On May 13, 2017 I participated in an online auction to purchase a vehicle. I did some research on the vehicle after running the VIN through a site where they identify any major issues. The auction company listed the vehicle as a 2012 Ram 1500 Quad Cab with about 111k miles on it. Many of the other vehicles on the site that had significant issues had disclosed this informaiton such as Salvage Title, Bad Transmission, Disabled, Drives Rough, etc. This vehicle did not have any disclamers and so the assumption was there were no known issues. After winning the bid for $9500, I went down and paid for the item in cash along with another $2k in fees. I arrived at the vehicle and immediately noticed that the vehicle had been in an accident as back bumper was severly smashed. I didn't think a ton about this as I figured it might just need a new bumper.
The next thing I realized as I opened the vehicle was that there was a super strong musty smell. At first I didn't think a lot about this and thought maybe this had been sittiing for a while. I went to move the seat back and it was stuck. I looked under the front seat to see why it wouldn't move back and realized it was due to the seats being all rusted. I thought that was odd but again didn't think a ton about this. The truck started up and immediately the check engine light came on along with two other warning lights. I then began to drive the vehicle off the lot and noticed it having a rough ride with vibrations along with some noise coming from under the hood. I had my son drive the vehicle home and figured I should get it to the mechanic. I took it to the mechanic first thing on Monday and asked them to check it out. I told them the vibration issue was my biggest concern but wanted them to check it out to see if there were other issues. After doing a short test drive and looking at the axle they identified that there was a cracked axle and that this would likely run about $3000 to replace. They said they didn't check out much more of the vehicle because they realized this was going to be a huge expense. I asked them to take a look at other issues with the vehicle to see what other issues they see and potential costs to fix and they said they would. I reached out to WSM Auctions that day to let them know that I felt they had not been honest in the description of the vehlcle and how I could get a refund. They told me this was not possible and that I had bought it "as-is" and that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. They also claimed that they would have had no idea about any issues like broken axles.
The next day I heard back from the Mechanic who identified that there were several other major issues with the vehicle. They identified that due to the crash, they may need to replace the gas tank since it was dented. They identified a few other issues but said the biggest issue with the vehicle was that it had been submerged in water hence the rust under the seats and in other areas of the cabin as well as caked on mud in areas under the vehicle that shouldn't have it. They identified that these issues caused by flooding can become extremely expensive and that this was not a vehicle they would recommend to throw much money into to fix.
I immediately reached back out to WSM to let them know that in addition to the broken axle, they did not disclose that it was in a flood and this was important information to have witheld as I never would have ever considered bidding on such a vehicle. The lady I spoke with essentially told me they don't know a lot about any vehicles they sell and that since they sell them "as is" that's what you get. I tried to explain how they have known like i did at first that there was rust in the cab and between that and the smell they should have disclosed this as well as the wreck and the check engine lights. She said they just take pictures of this and leave it to the buyers to decide on things. I tried to explain that looking at these on the mobile auction site doesn't allow for being able to see every little detail and that they should have an obligation to disclose any issues they see in the actual description but she said they don't have to disclose any of this.
I reached out to Proxibid who faciliates the online auction to discuss my concerns with them and they said that since I got a 2012 Ram 1500 pickup as was described in the auction that they could not help me unless it was significantly different than what I received.
I am at my witts end and just want my money back. WSM and Proxibid are unwilling to work to make this right and I could use your help.
WSM Auctioneers Reviews
On May 13, 2017 I participated in an online auction to purchase a vehicle. I did some research on the vehicle after running the VIN through a site where they identify any major issues. The auction company listed the vehicle as a 2012 Ram 1500 Quad Cab with about 111k miles on it. Many of the other vehicles on the site that had significant issues had disclosed this informaiton such as Salvage Title, Bad Transmission, Disabled, Drives Rough, etc. This vehicle did not have any disclamers and so the assumption was there were no known issues. After winning the bid for $9500, I went down and paid for the item in cash along with another $2k in fees. I arrived at the vehicle and immediately noticed that the vehicle had been in an accident as back bumper was severly smashed. I didn't think a ton about this as I figured it might just need a new bumper.
The next thing I realized as I opened the vehicle was that there was a super strong musty smell. At first I didn't think a lot about this and thought maybe this had been sittiing for a while. I went to move the seat back and it was stuck. I looked under the front seat to see why it wouldn't move back and realized it was due to the seats being all rusted. I thought that was odd but again didn't think a ton about this. The truck started up and immediately the check engine light came on along with two other warning lights. I then began to drive the vehicle off the lot and noticed it having a rough ride with vibrations along with some noise coming from under the hood. I had my son drive the vehicle home and figured I should get it to the mechanic. I took it to the mechanic first thing on Monday and asked them to check it out. I told them the vibration issue was my biggest concern but wanted them to check it out to see if there were other issues. After doing a short test drive and looking at the axle they identified that there was a cracked axle and that this would likely run about $3000 to replace. They said they didn't check out much more of the vehicle because they realized this was going to be a huge expense. I asked them to take a look at other issues with the vehicle to see what other issues they see and potential costs to fix and they said they would. I reached out to WSM Auctions that day to let them know that I felt they had not been honest in the description of the vehlcle and how I could get a refund. They told me this was not possible and that I had bought it "as-is" and that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. They also claimed that they would have had no idea about any issues like broken axles.
The next day I heard back from the Mechanic who identified that there were several other major issues with the vehicle. They identified that due to the crash, they may need to replace the gas tank since it was dented. They identified a few other issues but said the biggest issue with the vehicle was that it had been submerged in water hence the rust under the seats and in other areas of the cabin as well as caked on mud in areas under the vehicle that shouldn't have it. They identified that these issues caused by flooding can become extremely expensive and that this was not a vehicle they would recommend to throw much money into to fix.
I immediately reached back out to WSM to let them know that in addition to the broken axle, they did not disclose that it was in a flood and this was important information to have witheld as I never would have ever considered bidding on such a vehicle. The lady I spoke with essentially told me they don't know a lot about any vehicles they sell and that since they sell them "as is" that's what you get. I tried to explain how they have known like i did at first that there was rust in the cab and between that and the smell they should have disclosed this as well as the wreck and the check engine lights. She said they just take pictures of this and leave it to the buyers to decide on things. I tried to explain that looking at these on the mobile auction site doesn't allow for being able to see every little detail and that they should have an obligation to disclose any issues they see in the actual description but she said they don't have to disclose any of this.
I reached out to Proxibid who faciliates the online auction to discuss my concerns with them and they said that since I got a 2012 Ram 1500 pickup as was described in the auction that they could not help me unless it was significantly different than what I received.
I am at my witts end and just want my money back. WSM and Proxibid are unwilling to work to make this right and I could use your help.