ComplaintsforRice Buick-GMC

• Initial Complaint

  03/15/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I took my 2012 Chevy Cruze to the dealership after noticing some surging at idle following replacement of the valve cover and intake manifold by a different mechanic. The dealership concluded that a new ignition coil was needed. I disagreed because the first instance of the issue appeared immediately after the work performed by the previous mechanic. After I explained the circumstances again, they repeated that they had diagnosed the problem as being the ignition coil and it needed to be replaced. I decided not to have them replace the ignition coil and paid the $125 for the diagnostic and took the vehicle home. Although remote, I purchased and ignition coil and spark plugs with a plan to replace just in case it was the issue. When i removed the old ignition coil, and went to remove the spark plugs, I noticed that one of the plugs was loose. I tightened the loose spark plug, reinstalled the old ignition coil and started the car. The issue reported to the dealer was no longer present after tightening the spark plug. I called the dealer and asked how they had diagnosed by only relying on the computer without checking to see if anything was loose. The response was only that their diagnoses was correct without offering to refund any funds for an obvious misdiagnosis. The dealer was ready to replace the ignition coil at a cost of $400 when that was not the issue. The dealer should have not charged a diagnoses fee when the diagnoses was incomplete and not properly performed. The charge was for hooking the vehicle up to the computer without doing any other trouble shooting. Removal of the ignition coil and checking of the spark plugs takes less then 5 minutes and they did not even do that. When I made this argument, the dealer was unapologetic and said they would not refund the money for the diagnosis.

  

  Business response

  08/12/2024

  My apologies for the delay on handling this complaint.  I am going to issue a refund to the customer.  I will email him directly.  Thank you. 

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  05/30/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We purchased a vehicle from Rice Automotive in TN 05/03/2023 from SC based on the description, photos and video available to us on the website. The vehicle in question was purchased “As Is” but with the understanding that it would be delivered in the condition it was presented in. They’ve touted a commitment to customers, quality vehicles, a friendly team and professional service on their website but I’ve found this company to be the antithesis of friendly/professional. The vehicle was delivered on 05/13, a full ten days after payment was sent via our bank. The day of delivery, on our first ride down our road, the check engine light was illuminated, the car wouldn’t properly shift into manual/sport mode, the gas tank was nearly empty, the temporary tag was missing and their were several cosmetic flaws not visible on the photos or video we viewed. I contacted the dealership and left several messages only to be reached via telephone by a salesman on Monday late in the afternoon. He offered to overnight the tag and to reimburse us for fuel but said the check engine light was likely just an O2 sensor or something silly. I spoke with a manager the following day and he essentially told me that we purchased the car as is and he did not HAVE to do anything but we could send him an estimate for repairs. We took the car to our nearest MINI dealership and received an estimate for a staggering amount of over $4,000. In addition to the O2 sensor needing replacement; the vehicle needs new brakes, additional brake fluid, a new start/stop switch, and and oil change. They advertised with run flat tires-it does not (nor does it have a spare or repair kit). I spoke with the owner of the dealership after receiving this estimate and he abruptly ended the call after telling me that he would send me a check for $1,000 “if that would make me feel better.” He also insisted the vehicle had an oil change despite it being overdue for service/low on oil. Someone should be held responsible.

  

  Business response

  07/14/2023

  It is my understanding that we delivered the vehicle in May after negotiations were made via the internet for purchase of the 2015 Mini Cooper. The vehicle was purchased "as is" because of the age and mileage of the vehicle.  Shortly after delivery we were made aware that the check engine light had come on.  The customer was advised to take it to a local repair facility and advise us on the cause of the engine light.  We agreed to compensate the customer for the oxygen sensor which caused the engine light to come on.  Instead, the customer added a list of items not related to the initial concern and demanded we compensate them for those items as well.  We believe we have been reasonable in our efforts to resolve the issues amicably.  

  Thank You.  

  Customer response

  07/23/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  I reject this response because as discussed in the original complaint, we are very aware that we purchased the vehicle “As Is” but expected it to be delivered “as advertised.”  The vehicle was not advertised as having a transmission issue that prohibited it from shifting into “sport/manual,” nor was it advertised as having bad oxygen sensors, bad brakes, a faulty stop/start switch, low brake fluid, etc.  The vehicle had supposedly been recently serviced by their mechanic but came with all of these issues.  Despite the vehicle arriving with a sticker indicating it had recently had an oil change, the vehicle itself indicated it needed an oil change and was low on oil. The vehicle was advertised as having “run flat” tires but was delivered without them and also had no spare.  At this point, we’ve spent nearly $4000 on parts and service to make the vehicle ALMOST “as advertised,” as we’ve not had the spare funds to purchase “Run Flat” tires simply because most of them are nearly $150 per tire. I feel this dealership should be responsible for making the car drivable, safe and bringing it up to the condition they originally advertised it as being. 
  
  To be completely honest, I find their response laughable, as they didn’t address many of the issues that we originally stated.  Nor did they address the fraudulent claims of having serviced the vehicle prior to delivery.  The issues that were immediately visible and the issues that came to light during the estimate they requested would’ve been apparent to any person with even a modicum of knowledge about vehicles.  This vehicle WAS NOT delivered to us as advertised and that is dishonest and bad business practice.
  Sincerely,
  
  **** ****

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