Auto, and Christina Nguyen, Sole Proprietor for Tiffany's Auto have stated that I will need to sue them to recover the near $10,000 I had to pay to fix the frame damage oN the vehicle I purchased from Tom on eBay, under alias Tom1650 (btw - there are several cars listed there currently @ http://myworld.ebay.com/tom1650 - all salvage cars claiming to be safe for use - ha) As a result of their unwillingness to settle this matter, I have hired a Texas attorney skilled in litigating Deceptive Trade Act cases. Yes, there was a great law passed in Texas stating that sellers may not knowingly decieve buyers into thinking an item is not what it really is. For example, stating that the vehicle I purchased had "NO FRAME DAMAGE" was an act of deceptive trade, because in fact the vehicle had several thousand dollars in frame damage. Just because they attempted to cover-up the frame damage is not the same as NO frame damage. The vehicle history report even states that thevehicle sustained significant frame damage. So I have all of the documentation, including the listing, the pictures (before, during and after I fixed it) and all correspondence with this sleezy dealer. Here's the best part! The vehicle purchase price was $18,950, and under the Texas Deceptive Trade Act I am allowed to sue for, and could very well recieve as much as 3x the original amount. That's $56,850! Really I am not kidding. Tiffany's will have to sell a lotof salvage cars to recover that loss. And to think all they had to do was take back the vehicle, or pay for my repair costs. Even if it takes several years to litigate, with appeals, it will be worth it. I encourage anyone that has dealt with Tiffany's Auto, or Tom Nguyen (Tom1650) to inspect their cars ASAP. If you find damage that wasn't supposed to be there, contact me, I will put you in touch with my lawyer in Houston. Never, never, never let anyone get away with this crime! I have no use for people that knowingly defraud others for profit, and leave them in the driver's seat of an unsafe and dangerous vehicle. Learn your rights! Do not just walk away - SUE IF YOU MUST - but stop salvage dealers from selling their junk online to unsuspecting buyers. WISH ME LUCK!
Patrick
East St Paul,Manitoba,
Canada
Owner sends me an email asking me to apologize for publishing this report
#7Author of original report
Thu, February 19, 2009
Tom Nguyen had the nerve to send me an email calling me a "kid" for filing this complaint and stated that "if I called him to apologize, maybe he would consider dealing with me". I will not stop fighting until I get a full refund for the vehicle's purchase price, plus all of the costs I incurred to import and attempt to saftey this vehicle in Canada. That amount is USD$21,604.40. Maybe then he can apologize for leaving my family of 5 without a vehicle for 2 months!
