Warning: AVOID City Auto Recyclers in Peterboro

[fiero308]

this is a heads up for anyone looking for pretty much anything; fiero, SC, ANY parts for your daily driver etc.  Be warned!

In Feb I heard about a 3.4 dohc with 5 spd at City Auto Recyclers in Peterboro. These are relatively rare, so I called; they assured me it was a fairly low mileage and a good running unit. There was no question that it was a 'runner' - I asked that several times.  On that basis (yeah, yeah, I know....) I put a deposit on it over the phone; for the complete car.  I had word from another forum member that they 'weren't too bad' and he hadn't had any trouble with them.

I wanted the engine, 5 spd, ECM and wiring harness and was willing to go take it out myself.  I figured I would get a few misc items too; fuel pump wiring (to an extent) etc etc.

Since I was buying the whole car,  They said they would put it in a separate 'lot' so that scavengers wouldn't pick it over.

That should have been my first hint. They didn't.  Some time later I got word that the car looked like it had been smashed up and some parts were gone.

Several calls later they agreed to move it like THEY had offered to in the first place.
I got down there to get the engine; had to change my plans due to UHAUL screwing me around (giving the car hauler to someone else!) so just got the engine, trans and basic wiring harness. No prob. Paid the balance on the spot and back home I came.

WELL........
the engine was NOT a 'runner'..... it was just about solidly seized; after a lot of persuasion it did turn over and belched out a cylinder and a half of water. Nice, deep brown rusty stuff.
The trans looked like it was full of water too. It will turn over but you wouldn't want to 'spin' it.  Feels REALLY reluctant; grindy-type to turn slowly by hand. Something not right there.
THAT was MAY, 2005. Since then, I have been asking, phoning, faxing for a refund - WHICH "BRENT" AT CITY OFFERED, by the way......
and nothing. Not a return phone call, not a reply, no refund of course, etc.

LOTS and LOTS of calls and faxes and no action.
So
EVERYONE stay away. And in fairness, warn everyone you can think of; toronto buddies; other clubs, etc etc.
They lied about the condition of the car; the motor, putting it aside, giving a refund. EVERYthing, in fact.
So that doesn't make for a very good track record.

I guess next option is to go to the BBB in Peterboro and lodge a complaint.
but get the word out so that someone else doesn't get burned by this bunch of bums.

Cost me over $1000 to date plus plus plus. Truck rental, long distance phone and fax, gas, interest on the credit card purchase;
what a bunch of bums.

CITY AUTO RECYCLERS in Peterboro. Remember the name and STAY AWAY.

there.
good luck.
gp

[aaron88]

You could have called the credit card company and got your money back as soon as you found out the merchandise was not as advertised.  A verbal agreement is still a contract.

Aaron

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[GoFast88]

Having had trouble over the years with companies that don't "deliver the goods", I offer the folowing advise. ---- Keep track of all phone calls, letter, correspondence of all kind and moneys changing hands. Give them a deadline to return the cash. Once that verbal deadline comes and goes, send them a blank Small Claims Court form (available on the net)  via registered mail. The attached letter should indicate that if the moneys + documented expenses (in detail) are not in my hands in 2 weeks that you will go to court. I have found at this stage the moneys are usually forthcoming for the initial out money (not expenses). At this point with no money coming you pay the $50 to register it with the courts and then if they don't answer is is another $100 for the court time. They don't show up and you are awarded all expenses. Then you go to collect. Sound like lots of trouble? You bet!! I had 36 pages of documents of expenses for one dealership that screwed me over and it cost them the managers, service rep and the mechanics time for 5 hours in court.  The dealership had to pay for these 3 guys time plus most of what I claimed ( not padded) SATISFACTION?? you bet!

[GoFast88]

You could have called the credit card company and got your money back as soon as you found out the merchandise was not as advertised.  A verbal agreement is still a contract.

Aaron

.

I tried that with Durand and after almost 2 months of fighting and the credit card company (VISA) telling me that they can't do anything, I got my refund for services not rendered

[fiero308]

interesting; the impression I had with credit card companies is a sort of time limit; ie it had to be within a certain amount of time of the transaction.

City kept promising this and promising that, then they just stopped everything.

but I have gone to small claims court and won; I have taken Cdn Tire to task and won and auto wholesalers in the 'states and won so I am sure that I will find a way here too.

[2ML67]

I am sorry for your troubles as I have delt with them before with no problem, but I always bought the stuff after I removed it myself. I know they have been known for ripping off others or so I have heard.
Maybe knowing that some one else is madder at them then you might help a little. Some one keeps slashing tires and breaking windows, even setting some of the cars on their lot for sale on fire. Last I heard they were down sizing and possibly going out of business. may be due to too many fines for defrauding the government of their taxes.
I was afraid of some thing being wrong thats why I kept letting you know that the car was still on the lot accessible to others and being stripped, I thought with that you were going to get out of the deal. If there is any thing I can do to help let me know as I am in Peterborough at least once a month. Dan

[fiero308]

hey no prob Dan; they are running a business and they made promises themselves without me asking; then didn't keep them.
That is not too kosher. Brent, the main guy there, offered to refund my money before I asked; then keeps avoiding me.
I'll keep after them. We'll see. That is worriesome about going out of business tho.

[2ML67]

Brent is not the main guy Darryl is. It use to be two guys Darryl and Greg, Greg is a good guy who was honest and great to deal with. Unfortunately he sold out his half to get out and away from the business. From what I have been told Brent actually has to pay Greg a mortage every week for his half of the business so Brent is sort of just works there. Darryl is a crook who would steel from his own Mother. I deal with them still because they let me remove my own parts and their prices aren't too bad. Plus I know one of the mechanics who works there and is into super charged engines. I would reccomend talking to Darryl and threatening legal action with all the trouble with the government the last thing he wants is more time in court. If you need a witness to prove the car was not dealt with as they promised I am willing. Dan

[fiero308]

muchas gracias Dan
I hope I don't have to take you up on your offer.

 

gp

[fiero308]

The latest chapter:
Thurs Oct 6th; 1pm
after faxing them almost every day (maybe it WAS every day) this wk along with countless other times, I phoned again; got hold of Brent; and before I could say anything..... I heard those immortal words! "the cheque is in the mail".........

so we'll see about that.
He said he mailed it out earlier today. I was just starting to put together a list of the costs I would claim in small claims court, and would initiate the process here, of course, so that they would have the added inconvenience of coming up here and sitting around for the day.......

And I was going to send them a list of that claim. It is (or was, anyway) $50 just to get the process going. One of the costs right there. Lost time. Truck, gas, all the wasted everything.  I might still have to do it but at least I know how. And I am well documented which counts for a lot.

so I will watch the mail and see if it arrives. Maybe a fairy tale, maybe not.  But that is the story for today.
Will keep this thread updated.
GP

[Kitten]

The latest chapter:
Thurs Oct 6th; 1pm
after faxing them almost every day (maybe it WAS every day) this wk along with countless other times, I phoned again; got hold of Brent; and before I could say anything..... I heard those immortal words! "the cheque is in the mail".........

If it does show up, lets hope it doesn't bounce...

[Shaun41178]

YOu need to make a call to Higgins and have him roll down there and pop some caps.