At the end of February I received my income tax check. It was highly welcomed because I had lost my job of three years with no money to hold onto the 2008 Chevy Aveo I had purchased just months prior. With this check I would be able to continue to search for a new job because I would finally have a car again! So I thought. I asked around and my friends began to help me look. My son's father referred me to S&S Automotive. The owner Scott Smith stated he could sell me a car for under $1,000. Right away I did my due dilligence by checking the BBB (bbb.org).
There were no negative reports. I also check the consumer complaints and found nothing there either! I was ready to talk to Scott. I called Scott SMith and we set up arrangements for a test drive of the car. He fully disclosed that the car was a 1994 car, but I told him as long as this car could last me to my 2010 income tax check I would be OK. I went into this deal KNOWING the car was approx. 15 years old.
Scott was very professional and courteous. He was the kind of man that had this aire of confidence and style that would put you at ease. I would not be convinced until we arrived at S&S Automotive. The shop was very clean with a nice professional office. The structure is right behind the Ford Auto Dealers on Euclid Avenue in Wickliffe. I met Scott's wife. She is really personable so I said to myself. "I'm ready to deal now!"
We went to the car. Very clean interior. Not bad for a 15 year old GM Regal Grand sport 2-door! The car started up and was quiet. Scott told me he has been fixing cars for 22 years. We drove a square mile. No unusual noises, clicks, nothing. For $950 I felt as as long as this car could hold up from March to February the $950 I would pay Scott, it would be well worth it. It was not to be.
3 weeks after purchasing the car, the car skidded out of control heading west on Rockside Road in Beford Heights Ohio. The reason: I was on my way to a job interview dry-run. I wanted to know where the job interview location would be ahead of time so that I could be there on time. I was on my way to Independence, Ohio (44131) heading West on rockside road when the car skidded out of control. My 13 year old son was in the car with me at the time! I was only driving 15mph because I was coming onto Rockside road from a side street. It was a nice day. I had come off I-271 south onto Rockside road when all of this occured.
The Bedford Heights police pulled up behind me after the swerve. Hey it was Friday afternoon. They didn't know what to think! The officer did a quick inspection and stated it was possibly a tie-rod or something. I called Scott!
Scott Smith arrived 1/2 hour after the police pulled behind me (in the middle of rockside road). He promptly towed the car and stated he would have the car up and running by the next day. I called the next day (Saturday) no answer. I called him on his cell. He stated he would have the car up and running by Monday.
I called Monday. He stated I needed an arm for the tire on the back left driver side. The cost of the part was $110 by his estimate. I told him I was not paying anything. I stated and reiterated to him that I didn't have a job. I had already spent $950 for the car the tags, the downpayment on the insurance for the car; the $172 muffler I had put in. He continue to blow off what I said and continue to state that the repair would cost me $400. I told him I was not putting another $400 into a $950 car. I contacted the BBB in Cleveland to file my first complaint.
A gentleman by the name of Barry (BBB) handled the complaint. At this point he stated that S&S Automotive would not return his calls because they were not members of the BBB. When they finally did answer, it was already June! They stated that they wanted to fix the car for a total of $325 which included a towing fee that Scott never mentioned when he picked up the car, nor did he mention at the time I contacted him to complain about the back tire.
BBB eventually closed the file. I then decided to just pick the car up by a mechanic of my choosing. After finding someone to pick up the car, I was told that S&S Automotive would not release the car to him. I called and then they stated they could not find the key to the car. At that time I told the mechanic to pick the car up without a key to worry about a key later.
He then stated that they ignored his request to pick up the car while he was personally standing there! He then stated he would be back to pick the car up the following day. I called Scott, the owner again. He then asked to repair the car again. I refused.
My mechanic picked up the car and took it to a garage on the westside of Cleveland. I then received a disturbing call from the mechanic that the car was destroyed!!!
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