I had a terrible experience with River Auto Sales.
Long Story.
I bought a 2008 Ford F150 HD Edition. Beautiful looking truck.
Conditions of purchase were bumper needed to be repainted, Center Console needed to be repaired Harley symbol was missing. Passenger side handle on interior frame was missing, and The timing needed to be repaired, as well as a CV Joint.
Took the dealership a week or so to get those things done, but about 2 weeks later I took delivery of the vehicle by meeting their runner at the DMV in Rhode Island.
Check out the truck and it looks good, the bumper repaint came out real nice, The leather repair on the center console was nice, not original but still not bad. The handle on the interior frame looked good however it wasnt the right color. Interior is grey, handle is black.
Mechanically it seemed that the repairs had been done, I didnt notice anything that would give me the idea that they hadnt been done.
About 6 weeks later, the check engine light started to come on, and go off. The ABS lights were coming on all the time, and while driving the truck would almost stall out on the highway.
So I plugged in a code reader and sent the screenshots to the dealership.
The codes read that the timing was bad. So I reached back out to the dealership, sent them pictures of the codes and the salesman Junior asked if I could get them truck back out to them for repairs. I had the truck towed the 2 hour drive out to Malden to get the repairs done. I did offer to them to get the repairs done out here and then they could reimburse me. This wasnt good enough for them.
Now keep in mind with the purchase of the vehicle I asked for a copy of the work performed on all the presale requirements. I was told that they no longer work with that mechanic and there was no way I could get the receipts, and or work order for those repairs.
I asked them then who the new mechanic would be, and if he was licensed. and where my truck was being held. I have it in writing via text that I was to not worry about where my truck is, or who is working on my truck.
This concerned me greatly as now I have no idea where my possession is, and if a licensed mechanic is performing the repairs. My kids are in my truck all the time this was not good.
about a week into the waiting time for repairs I asked for an update and was told be patient, it was being worked on. So I didnt bother the guys for another few days. Now at this point I am starting to get stuck, my wife needs her car for work, I have to go to work, and our kids have commitments to sports and other things. Well it just so happens that my 15 year old broke is collar bone and I had to take to the doctors. So I reached out to the dealership and the salesman Junior tells me he cant get me a loaner cause he would have to pay for it out of his pocket. Then he tells me he has to pay for the timing repairs out of his pocket as well. ????? What dealership makes their sales people pay for repairs?
So now its about 17 days past and they finally decide to bring me the truck.
They send a runner to drive the truck back to my house in RI. The guy goes and stops at the mall on the way to my house. The car then breaks down in the parking lot of the mall. It would seem the starter has now gone. So I am sitting at home since 10 am waiting on the truck I wasnt made aware of the situation until almost 2:30 pm and then I am told that this runner ( unlicensed mechanic) is trying to swap the starter in the parking lot of the mall. Guy gives up cause he cant do what needs to be done, so then I tell the salesman to have the guy get the truck towed to my house and I will get it to a professional to have the starter put in. 2 hours later truck finally arrives at my house and there are huge dents in my hood. When I sent the truck to the dealership the hood was fine. I have pictures of the before and after so they cant fk around. Salesman trys to tell me that it could have happened on the tow truck ride up to his dealership for repairs.
So now, my truck is in a local shop getting the starter put in, I am trying to get the dealership to pay for the labor for that, and to get the repairs paid for to fix the hood.
Nothing about this experience has been good.
I have reached out to the Attorney Generals office in Malden and a consumer advocates office out there as well. I will be seeking legal action on this dealership.
Please for the love of god do not buy a vehicle here! read more