This Yelp page is for Brewer in Jackson, but the same people run Brewer Salvage in Lansing, which is where I did business.
I called to get a quote on my 1997 Dodge Stratus. It was the third place I called. The first two places offered me $295 and $300 for my car. When I called Brewer, I was asked about the material of the wheels and age of the catalytic converter. I wasn't sure on the wheels, but did know that I had replaced the catalytic converter just a couple of years ago.
The person on the phone quoted me $300. I said thank you, and that I would call back, as I was planning on calling a few more places before making my decision. Before I could hang up, the person offered me $350. I decided to go with it, since it was $50 more than my other offers, and making a quick decision would save me a bit of time from calling other businesses.
I met the driver at Northside Auto (where my car was) and he inspected my car. He told me that the wheels were not aluminum, so that the car was only worth $300 rather than the $350 I was quoted. I was very upset that the price had changed, If I knew I was only going to get $300, I would have chosen a different business that I had a past relationship with, rather than going with Brewer Salvage. After deliberating for a few minutes, I decided to take the $300. I signed over the title and then signed a receipt, which still indicated that the car was worth $350. The driver could not offer me an explanation as to why the receipt had not been changed. He also wrote down the incorrect address for my home address.
I took my $300 and left, but couldn't help but wonder, how do I know the driver didn't just pocket the extra $50? The receipt clearly indicates that the seller would receive $350, yet I only received $300. Regardless, I feel that the individual on the phone should have made it clear to me that the offer was contingent on the wheels being made of a certain material. I felt like I was scammed into selling my car to Brewer, when I would have chosen another business had the price been the same from the beginning.
This situation was very upsetting to me, not only because I lost out on $50, but because I had to sell my pride and joy, the car I had purchased with my own money as a 16-year-old and the car I have taken great care of for more than 11 years, to a business run unethically.
I emailed Adam Brewer, the owner of the company, to tell him about my situation. Instead of apologizing, he was rude via email and claimed that the catalytic converter on my car was original, and that was why he could only offer me $300, when I have paperwork that shows that it was replaced less than two years ago. I reminded him of this but then he reneged and said that it was still only worth $300, and stated that he didn't understand "why I was so upset." read more
