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I recently purchased a vehicle for the first time online from ride safely. I did not realize what a scam they are. I bought a 2009 BMW 328i with 2253 miles for $18, 000. The car looked perfect on the picture with minimal dent to the left door. It stated previous repair/savaged. When I received the vehicle I was shock to see that it not only had a front collision but all they did was place a new bumper in the front of the vehicle and never replace any of the damage parts. The car had front xenon lights one side and non xenon lights on the other which on the picture they had a close up of the xenon light.
It has radiators that was broken and not even hooked up to any hose or belong to that vehicle. The frame was never aligned or repair. The car had no airbags but they did put a steering vehicle cover making it look like they replaced it. All they did was to make sure the picture looked great but absolutely no repair or replacement was done to the vehicle. I got robbed. I have taken it to three different repair shops and they stated 10K, $12K and the dealership as for $20K to repair the damages. If someone could help me sue I would be greatly appreciated.
If you go to their website Frequently Asked Questions, you will find this:
6. I received my vehicle and there are additional damages, undercarriage and other latent defects not visible in the pictures. What can I do?
All vehicles displayed on our website are sold “as-is”, therefore there is no recourse. We understand undercarriage and other latent defects are not visible in the photographs. Customers must understand that salvage vehicles may have latent defects (e.g. undercarriage damage, under hood damage, etc.). Ridesafely.com and its affiliated dealers are NOT aware of latent defects of any vehicle. Insurance Auctions do not provide us or our affiliated dealers with damage reports and/or full descriptions and histories of their vehicles. All information provided by the Insurance Auctions to our authorized affiliate dealers is displayed on the site. Vehicles might also have been previously repaired. Ridesafely.com and its affiliate dealers 1) are NOT aware of repairs performed, and 2) can NOT comment on the craftsmanship of repairs, it performed, on any vehicle. Please, place your offers with cognizance!
They sell wrecked, even totaled cars for insurance companys. Your car is good for parts if you want to repair a 2009 BMW 328i.
Ridesafely.com will scam you and they also have terrible customer service.
On 4/15/11 I purchased a vehicle from Ridesafely.com that was not as advertised and I'm asking for a full refund due to the following.
1. Vehicle was not disclosed as non-running.
2. Vehicle was listed in a 3rd party non-running vehicles exclusive auction, also not disclosed.
3. Ridesafely staff rebuffed my attempts to check and confirm information on the vehicle during several conversations while having information stating otherwise.
1. When I asked staff implied I could drive the vehicle home today.
2. Would not provide vehicle's location, phone number for vehicle location, address for vehicle location, or name of real vehicle auction company preventing me from confirming cars stated condition.
5. At 1:18pm ridesafely sent an email entitled “RIDESAFELY : Vehicle ready for pickup”. No mention that DMV paperwork or a dealer plate was necessary.
6. Additional damage not stated on vehicle information. Including electrical and interior damage.
7. I found out after the fact that “Start Code: WON'T START” was listed on iaai.coms site for this vehicle where ridesafely takes information for it's own site but, chose not to include this fact.
In addition iaai staff informed me ridesafely was using and altering their copyrighted images without permission. Including the image attached.
Do not put the title of this vehicle (Inv. #XXXXXX) under my name. I'm asking for a complete refund including any broker or transfer fees since this vehicle was not as stated. Branch Manager XXXX XXXXX of iaai.com said he would agree to store the car on their lot for free until this matter is resolved on your behalf. He also offered to re-list the vehicle for ridesafely at no charge to help recoup any loss if any. Please, this was my life savings. This was to be my car to get me from work to home and back. Had I known what you knew, car doesn't run and was listed in a non-working car auction by a 3rd party, I would not have bid on this vehicle. I was prevented from contacting the actual seller iaai.com until all paperwork and funding was completed preventing me from confirming important facts on this vehicle. I will not be using your website or services again. You may contact XXXX XXXXX at XXX-XXX-XXXX.
Please contact me so we can get this resolved quickly.
Under their FAQ they say "4. Does the vehicle start?
Most vehicles displayed on our website are located at Insurance Auction premises and are neither available for nor subject to inspection and testing. Therefore, we are typically unable to advise you if the item runs or not. In the event when the Insurance Auction lets us know the item runs or not, we include this information in the listing."
Yet they did not disclose the actual seller, iaai.com had let them know this vehicle was non-running in a non-running vehicle exclusive auction. Had I known these facts I would not have purchased this car. They will lie to you over the phone and prevent you from doing any research prior to them being paid in full.
i purchased a vehicle on march 16 2011 from ridesafely.com and at this point i haven't been able to get a title due that ridesafely.com is not a dealer license in the state of florida and the sold me the car in florida so the dmv refused to give me a rebuilt title.. i'm stuck with this car and several thousand $ in the hole and this company has not solve this problem and honestly i don't think they will, i'm looking to file a lawsuit against them if someone here wants to do the same thing please get in contact with me to do it together my email is manuelpot@hotmail.com
Email me and I can show you how to get a good deal for the next time you want to get something at the dealer auctions.
My humble opinion about the above situation: [My guess is that they probably did not intentionally rip you off, but they just dont even look at the listing-the whole thing is automated by a computer program and they make a profit by adding on a fee for essentially just setting up a search engine that copies auction listings onto their own site. It is actually quite brilliant; however it wouldn't take much thought to predict that the people using their site probably dont have experience in this area. I believe the minimum right thing for them to do is to clearly state that the buyer is responsible to execute his/her own research; better yet, they should have a link to train new bidders and provide some tips to help people avoid costly oversights. A truly ethical business would feel responsible to earn their fee and at least provide someone to explain how these sales work. That said, I really dont have personal experience with this group and have no information to give a truly reliable assessment.
I am sympathetic about how unpleasant it is to be excited about pulling the trigger on a big ticket purchase only to have it completely backfire me--its especially bad when the item involves a vision to be a great dad but ends up burdening the family. Many years ago I saved up and took a moderate loan to buy an RV that cost close my yearly income. My vision was to take my wife and kids on the most awesome road trips every summer so that by the time the kids graduated they would have experienced much of our country's wonders and vastness. When I took delivery of it and walked inside I felt physically sick--A fire had destroyed the whole interior and all surfaces were charred and black; nothing was salvageable, even the frame was weakened so it wasn't even safe to be on the road. One can probably imagine the shame a husband feels while telling his wife what happened.
Live and learn I guess :) I'm not the quitting type. So I researched and learned all about how to do this auction thing the right way. I even got certified and obtained a dealers license [a lengthy and expensive process in my state of FL] so I could gain access into the "forbidden" dealer only auctions and thoroughly inspect all items myself. I dont even use my dealer license to make a living (my real vocation is as a chemical engineer at a medical device company and I'm also a part-time 6th generation farmer)
If anyone out there wants to benefit from my experience to get cars, trucks, RV's, recreational man toys, tractors, equipment, whatever, etc...
At the dealer auctions, I am willing to help you learn the ins and outs. I frequent all the major auction houses across the country, such as iaai, manheim, adesa, CarMax, and many others (but not copart anymore because those guys have become shady). You can contact me at the email below and ask me about what you are trying to do. If I dont know how to help you I will say so up front and try to point you in the best direction I am able.
I maintain and protect my integrity and expect the same from those with whom I interact.
No charge for general help or advice; but if I spend my own time and resources to go inspect items or process transactions, then I will ask for you to offer fair compensation (I enjoy bartering items and services but money is also ok.). Just treat me as you would like to be treated and I will do the same for you.
jhjacobs@gmail.com