ComplaintsforRich's Car Corner, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  03/04/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On August 18, 2023 I purchased a 2004 ***** XC90 from ********** Corner. The lead for this car was pulled off of CarFAX and the service history implied it had been cared for with only three owners. I purchased the car after a test ************** to have an inspection done that weekend. However, a series of events - covid, fractured ankle, and finances - prevented that from happening until just recently. I was dismayed to learn that the car is in a very hazardous condition to the tune of $6400.00 plus in repairs. This car should never have been sold with the leaky gas tank (fire hazard), bad front and rear axles, bad radiator and hoses. I have attached the inspection report for reference. I am asking for a refund of the $4500 for the list price of the car and I will return the car to the dealership. I have not approached the dealership and asked for any resolution directly. I would prefer a third party negotiator in this situation. Thank you for your assistance with this matter.

  

  Business response

  03/12/2024

  Since the vehicle was purchased 6 1/2 months ago, in order to move forward, we will need to know the current mileage on the vehicle. Please provide the current mileage on the odometer so we can then respond in more detail.

  Customer response

  03/12/2024

  MY REPONSE:  181855  (photo attached)

  

  Business response

  03/13/2024

  The customer purchased the vehicle on 8/18/2023. The odometer on the car now reads ******, which is more than 6000 miles greater than when she purchased the vehicle. It is now almost 7 months since the purchase. A buyer's inspection occurs either right before the sale or immediately after. We are sorry that she had an illness and an injury, but it has just been too long. 

  We do suggest that the customer consult a second repair shop for another opinion on whether all of this work is really necessary. It seems to be a high estimate.

  Customer response

  03/15/2024

  Hello -- what is the deadline for my response?  I am going to pursue this under the Implied Warranty law (*** 62A.2-314) and I won't be able to speak with them until Monday March 18 to get the information I need.  Thanks

  Customer response

  03/19/2024

   
  Complaint: 21382159
  
  I am rejecting this response because:  **************** RCW62A.2-314:  There is no mileage requirement or limit of inspection time according to the Implied Warranty law.  This law states that Washington consumers have a right to trust that any purchased vehicle will be reasonably safe, efficient and comfortable. If a customer has major problems with the vehicle, then the dealer may be obligated to meet the customers request for repairs or repayment of the purchase price. Courts have ruled that the implied warranty is legally waived only if both of the following conditions are met: The consumer explicitly negotiates and agrees to the fact that the car does not have an implied warranty, and The dealer gives the consumer a statement of the particular characteristics or parts of the car which are not being warranted.

  In spite of the above facts, I am willing to return the car for the list price and let go of the taxes and licensing fees. If we can not come to an agreement here, however, my next steps will be small claims. This car was sold to me mechanically unsound. A Small Claims suit will be for the $7000 needed in repairs along with the costs of **************, which I've needed to make to travel for work.

  Sincerely,
  
  *****************************

• Initial Complaint

  12/31/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I live in ******* ***** and purchased a vehicle from the Richs Car Corner who is in ********** and paid a deposit on 11-11-2023 via credit card then transferred the rest of the balance via bank wire transfer. Right after they received the funds for the **** a **** **** Explorer, the salesman texted me that the car odometer cluster needed to be rebuilt and was sent to be repaired. I waited weeks then I got another update from the salesman that the engine computer also needs to be repaired or rebuilt and was sent to be fixed. After almost 2 month of waiting and the truck is still getting fixed there in Washington. I requested my money back but I was informed that the owner is declining to refund my money and wants me to keep waiting for the car to be fixed. I sent them back the title and informed them that I am not going to wait any longer and want my money back. As of today, no money was refunded to me and I dont know what else to do. Please note I never seen or driven the truck in person or took delivery of it.

  

  Business response

  01/03/2024

  I am very sorry that this problem occurred. There were delays in shipping and repairs for both parts that were beyond our control. Upon finding out that there would be a further delay in receiving the computer back from the repair/rebuild company, I had already decided to refund the customer's payment. This complaint was submitted before I could call the customer back to get his bank information and initiate the transfer of funds back to his account. The customer has responded back to us that the funds are now in his account and he "considers this issue solved and closed with a satisfactory outcome".

  Customer response

  01/03/2024

   
  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.  The dealership has already refunded the amount paid and I am glad that the issue was solved amicably.  Hopefully this will not impact their status  and I do wish to leave them a good review for their great customer service. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  **** Kraidieh

• Initial Complaint

  07/28/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Proof this when youre able:On 12.17.22 I put down a deposit for a 2013 **** Escape SE from Richs Car Corner (RCC) in *********, **. I noticed a few obvious issues with the car, including an illuminated airbag light and brought it to their attention. They had assured me the car was in good running condition and that they would fix the airbags before I took it home. I picked up the car on 12.22.22 under the impression they had done what they agreed to, but very quickly realized something was very wrong. I began reaching out to my salesperson at RCC, ***********************, about safety concerns with the vehicle, including but not limited to the fact that the airbag light was STILL ON and the car was losing coolant in a matter of days (which has been costly to maintain). On 02.08.23 I sent a text that specifically said The airbag light is still on to ***** and they agreed to finally look at the car again and when I dropped off my vehicle, I reiterated the airbag problem AND very specifically asked them to look at cylinders within the engine. They had my vehicle for a WEEK and not only didnt resolve ANY issues (claimed engine to be in fine condition) but didnt even bother with the airbags. So, feeling unsafe with their practices, I took my car to other mechanics and got in touch with the manufacturer of the vehicle to set up appointments. I have multiple documents from auto shops over the last 7 months saying the airbags fail/are faulty. The manufacturers shop was booked out until 07.03.23 and once my vehicle was in, they had answers for me within 3 hours. Not only were multiple cylinders within the engine completely busted, but I was told that this car is NOT SAFE and that I should NOT be driving anywhere in it. ********, my rep. through the manufacturer, told me to look into the lemon law and that the issues with this vehicle WILL catch up to me and could be very dangerous and costly to myself and others. My last attempt to reach RCC went ignored.

  

  Business response

  08/04/2023

  This customer purchased a 2013 **** Escape on 12/17/2022. At the time of purchase, she requested that we fix the airbag light, fix the shade screen on the sunroof, and replace the passenger side mirror. We fixed the mirror and the airbag light, and ordered a sunroof assembly to fix the shade screen on the sunroof. The customer states she had safety concerns and began reaching out to the salesman, but she does not state when she first reached out. She has included a screenshot of a text message exchange that appears to occur on Feb. 9. The salesman told her to bring the car in. Our records show that the work order was written up by the salesman on Mar. 3. The customer told the salesman that she had taken the vehicle to 3 different shops and no one could find the reason she had to keep adding coolant every few days. She was concerned there might be cracks in the cylinder heads. Our lead tech did a pressure test and a block test - no external leaks were found. No hydrocarbons were found in the cooling system. There was some coolant around the cap - possibly from spillage. He replaced the cap, topped off the coolant and test drove it for a couple of days. After this, he found the coolant leak - the heater hose above the transmission had a crack. He replaced the coolant pipe/hose assembly and test drove the car again for a couple of days and the coolant leak did not recur. The salesman has admitted that he forgot to put the airbag light problem on the Mar 3 work order. The lead tech was questioned whether he remembers it being on while he was test driving the vehicle because he is the one who worked on it in December. He does not think he saw it on in March. However, if it was still on when the customer picked up the car, she should have said something immediately and we would have had her bring the car back in. The customer has provided a copy of an invoice and credit card receipt from 2/15 (before we looked at the coolant leak). That shop also pressure tested the cooling system and could not duplicate the customer's concern. That shop did note the airbag light on. The customer has also provided a portion of an estimate with a recommendation to diagnose the airbag light, but the page included does not state what the remainder of the large estimate is for, not does it show whether they actually worked on the airbag light. The customer has not provided any documentation from a shop regarding busted cylinders. 

  A couple of weeks ago, the customer's boyfriend walked in to the dealership and talked to the salesman about the airbag light still being on and also discussed the possibility of trading the vehicle in. He did not mention busted cylinders at that time. The salesman consulted with the owner and the owner told him to have the customer bring the car in so we could look at the air bag light. The lead tech suspects it is an intermittent fault but he can't make that determination until he sees the vehicle. The customer has not brought the vehicle in yet. 

  Customer response

  08/10/2023

  On 02.05.23 I questioned suspicious work done to the drain plug. On 02.06.23. I specifically mentioned having fluid issues and went on to request paperwork connected to the vehicle they sold me. After a few days of asking for the papers, they told me they didnt have any information. I specifically said I havent been able to drive since I picked the car up (on 01.13.23), as it had broken down on me and was clearly having issues with overheating. I said again the car doesnt drive and asked for options from them to get it resolved. It was at this time I highlighted the airbag still being an issue. They offered to see my car nearly a month later, and in the meantime I tried to keep the car running and sought other mechanics to help diagnose the issue. Dropping off the car with RCC, I told my salesperson that I wanted to make sure they looked at cylinders 1 and 2. When I was able to pick the car up (in text they claimed to have solved the issues) - after a week of having to get around without a car, my salesperson wasnt anywhere to be found to talk to. Even though I had been there during the time he said he would be in office. The employee that handed me my keys said nothing. I reached out again to my salesperson with a video of a substantial leak at the beginning of May. The previously attached document showing $13,000 in repairs came from the manufacturer of the vehicle who within three hours of receiving it had discovered that cylinders 1 and 2 were busted and advised that I purchase a new 0-mile engine (as obviously mine will never work) and get the airbags fixed as soon as possible (As it is a safety hazard). The major safety issue on that document, which I highlighted, is the airbags FAILING. My representative for the manufacturer stressed that because of the obvious issues present with the vehicle, it IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I have not driven it since. 
  No one has mentioned to me once that there has been any communication regarding MY car since my last text to *****. If Im expected to bring my car in, I need to first be made aware youre talking to me. Again, MY last correspondence with RCC about MY car was in May and was NOT answered. 
  Not once have I been able to speak to Rich directly. My salesperson has always been in the middle and it isnt proving to be effective or helpful.

  Customer response

  08/22/2023

  To clarify: I (myself) would like to discuss with the business (Rich) if its even possible to make it safe and drive-able at this point. As of right now, with what I know, I am seeking a return and refund of the vehicle. 

  

  Business response

  09/02/2023

  *************************** indicated that she wanted to discuss the vehicle with the owner (Rich). **** has called ***** and talked to her about her vehicle. He told her we are still willing to work on the airbag issue. She asked **** to tell her how much he would give her for the car if she was to trade it in. On Wednesday, 8/30, he sent her a text message with the information she requested. He has not yet heard back from her. 

  

  Business response

  09/07/2023

  On Monday, 9/4/23, **** received a text message from *************************** stating "As it was on my due bill, I would like to get the airbags fixed and in full functioning order. Please let me know when the shop is open and we can discuss getting the car down there."  **** replied to the text message: "Yes bring it in whenever your ready."

  Customer response

  09/09/2023

  Not sure who speaks on behalf of RCC but **** HAS heard from me multiple times. There was an offer to pay me out of the airbag situation and I have instead asked to get them fixed (this is the 3rd time they will have my car for the issue that was supposed to be resolved before I brought it home). We are trying to find a day to get the car down there and I expect to have my car back in a reasonable amount of time and to have functioning airbags. Should there continue to be issues with faulty airbags, or if they forget to fix them again, I will gladly continue to message Rich until the car he sold me is up to a legal standard for road safety. 

  Customer response

  09/09/2023

  Not sure who speaks on behalf of RCC but **** HAS heard from me multiple times. There was an offer to pay me out of the airbag situation and I have instead asked to get them fixed (this is the 3rd time they will have my car for the issue that was supposed to be resolved before I brought it home). We are trying to find a day to get the car down there and I expect to have my car back in a reasonable amount of time and to have functioning airbags. Should there continue to be issues with faulty airbags, or if they forget to fix them again, I will gladly continue to message Rich until the car he sold me is up to a legal standard for road safety. 

  Customer response

  09/15/2023

  After speaking with **** and declining the $400 credit to go forward without getting airbags fixed, I have decided that I would like to not only have them fixed and fully functioning, but to also go through a reputable and trusted mechanic. RCC is fully aware that this issue was on my due bill, meaning it should have been taken care of before the vehicle left their lot initially. This issue was also noted to be ongoing and needed to be addressed when I took my car back to them; they had it for a week ( and as seen in their previous response, they forgot). At this point, I feel my safest option would be to go through a mechanic that is familiar with the make of vehicle and who I can trust to not forget about a huge safety hazard and who is easier for me to get to. 
  As this was on my due bill from the very start (meaning its something owed to me by RCC) , I would like to finally get it resolved and forward the bill to Rich for reimbursement in full. 

  

  Business response

  09/26/2023

  As we have previously responded to the complaint, ************ DID NOT FORGET to fix the airbag problem. Her salesman forgot to put it on the repair ticket when she brought it in for the fluid leak. He has acknowledged he forgot this. 
  We have offered to have her bring the car in and have the airbag problem fixed. We will do this at our wholesale cost - no cost to the customer. However, we have declined to reimburse her for full retail cost for the fix at a dealership. We have asked her to bring the car in and we have been waiting for several weeks for that to happen. If she brings the car in, we can get started on the repair.

• Initial Complaint

  12/09/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  richs car corner assured me that the car they sold me was working and was a reliable car. less than two weeks later car wont even start. check engine lights on transmission is acting up. called them to have them address the issue. told me its on me to tow it in which is 40 miles away from home as well. they will charge me to fix the car that they sold me in a faulty condition in the first place.

  

  Business response

  12/13/2022

  The salesman has contacted the customer and explained to him that if he takes care of getting his car here, we will take care of fixing his car at no charge. We are waiting for the customer to get the car here.

• Initial Complaint

  10/13/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  When I purchased a car from them I thought their extended warranty would be legitimate but when the car wouldn't start no matter I did with the car I knew it would have to be towed the four miles back to the lot to be fixed. It states in the paperwork towing was available, but it seems that if the owner of the car called for a tow truck the tow companies were allowed to ***** them for as much as possible, and if the lot called the *** would be made available. I had already spent over seven hundred dollars trying to get it run, so I didn't have the seven hundred dollars to have it towed. even if I had a way to bring it out of the parking garage it still would have cost me three hundred dollars to be towed the four miles. ***** the damage was done by vandals that had free access in and out of the car and I was afraid they would start destroying the from the inside out, so I had no choice but to turn the car back to the lot. I lost over three thousand dollars because they wouldn't stand by their warranty and now I need my money so I can buy a car that will be backed up by the people that sold it to me. I found out right away their "Warranty" was worthless. They claimed in four months I blew up the engine, and charged me an outrageous amount to fix it, I should have required they keep the old motor so I could have it examined by a third party mechanic.

  

  Business response

  10/18/2022

  The customer purchased his vehicle on Feb 8, 2022. He paid a down payment and financed the balance through a finance company. He also purchased a 12 month, ****** mile service contract (Vehicle Protection Plan) provided by ************ Company.

  Four months later, he contacted us and said the check engine light was on and the car was running poorly. He stated that the temperature gauge was going to red repeatedly. 

  Our lead tech examined the car and determined that the radiator had overheated and the car would need a replacement motor. He submitted the estimate for the repairs to ************ Company and they covered $2146.50. The finance company offered to do an add-on to the customer's financing for the balance of $1308.21.

  Two months after that, in early June, the customer contacted us because vandals had broken out a window in the car, stole the battery, and pulled some fuses. He asked us for a quote on a battery and if we could work on it to determine which fuses needed to be replaced. We offered to drop off a battery, but told him the shop was booked out a month and he should look for another shop to look at the fuses. He was also working with a glass company to get the broken window repaired. It appears, from his correspondence, that the glass repair place asked him to get the car to their shop to be worked on. According to the terms of the service contract, towing is covered only for roadside assistance. The customer's vehicle was not broken down on the side of the road - it was parked in a covered parking garage (a department store parking garage) down the street from his apartment building. This parking garage has low ceilings and a narrow, steep exit ramp, requiring the vehicle to be pushed and/or dollied out before most tow trucks can then hook it up for towing. That is the reason he was quoted such a high price for a tow.

  We are sorry the customer had the vandalism happen. We were not responsible for that. We were also not responsible for the car going back to the finance company. That was an action taken by the finance company.

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