Please be advised that it is advised that you purchase your next vehicle from brand name car dealerships. It is also advised that you get your mechanical work done from the Service Department of that reputable car dealership as well.
Stay far away from and never purchase a vehicle from:
5915 Veterans Parkway, Columbus, GA 31909
I know for a fact that they purchase cars from the local auctions, clean them up and place them on the lot for sale at well above Blue Book value. No one checks the mechanics of the vehicle out, and there is no full disclosure of problems associated with their vehicles. I was sold a 2000 Hyundai Accent with 109,000 miles on the engine for $3,000 in June 2010. From June to September I have had to purchase and replace in order:
- Tires - vehicle was sold with virtually bald tires (purchased while in Warner Robins)
- Belts - replaced all belts at the recommendation of Carl Gregory Hyundai (Columbus)
- Radiator - vehicle had a crack in the top of its radiator that was covered up with some type of glue which caused the vehicle to overheat on me on my 1st trip to Atlanta, GA.
- Water Pump - did not operate properly (Atlanta)
- Thermostat - recommended by shade-tree mechanic in (Atlanta)
- CV Axle - axle was sold to me broke and had to be replaced (Columbus)
- Engine - locked up on me and vehicle would not crank (Columbus)
- Valve Covered Gasket - oil leaking from replaced engine
After over $2,500 of parts and labor later, I am left with a feeling of general distrust for small car dealerships and unlicensed/non-certified mechanics. As proof I have all of my receipts of purchases made on parts. The driver’s door handle broke this week, so I laughed at myself. As a result of all this inconvenience and cost, I have learned a very valuable lesson.
The mechanic that replaced my engine, became frustrated when I showed him all of the receipts I had accumulated. He told me that Cars R Us had no business selling that vehicle As Is. He had me to ride with him to the dealership just to see how they operate. The owner and his grandson did not even recognize me or the vehicle they sold me. My mechanic asked to see a vehicle on the lot after letting them know that he is a mechanic that is going to help his customer find a good running vehicle. They passed him the keys to a Toyota Rav4, and the mechanic checked the car out. We went inside to negotiate, and he asked if they plan to fix the air condition compressor. The. Cars R Us Owner told my mechanic that the air conditioning in that truck works well, and that he must be mistaken. The mechanic showed me that the fan had not come on and that the compressor was not working earlier. Later in the conversation the grandson was bragging about purchasing vehicles at the car auction and cleaning them up for sale.
My mechanic spoke to them about my vehicle, I produced the receipts of purchases made to bring my car up to working standard and I was willing to accept an even replacement of my vehicles. Cars R Us were unwilling to negotiate with me knowing that I was their victim.
Mechanics are proving to be scandalously deceptive in advertising and work performed. It is not enough that parts are written up with an astronomical markup, but often times the parts are not even installed onto the vehicles. The shade-tree mechanic charges the customer for troubleshooting the issues associated with your vehicle. Unfortunately, they are without the appropriate testing tools to adequately determine the correct issues of the vehicle. So guess-work is their rule of thumb.
Businesses have become less and less ethical in their practices. The cost of doing business is at the expense of the customer, and unknowing participants are being manipulated in essentially every aspect of life.
