Mid November 2018, I purchased a used SUV from Priority Pre-Owned. I wanted some mostly cosmetic issues addressed prior to delivery which were negotiated and accommodated in the purchase agreement. Accordingly, delivery wasn't able to be made until November 29, 2018. The vehicle was delivered to my driveway in Salem, NH, detailed and with a full tank of gas. I was very pleased. The salesman, Bruce Garcia, who represented himself as the owner, was proud of repeat customers and stated his was a reputation built on service and trust. I believed him, and made a decision to purchase much to do with his personality, bolstered by the A+ BBB rating (non-participating), reviews, & testimonials found here and other rating sites. I wish I could attest you can trust his word to stand 100% behind every car he sells. He did make good on most issues but not on a rather expensive one. Ultimately, trust hasn't been my full experience.
The vehicle failed the NH safety inspection for bad tires. While they appeared new, along with brakes, a condition that was stated to me by Bruce, "you shouldn't have problems with tires or brakes for 50k miles", there was no issue with the brakes, however, only one tire was new and 3 tires actually were old and dry-rot. My mechanic stated the tires probably were sourced from junk yard spares that never touched the road but were old and had lost their resilience despite looking new. Bruce, to his credit, directed me to a regional tire dealer with which he had an account and a store in Salem NH. Three new tires were matched and fitted. I paid for the alignment and he the tires. I took Bruce's reaction that he may have been lied to by the party from which he acquired the vehicle and left it at that.
The concurrent second issue was coolant was leaking from the drain plug in the floor pan of the passenger front seat. The carpeting was saturated and the coolant level was below all marking on the overflow tank and none visible in the radiator's throat. Bruce said take it to a convenient new car dealership as it would be a complicated repair for a small shop. He would reimburse me for the cost of repair. I got a local new car dealer's estimate which was for $1,370.00 parts & labor. I relayed this to Bruce who said it was "no problem" just provide him the invoice and he would reimburse the cost. I sent the invoice to him on December 11, 2018. He stated he was busy with holiday sales and additionally short-handed but said he would send payment by the end of the year. I next contacted him mid-January and he said it had slipped his mind and apologized. However, he was now busy doing the year end books preparing for tax season and issuing W2s and 1099s. He said he did the books, the accounting, prepared the taxes, in addition to purchasing and sales, of a very small dealership. He promised it would soon be forthcoming. I next communicated with him by text to his cell phone on February 11th inquiring about the reimbursement. He has not responded. Subsequently, I have attempted several calls but they go to voicemail and have been unanswered. His business email similarly has been non-responsive. In March, I contacted the Boston Regional BBB. I noticed his rating had dropped from A+ to C+ based on Priority Pre-Owned not responding to a complaint in December 2018. The BBB accepted my complaint and as is their policy, passed it on to Priority Pre-Owned for comment. It is now April 2nd, 2019, and the BBB has informed me the business had not responded. This is all on Bruce Garcia. Had he been upfront that he didn't want to pay for the dealer repair, or directed me to a less costly repair shop, or even negotiate a portion of the repair cost, would have been one thing. To baulk on a repair he authorized and accepted, is totally another. It is unscrupulous. It certainly erodes the image of trust he would like you believe. Bruce and I both rolled the dice on this vehicle. For me, as for him, it's come up craps. Reimbursement now would be a surprise. I'd certainly love to be surprised. read more