ASAP MOTORS-Houston Texas wasted time/ run-around Houston Texas

I live in the Houston area and submitted a search on the web for a 1999 Ford Escort Motor and ASAP immediately responded with " We have a nice low mileage engine in stock. It has been hot run tested, cylinder tested, inspected, steam cleaned, palletized and is ready for shipping. The cost of the engine is $xxx. It has a 90 day warranty, unlimited miles".

My brother lives in Pennsylvania, he called ASAP and spoke with Dina who told him the motor had 21k miles on it so we thought it was a good deal and I proceeded to ASAP to purchase.

Escorts, or this particular year, has a couple different versions of the motor, one for standard emission and one for low emissions. On the manifold is a number telling you what is what.

I specifically asked for the standard emission and they told me that was the only one they had however on the bill of sale it stated different.

I aked Bruce if I could see the motor since I had physically, disassemble the one currently in the vehicle. He said sure come around and I will take you to see it.
When we got in the warehouse, Dina asked what we are doing and Bruce explained and Dina said " We have to inspect and clean the motor and test it before we ship it". I told her that she had already stated this had been done in her reply email (see above). Dina said they do it again and proceeded to walk me out of the warehouse.
ASAP was paying the shipping cost, since it was a local delivery, and said the motor would be to the shop I had doing the installation, the next day. They said they would advise me of the time.

The following day I did not hear from them by 10:00am, so I called and they told me it was out for delivery and would be there between 2:00p-3:00p, I advised the shop.
At 5:30p, the shop called me and said they had not seen it. I called Bruce at ASAP and was put on hold for approx. 15 min. then I hung up. I called back and Dina answered and put me on hold for a few min. and came back on to ask me what time the shop closed. I told her 6:00p but the owner said he would stay if it was on the way.
Dina told me that the driver was held up in Baytown (25miles from destination) and couldn't get to the shop before 7:00p. She said she would have the driver keep in on the truck and deliver first thing the next morning.
The next morning comes and I waited until 10:00a and called the shop to see if it had been delivered and they said NO.

I called ASAP and Bruce put me on hold again for at least 10 min. then came back on and said he needed to call me back in 15 min. because he didn't want to keep me on hold.(ha)

2 1/2 hours went by and NO WORD. I called back and asked for Bruce, hold again, picked up by many people, put on hold.

Finally, Brent came on and said the motor was never shipped because it did not test out and they would hold my money until they found another OR I could come back to ASAP for a refund. (Guess what I did?)

When I got to ASAP, Dina was apologetic for the mix up. I told her that if the motor did not test-out, why tell me that it is out for delivery and the driver is held up.(My guess is they had to buy time). I do not believe they had the motor in the first place since they would not let me see it.

ASAP did refund my (cash) money in the form of a check that actually cleared.

It's unfortunate that we have to deal with people in our lives such as this and it amazes me that they can sleep at night knowing that they will have to wake in the morning and remember yesterdays lies.

Scott
League City, Texas
U.S.A.