On August 11 I saw a 2005 Ford Excursion diesel Listed on Ebay by Texas Auto Direct. I called the salesman immediately and he confirmed by phone how nice the vehicle was. I explained to him I was in the Northeast part of the U.S. And would have to fly down and then drive the vehicle back. I gave a deposit on the vehicle and he immediately took it off ebay.
On Wednesday August 13th I figured maybe I should get an independent inspection done on the vehicle. I called "Car Pulse". They are located in Houston. They were very accommodating and could inspect the vehicle on Friday morning the 15th. I explained to the guy that I was already flying into Houston on the 15th. It was no problem as I would call him when I got off the plane and he would give me a verbal on the vehicle.
We arrived on the 15th of August and just as planned the inspector called me. He did report he had concerns. One being the tires on the Excursion was too big for the vehicle and when you turned the wheel the tires rubbed. Also the vehicle had dead batteries. It had to be jump started when he got there to inspect it. I must say Car Pulse was EXCELLENT, I would recommend them to anyone.
Upon my arrival at Texas direct, I went to look at the vehicle. My inspector was correct in all his findings. Not only did the tires rub and were too big for the vehicle but it looked as though the driver's side front tire had hit a curb as the cord was showing through the tire wall. This certainly was unsafe to drive. When the fellow came out to start washing the vehicle, once again the batteries were dead. I looked inside the vehicle to only find that it was a mess. The back leather pocket on the driver's seat was torn, red markings in the carpet and markings over the entire headliner. Also the front bumper had been replaced (which was no problem).
I explained to the salesman that the vehicle couldn't be safely driven back for an 1800 mile trip with the tires in that condition. I was told that there was nothing they could do. Now this is a safety issue, how do they expect to sell a car that cannot be safely driven home? The cord was showing through the tire? The tires were rubbing when the vehicle wheels turned!
I immediately asked for my refund which I admit they did, I never saw the salesman again. He never came back to say he was sorry or anything. While waiting for my refund on my credit card I took a gander at some of the other vehicles parked there. Low and behold they too were also in sad shape. I swore that no one took any good care of these vehicles that were there.
So we flew back home without buying the vehicle. They certainly were dis-honest people. It was like oh well. Here's your deposit back.
Be aware of this dealership!!!
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