ComplaintsforGrace Motor Mall, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  05/07/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I brought in a 2010 GMC *******************up Truck for an evaluation as a possible trade-in or cash out for their purchase. I drove the vehicle in and there were no mechanical issues I was aware of. The owners son took it for a test-drive and when he got back to the dealership the transmission was blown. I could not go in reverse and was only able to go about 10 miles an hour to get it to a GM Certified Dealership. Cost for the repair $5,700. This same vehicle was test driven by another Used Car Dealer, **************, *********, that confirmed the vehicle shifted fine during their test-drive. I contacted Grace Motor Mall and they were not willing to take any responsibility for the problem THEY CAUSED. They claimed it was normal business practices to race the vehicle, slam it in gear, redline the tachometer and basically abuse the truck to see if there were any issues. Two other Used Vehicle dealers I spoke with confirmed they wished there werent dealers out there that had those practices but there are. And, I have no idea why the vehicle would not go in reverse. Its as if the son shifted the vehicle to reverse while driving at a high rate of speed and blew out the transmission. Again, it was a perfectly good, well-performing, truck when I pulled into their dealership. And, I had towed a boat and snowmobiles with it the weekend before with no issues.

  Business response

  05/18/2022

  The truck was brought back to us several days later to purchase for $2000.00 more than the above mentioned dealer. This is not out of the norm for us as we purchase the vast majority of our inventory from the public/original owners and always pride ourselves in being more than fair with the sellers as they are our main supplier.  Upon agreeing on the price, the next step was to take the truck for a quick drive. Within one mile of the dealership I received a call and was asked to evaluate the sound the truck was making. Upon acceleration, the truck was slipping and laboring to shift into the next gear. I then advised him to take the truck back and tell the seller that we were going to take a pass as the transmission was weak and unable to shift under acceleration. 

  Upon speaking with the owner days later, I was informed that a GM dealer had quoted him more than $5500.00 for a new transmission. I then informed him that it sure seemed very expensive. He then informed me that he had already sold them the truck for $8000.00. My agreed upon purchase price was $13500.00, before finding out the transmission to be in poor condition, so not sure if the cost to replace was $5500.00, or if that was just the difference from what my offer was, less the amount the truck was ultimately sold for.  

  There were no claims made that it is "normal business practice" to race, slam into gear, or redline the tachometer. These accusations are false and entirely untrue. The truck was not shifted into reverse while driving at a high rate of speed. 

  Quite simply, the transmission was in very poor condition long before we encountered it.  We would never do anything to harm anyone. Again, purchasing from the public, is how we conduct, and sustain our business. As much as we feel for the seller, we are not responsible in any manner and object to the these untrue fabrications. 

   

   

  Customer response

  05/20/2022

   
  Complaint: 17176241
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  Customer response

  05/27/2022

  This is regarding complaint #********. I wasnt prompted in my rejection response to add copy. I expected the response received from the Grace Motor Mall but, of course, he was incorrect in a couple of areas. I wasnt looking for $2,000 more than ******************* offered. Grace Motor Mall agreed to $250 more. And, there was nothing wrong with the transmission on the truck before going to their store. They abused and somehow mis-used it to cause the failure. Other used car dealers Ive spoken with have confirmed this. At a minimum I believe the BBB should downgrade their evaluation of this business and/ir somehow make sure other customers are not subject to their poor business practices. I can certainly assure myself, friends, family, acquaintances, etc., will never do any business with Grace Motor Mall. Their response alone clearly represents a company you wouldnt want to do business with.

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