Your voice has a chance to be heard now! scamion.com - we bring changes together.
report scam| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| City | Spotsylvania Courthouse |
| Address | 6421 Jefferson Davis Hwy |
| Phone | 540-582-8884 |
| Website | http://www.universalautosales.com/ |
Universal Auto Sales Reviews
On 2/8/2016, my husband and I arrived at Universal Auto Sales and walked around the lot, looking for specific vehicles we saw online for sale. I had made up my mind that I was looking for something under $7500 and would only put $1000 down. They claimed to have a lot of vehicles in my price range. After walking around in the cold for more than 20 minutes and no one bothering to help us; we left. I returned home and tried to email them through their website and received an auto response email stating, “We are sorry for the inconvenience but the email you sent could not be delivered as user does not exist.” Thought this was strange. So I then went onto Facebook and messaged them there. No response. A large storm was taking shape for the following day and so, I decided to give it one last shot and return the following day.
On 2/9/2016; we returned to the lot. I still couldn’t find the vehicles I was looking for. After walking around yet again for 20 plus minutes, we walked into the office and I explained that 2 days straight I have been here and not been helped. A man introduced himself as Sam. He said he could help me find what I was looking for. I asked about a specific vehicle I saw and he said, “Oh it needs a new motor, didn’t you see that online?” There was no such notification about that online. But I just said, “No, I didn’t.” He then said he has a back lot with 15 to 20 vehicles in my price range, body style, etc. So we proceeded back. He then tells me that he will need me to put down $2000 because they finance through their office. I told him I really didn’t want to go above $1000, but would look around and consider it. We found a 2002 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer Edition, fully loaded. Took it for a small test drive as it was starting to snow and there was no gas hardly in it, so it was a very short test drive. Seemed ok.
We then went inside to make a deal. I was told the vehicle was $5194 and there was a $189 processing fee totaling $5383, then title, taxes, etc. totaled it to $5792.70. I put $2189 down and left $3603.70 being financed at $250 a month for 12 months. I was told only I could be on the financing because my husband has a NC license. Upon getting ready to leave, we were then told that the drive side window needed a new window motor and I’d need to replace that part. He went on to say he has checked all the fluids and she was ready to go. Then he informed me that tags will cost about $300 or so and when they come in I will need to pay him, but not to worry, he’ll provide me with a receipt. Mind you, I’m already aware that it should cost me under $100 and the Title fee he gave me was way over the actual fee. I’m getting ticked off because I felt like they waited for me to sign and then comes the bull…
We left and I drove the Expedition. My husband followed. It started snowing badly and we were driving slowly, when I noticed he never filled the gas tank up and I was just about on empty, so we had to frantically search for a gas station, not knowing the area. As I’m sitting at the gas station, I noticed the rear end was on the wheels. This couldn’t have been good. As soon as we left the gas station, I’m calling my husband to let him know the ABS brake light was on and the Check Suspension light was now on. (Explains the lowered rear). I left a message with these people (apparently they closed after we left) and told them that the lights were on and I’m not happy with almost running out of gas in the middle of no-where. Told them I would check the truck over completely tomorrow and let them know if I find anything else wrong, but I’d appreciate a call asap. I made it home.
On 2/10/2016 I found out that the inspection was rejected (per paper in glove compartment it was due to the tinting on drivers window and rear driver’s side window), rear wipers were not functioning, the back-up sensors didn’t work, Side mirrors weren’t functional and the high beams also were not functional. I didn’t hear anything from them so I texted the cell number on their business card. I received a response that they were very busy and someone would call me in a little while. An hour later, the man Sam called me and says, “Calm down, vehicle as is.” I said, “No sir, you sold it to me, as is, under the condition that there was no issues present and after such you never told me that there’s a bad inspection, I need to replace the window motor. So, no sir, I won’t calm down because this has become a nightmare.” He then says, “I understand, you get window motor fixed, that’s why inspection fail, and see me and we’ll fix the problems.” I said, “Sir, I cannot get tags if there’s a rejected inspection.” He replies, “Yes you can, you not worry about that, I will take care of tags and you will be able to get them.” They were apparently closing again (early, must be nice).
The following afternoon, my husband, myself and my 15 year old go to get the window motor fixed. Upon having the window motor fixed (costing me $150), I was informed that this vehicle was on air ride and the bags in the rear busted, that’s why the rear end is down. If I drive it like that it’s dangerous and will cause additional damage to the suspension. After fixing the window motor, they then ran the window and upon coming back up; it fell off the track. Looking into it they found the entire pulley system for the window needed to be replaced. I was then told, “Ma’am, you need to go back to the place that sold this to you because it’s going to need at least $7500 in repairs, it shouldn’t be on the road and the inspection only failing for the tint is baffling. I have reservation that the inspection probably wasn’t really done. There are multiple issues that would fail it. There’s no way that they had this vehicle and didn’t know the extent of the repairs needed. Please take it back.” So, my husband and I spoke for a few minutes and decided that enough was enough and drove to their office.
My son, husband and I walked inside. Sam approached us and asked what’s going on. Told him there are too many serious issues with the vehicle and they need to be fixed. He asked us all to take a seat and he’d be right with us. The owner, never gave us a name, came to sit in front of us, along with Sam; this after sitting and waiting for about 30 minutes. Sam then asks what the problem is. I said, “We got the window motor fixed to find out that not only are there issues as I told you yesterday but also the window pulley system needs replaced and the rear is on air ride and the bags are busted.” The owner says, “We want you happy. What you want us do?” I said, “I need the vehicle fixed, the inspection corrected and asap. I’ve been very nice about this to this point and now I’m getting irritated.” Sam says, “I tell you the inspection bad because of the window motor. Now that you fix it, you come with me one day, pay $1 and my people will reinspect it.” My husband joins the conversation and says, “No, it won’t legally pass any inspection with the issues needing fixed. You never told us the inspection was bad, and what’s on the inspection paper is not what you said.” Sam then walks to his desk and holds up a handwritten index card and says, “This is all I go by. My inspection people write what is wrong on this and I look at this, not the inspection paper. That paper don’t mean nothing to me. You go get it from truck.” So he did and showed it to them. Sam begins arguing again saying, “Yes, see it’s window motor issue. You fixed, now you get reinspected.” I spoke up and said, “No, it does not say such, it says something completely different, the tint. The tint and the motor are 2 separate things. I need these things fixed, as you can see, my children were in this vehicle and there’s no telling what else is going to go on it.” Sam gets nasty yet again and says, “It not dangerous, you can drive, won’t break down on you, I promise. What you want me to do?” I said, “We were informed with all the issues; it’s probably going to cost us a good $7500 in repairs and since I purchased this from you under the condition that there was only 1 issue and I have already paid to have it fixed, I do expect you to do the right thing.” The owner now decided to speak for his company, “We been in business for over 10 years and we make customers happy. I make you happy and fix vehicle. Then you keep coming back.” At this point, Sam interrupts him and moves to the computer instructing me to come with him. He goes to EBay and says, “You look, rear suspension springs are $88 and window pulley is $109. You can get these parts and I put in.” I said, “No sir, I purchased it from you, it’s up to you to pay for the parts and labor, not me. You sold a vehicle you knew had issues and didn’t disclose such information. You should be aware, I’m not some idiot, I’m very versed in the laws surrounding this and both my husband and I belong to motor clubs. We could have brought you a lot of business, but now I doubt that very seriously. I’m done playing dumb, both of us know more about these vehicles then you probably do. Let me say, you cannot get just rear suspension springs to place on a vehicle that’s bagged. You have to get an entire conversation kit to convert it from air ride to springs.” He interrupts me and says, “No no, I change it from air to springs, not needed nothing but springs.”