Bad Auto Dealer - Salesman!

[Hondaairwave]

I had bought this vehicle from JDM Cars at Turf Club and also trade in my 3 year old Toyota Allion with them under the Sales person named ALAN SOO.

 

It did not take me much consideration to make this purchase under the influence of the false claims, lies and fake claims from this ALAN SOO.

 

At least, i would expect what was promised to me was followed up promptly and completed without my involvement or causing me inconvenience, nevertheless, i was dead wrong.

 

This was his promise, also recollection of events that follows.

 

1. A three months warranty of the car of ANY defects. He said in the event of ANY problems, I just need bring the car to the MEGA AUTO SWIFT workshop at Sin Min Road 05-11, and they will honor any repairs, during the 3 months warranty period. He even promise that he will pass me the warranty letter on the day of collection of the car, but it did not happen.

 

After weeks of ignored SMS, calls, and even went up to his office at Turf City to request for it.

He reluctantly just emailed to me a copy of this so called warranty letter as in the attached, this was after the incident below happened on the 16 Dec 2011.

 

One look at this warranty letter, i knew that it was signed and WROTE by ALAN SOO, and the contents if fill with errors and very ambigious. It had indicated that ANY wear and tear is NOT covered under this warranty. How to make a claim with this type of "warranty" contents?

 

I asked ALAN SOO what is non-wear and tear in a car? and why Engine and Transmission is non wear and tear, he did not know how to answer. And the wear and tear clause comes about after this incident. Obviously, he is playing with words and treated me like a fool.

 

On 16 Dec 2011 at 7am, I could not start the car, contacted AA to go to my house carpark to check, was told by the AA mechanics that it was the engine starter having a problem. Call up MEGA AUTO SWIFT workshop, the manager Ah Boon asked me to bring it down to take a look. arranged a tow truck, and towed it all the way from Jurong to Sin Min Auto Care. 05-11 Mega Swift Auto. Obviously, it had caused me inconvenience because i had to cancel all my business appointments.

 

(Ironically, just a day before the problem, I was at the workshop to fix my bumper job, a job which the mechanics did manage to do well, after the fixing, my car could not start, as I was still at the workshop, ask Ah Boon to take a look, he checked and said the it was the battery problem. At this moment, my only thought to replace the battery asap.)

 

Reached the workshop, the car mechanics checked and found that true enough, the Car Start has blown and needed to change. While they are working on it, Ah Boon came and immediately stop them from doing so because he said that its still not clear who is going to pay. Why did the workshop have to interfere in this anyway?I got to find out that Ah Boon is the close friend of JDM Car boss, so tat explains the inconvenience caused to me at their celebrated friendship!

 

Immediately tried to contact JDM personel, Jason (the Boss), Chris (the Supervisor) and of cause Alan, but no one answered my calls.

 

Finally manage to speak to Alan, he immediately told me he is not on 24 hours standby and have no obligation to answer my calls before 1030am, he said muttered that i can go ahead to complaint. anyway I told him my car problem, he said YES, it can be repaired under the warranty. I told him Ah Boon only listen to JDM. He said he will call Ah Boon and get him to proceed.

 

Not sure what was their conversation, and to my shocking disbelief, Ah Boon said JDM said it was not cover under the warranty as it was wear and tear...this was the 1st time this word appeared from this entire commotion.

 

I called JDM and managed to speak to Chris (the Supervisor) and he said he was at a meeting, and refuse to talk further.

 

So I was left stranded, my car won't move without repairs, and I have a series of missed appointments, finally, after about one hour, Ah Boon told me that JDM said their will help to pay half of the bills

and I have to pay half. At this moment, i was just thinking that, i need the car to go for my appointment, so I said I ONLY will agree to pay $200, but I will settle with JDM at a later stage.

 

Why I chose to pay is because, they have left me with no choice. If I don't pay, no repairs will be done, my car will be stalled there. I was caught in a situation.

 

Before the repair even start, Ah Boon told me that the price he check for a "BRAND NEW STARTER" was around $600 exclude labour. and suggest that I pay $300 now.

 

I said NO way I am going to pay this extra amount, he called up Chris and after their conversation, he turn around and said that I have to pay half, and JDM will settle the rest.

 

Then I told him, I only can pay $250 and that's it. Then Ah Boon instructed his mechanic to buy the parts and start the repairs.

 

Sensing that they are just trying to trick me into paying extra money, I called up Chris, and Chris told me to pay only $200 and they will bear the rest.

 

Though finally the repair was done, but it has already cause me much distress, frustrations and inconvenience and to me, the warranty was not warranted, because I have to pay for the repairs.

 

2. ALAN SOO also promised me a series of things that was not done, I have to followup closely and see it done one by one.

 

a. One particular plastic bracket of my rear car seat was missing, which Alan said that it was broken, so he took it out, he will get one from "another" car to fix it back on the day of the car collection .IT DID NOT HAPPEN.

 

When I ask him, he consistently told me that he had place the order and will "LET ME KNOW" once arrive. But I am very sure he did not do anything.

 

After much waiting and frustration, I finally drove up to MEGA AUTO SWIFT workshop and request for it to be fix. Ah Boon told me an order need two month, and said that he will get from anther car to fix it for me, which he did. This was 15 Dec 2100. A day before my car stalled.

 

3. The Road Tax, Alan Soo told me that the road tax have been renewed and it will be delivered to me, but one week after collecting the car, it did not appear, I call up LTA myself and ask them to sent to me.

 

4. Broken Bumper

 

Before I signed on the dotted line, I noticed that the front bumper lower portion was broken, so I told Allan to get it change before I officially collect the car. he told me NO PROBLEM, the bumper will fix BRAND NEW when I collect my car, however, on the day of collection, the bumper is still broken.

Alan purportedly called up Ah Boon and after they speak. Alan told me its because Ah Boon wants to save money for his boss, so he just "TIE IT UP" to me the broken portion "NOT SO OBVIOUS",

(But when I check with Ah Boon, he said it was Alan instructions to just "TIE IT UP" and make it look not so obvious)

 

At this point, ALAN SOO said he will arrange for me to get it replace, and even fix a date on the 23 NOV 2011, and said that it will just need TWO hours to fix it. It was a working weekday, and I took a day off just waiting for this to be fix. And when I reach the workshop at 9am, to my horror, Ah Boon told me that it cannot be completed within one day, because they have to smoothen the "NEW BUMPER", (which is a secondhand set from another car) and then match the color of my car. and told me that I can only come one day later to collect, or alternatively come back another day to fix the "NEW" bumper.

 

Again, this has cause me inconvenience and a waste of my time. If Alan Soo is attentive enough, this type of things should not happen.

 

Anyway, it leave me with no choice but to make the arrangement to come back to MEGA AUTO SWIFT workshop to get it fix on the Saturday.

 

However, the bumper was not fix well, it left a metal piece sticking out from the right front lamp, this is also one reason why I went to MEGA AUTO SWIFT workshop on the 15 Dec, 2011.

 

5. Spare Key for the Car

I told Alan I need a spare key for my car, he said his BOSS lock it, and he will get it from him and pass to me when I collect my car, IT DID NOT HAPPEN.

I ask him several times: -

 

ALAN SOO Reason:

a. BOSS NOT IN TOWN

b. BOSS KEPT IT UNDER LOCK

c. BOSS CAME BACK BUT KEY IS IN HIS CAR

d. BOSS WILL FIND AND PASS TO HIM

e. IT WAS LOCK IN A BOX WHICH HE HAVE NO KEYS TO OPEN.

 

As I thought it would be very serious if i lost my ONLY Key, I went up to Turf CITY to look for him to get the key on 10 Dec 2011. I called up his BOSS Jason that I need the key now and then, this is where Alan got "NO CHOICE" but to get my car key and go to the KEY maker at Turf CITY to duplicate the key.

 

Again, cause me much inconvenience for I have to keep asking for it, and look for him many times to listen to his BIZZARE reasons.

 

6. A REPAIR Checklist

As Alan told me that the car has gone through a major overhaul and MEGA AUTO SWIFT workshop have replaced most of the damaged parts at an amount to almost $8k

Naturally, I ask for a repair checklist to see what has been replace and what was done to the car, so that I know what has been done on my Car.

 

Alan told me to get it from Ah Boon when I am at his workshop. But when I ask Ah Boon he consistently told me its not ready and that and he will not pass it to me, he ONLY DEAL with JDM.

 

Nevertheless, until today, week after week, I still cannot see the checklist, the workshop manager Ah Boon, had said that he will only gather all the item list and sent if to JDM cars, I mean, until almost two months, then he start to "GATHER" the items information? then how he can bill JDM cars? How come he know its $8K?

 

7. Although I have spoken to Jason on Alan Soo, and Jason have got Chris to followup, but they have already caused me very much stress, inconvenience and frustrations which I really don't know who to turn to for help.

 

8. The mileage meter, before I collect my car was read as around 80K (nls) which Alan Soo told me that its considered LOW mileage, but when I took the car, I sense something is not right, so I make some checking and realized that after converting to KM, it was around 140K! I ask ALAN SOO this and to my expectations, he denied that he did not told me that the meter reading of 80k is actual nls.

 

9. I have told ALAN SOO i will take further action on this, which he said "CARRY ON". WTF is such a guy doing in sales?

 

10. Til date, just close to the second month, I have make repairs for this car with another better auto repair shop of around $2200 already. They had told me that diagnostics had showed that after the repairs, the car is in a healthy state now. Hopefully, it can last me for another few years without any major repairs.

 

P.S. I sold my 3 year old Allion SJJ7xxB to JDM Cars at a mileage of 80K(backup up by service log book)

When I last saw my car up for sale by JDM at the Turf City, it was up for sale at a mileage of 40K???And this was prominently displayed on the car wind screen that proudly proclaimed "LOW MILEAGE"!!!

I did not believe that the car dealer TWEAK the mileage meter until i SAW it with my own eyes. Good luck to the person who bought the car.

 

 

[Kelvingoh45]

Pls dont get me wrong.But how to warranty a used car for 3 months.It is just not realistic.

Glad that you are sharing with us and preventing any MCF members from falling into thier tricks.

[Hondaairwave]

Yes that was precisely what was in my mind, did not expect to get a FULL warranty, that is why when he told me that there is a 3 months warranty, I was only thinking about the "recently" repairs and "recently" replaced parts would warrant the 3 months warranty, which is the reason why I kept asking for the repairs checklist which until today they could not provide.

 

I bought the car because ALAN SOO had told me that ALL problems fix and major parts was replaced, and that is the point he said he could provide me a 3 months warranty on this.

 

I fully understand that, batteries / tyres / accidents / windscreens and and general servicing is not covered.

Edited December 26, 2011 by Hondaairwave

[Newkidontheblock]

wah jialat... no wonder my car dealer friend tells me that after he die he will surely go to hell...

 

anyway, my friend just bought a car... the mileage was 58k when she test drove it...

when she collected it, the mileage became 28k!

i guess it works to her benefit cos when she sells it she can quote "low mileage"...

 

we all must beware of 2nd hand dealers man! add this post in the blacklist thread !

[Hondaairwave]

They are still in business, their office/showroom is still in Turf club JDM CARS. ALAN SOO is still there.

Dun buy any car from him, this guy is a potential crook , a BAD APPLE that ruins auto business.

 

 

[Picanto]

They are still in business, their office/showroom is still in Turf club JDM CARS. ALAN SOO is still there.

Dun buy any car from him, this guy is a potential crook , a BAD APPLE that ruins auto business.

 

why you never send the car for inspection before buying?

[Hondaairwave]

Did not send for inspection because it was recently inspected, I saw the status was B which i felt it is normal for a 6 year old car.

 

[Godfinger]

What car did you buy? You actually

Traded in a 3yr old for a car that has

Been used for 6 years? Unless you are

Buying another car which is bigger,

Better then Allion. Else i dont see the

Point. IMHO, Allion is a very good

Car.

[Matdxb]

Sometimes wonder, why ppl buy 2nd hand car? Risk is always there,it is like buying used items frm Cash Converter and you expect it to be in v good condition.

[Sleepy-T]

Did not send for inspection because it was recently inspected, I saw the status was B which i felt it is normal for a 6 year old car.

B ? STA smelly smelly give A to most 2nd hand cars tat was send to them for inspection

[ER-3682]

Did not send for inspection because it was recently inspected, I saw the status was B which i felt it is normal for a 6 year old car.

6 yrs old car sure alot of tear & wear,buyers are at risk for buying this car.

[MG_Myvi]

They are still in business, their office/showroom is still in Turf club JDM CARS. ALAN SOO is still there.

Dun buy any car from him, this guy is a potential crook , a BAD APPLE that ruins auto business.

 

There are many bad apples beside him...no offence....I never like turf city or should i say those 2nd hand car dealers. I had my worst experiences with my 1st car which bought from Turf City.

[MG_Myvi]

Sometimes wonder, why ppl buy 2nd hand car? Risk is always there,it is like buying used items frm Cash Converter and you expect it to be in v good condition.

 

Personal preference I guess...I have friends which always buying 2nd hand cars even though can afford brand new. Especially for those drive few years then change again.

[MG_Myvi]

What car did you buy? You actually

Traded in a 3yr old for a car that has

Been used for 6 years? Unless you are

Buying another car which is bigger,

Better then Allion. Else i dont see the

Point. IMHO, Allion is a very good

Car.

 

Honda Air Wave I supposed?

[1fast1]

Sometimes wonder, why ppl buy 2nd hand car? Risk is always there,it is like buying used items frm Cash Converter and you expect it to be in v good condition.

 

This is the neverending debate. I'd say it makes sense to buy used (and without a loan) if you're planning to "flip" the car after a year or two. Of course, one must do their due diligence to make sure the used car is in good condition, otherwise all the potential savings from lower depreciation, avoidance of car loan interest etc. will be negated by the increased corrective maintenance costs.

 

There are still those who cling on to the mantra that new is best. I'd say new is best when it comes to marriage. In all other things, I can tolerate a little second hand. I've given up looking at cars like wives, now they're just short-term girlfriends; in less than 2 years, I'll be ready to try a new hotter model.

 

Apart from the material arguments relating to reduced wear-and-tear, there are still those who prefer new because they think they're getting a pristine auto. Well, if you think you're getting a new "virgin" car, think again. See how your new car has been thrashed about prior to delivery. It's like your "virgin wife" just had a quickie with the best man before coming to the altar.

[Kelvingoh45]

B ? STA smelly smelly give A to most 2nd hand cars tat was send to them for inspection

 

Nola, only very new cars(1-2yrs old)will be able to obtain an A grade.

[Godfinger]

Yah, thats what i suppose after seeing

TS nick's. Guess he must have gotten

Some $$ back in this transaction. Allion

is more worthly in the Used Car market

Then AW.

[TandemAssassin]

This is the neverending debate. I'd say it makes sense to buy used (and without a loan) if you're planning to "flip" the car after a year or two. Of course, one must do their due diligence to make sure the used car is in good condition, otherwise all the potential savings from lower depreciation, avoidance of car loan interest etc. will be negated by the increased corrective maintenance costs.

 

There are still those who cling on to the mantra that new is best. I'd say new is best when it comes to marriage. In all other things, I can tolerate a little second hand. I've given up looking at cars like wives, now they're just short-term girlfriends; in less than 2 years, I'll be ready to try a new hotter model.

 

Apart from the material arguments relating to reduced wear-and-tear, there are still those who prefer new because they think they're getting a pristine auto. Well, if you think you're getting a new "virgin" car, think again. See how your new car has been thrashed about prior to delivery. It's like your "virgin wife" just had a quickie with the best man before coming to the altar.

 

My view is that whether to buy new or used depends on a person's character; especially patience.

 

A used car will require lots of due diligence, legwork, research and patience to deal with any "stunts" that the used car salesman might pull off. It will also require a calm and collected attitude towards sending the car in for corrective repairs and maintenance and a tolerance for some minor hiccups here and there.

 

If a person is impatient, tends to make rash decisions and has a low tolerance for major or minor problems, it is far better to suck up the depreciation and buy new. Otherwise, what is the point of trying to save a few grand but making yourself and your loved ones miserable in the process?

 

I know I am in the latter group and what makes it worse is that I have yet to own a car for >3 years. But I have no choice but to suck it up because I lack the temperament to deal with used car salesmen and/or repairs.

 

As for whether the car is new or virgin it is a secondary consideration. As you mentioned, it has usually been taken for a joyride before taking delivery.