I'd boughten a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac about 7 months ago from Tony aka "Big Dog" and Joe, the used car manager. At the time of purchase, it was represented by the salesman to have new tires (which it obviously did have), breaks, rotors, etc. And that it did come with a brief warranty (I purchased an extended one, which I will cancel later today) as well as going through a safety inspection. I've put roughly 12,000 miles on the car from the time of purchase.
Today, 1/12, I took my truck to a local mechanic for an oil change and because I'd heard some grinding. He inspected the car and said that the rotors were way below the minimum factory specifications and that the breaks had only 10% remaining, the minumum requirement to sell a used car at a dealer after testing is 50%. The mechanic told me that given the number of miles i'd put on the car (12,000) that there was no way the rotors or breaks should be at their current status and that the break drums actually still had the factory sticker on them, meaning they weren't new at all, contrary to what Tony/"Big Dog" had told me.
I called the dealer, Ron Baker Chevrolet, today with a friendly demeanor to see how the situation could be rectified. After all, people sometimes make mistakes (either in Tony's representation, their safety inspection, or what no) and that I just wanted the parts in question to be replaced. I spoke to Joe, the used car manager, and he said that regardless of what a licensed mechanic I saw today may have said that they were not willing to do anything for me as he stated that for all he knew I could've been sqealing out or doing donuts or whatever and that I was basically out of luck. He said he'd gladly show me what the specs on the parts in question were when I'd bought the car (naturally they don't give you a copy of this to begin with...) but that was it. Here's a hint, Joe— I'm not a fool; pencil whipping a date and some numbers is QUITE easy to do and given that you don't give your customers a copy of this safety report at purchase there's no way I could argue/debate whatever you or your team may write.
In my personal opinion, there are just far too many shady practices from far too many shady people, all of whom seem to have years of experience with such things as is evident by the overall lack of concern and care for a customer and unwillingness to help. I don't say buyer beware of Ron Baker Chevrolet, I say Buyer AVOID!!
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