Complaint Review: Western Auto Sales - Brighton Massachusetts

I bought my '99 Kia Sephia in February '07 for $2,400 plus title/tax/fees (it was advertised originally for $3,995), from an ad placed on Craigs List, in which they offered a free 5 year 100,000 warranty, because the car has 67,000 miles on it and was able to be put under warranty through a warranty company. They advertised no dents/dings, they advertised cassette radio, tilt steering wheel and tinted glass, and clean interior. The car had no radio, no tilt steering, no tinted glass, it had a large dent on the front of the hood, and it had some dings and dents, which accounts for the reduced price to $2,400. I had problems with the car passing inspection, and they paid for the 3 repairs of the car. The first warranty I signed was in February '07, and after 3 months warranty kit never arrived at my home, I called and Ken Fraser, owner of Western Auto Sales, said that that warranty company was not very reliable (then why use them and have me sign a contract?!). I went back in and signed a second warranty contract with another company they use, and they too, never sent a kit (I called the warranty company myself and was told that no contract number was in their system. I called Western Auto in July'07, and it turns out I was lied to, they stated they were "shorthanded" and didn't send it out (with a fee they pay by check). I informed them I was moving and gave my new address to Marco Moscaratelli who was the salesman who sold me the car and that a check was going out that day. In beginning of October, I called Marco and said I still have not received the warranty kit, and that I received a certified letter from the warranty company that they would not honor the warranty because too much time had passed by (that was my reason for calling Marco). He said he would re-file it under my new address (apparently he never updated my new address when I called previously). He said to call the warranty company and let him know the outcome. Well, I spoke to the warranty company and they told me that the check they had sent bounced! I informed Marco of the and he said he would take care of it and he'd call the next day (which he never did). They called me back the following day and told me that due to problems with Western Auto in the past, that they were going to drop them as a client! I tried to call Western Auto to inform them of this situation and both their business phone and fax phone were "no longer in service at this time"! I have sought legal advice from a consumer rights attorney and will be pursuing legal action. I also contacted the Better Business Bureau, and they have 5 complaints filed against them (mine will be number 6) and the Massachusetts Attorney Generals Office has Western Auto listed as having 10 complaints against them, and I will be getting a report from them soon! This all happened within 4 days of each other, and now that their phone/fax is out of service, who knows what will happen now? Also, they had a website which has mysteriously disappeared! They can run but they can't hide! I will vigorously pursue them - I believe I am allowed monetary funds for whatever the warranty amount they paid (they adverstised that the warranty price was $1,500). Beware of this company (if they have not bolted the gate and took off already!!). Like I said, they can run (if they have!) but they cannot hide!

Kathy

Quincy, Massachusetts

U.S.A.