ComplaintsforRick's Auto Sales

• Initial Complaint

  01/07/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  We test drove a 2006 ***** Silverado Z71 on 1/1/24 at Rick's Auto Sales in Lonview, WA. We had driven down from *****, ** which is 76 miles. *** test drive went well. Nothing that stood out as alarming or problematic during the test drive or while it sat running for a few minutes. My 15 1/2 year old son purchased it with his hard earned money on the word from the employees that it was in good condition for an older truck. I guess we are far to trusting these days because as soon as we got on the road and headed home we started hearing some different noises but assumed it was probably not a huge deal. We were wrong. Over the last 5 days the noises have gotten worse. *** fan is not working anymore so no defrost, heat etc. (those worked during the test drive). We took it in today and found out it has a major gas leak, and a very large crack in the trucks frame. My husband called ****'s and was told "you bought it as is". This is absolutely the worst business experience. ***y need to either allow us to return the vehicle or they need to pay fully for the repairs. ***y knowingly sold us a peice of crap!!!

  Business response

  01/08/2024

  First off I did not sell a truck to a minor.  I legally cannot do that.  *************************** purchased the vehicle of her own free will.  Nothing was promised or hidden.    All used vehicles in **************** are sold AS/IS.    

  Business response

  01/08/2024

  It was not a minor that I sold a truck to

  Customer response

  01/08/2024

   
  Complaint: 21109104
  
  I am rejecting this response because: 

  First of all I didn't say you sold the vehicle to a minor. What I meant to say was that it was my sons money that he earned to buy a vehicle and now he really can't drive it due to safety with a cracked frame and gas leak. 

  Since you feel you are right by saying during our phone conversation that the vehicle was perfect when we drove it off the lot and because I filed this complaint you can't help you, I will be filing a small claim suit. This could easily be solved if you would cover the cost of the repairs.

  Have a nice day.

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

  Business response

  01/11/2024

  I sold you a vehicle as is

  Customer response

  01/11/2024

   
  Complaint: 21109104
  
  And you could be honest and do the right thing. We are getting an etimate for repairing/replacing the frame and to repair the gas leak and then we will be filing a small claims lawsuit

  The 2 attachments are 2 things I am standing by. You lead us to believe the truck was a reliable, in hood condition vehicle. It is clearly not and we cant even drive it due to the damage to it. 

   

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

  Business response

  01/17/2024

  I have sold a vehicle as is.  I am unaware of any issues with the vehicle when I sold it.  By law all used cars are sold as is.  If she does not like her vehicle she can sell it.  I bought the vehicle from a new car store.    It was a trade in.  So It was a good truck.  

  Customer response

  01/17/2024

   
  Complaint: 21109104
  
  That is complete BS. This is damage underneath that is not damage that just happens. I have an estimate for repairs and the auto body guy said everything underneath is rusted out and even though he fave a quote for replacing the frame he says everything else is badly rusted to so it not worth replaving the frame if everything else is rusted out also. This is long term damage and you sold it to me this way.  

  Seee you in court soon friend. 

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

• Initial Complaint

  06/24/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I purchased a 2012 ****** Prius V with ******* miles on it for $7500.00 from Rick's Auto Sales in ********, **********. The test drive went well and they said there were no issues with the car. I made the purchase on 6/2/23, but agreed to pick up the vehicle on 6/4 The day I picked up the car, the engine knocked on a cold start. That continued to happen and within 3 days of purchasing the car, the check engine light came on for a "cylinder 1 misfire."I replaced the spark plugs since I knew that was necessary. When that didn't work, I reached out to Rick's Auto Sales to see if we could find a resolution since the most likely repair would be a head gasket repair, which is over $3000.00. They told me that they have no responsibility as I signed an as-is agreement.I took the car to get diagnosed at a mechanic and they stated that coolant had gotten into the piston cylinders and that a new engine was needed. The mechanic also reached out to ****************, who did the last maintenance on the vehicle before it went to Rick's Auto Sales. **************** said that they sold the vehicle to Rick's Auto Sales "wholesale due to bad motor/head gasket."This means that Rick's Auto Sales knew about the bad motor, cleared any error codes, and lied to me when they said there was nothing wrong with the vehicle.

  Business response

  06/25/2023

  I don't know why I would buy a bad car and sell it.  When I bought the car at Auction it had no defalts.  When I checked it at my lot it had no defalts.  It went on plenty of test drives no problem.  Customer bought it after test drive and look over no problem.  Three days later he says he has a problem.  Toyota mechanic found he could not replicate the problem the customer had.  Toyota mechanic looked at some inside ****** mechanic wrote before wholesale that no one else can see and decided it needed a new motor?  Maybe take it somewhere other than a ****** dealer.  If it actually has a problem.  I would never sell a car I thought was not good.  Why?  So I can hurt my reputation?

   

  Customer response

  06/26/2023

   
  Complaint: 20233012
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  I reached out to both ********* ******* who diagnosed the problem before it went to auction, and *****, who performed the auction that Rick's auto sales bought the car from. ********* ****** had diagnosed the bad motor/head gasket and sent it to auction for that reason. ***** has the ability to do an inspection as well, if requested by the buyer, but Rick's Auto Sales elected to not do the inspection. ********* ****** also showed that there was a check engine light for the P0301 cylinder 1 misfire issue there. Therefore, someone had to clear the fault. 

  Based on what I have uncovered, it's definitely possible that Rick's Auto Sales may not have know the exact issue, but they must have know there was at least some issue with the vehicle. 

  Based on what I have uncovered, Rick's Auto Sales is either hiding the issue by clearing the check engine light/error codes, or are at the very least being willfully ignorant so they have deniability.

  My experience is not something new. Looking at their reviews, it looks like similar experiences have happened in the last several months. Their reviews were better in years past, but it looks like their methodology has changed over time to care more about the quick buck, and less about providing quality service. 

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

  Business response

  06/30/2023

  I am sorry *** that you feel the way you do.  I cannot control the unknown.  As for reviews.  Everyone receives hate now days.  I cannot explain.  Again I will admit that I would never knowingly sell a bad car.  Makes no sense to me. I have cars that I know are bad that I won't sell. No one is trying to get rich off you.  Sorry.  You drove and bought the car.  You signed three as is legal papers.  No one coerced you.  At all.

  Customer response

  07/07/2023

   
  Complaint: 20233012
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Rick's Auto Sales is not taking the complaint seriously at all. I brought up **********'s Implied Warranty with them when I first discovered the issue and they waived it off. Attached below is the first two paragraphs describing the Implied Warranty. A few highlights from the text are that the dealer promises the used vehicle will be fit for ordinary driving use without major defects, and that the "as-is" agreement doesn't waive this warranty. I would say a vehicle that has a bad motor that needs to be replaced would fall under major defects.

  "Under state law RCW 62A.2-314, every used car sold by a dealer in ********** for a customers personal use has an "implied warranty of merchantability. This means that the dealer promises the used car will be fit for ordinary driving purposes, reasonably safe, without major defects, and of the average quality of similar cars available for sale in the same price range.  A car can only be sold without the implied warranty if the customer knowingly agreed to waive the warranty and was provided with a statement of the particular characteristics or parts of the car that arent covered. 
  Absent the required disclosures and your customers explicit consent, an as is sticker in the window of a car or a signed waiver is not sufficient to waive the implied warranty. The implied warranty cant be waived under any circumstance if a written warranty is offered with the car or the customer purchases an extended service warranty from the dealer within 90 days of buying a used car.
  Whatever the status of warranty, dealers shouldnt sell cars that, due to defective or missing safety equipment, arent legal to drive on public roads.  Here are some general guidelines for meeting your obligations under state law:
  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 *** 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.
  A general discussion of vehicle size, style, model, color, power, extra equipment and price is not a specific discussion or explicit negotiation of a waiver of the implied warranty of merchantability.
   The use of an As Is sticker does not circumvent the Implied Warranty of Merchantability rules.
  A signed, pre-printed form *** not be evidence of explicit negotiation.
  A clause waiving the warranty in a preprinted sales agreement is not evidence of explicit negotiation.
   The burden is on the dealer to prove evidence of an effective disclaimer or waiver of a warranty.
  If a customer buys an extended service warranty contract within 90 days of buying the used car, the implied warranty of merchantability cannot be waived under any circumstances even if previously negotiated.
  Used cars also have another implied warranty under state law RCW 62A.2-315, called Warranty of Fitness for a Particular Purpose. This provides that when the seller knows the vehicle is going to be used for a particular purpose, such as racing or towing a trailer, and the buyer is relying on the sellers expertise to provide a suitable vehicle, a warranty is created that the item will actually be fit for that purpose."

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

  Customer response

  07/19/2023

   
  I would like to withdraw my complaint for Rick's Auto Sales. They addressed my complaint and proved their legality in the sale. I did sign the waiver of the Implied Warranty. I believe it was not well explained what I was signing, but I did sign it. While I am not happy with my purchase or the company's practices, their is no legal justification for this complaint.Please remove complaint #********.
  
  Sent from ************************* (*******************)
  

• Initial Complaint

  09/08/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased a 2011 Chevrolet Impala from Rick's Auto Sales on or about June 6, 2022. I paid $4,800 including tax and other fees, promised I would receive a title and registration. I have asked many times for a title, and told that ***** has lost it. Rick's Auto Sales, now after 90 days, has failed and refused to provide a title. I cannot sell the car, and am leaving for out of state soon.I offered for them to take it back today, and would have settled for $4,200 refund. They refused and told me they wanted $1,600 for the 3 months I have driven it. I am an elder person, 79 years old, a veteran, Marines, ********. I need this resolved immediately. I am leaving the state within 10 days. Thank you very much.If you need a copy of the Purchase Agreement, I can provide.

  Business response

  09/13/2022

  I have talked to the customer.  He has demanded his full money back.  Failed to mention in his complaint that he had put **** miles on it.  Also failed to mention all the sudden it is keyed all down one side, truck and hood.  Fed ex did lose the title.  I have gave him trip permits when he needed. But all paper work had to be re summited.  Finally all party's have signed what was needed for a new title.  These things can take time.  Customer will have his plates in 7 to 10 days.   No need for anyone to act like I have anything against or take advantage of a elderly or a veteran of any war.  I have family that are veterans.  To say such things only reflects on you.  Again customer will receive his plates in 7 to 10 days.  Title comes to him strait from Olympia in 4 to 6 weeks.

  Customer response

  09/14/2022

   
  Complaint: 17932980
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******************************; i kept going back to the dealer many times in which they told me the title would come the following week which this went on for over three months in which yes i did put almost **** miles on the car.as for the scrach they know it was on there when i bought the car along with a crack in the front windsheiled also.if they do some how come up with a title i would keep the car but if this is another one of there games then i will keep this going on. 

  Customer response

  09/19/2022

  i did answer to the dealership message but forgot to answer the right questions they knew about scratches on the car and cracked windshield my complaint is they sold me a car that had no title or restoration i went to them many times they only pushed me off saying its coming but after three months i still have none. and i did offer them to settle things i would drop $400.00 off the cash i paid them for the car. now they say they might have a title but 4-6 weeks to get it. this sounds like the same game they have been playing with me. i hope no one else has got struck in the same way. 

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩