Visited Online Car One to purchase a car for my 16 yr old daughter on 2/27/10. Noticed a 2007 Honda Accord that was of interest and was in the price range we were looking to spend. My husband and I test drove the vehicle and noticed a loud noise with the muffler area.
When we advised Chris are sales rep he stated that, that he spoke to Tony Azizi and Mike Azizi the owners and they stated it could be fixed. We let them know we would be back and will bring our daughter in about a hour tp have her test drive.
My daughter drove the car and was also concerned about the loud muffler noise but liked the car.in speaking to the owner Tony Azizi he assured me this will and can be fix. I also stressed having my personal mechanic to look at the car. Tony stated that due to insurance reasons he could not allow the car to taken over a certain amount of miles.
My mechanic is located in Plano about 15 miles away. Tony recommend that I use Firestone in Lewisville which is less then a mile from their location. Tony stressed that Firestone is nationwide and would do a full inspection for $21.99 and is a credible business.
With that being said I agreed to using this location I contacted the Firestone near the car lot to confirm what Tony stated the DM at this location validated what Tony stated. I also contacted another Firestone and was told that not many locations were still able to do these inspections due to liablity issues.
Tony then informed me I would need to place a $400 deposit down to hold the car. I asked him if I do so would he assure me after the inspection if everything was not to our satisfaction would my non-refundable refund be refunded. He said yes that is not a problem. The deposit is just good faith. So I wrote a check for $400, Tony requested cash but I did not feel comfortable giving cash.
This all transpired around 4pm on 2/27/10. The car lot was extremely busy and they had little to no help. I had more questions but was tired of waiting. After I signed the deposit slip I left. Tony the owner told me my daughter's car would be ready Monday 3/1/10.
Once I got home I looked the dealership up online. The pricing given on their website was inconsistent with what I was given and I was concerned with the key for the car it was not a Honda key. The more I thought about it I got more concerned. And the delarship allowed us to test drive a vehicle and never asked for a drivers lisense or a copy. First red flag, I called the dealership back no response. I made multiple attempts nothing. So I decided to drive back up there. When I got there no one was able to assist me because they were busy.
I then requested to see Tony but the same person who was so helpful prior to me leaving a depoist now was so busy. So I finally stopped Chris and stressed my concerns he told me the key they have is a auction key, a key they get from the auction. They did not have the actual car key. I requested a Honda key he said he will contact the auction and see what they have. I was not happy with that response. I then requested to speak to Tony. Chris stated he was busy with another customer but he asked him about the key and Tony told him "This is the only key we have" If I want a Honda key he will allow me to get it at his cost from Honda which is $60 or so". I was not happy and asked Chris to have Tony call me. Never got a call Saturday evening.
So Monday I called and spoke to Tony he just told me the car will be ready soon and I can pick up. I asked him about the muffler and told him I still needed to go to have Firestone look at the car. Tony said "I can have someone pick you up if you want". I told him it was raining and I will try to come by Tuesday. Tuesday 3/2/10 we received a call from Chris and Tony the car was ready. My husband and I both went up to the dealership around noon. We test drove the car the noise was still there with the muffler.
We took the car to Firestone for the overall inspection of the vehicle as recommeded by Tony. Firestone verified that the exhaust system had been replaced w/a aftermarket product to make this noise. The entire system will need to be replaced to elimanate the noise. They also verified the back tire rod needed to be replaced, the rear brakes and back tires all need to be relplaced. Estimated cost NOT including the removal of the aftermarket exhaust system was $626.55
On my way back to dealership I contacted Bankston Honda and confirmed the cost to have the aftermarket exhaust system removed. I was quoted $1200-$1400 parts and labor. And was told this aftermarket system voids Honda's warrenty.
Tony was not at the location upon our return. We gave Chris all this information verbally we got from Firestone he stated he would speak to Tony. Tony never called me I contacted him and explained my concerns. He assured me that Firestone information was "fluff ed" and he would have the car taken to his muffler shop once again. I explained my frustration and concerns with this and Tony completed disregarded it.
So my daughter get's home from school expecting her car and was devastated that her parents did not have it. She was really sad and my husband and I were really upset and frustrated with this entire ordeal. March 2nd is our anniversary we spent most of the day dealing with this car.
After returning home I looked online for another car at another delearship for her. Located one at David McDavid Honda that they just got in. My husband and I went up there to see the car, it was "Too Good to Be True" We loved the service, the car and the price. This dealership is a credible dealership and pride themselves in customer service. I asked my sales rep at David McDavid (James) if we put down a depoist would it be refundable if we changed our mind. I was assured it would be and did not require me to sign anything!
March 3rd, I contacted Tony and he said the muffler was fixed. He explained the muffler shop did not do it the fisrt time but had fixed it this time. I told him how uncomfortable I felt and asked about the other items that were wrong with the car. Tony stated that "Firestone is there to make money off their recommendations". I reminded Tony he recommended Firestone and he avoided that comment.
After careful consideration we decided we did not want to do buisness with this establishment. The inconsistency, dishonest gestures, non disclosure of critical information was our breaking point. I informed Tony I would be up there and he stated "Please bring me my cashiers check" I was hott and said some things that I do NOT regret saying but will not repeat because this is a public site:)
My husband and I visited the location around 1pm on March 3rd. My husband test drove the car again prior to me getting there. He noticed the muffler sound was lower but not gone. He looked at the muffler and noticed the muffler was not replaced the pipe on the muffler was.
Tony stepped out prior to me getting there and Chris was there. I explained to Chris our concerns and we will not be doing business with Online Car One. Chris stated Tony will be back shortly.
Tony returned shortly after. I stressed and reinterated my concerns. I also requested my $400 depoist back. Tony explained that was not an option and that the depoist is non refundable. Totally disregarded our previous conversations and the issues with the car.
Neverthenless, my daughter has her car. We purchased it late Wednesday evening from David McDavid Honda. And we are happy with doing business with this credible establishment.
I would recommend buyers to beware from this business. Online Car One purchase cars from auctions that credible car dealership do not want because they have issues. Tony is a very dishonest indivdual that will tell you what he thinks you want to hear to gain the sale. They use the depoist as leverage for consumers to buy from them. Once you leave a depoist most consumers feel obligated to buy and don't want to loose their hard earned money. That was my feeling, but the devil is a lie! I would rather do business elsewhere then to give Online Car one the satisfaction.
I also fault myself for NOT doing my homework prior to giving a depoist. I would have been aware of the current complaints on this business. I suggest you spend the extra money and buy your car from a credible dealership it will elimanate a lot of unnecssary stress and lost monies. Just know I am pursuing getting my depoist back.
It is NOT over!
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