ComplaintsforThe Clunker Junker, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  07/08/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I called clunker junkers today they scheduled a pick up for 5 p.m and it's is now 6:13 p.m and I texted the man I closed the deal with for the sale of my car and he didn't answer his text so I tried calling him way before 5 p.m and the man said the driver will be here shortly, I've been under the sun practically for over an hour. I stopped doing what I was doing which was tending to my son in which is in the hospital and I text the man at clunker junker and asked if he can find out the *** of the driver and still no answer in the profile/bio section it says that this company believes in making sure any transactions with a customer are stress free NOT! Can some one call them now? Please.

  

  Business response

  07/09/2024

  Hello, The Clunker Junker is not in any way involve with pickups. The local buyer assigned to the vehicle, **** Automotive, handles all pickups fully independently from The Clunker Junker. **** Automotive can be reached at ************.

   

  -****

• Initial Complaint

  07/03/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Would not give proper receipt for purchase. Then cancelled transaction.

  

  Business response

  07/03/2024

  Hello ****, I'm sorry for the trouble. I am not sure this required a BBB complaint as we were in full contact with you and are having this resolved.

  With that said, there is an unfortunate misunderstanding of how motor vehicle sales work here. The "receipt" is a called a bill of sale. The bill of sale document is a document that's created by the seller of the vehicle (that's you) and given to the buyer, it doesn't work the other way around. The bill of sale is also not a required document in ************* for a vehicle older than 10 years (your vehicle is a 2007). 

  Even still, if it makes you feel better, we will happily provide a document that acknowledges the sale, even though this document has no legal purpose or function and is certainly not a requirement.

  Regarding the cancelation, it seems the local buyer says you became "hostile" after the misunderstanding with the bill of sale, and they did not feel safe or comfortable completing the transaction due to your behavior. 

  We have reassigned this vehicle to another buyer in hopes that this will be completed now that we have clarified how a motor vehicle sale works.

  Thank you,

  -****

• Initial Complaint

  10/25/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  My name is ***************************. I bought a car that I've had sitting at the ***** dealership in wallingford where it was given diagnostic tests. The repair was more than the car is worth so I called clunker junker to tow and scrap it. The first things I disclosed were the lack of registration and title. I was told it was no problem. I confirmed this with them over and over, reminding them and making sure it wouldn't be a problem. I called back a second time to make sure again that it would not be a problem. They set up a tow for a different day and told me what they'd pay. All was well. When I called back to re confirm I said, "I just want to make sure 100% everything is good to go." They were informed over and over like I said that it was not registered. Today the tow company calls and tells me they can't take it because it isn't registered. I promised the guy at the dealership it would be gone at the time clunker junker gave me. And I made the promise because clunker junker gave me a 100% thumbs up all would go well. When I finally was able to speak with a lady I spoke to yesterday she said that I told her the registration was in the car. Literally the first thing I told them on the first call was that it was not registered. She told me the calls are recorded, so they should have that call. When I asked her to play it back she hung up. Now I'm losing the car entirely because it's sat there too long and the storage fees for it to sit there will cost too much. I would have been calling other tow companies but clunker junker promised. Now I'm out a thousand dollars from that car. I would've gotten at least 3 to 400 for a scrap I could've gotten done by someone else but it was too late.

  

  Business response

  10/25/2023

  Hello, I'm sorry for any trouble or confusion. I find this claim extremely hard to believe, our small team of 5 people are WELL trained on the fact that we always need a valid registration when selling on no title. 

  I am unable to find this customer in our system.

  - Nothing under the email address provided

  - Nothing under the phone number provided

  - Nothing under the name provided

  I suspect this customer has the wrong company, but we are requesting that the customer provide a claim ID so we can locate the vehicle in question in our system.

  Thank you,

  -****

  Customer response

  10/26/2023

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I reported clunker junker because when you call the clunker junker number you end up on the phone with ***********.com I'm now realizing. So I don't know if they're connected or why the clunker junker number leads to cashforcars. But I made another report for cashforcars, if there's no connection between clunker junker and cashforcars then I apologize. ***** at cashforcars is the one I've been dealing with who is leaving me messages literally just straight up lying about what was said in the recorded phone calls. Which is why a third party should listen. Sorry again to clunker junker if they have no connection to cashforcars.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

• Initial Complaint

  08/31/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I called Clunker Junkers (CJ) in mid august 2023. I received an offer of $450.00 and agreed to a pickup. The driver was supposed to pick up the car at 5PM. I got a text message from ** asking if the car was picked up-about 5:15. I told them he was a no call no show. They argued with me stating that the pickup was from 5-6P. But I spoke directly with the salvage yard the day before-which they didn't know and the Manager of the yard -they refer to it as their "partner" said his guy would be there BEFORE 5. I had an appointment and couldnt wait. But I did wait.... all evening. He was a no show. I called the shop later and was put i touch with someone they called the tow truck "driver". He said he had to pick his kid up from school. I said "fine. Just call me and let me know youll be late or not coming". I called and complained to ** and they set up another pickup for the following day at 5 again. This driver no called no showed. they said they got a flat tire-but they didnt bother to call me. I called and complained to ** and they said they would call the partner and complain to them. This time I told them to call me after they speak to the partner and let me know what was said. They never called me. I complained to ** again and they set me up with another pickup, this time at 4PM on Saturday. Again no call no show-three in a week and I blew my entire Saturday. On monday I called and complained to ** and they said again they would call the partner. Again I told them to call me and tell me what was said. they never did. It is wednesday. They offered to find me a different partner and they did at $120.00 less money. That was the best they could do after wasting so much of my time. They are either wildly irresponsible or a complete scam. After all of this they should contract with the other partner and pay me the difference. they are terrible.

  

  Business response

  08/31/2023

  We appreciate the opportunity to address the concerns raised by ****************** in his complaint. The Clunker Junker serves as a broker between vehicle sellers and local buyers, primarily consisting of junk yards and salvage yards. Our primary role is to facilitate connections. While we make every effort to ensure that all parties have a smooth experience, we do not exercise direct control over the local buyers or their vehicle pickups.

  To address a few of ********************** points:

  1. Concerning the pickup time disagreement: We have thoroughly reviewed our communication records and have no evidence of any contention regarding the pickup time with ******************. We have attached screenshots of our entire conversation with him for complete transparency.

  2. Efforts to coordinate the pickup: ****************** voiced his belief that we weren't adequately doing our job. However, our records show our team reached out to Reliable Wrecking on multiple occasions. We understand his frustration, but our influence over a third-party business is limited, as we serve as a mediator.

  3. Quality of customer service: I personally listened to all phone interactions and can confirm that our team remained courteous, helpful, and pleasant throughout. ********, our top-level partner coordinator, engaged in a discussion with Reliable Wrecking on Tuesday. Following this, they committed to a pickup on Wednesday. Unfortunately, they appear to have failed this commitment. We were only made aware of this through the BBB complaint received today.

  4. Resolution efforts: Given the challenges with Reliable Wrecking, we're reassigning ********************** transaction to another local buyer with an offer of $400. Recognizing the inconvenience caused, The Clunker Junker will cover the $50 difference, ensuring ****************** receives the original quoted amount. Due to the repeated problems with this customer, Reliable Wrecking has been suspended from our program.

  We regret the inconvenience ****************** experienced. We've taken active steps to resolve the situation and remain committed to our clients' satisfaction. We'll continue refining our processes to prevent such issues in the future.

• Initial Complaint

  06/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Selling an older car to them , we were quoted an email offer and then when the driver got to your house, they quoted ** $100 less. I dont think its fair that they do that to people we wouldve never excepted the offer that they ended up giving ** we excepted the quoted order quoted value and thats not fair for them to do this. I responded out to the company. Never got a satisfactory response they pretty much just dont care so they can offer some thing and then change it and give you less for no documentation nothing

  

  Business response

  06/07/2023

  Hi ****, I'm very sorry you feel cheated, but you have very conveniently left out the critical facts of the situation: The catalytic converter on your **** Buick Century has been REMOVED which was not disclosed when the offer was made. We have attached photographic evidence of the "straight pipe" that was welded in its place, this was provided by the local buyer. 

  I have also included screenshots of the MULTIPLE, LARGE, disclaimers on our website that you seem to have conveniently ignored. 

  We did nothing wrong here, our website is CLEAR that offers will likely change with a missing converter, and the BBB should discard this complaint entirely. It's like complaining that you were burned by touching a hot stove when there is a big red light that says "HOT". 

  Thank you, we will not be providing further communication on this issue and there is nothing here to resolve. This is absolute insanity. 

  -****

• Initial Complaint

  09/16/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I contacted The Clunker junker online in order to sell my **** ***** Blazer rather than have it sit in the driveway. The company made offers of $100, $125, and $150, and arranged to have the vehicle towed from where it is parked, in my driveway. The first attempt was for 8 Sep 2022, between 8a and 12p. I stayed home all day, phone in hand, and heard from no one other than an Amazon scam recording which called my phone repeatedly. When I called the tow company back, I was told the driver had attempted to make contact (I never received that contact), and another date was set (12 Sep 2022, between 8a and 12p). Once again, I waited all day, phone in hand. I called the tow company shortly after 11am, and was told by the driver that he was in ********, ** (2+ hours away) and would not be here until 3p. Around 3p, I received a text from the driver stating the company had canceled the pickup. I called the tow company and was informed that the order was still open, and there would be no information until tomorrow (16 Sep 2022). I was also educated to the fact that I could leave the title and the keys in the car if I didn't want to wait around for the tow company. I explained that such an act was not very safe nor secure, especially if I'm to receive payment for the vehicle in question.

  

  Business response

  09/16/2022

  Hello, I'm very sorry to hear you had so much trouble with your local carrier, "IAA". Every single complaint described is with IAA, not The Clunker Junker.

  Of course, it is still our job to help you get this resolved and we have been and continue to do so. IAA claims that they have called many times to get this resolved and there is no answer. We are trying our best to get the two parties connected, but are sort of stuck in the middle here.

  We will reach back out to IAA and continue to drive this towards resolution. 

  Customer response

  09/16/2022

   
  Complaint: 18034122
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Growing up, I had a poster on my wall titled "Who's Job Is It?" It told the story of four people named Everybody, Anybody, Somebody, and Nobody. It was a gift from my parents, a reminder, really. That poster didn't survive my childhood, but the story, and the lessons it carried, did, and served to be the bedrock of my work ethic.

  My verbal "handshake" regarding the sale of my vehicle is with The Clunker Junker who, in turn, have an agreement with IAA to pick up the vehicle, title, and keys. After doing so, it is presumed that IAA is to hand over some form of monetary payment from The Clunker Junker. It is my estimation that it is IAA who is the middle man in these proceedings.

  I wish to see an amenable resolution to this, where all three parties benefit. The Clunker Junker, IAA, and myself. The only way that will happen is for the vehicle to be picked up, the title transferred, and offer paid.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  

  Business response

  09/16/2022

  Of course! We agree fully with the customer in that regard and are working with IAA to get this resolved. With that said, since we have no influence or control over pickups, we are doing everything in our limited power to help.

  We have followed up numerous times today, and they still claim they cannot reach this customer as of 3pm Eastern Time. 

  From what I can see from IAA's (limited) notes, this is rescheduled for pickup again for September 20th. Until that time, I don't know that there is anything we (The Clunker Junker) can do, except continue to communicate with IAA and make sure there are no further issues on the 20th. 

  Customer response

  09/17/2022

   
  Complaint: 18034122
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  This is turning into a "they said, they said, they said" high school fight, and no one is taking responsibility for dropping the ball, nor is anyone holding themselves accountable.

   

  Attached, you will find the complaint I filed through the Better Business Bureau against IAA for their part in this snafu.

  As for the claims regarding IAA, their phone calls and not being able to reach me, I will state that the only person associated with IAA who has contacted me was *********, once on the day of pickup through their own dispatch to find out where he was (he was in Puyallup) to reschedule for later in the day, and once through text informing me "...the company just canceled the order to pick up your car today." Unless IAA masquerades as Amazon scam calls or texts from my mother, I've received absolutely zero contact from them. 

  Furthermore, the instances I've called in to IAA to verify information, and to reschedule (for the third time now), not once have I been asked to verify my own information, up to and including my phone number. So, I'm unsure as to which phone number IAA claims they are attempting to make contact through. Point of fact, I've been asked on multiple occasions to verify information about my vehicle (VIN, condition, location, etc.), but never for myself.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  09/15/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  On 9/5/22, this business took information about a vehicle we were looking to sell them. They gave us a price that they would pay to take the vehicle and we agreed. On 9/6/22, they towed the vehicle away and left us with a $450 check. We put the check in the bank and the check was returned unpaid.

  

  Business response

  09/15/2022

  Hello, this is a really unfortunate complaint to see. There was an issue with the check the customer received, but we paid them electronically on the SAME DAY. I am not sure what we can do further and we were under the impression this had been resolved. 

  The customer was paid in full just hours after we learned of the issue. 

  Customer response

  09/15/2022

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. However, the details in the response are incorrect. They have sent a Venmo payment today after the complaint was made and have therefore rectified the situation.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************************

• Initial Complaint

  08/28/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This is one of the worst and most unprofessional businesses I have ever dealt with. I have an old car I want to get rid of. They made an offer amd I accepted. Fine. Pickup and payment has been a nightmare. They said they would be here to pick up the car on 8/26/22. No one showed. Again today after endless texts and promises to come, Again, they never showed. The number of the buyer is XXX-XXX-XXXX. The claim ID is XXXXXXX.They wasted two days that I rearranged my busy schedule for. I realize these buyers are undereducated and clueless redneck people but businesses like this should be put out of business.

  

  Business response

  08/31/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/08/29) */ Contact Name and Title: Eric M., Founder Contact Phone: XXX-XXX-XXXX Contact Email: ****@theclunkerjunker.com We apologize that the customer had some of their time wasted. The local buyer's tow truck broke down and they could not get the vehicle on time. This is unfortunate, but mostly out of the control of anyone involved. The customers desired resolution is "contact by the business", but we have been in contact with them from the start. We even initiated the conversation with them making sure the local buyer had reached out and done their job which sparked this complaint. I am unsure what else we can provide to resolve this complaint, we have been and continue to be in contact with the customer. What else can we do? We feel this "complaint" should actually be more of a review, and we feel that review should be for the local buyer, not The Clunker junker. Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2022/08/30) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) I do not accept any resolution from these people as they are a scam group. Even though I do not like their response I do want the case closed. Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2022/08/31) */ The customer is refusing any further help from us. We are not a scam. We tried to help this customer a number of times, but they were more interested in calling everyone names than actually working towards a resolution.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩