I was in the market for a used car for work. I had just been given a new assignment that would mean I would be driving my own car regularly and a bunch of miles.
I wanted a car that was comfortable, reliable and get decent highway mileage. I had purchased a 99 Buick Park Ave for my daughter a few months earlier and it seemed to be exactly what I would need as well.
I found a 98 Olds 88 on Ebay listed by Executive Auto, in Grayson Ga, a suburb of Atlanta. I live in Anderson SC so it was only an hour or so away.
the car waqs described as like new with only 39,000 miles. Everything about the car appeared to be ok. The interior was new looking and the outside was good for a car of its age. A couple of poorly covered up dings. I was told the former owners were elderly and probably did not drive that well.
I check out the Carfax Report and there was no unusual reports on anything. It was local, and the mileage was correct. I called Jack Parker at Executive Auto and made him an offer on the car. He accepted my offer and we made arrangements to come and pick the car up.
Upon arriving to pick up the car, we drove and inspected the car. There was a problem with a vibration at steady speeds under light load. When I returned to Executive auto, I mentioned this condition to Jack and he explained that the tires were the cause. In fact the tires did look new but were of different types.
Jack reduced the price of the car by $200 to allow for the tires and the deal was made. This was on a Friday afternoon, we drove the car home and around town over the weekend.
On Monday morning I had to go to Knoxville TN for work and took the olds. Other that the vibration problem the car ran well.
Tuesday on my way back to Anderson SC in Knoxville I had to slow for traffic on I40 going through Knoxville. When I slowed and then stopped the car cut off. No warning, no engine lights, no sounds. I restarted the car and when I did it was makeing a rattling noise in the engine. I pulled off the highway to a motel and got a mechanic to look at the problem. The engine was knocking.
Next day (day 5 of my ownership) I rented a car and drove home. When I contacted Jack he told me to bring the car to him and he would see what he could do. So I rented a car dolly, pulled my rental back to Knoxville and then dlooied the olds to Jack in Atlanta.
After several days, Jack calls and comfirms that the engine has a spun bearing. He suggests that he can get warranty to cover the repairs. At this point I report to Jack that the car has an engine warranty for 30 days or 3000 miles.
Jack investigates this warranty and decides this is the way to go. I assume because there would be not cost to him. the car is returned to me in Anderson so my mechanic can do the repairs. The warranty company will only allow licenced mechanics to do the repairs and Executive Auto is not a repair facility.
After 8 weeks of torturous dealings with "Square Trade" and getting a junkyard motor installed in my car, I contacted Jack to address the expenses buying this car had cost.
I lost 2 days of work ($400), had ot rent a motel room ($75) and a rental car to get home ($50), then a car dolly ($50) and fuel back to Knoxville and Atlanta ($75). I had to rent cars to work in while waiting on Square Trade to come through (they were stalling to make sure the warranty would run out before I got my car back)($1350)and when the car was finished Square trade required a $500 deductible and did not cover $177 for oil, gaskets, plugs exectera. For a total of $2677.
I contacted Jack and explained what had happened and the cost involved. I asked him to cover the $677 not covered by the warranty. He refused stating he had not inout into the warranty decision so he flet no reponsibilty for the outcome.
I paid Jack $5800 (without any taxes)for this car which is $2000 above what Bluebook wholesale was at the time of purchase. I did this to be sure I was getting a car that met my requirments. Jack told me that after allowing the $200 for the tires there was no more money to put towards the repairs.
So if you are on Ebay or in Grayson GA, you might want to steer clear of Executive Auto and Jack Parker. The Ebay seller ID is Execauto. Looks can be deceptive and its obvious they will not stand behind what they sell.
I have worked in the Automotive field for over 30 years and still I got ripped off. Beware and stay clear of Executive Auto.
David
Anderson, South Carolina