ComplaintsforAKJ Auto Sales

• Initial Complaint

  04/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased 2014 Fusion on 3/3/2023. On 3/8/2023 vehicle would not start and I had to get to work and I could not wait and I did not receive a call back from their mechanic". I had Allwayz Towing pick up the vehicle and they did a battery test and it was only at **** volts. The battery was no good. I had also told them that the lights in the vehicle were incorrect and not what the vehicle calls for. The battery was replaced it at Allwayz cost (not list) and also lights the were incorrect for vehicle were replace at cost. One of the headlights have burnt marks on it from being incorrect for the vehicle. I offered *** the owner of AKJ the battery and lights so he could verify but he refused to accept them. He said he would decide if he was going to pay for this invoice after he had to fix a tire on the vehicle that had a bubble in it. Attached is a copy of the certified letter I sent to which he has not responded. I also paid for an oil change for which he said the vehicle had been serviced but the mileage on the oil change sticker was past the mileage and date it should have been done. I mentioned to *** about a open hood light on in the car but he did not respond and was still under warranty. He just talked over me when I tried to explain about the car not starting and the open hood light. I do not want to deal with this company ever again except to settle this dispute.

  Business response

  04/10/2023

  04/10/2023 Response to BBB Customer Complaint Response: Complaint # ******** was filed on 4/6/2023 by *************************

  
  To Whom it may concern,
  ****** purchased a 2013 **** Fusion from AKJ Auto Sales on 03/03/2023.  On 3/4/23 we received our first call from ****** that her headlight was not working.  We told her that we would take care of it and schedule an appointment with our mechanic.  She did and the mechanic fit her in on a Saturday 3/4 and replaced the headlight (****** told him which headlight needed to be replaced).  A couple days later ****** called to say the headlight was different from the other side. She was told to reschedule with our mechanic, and he would take a look and replace it if needed.  She did not come by, so we were not sure if it was actually wrong or if one was just brighter because it was new, ****** did confirm that the light was now working.  She then told us that she now also had a taillight and marker light out.  ****** was told to get her state inspection done so she would not void her warranty and then we would arrange to have the mechanic look at it and address any lights that were out.  We never heard back from her, nor did she provide us with a failed inspection report for the vehicle.  ****** lead us to believe that the vehicle had failed inspection, which in fact it did not.  See attached Carfax report that the vehicle did in fact pass inspection on 03/04/2023              
  Just to clarify, per M.G.L c. 90.S. 7N1/4 Used Car warranty is very clear and ****** was aware and signed her copy of the Lemon Law.  It clearly states that her vehicle is protected and must pass inspection with 7 calendar days of purchase.  In addition, her 30 lemon law also protects her that if anything else goes wrong with the vehicle while she is within her warranty period that the selling dealer being AKJ Auto Sales is required to fix it and the only expense to ****** is the $100 deductible.
  AKJ Auto Sales had already told ****** that we would replace any bulbs needed at no charge to her.  We did not hear from ******, nor did our mechanic.  When ******* mother called AKJ to voice her frustrations that ****** had brought the car in for the headlight and that the others should have been taken care of at that point, we explained that ****** showed our mechanic which one needed to be replaced so he did exactly what she told him to do. We also explained that if ****** brought the car back to our mechanic, that he would get it taken care of right away! ******* mother stated that she did not want our mechanic servicing the car any further,to which we explained that if the car had actually failed- it would be our responsibility to take care of the issues, and that the only way we can do that is by having her bring it to our mechanic. She again stated that she would not allow ****** to bring it to our mechanic, to which our employee told her that bringing it to her own mechanic was not something that would be covered by us,and that if she had concerns then she could speak with *** in the morning to discuss how they would move forward. Several days later ****** called to say that her car would not start.  Again, we offered to have the mechanic take a look at it, check the battery and see if it needed replacing or if it was just a case of lights left on or a door left ajar.  ****** was told to have it jumped or towed to ************************ and the mechanic would take a look at it.  She asked if she could have her mechanic look at it and was told that it is only covered by her lemon law warranty by our mechanic, and that he would get it right in once she got it here.  We do not pay third party mechanics to work on our customers cars.  If she chose to have her mechanic look at it, it would be her choice and at her expense.    
  ****** contacted AKJ to say the battery was bad and that she had her neighbor replace that and the bulbs that the car needed.  We again informed ****** that the Lemon Law is clear that any repairs are to be done by the selling dealers mechanic. A couple days later, ****** came by AKJ to have us assess a bubble in her tire. While here, a gentleman she was with instructed her to leave a copy of her repair bill.  *** assessed the visuals of the tire and agreed to pay $119 to replace the tire for ******. ****** should have paid a $100 deductible for the tire repair, but as a courtesy we did not charge her.  Still after this, ****** reached out to AKJ regarding the previous bill. She still did not agree that we were not liable for repairs. Even after knowing that we would have paid our mechanic to do them, she chose to use her mechanic and then proceeded to send AKJ a Certified letter with a bill from Allwayz Towing and Transport.  ****** is a full-time employee of Allwayz Towing.  See Attached Bill, and her credit application showing her employer as Allwayz Towing.  Not only was the bill she sent us for $355.76 making the total cost almost 3 times what our mechanic would have charged for the battery and the bulbs she claims to have needed, but ****** also had already told us her neighbor did the work. ****** lives in ******* and Allwayz is in Plymouth, therefore, ****** is being dishonest regarding who did the work and/or what she was charged for the repairs done.  Our bill would have been $111.16 and ****** would have been responsible for the $100 deductible since her vehicle had passed inspection on 03/04/2023, the balance of $11.16 would have been on AKJ.
  See attachments: Bill of sale, signed lemon law, credit app showing her employer, carfax showing her inspection, bill from her employer,and an estimate from our parts supplier for the same parts. 
  Unfortunately, the evidence is clear that AKJ Auto Sales not only tried to do everything they could for ******, but additional went above and beyond our obligations under ************ Law by replacing her tire at no charge to her.
  Sincerely,
  *****************
  Share holder, AKJ Auto Sales INC             
  AKJ Auto Sales
  2234 *****************
  West *******, ** o2576
  ************************************
  ************
  
  
  Share holder, AKJ Auto Sales INC             
  AKJ Auto Sales
  2234 *****************
  West *******, ** o2576
  ************************************
  ************

  
  

  Customer response

  04/10/2023

  *** had known I had my inspection done after I had to go back, when it was noticed my headlight was out, and had to go back to get the tire replaced. I had called his mechanic and he never called me back after I had attempted to reach out. My neighbor did not put the battery and bulbs in, my mechanic **** who works at Allwayz Towing Garage branch, who is battery tech trained put them in. *** refused to see the burnt bulbs, and never heard me out to my other issues at that time, which are still on going. The car was not fully serviced the oil was black when I had an oil change done on it because it was over when it was due. **** mechanic also not only put the wrong bulb in, but also failed to notice other lights were out on the car, which those lights were right next to the one he was working on, and he had previously had me turn my lights on for him to show him the headlight was not working. Not only is *** being dishonest about the actual events but he wouldn't let me talk at all when I was trying to solve the issue, I was calm and collected while he was yelling at me over the phone which I have witnesses to this event. I would also like to see how he would acquire a battery and halogen bulbs for less than $300 dollars that are of quality. My mechanic charged for quality parts, and labor for my vehicle which ***'s mechanic didn't do. When I had called about my lights Bill, ***'s mechanic never got a hold of me, he said he was gonna go talk to *** then I tried to get a hold of him again and never heard anything. The lights and battery were done at the same time when my battery died, I had called and talked to *****, who said she would inform *** and we could talk. It's a shame that I couldn't even try to have a civil discussion with him due to him talking over me. When this was happening I was also trying to tell him about the open hood light was on, but was ignored and talked over. This didn't happen as in frequently as *** responded to in his comment, but was over the course of a week not several days after several days. Maybe if *** wasn't belligerent me as I was talking he would have heard that my mechanic had done the work. I have all the receipts and parts still and am frustrated as I had been nothing but civil the whole time. 
  
  Regards,

  ******

   

   

  Business response

  04/11/2023

  We do everything we can to help our customers our and use our mechanics when needed.  Every vehicle is serviced by one of our 3 mechanic's before it is sold.  They do occasionally miss things and when they do, we hold them accountable to fix what ever they miss. 

  The vehicle came with a 7 day inspection and 30 day lemon law warranty which are clearly stated on the Mass DOT website and also on the paperwork signed by the seller and the buyer.  We replaced a tire no charge/ no $100 deductible without even questioning how it got a bubble which obviously was not there when it was inspected.  Easy to say that our mechanic missed the lights, but the state inspection did not fail it for any lights being out.  We were never given the opportunity to verify it they were out or to replace them.  Additionally the battery was fine the first 5 days after the vehicle was purchased, was it dead because a light was left on or a door was ajar?  It could have easily been jumped since the buyer works for a tow company.  Our mechanic would have checked the quality of the battery and replaced it if needed minus the Lemon Law deductible of $100.  We were more then available and willing to help resolve any/all concerns when they arose. Unfortunately the customer did not give us that chance. 

  Customer response

  04/12/2023

  I had driven the car for 1 day out of the five had it for which was the Saturday I was picking it up from ***'s mechanic after getting the bulb replaced so i could get my inspection sticker. I did have the battery tested and and jumped before it was determined that the battery needed to be replaced. It might be possible that the wrong light drained it, or the other bulbs that were out and had burn marks on them. 

  
  Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.
  
  FAQ
  
  Regards,

  Ashley

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  05/03/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased a 2007 ****** Tacoma from AKJ Auto Sales, ***************************************************************** ************ on March 1, 2022 for $12, ******. On March 15,2002, I lost my brakes and notified the seller. He had them fixed and I paid the $100 deductible per the warranty. On March 17, 2022 I noticed a puddle under the truck and he had me take it to his mechanic, ************************ **** (the same person who fixed the brakes), and he told me it was an oil pan leak and it would be $600-700 to repair when he could get to it and it wouldn't be for at least 10 days. The seller refused to repair as he said the warranty only covered the drive train and the oil pan is not part of that. I disagreed and he kept refusing to fix it. I decided there were going to be too many issues and to trade it in and purchase a newer vehicle at a different major Dealership. When my truck was being inspected to offer a trade in price 2 holes were found in the cab mounts and the frame is rotted. (pictures enclosed). This makes the vehicle UNSAFE to drive. I called the seller and he told me to get over it. He said its a used vehicle and most used vehicles in *********** have rust on them. I told him there were 2 holes in frame and he said it was a used vehicle. He refused to refund my money. I had my vehicle towed to the Inspection Station that issued the original inspection sticker on March 8, ************************************************************************************ the beginning and it was his fault he didn't. HE THEN PUT A REJECTION STICKER ON IT WITH A RED R, which means rejected for safety reasons. I am now left with a vehicle that will not pass inspection and I am "out" the cost of the vehicle, sales tax, title fee, registration fee, dealer service fee (see copy) plus 4 tows at my expense and insurance as it has to be kept on the road in case it needs to be looked at. I want a refund of $13945.38, plus expenses. Seller refuses to talk to me.

  Customer response

  05/15/2022

  I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.

  Business response

  05/17/2022

  Attached is my response to the complaint filed, also included past email communications and copies of transaction paperwork.
  
   
  
  ***
  
   
  
   
  
  *****************
  
  AKJ Auto Sales INC.
  
  2234 *****************
  
  West *******, ** 02576
  
  P ************
  
  F ************
  
  www.akjsales.com
  
   

  Customer response

  06/01/2022

  Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered. 

  See attached 

   

   

  Business response

  06/01/2022

  I received a response from the BBB last week that **** had not responded to my repsonse and the case was being closed.  Now I get this correspondence that you have rejected my response.  I have fulfilled my responsibilities under the requirements of the Mass Lemon Law, I have also given and provided **** with services that I was not required to in regards to the brake issue he had, and even though the vehicle did pass inspection, I offered to assist **** with the repair of the rotted cab mount that he has made the basis of his complaint.  Repair and or replacement of rotted cab mounts is a common and fairly easy repair for a qualified mechanic or welding fabricator.  The reality is that **** has made up his mind that he does not want the truck and has already gone out and bought a new vehicle.  That was his choice not to use the truck he does not want as a trade.  Does not mean that I should be giving him a refund.  A vehicle purchase is a legal binding contract between dealer and customer, or in some cases between seller and buyer.  

  The only refund recourse is clearly outlined in the Mass Lemon law and has required steps by myself and the customer.  This was all explained to **** in his initial transaction, as well as when you decided he wanted a refund and no longer wanted the truck.

  I can upload all the original information I submitted to *********************** on 5/11/22 if you need it.

   

  Thank you, *****************

  Representation for AKJ Auto Sales Inc.

   

   

   

   

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