Our story with Herman Motors in Luverne, MN...
Kelsey found a car she was interested in and she and Gene took it for a test drive.
* The Service Engine light came on during that test drive...hmm, said the salesman...we'll take care of that.
*We'd like to have the car checked out by our auto service company. Is that going to be a problem...driving it in to SF to have it checked out? No...of course thats fine. You know, we're kind of slow during February...I could drive it into SF for you, no problem.
Great...we think.
They drive it into SF to be checked out and a Miracle happens between Luverne and Sioux Falls...when our tech checks out the car...no service engine light. Another problem shows up, and will cost her about 1500 to fix in the near future, but she decides the price of the car, plus the fix is still worth it, and she decides to buy the car.
*She's so excited to go sign the paper work and pick up her car! She and Gene are driving the car home...and The Miracle un-happens ... about 30 miles down the road, the Sevice Engine light comes on...and flashes. Right then, Gene called the dealership because Kelsey was driving. Gene was instructed to take the car to a certain auto repair shop once they got into Sioux Falls. That auto repair store said, it was fine, its just an old code, its fine to drive, no problem.
Great! (we thought)
*That night we happened to be at an event with our own auto service friend and when Kelsey was asked how she liked her car, she told him the story of bringing it home, the light coming on, the light flashing, and that she was told it was an old code and all was good.
*Sinking heart. It was not an old code...that wouldn't show up like that. She shouldn't drive it, ESPECIALLY since the sevice light was flashing. We need to take it back in to see whats going on.
*Cylinder problem in the engine...$2500+ to fix. When they get in there, could double if the other cylinder is also bad.
*Kelsey called the salesman...sorry, can't help you.
*Gene calls and speaks to salesman, and then finance guy. The car is yours, there's nothing we're going to do. Gene says, he has no choice but to consult an attorney, to which he is told...good luck.
*We start investigating and find out Minnesota does not have lemon laws on used cars. The dealer has no legal obligation to help us...we're pretty stuck.
*Gene decides to make one final call, and calls the owner, to see if he can make this right and save his reputation. "The law says..." is how the owner responds . I know what the law says, said Gene, I just thought I'd give you one last chance to make this right. No go. The law is on his side. Morally...doesn't matter to them.
We're telling the story now, so that we can stop talking about it, stop the anxiety and move on. We do want to let our SF friends know what an awful experience we had with this dealership and warn you to beware. read more