I bought a 1998 VW Passat from Lang Auto Sport on a Saturday night in October. We arrived there looking for a car for my daughter and test drove many cars. While looking for a car I saw the VW and we drove this. I liked it so I decided to buy it.
On the sticker on the car it said we could get a carfax if requested. We went in, asked for the carfax and was told that they do not give it out, the salesman did not know how to do it, he did not want to put his credit card online. I did a carfax myself, paid for it myself, the car turned up clean so I filled all the paperwork out. I did not need a loan, I paid for this car with a personal check. Diego, the car salesman, said this would be no problem. It was about 6:30 pm on Saturday night, they closed at6:00 so we were all in a bit of a hurry, it had been a long day.
The mechanic came out to say the car was ready to go, he smelled of alcohol. When we got in the car to leave, I looked over at the stereo and noticed there wasn't one, its faceplate was missing. My son asked about this and the mechanic and Diego brought a box of faceplates out, probably about 50 of them or so.
They tried on about ten of them to no success and then Diego said why don't you come back later and we'll see if we can find one? I explained I lived in Poulsbo, not just around the corner, it would cost a few dollars to get over there. He said no problem, I will get one for you, even if we need to take it out of another car. He said he would get one to me, either new or out of car.
A week passed, my son went to school in Bellingham and called Diego about this stereo. Still no stereo. A month passed, Diego said he had a stereo but if we needed to pick it up. I said a ferry ride is $10 each way plus the gas to there, why not just put it in the mail? He said it would be an extra $50 for mail.
Every time my son came from Bellingham he would try to get a hold of Diego but with no luck.
In January, my friend, Tony, called them, he had been with us in the whole process. The temporary tab had expired on Dec 12, it was now Jan 3. He called Diego and asked about this. Yes, Diego said, I remember you.
Do you have the plates for this car?
Yes, they are right here.
Do you have the stereo for this car?
Oh, yes, I have one lying around here somewhere, why don't you come up and we can get it for you?
Can't you mail it to me?
Oh no, I can't do that, just when your in the area, we'll get it for you.
Well my plates are expired now, I need it now.
Well, just when you get a chance.
Well I'll be up there on Friday, Jan 4.
On January 4, Tony didn't make it up there, he lives in Olympia and didn't want to take the drive. On Monday, January 7, he had a meeting in Seattle so he was goign to do it then.
Diego called Tony on Friday.
Tony, are you going to make it up here today?
No, sorry I cannot make it up there today, I have a meeting on Monday, I'll be in there then. Do you have the stereo?
Yes, I'll have the stereo and the plates sitting here clearly marked with your name on it. If I'm not here, ask for Don.
Ok, see you on Monday.
Ok Tony, See you on Monday.
On Monday Tony drove up to Lynnwood.
He asked for Diego, it was Diego's day off, how convienient. He asked for Don, he was there.
He introduced himself, stated why he was there, for the license plates and the stereo.
Whats the name on the car?
Elizabeth Smith
Ok, I have the plates right here.
What about the stereo?
I don't know anything about a stereo.
Where is Diego?
Its his day off.
Can you call him?
No, he turns his cell phone off, we cannot get a hold of him.
I talked to him on Friday, he said he would have the plates and stereo here, what is going on?
Diego told me about the plates but nothing about the stereo.
He told me to ask for you.
Well, that is something you have to ask Diego about. Sorry.
Tony left to his meeting with nothing but the plates, the next day he called Diego.
He asked why the stereo wasn't there when he had promised him on Friday that it would be.
Diego replied the stereo was there, Don forgot to give it to me. He actually said the Don was getting alzheimers and forgot they talked about it on Friday.
Tony told him to quit playing games and get the stereo over here, we paid cash for this car, where is the stereo.
Diego repeatedly told Tony to drive the car over and they would look thru the box of face plates. He said every car they get if it has a stereo with a detachable face plate, they take it off and throw it into the box with no marking.
Tony said that seems very unorganized, why not have a mark of some kind so you don't go thru this with every customer?
Diego said thats too hard.
Tony said why not have the guy cleaning the car go thru the box and mark them on his slow day? (Monday when Tony was up there, there weren't any customers for 45 minutes, how many stereos could have been matched with the right car?)
After 45 minutes of discussion, Tony said what if the face plate is not there, will you replace it with a new stereo?
Diego said it has to be there
What if its not, will you give me a stereo for this car like you promised 3 months ago?
Diego said No, I can't give you a stereo.
Tony asked Why, is it that necessary after paying for a car in cash, walking out and seeing the faceplate gone off the stereo, is it necessary to get it in writing from the salesman that you are going to get a stereo for this car?
Diego said well you should have
At which point Tony told him he was going to file a complaint with BBB, called him a few choice names and hung up on.
This is what I wrote to the BBB
Shortly after, the front wheel bearing is shot, the tie rod ends are going, lucky for me my son is going to school and learning how to fix this so its just buying the parts.
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