*****UPDATED AT THE END WITH ANOTHER VIDEO 8-17-07 AT 6.55PM!*****
So as promised here is the entire story with names, VIDEO and details. I intend on sharing this EVERYWHERE on the internet that I can find, emailing and calling the Orlando Sentinal and Ocala Star Banner and also contacting channel 2 news. But you can read it here first blog friends.
Here is there contact information and address!
(407) 872-8559
906 W Michigan St
Orlando, FL 32805
Email: skylinemotorsgtr@yahoo.com
The owner's name is Mohammed
We needed a van.
Why?
Makily is BIG now and we had a two door Ford Explorer. It was getting harder and harder to get her in and out of the truck. Due to Allen's job he is only here a few days a week which means I do the majority of getting her in and out. We have a pediatric wheelchair and stroller, we like to bring both to use according to where or what we are doing. As many of you know we are going to start fostering soon. We are in the middle of the licensing process and so we just needed something bigger and with more doors.
We sold the Explorer for $3500. We could not afford to spend much more than that.
Allen and I didn't need anything brand new. Just something that we could get around in with lots of room, working air conditioning and that was safe and reliable.
We looked in Ocala and the only things we found were either way too high in mileage (meaning 150K or more) or totally out of our price range. We cannot afford a car payment. As long as poor Allen is working like a dog and I am staying home to care for Makily I refuse to add more pressure or work on him to afford a car payment just so I can drive something newer or better.
I was driving our Cavalier while we were looking for a van. Makily does not do well in the Cavalier because the windows are NOT tinted and the a/c ONLY works on low. It is hot here and she actually retched a few times from getting too hot in the Cavalier. We were told last year when she had that NASTY seizure that we should not let Makily get too hot, it could trigger a seizure.
I look on Autotrader.com and found a pretty good deal, it was listed with "McCoy Auto" in Orlando. It was a Pontiac Montana with about 100k miles. It was $3495. We could afford this. Makily had a neuro appt the next day and so we figured we would look at it then.
When we went to see the van I explained to the salesman that we were buying a van because we have a daughter with a wheelchair and we are going to start fostering. We needed something reliable with air. He knew our situation... very well. Allen test drove it. We liked it BUT the power locks and power windows were not working right. I was concerned about the locks for child safety reasons. There were other very minor things and when I mentioned them the salesman IMMEDIATELY said "We can fix that". So with the agreement in writing that those things would be fixed we gave the guy our $3500. He said we could pick it up in 2-3 days.
He called me a few days later and said it would be TWO weeks as they were waiting on parts. This didn't sit well with me. I had other things to worry about though, Makily's heart catheterization was coming up and so I just said fine.
My sister and I went to pick up the van on June 30, 2007. When I got there the power locks were not working. The other minor things were done but I was still upset about the locks, as it was in the contract that they would fix it. The van smelled funny too and I had been told they were going to detail and shampoo it so I wasn't happy about that. I called Allen and he said "Just take the van, we will take care of the locks later, we need to get it so you have something that isn't so hot for Makily to ride in".
I was not shy about showing that I was angry. They said that I could get the locks fixed by my mechanic and that it would cost about $30. I laughed and said "yeah right", he said well maybe $50 but that's it. He said if we had it fixed to save our receipt and he would reimburse us for it.
I still didn't feel right but I agreed anyway.
This is the last time I don't listen to my gut.
I had him put it in writing about the door locks and paid the remaining $600ish for tax, tag, title and "dealer fees" and left.
On the way home I notice the "add coolant" light came on. I told Allen when he got home the next morning. He opened up the radiator and it was full of rust (see video). I went and bought radiator flush, expensive coolant and we flushed out the whole system according to the instructions on the "flush container". I even used distilled water because the auto parts place said it was better.
The add coolant light went off and it seemed to be okay, we fixed it for less than $40 ourselves...no big deal...or so I thought.
Two days later on July 4th the power window on the driver side stopped rolling back up (also in video).
Two days after that on July 6th Makily and I were driving home at 10 pm. The "add coolant" light came on, the engine started stalling and when I looked down at the dash I saw the temperature gauge was all the way up.
The van overheated after we had owned it a total of seven days. I WAS LIVID.
Here is the video of the window problem and the radiator problem:
I called the car lot owner the next day and we told him EVERYTHING. He asked why I hadn't called him the day after we bought it when the "add coolant" light came on. I told him that we had flushed out the radiator ourselves, the "add coolant" light went off and it ran fine so we didn't think it was a big deal....until everything else started falling apart on it.
He said that his mechanics look over all the vehicles. I then asked him to explain the RUSTED radiator and he of course couldn't. He just kept saying "How do I know you haven't been driving it a week with no water in it".
WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
If his mechanic TRULY looked over the van, he would have found that the radiator was rusted. Rust does not buildup in a radiator like THIS in just one week. He was crazy for even suggesting that.
He also would have ensured that the van had all the appropriate fluids in it WHICH IT DIDN'T because the add coolant light came on THE DAY I BOUGHT IT! He also told me that we put the "wrong water" in the van. That GM vehicles only take "GM water" and that I just need to go to the auto parts store and ask for it. I told him I HAD gone to the auto parts store AND ASKED them and they suggested distilled. No one I have asked has ever heard of "special GM water".
I told him I wanted my money back and that he could take the van. He REFUSED to do this. I was very upset and I told him that they HAD to know about the radiator and he just kept saying "My mechanic checks over all the cars". I continually asked him if he looked in the radiator or not and he would not answer me. Finally he said "well I am sure my mechanic did".
WHATEVER.
I told him that I had MORE IMPORTANT things to deal with that I did not have time OR MONEY to run around trying to get the van fixed. I understand it's a used vehicle but we only had a week before it overheated! Obviously the problem that made it overheat was the same problem that caused the "add coolant" issue...WHICH HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT HOME FROM THEIR LOT!!
In the end he said to "take it to your mechanic and get receipts and we will talk".
We took it in and the mechanic and he found a leak. It was going to be about $350-500 to fix.
Makily's heart cath was coming up and so we did not have the time or money to deal with it. So we had to put water and coolant in it every time we drove it. Lovely.
We went to Orlando for Makily's heart cath. (SEE VIDEO) It was here that my parents discovered our brake lights weren't working when they were driving behind us. We had family members follow us while there just in case something else went wrong with our lemon.
Makily's Heart Cath:
After Makily's cath was all done we took it in to be fixed. In total he found three leaks that led all the way to the intake manifold. It would be over $500 to replace this. He told me he could try something to seal it with and that would save money. Luckily the "seal" worked and we have a mechanic that is HONEST and WON'T RIP US OFF! THANKS DAVE WE LOVE YOU!
I emailed the owner Mohammed last Monday 8-6 with the estimates. He never replied. I tried faxing over the estimates on Friday 8-10 and the fax number was not working. I even called them to ensure I had the right number and I did.
On Monday 8-13 I emailed, faxed and mailed the receipts to him. When I called again about the fax machine on Monday I asked whom I was speaking with. I was told it was Mohammed, which is who I have been dealing with. I reminded him of who I was and told him that I was trying to fax him the receipts and it was not working. He then claimed to have never spoken to me. I said "isnt this Mohammed?" He said "um, this is the other Mohammed". I asked how many Mohammed's worked there and he said two...umm okay maybe.
The fax did go through on Monday, I mailed the receipts certified mail with return receipt and I have yet to hear anything from them.
I realize they do not and have not intended on paying ANYTHING on the repairs of the van.
They basically ripped Allen and I off, they could care less that our child was having A HEART CATHETERIZATION during all of this. They knew we had a special needs kid, they knew our situation and they sold us a lemon anyway. I will never understand how people can do this to others and sleep at night.
Today the "add coolant" light keeps coming on and going off. Oh and the "gas" light came on although I have more than half a tank.
I wonder what else is going to happen and what will fall off of the van next!?
So I hope that this blog somehow saves someone else from buying a lemon from these CROOKS. SKYLINE MOTORS WORKS LLC aka MCCOY AUTO of Orlando Florida are liars. I found a few people on ebay that have had VERY SIMILAR experiences with these people.
Their ebay name is "skylinemotorsgtr".
DO NOT EVER BUY FROM THEM.
If they can sell us a lemon KNOWING our circumstances then they will sell ANYONE, ANYTHING for a buck.
SHAME ON YOU MOHAMMED AND EVERYONE ELSE THAT DEALT WITH US AT SKYLINE MOTOR WORKS LLC aka McCoy Auto.
*******UPDATE AT 6:55 PM 8-17-07*****
So we took Makily to Neuro in Orlando today. The van drove GREAT, not a problem at all. IN FACT when we drove up at the house, Allen said "ya know the van drove well today, hopefully all the problems with it are behind us".
NOT!
When we got out.....THIS is what we found!
WHAT NEXT!?
29 comments:
Patyrish,
If I were you I would call the Better Business Bureau and make a formal complaint.
I would also contact the TV news people and tell them your story. They may rectify the situation with those shifty car sales people. Even if they can only give the dealership bad publicity. Something is better than nothing. I am so sorry this happened to you all. They are horrible, bad, no good, scum of the earth people.
BIG HUGS!!!!!!!!!
Oh girl..this is just horrible. I cannot believe they are not 'making good' on this deal. I'm so glad you video taped all of the problems. And...I hope you can contact the media locally in some way to make your point even more. I'm just sickened by this and the fact hey knew that Makily was special needs!!
Absolute jerks. I'm going to put a link to this in my blog...
They shouldn't be able to get away with this!
PS: Came here to say thank you for the Chimes Garden suggestion. I plan to go buy one this weekend!
Oh Patyrish! How horrible. I work for a GM dealer and we never heard of "GM water" either. I am emailing this to my sister in Florida..she lives in the area. Hopefully she can spread the word about this dealer.
I hope you contact the BBB and get your money back.
Hugs
Christine
Yep! I'm with Keely. CALL THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. Just like some car lot to want to sell crap to innocent people!
Hello Patyrish,
Was there ever mention of a warranty?
Was the titled marked 'As is'?
I feel very bad for you but I have no idea if you have anything to fall back on if there was never any warranty talked about.
This type of situation happened to me several year's ago and I didn't have any recouse.
It's going to come down to what was in writing when you took the van.
Blessings,
Lesley
**Thanks Lesley, yes it was an as-is sale, the only thing we put in the contract was the power locks, that they would repair that.
We know we have no legal recourse BUT it's still wrong whether the law sees it that way or not. They know we have no legal backing in this so they sold us a lemon and got away with it. They obviously knew it was a lemon when they sold it to us.
That stinks that this happens so much to people. There is no lemon law in Florida for used vehicles, I have searched believe me.
There isnt a law making them take care of the situation BUT they should do the right thing in my opinion.
You should call l Fox 51 in Orlando .. Tom Susi (SP) he should be able to get the story on TV and confront them..
Stephanie
Wow, I am so sorry you have to go through crap like this! Keep doing what you can, I like the idea of news channel 2.
Glad Makily is doing good.
xoxo
Jaime
your problem has officially made it around the world. lol. i'm in spain (on the bt group) but i'm sending this story back to all my relatives around the USA. I hate crap like this and in the hot summer with little kids!!! Regardless of Makily's disability, but even more so because of that. I'm so angry now too!!
check into the state of Florida used car Lemon Law. They shouldn't be able to get away with that.
Yeah these people are scumbags and liars. Car was supposed to be smoke free as the seller got out he was smoking a cigarette. Yes i could have walked away from them but i flew from chicago to florida to pick this car up. He promised the car would be ready for the long trip back to chicago after i handed him the check and he gave me the keys he told me the car needed a oil change asap because it was way over and he left the car on completely empty with gas the car sputtered into the nearest gas station. The transmission also blew about 400 miles into the trip and left me stranded for a week in georgia and cost me 1300 dollars which could have been over 5000 if acura wasnt so generous to cover the price of the trans itself which they probably only did because ive had 6 other honda/acura automobiles. When i called to complain the supposed owner of skyline motors said it was not his car and that a "friend" of his used his ebay account to sell the car. Riz is who supposedly sold me the car and he would also not answer my calls or the one time he did he said he would talk to his business partner and see what he could do and call me back the next day. He never called and would not answer my calls. These guys are pieces of crap and tell you what you want to hear only to stab you in the back once you give them the money.
How awful! But definitely I would notify your local TV station (call them!) as well as your local newspaper, both of which I'm sure would be more than happy to run a story on it!
I would also file a complaint, as Keely mentioned with the BBB as well as your local consumer affairs dept.
It is no doubt REALLY bad karma!
Examples like this give used car dealers the bad name they perhaps deservedly have!
I believe most used car dealerships allow people to bring their car to their favorite mechanic to "check things out" before they buy in exchange for a small deposit. If you wind up with the option of a new car, I would definitely recommend doing that.
Hugs to you all!!!
Even with the title marked "As is" if the locks were supposed to be fixed...and they were not. Didnt they renig the "as is" and go back on the contract first? If so i'd try small claims court.
I to was sold a lemon by Mohamed and Asha Kahn(sp?) of Skylinemotorsgtr my came delivered from an ebay auction. Basically I paid $6000 total for a crashed 1994 acura legend 6spd that was sold as is wih 100% working electrical systems and no collision damage, as stated in the auction it said their mechanic tested everyting and the car was in great condition and well taken care off. Not wanting to leave my decision to the pictures on the auction page I spoke directly with Mohamed regarding the condition ov the motor and the quality of the repair work, paint condition etc, everything and I do mean everything that was said by Mohamed was a factual lie. Imediately after recieveing the car I began trying to contact skylinemotors for correction they are such slck liars they said everything I wanted to hear and gave me the run around saying they would either pay to have the car repaired or have a connection of theirs in my area (CA) fix it and they had me taking this car around for estimates which for the collision damage alone was $4500-9000 from three shops. Then there is the issue of the motor not having compression on two bad cylinders, and overheating. Also the 100% working electrical must have meant the tail lights worked because the ABS system, totally shot all four sensors are crap, I have'nt got further than that on that problem. Traction control system does not work because the unit was disconected and missing components the air conditioning is in the same half missing state. Overal the condition of the car and interior is poor. I had to use a torch to loosen the oil plug and I had never seen oil soo black and thick in my life. the list of broken items is much longer and the details of how this car was bondo'ed up screwed together with self taping screws and sprayed over are stomach turning to me. I bought this car on a credit card loan offer I intended to pay off with the proceeds from the sale of my current car, needless to say I had to keep my old car and put some money in it because this car is a long ways from being road worthy or legal. I need to have frame straightening done before a front bumper can even be instaled, in the pictures it has a bumper but in reality it just a cover held on by a buch of screws some of which go right through the bottom of the headlights. I'm person this car is worth no more than $1-2k and thats just because parts for these cars are expensive. A good example would be the britework around the windows wich on this car are cracking up falling apart and looking bad from years of sun damage, price to replace the bad trim from a dealer $3700 plus tax. These people lie and then they will lie some more. I was stalled for just long enough for ebay to say they could do nothing. This happened because I believed they were sending a check, that they kept making axcusses for why they had'nt sent it yet. once the del was $60 days old they went cold Mohamed quit or was fired for bad deals (another lie since Mohamed is still thie sellig cars) according to Ashia Kahn the owner and another huge liar. No need to go one it's long enough and I can't warn enough against these people.
JB
Sunlandsales (ebay)
Sunland California
I spoke directly with another of their negative ebay purchasers, who bought a car that "runs good" that showed up with a cylinder protruding through a crack in the block! So can I believe that they intentionaly ripped off this american family in a time of need? yes I can, they really are that type of people.
JB
Sunlandsales (ebay)
Sunland CA
That is just horrible I am so sorry for you.
I know you have no time but, I would stand in front of there place with your car day after day making it hard for them to sell any other cars and demand a refund. I wish you the best and hope something good comes out of this. Big Hugs to you!!!!!
These people need to be reported, by anyone who can, to the better business beureau of florida (it's quite easy) and then someone needs to indicate in their e-bay feedback that skyline motors have been reported (I've already left mine...too late). Also, numerous emails to ebays trust and safety people about these cases should set off some alarms. Perhaps we could at least keep them from selling stuff on ebay. Also, if you paid with a credit car, consider a chargeback. These people sold me a car listed in excellent condition and explicitly said the transmission runs well. The air compressor was dead, the drive belt snapped off in my mechanics face and the transmission fluid is black as night (not good!).
First of all you should have gotton the van checked by a mechanic before buying an old van, used cars are used cars which can break anytime, if you have rust in the radiator and window not closing properly I dont think its such a bid deal. I checked the dealers feedback on ebay, he has over 200 positive feedbacks and very few are negative. I am going to check with the dealer and see whats going on. whatever I find out I will post it. There'w always two sides of the story.
Anonomyous, I have been TOTALLY honest with this entire post for many reasons and I can show written documentation with dates of EVERYTHING that happened here.
I find it funny you have the guts to post here and say "there are two sides to every story" suggesting I am not being totally honest but YOU DON'T HAVE THE GUTS TO USE your own name and just post as "anonmyous". Yes, it's true their ebay shows over 200 positive transactions BUT THEY HAVE 9 NEGATIVE and for ebay 9 negative is alot. I have over 240+ transactions on ebay myself with ZERO negative because I AM AN HONEST PERSON. If you read the other comments on this blog there are several others that have posted their story of what liars these people are. I am not the first and I am sure will not be the last.
Go ahead and contact the dealer, I am sure they won't be honest with you just like they lied to me and several others.
Also if you read the follow up to this blog (which I am sure you didnt) you will see that it was not just the window or a rusted out radiator (which by the way if you know anything about cars this IS a big deal) the intake manifold was SHOT and the problems just got worse and worse.
The only thing I agree with you on is that I should have had it checked out by a mechanic, I had alot going on at the time and wasnt thinking clearly, believe me I WILL NEVER make that mistake again.
Since you posted here as "anon" I can almost guarantee you are one of the people that work for Skyline Motors OR you are friends or family with them. I can't see that anyone else that reads this story would take up for these people.
***By the way Anon...I just checked my ip address tracker on my blog. I know you are from Orlando....Skyline Motors is in Orlando.....interesting...very interesting.
SCAM ALERT *** BUYER BEWARE *** Mohammad and his partner are real work of art. these guys are total scam and fraud. they sold us a car in 'great running condition', to find out all I need to make it RUNNING is a motor. radiator was cracked, engine light on with 9 codes, glove box broken, and hail damage. We've already filed with BBB, FBI internet fraud, and Florida attorney general. Would someone please email me a name of a lawyer who can grill these guys. It's time someone run these clowns out of business. The money they made on selling me this junk of a car is NOTHING compared to the damages I will bring against this company. A web site will follow soon to warn others about this company. I don't have google account, but here's my email contact: sataie@yahoo.com thanks
I've madea page about my experience and have posted it on the internet. It will be submitted to all search engines. Here's the link. http://www.ataie.net/skyline.htm
thanks for your assistance on going after these guys legally, so they are not allowed to do this to others.
Hi,
I am sorry for what happened to you. I have little ones too and spent the last of my savings to buy a car from these crooks. Only wish I had read your blog story first! When we took our car to the oil change place, the engine would hold NO OIL, it leaked out of every imagineable place in the engine! So wrong considering they advertsied it as excellent condition. There may be legal recourse - esp if we all band together! You can email me anytime glw714@yahoo.com.
I feel your pain; I too was dooped by this outfit. I was purchasing a car for my mother and had the same promise of "mechanic checks" and "everything is excellent working order" and on and on. I have given them the opportunity to make things right and take the car back less the deposit. That means that I am willing to loose over $3,500 to not get stuck with a car that will not fix. I am pretty sure they get most of their cars from floods. I see a reoccurring mention of how bad they stink and thinks like radiators, and sensors going out (yes all of the above happened to me). I was stuck after getting picked up from the Airport and felt that I had no other choice (they counted on that). I hope they do the right thing; if they do I will post it here; If not there will be no surprise.
I have been a victim of their lies and profiteering as well. I pray that you and your family finds peace and healing. I know it seems that when bad comes it all happens at once, but I have faith that good will come into your life. I purchased a car for my mom and had the same lies told to me about the mechanics of the car, the odor, the small problems that could be fixed. He even went as far as to show me your website, saying that you purchased the car As Is and he did not know about the problems. I was trapped with the option of loosing my deposit and trying to find a way home (I flew in) or taking my chances with the car. I made the wrong decision. I have offered to them the car back with over $3000.00 in repairs to date and my deposit if they will refund the rest. I will see if they have an ounce of respect for themselves and others. I will post back their response if I get one. To all that have had this happen, You cannot go back, just go forward and learn from your mistakes. If that little voice inside says it is a scam it usually is.
Sorry,
I posted twice, but it is all true; buyers beware!
Im so sorry for what happened, if you get a new van, dont let this spoil you from getting another pontiac or GM minivan, they are great minivans when taken care of, im sorry yours wasnt, and get them good, put a big slap in their faces because you deserve enough money back to get a brand new minivan of your choice because of the health concerns with your child.
posting a second comment
did you guys get a new van, get this fixed? i am giving you my email so if u have any questions on the montana, i can help you out, as I have had a Pontiac Trans sport (old name for the montana), and have a friend who has had 2 montanas, a grandmother with a buick terrazza, and a friend with a oldsmobile silhouette (all the same basically) so i have experience on these vans
my email is
smiller93@yahoo.com
sam116@uakron.edu
steven-millr@hotmail.com
uakronsam16@aim.com
i prefer yahoo but use whichever one you need to, and i do have yahoo, msn and aim messengers
steve miller
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