deanmc

Hey guys, I recently purchased a C63 coupe from First Auto Connection, a used car dealership in Houston. Long story short, they received my down payment on 05/01/14, and my car has not left Houston yet (I'm in southern California). After a bunch of excuses, it was supposedly picked up by the shipping company last Thursday, but today I got a call from the trucker saying his truck had broken down outside of Houston, and there was no way to get my car off the trailer, which is at a shop. No ETA or anything. My BS alarm has been blaring ever since I heard the first excuse, but now I'm worried that something may have happened to the car after I purchased it, and they're just delaying.

Is there anyone in the Houston area who would be willing to swing by the dealership to see if my car is still on the lot? I have a feeling it hasn't even left the lot yet. My first payment is due in less than a month, and I haven't even seen the car yet. Please PM me if you can help!

OlegKouz

Very unfortunate and sketchy. Hopefully there is a member that can swing by and check for you!

I have used eBay to purchase cars before and there is always delays and drama with shipping, like when the guy showed up to a different city with the same road and said he was there and we argued for about 20 minutes before he realized he was in the wrong area all together.

USCGTO

I'll be in Houston this afternoon. I'll checkout for your car.

Autosport7

Nice!
If the car is still there, you should ask if it is still for sale...

m a x i m u s

that would be interesting.

Autosport7

Wouldn't be the first time I have witnessed this... sadly

AMG893

Take a video and bring a bag of sour worms too

shardul

iTrader: (1)

I know where that dealership is. They just opened up a couple of months ago.

ZephyrAMG

This should be interesting....

VividRacing

I'm in for the updates, these situations suck but are always interesting to follow. If I had better connections in Houston I would help!!!

USCGTO

Not trying raise or dash any false hopes, I am stuck in a unforeseen lunch meeting and still planning to stop by at the dealership. If not now, then on my way back home.

deanmc

USCGTO, thanks I really appreciate your help. Called the manager this morning, he said i should have car by tomorrow. I told him that wasn't possible since the trucker called yesterday and said car was still in Houston. Someone is lying to me, and I just want to know why.

zcct04

First Auto is showing a gray '09 sedan on their website. Am I correct in guessing that what you bought is a black 2012 coupe?

edit - this one?
http://www.firstautoconnection.com/w.../All_vehicles/

deanmc

Yeah, the coupe is "mine." Was able to get a great deal on it, plus free shipping. That may be the reason for the delay, they were waiting to get lowest bid on shipping, or waiting for other deals to go through to ship the cars together. Worst case scenario in my mind is that they damaged the car, and are dealying to buy time to get it fixed.

Autosport7

Your previous conclusion is probably correct. In knowing how these guys operate, I am sure they waited until their contracted hauler had a full load so their freight was cheaper. Happens all the time. I am sure everything is fine... At least I hope so for your sake.

ZephyrAMG

With "free" shipping they are classically waiting for a bulk haul or a cheaper quote on the haul. They screwed up and now no one is willing to haul it for a reasonable price therefore they are waiting for the cheapest to become available....GL

Spine55

Called today asked for the sales mgr , they said he was in meetings till afternoon or later didn't have time to call back. Hopefully you have heard something The waiting a hauler to fill up sounds reasonable since it was free!! Good luck i'll follow the forum to see if you need more help.

deanmc

Guys, I'm really appreciative of this outpouring of support and help. Thank you guys for your willingness to take your own time to help me solve my issues.

So the sales manager called me today, said he spoke with the owner of the trucking company, and she told him there were slight delays, but that the car is currently in Arizona already. Totally contradicts what the trucker himself told me yesterday, that his truck was broken down in Houston. Someone is lying, and it seems to me it would be the owner. Still not sure what's going on, but the sales manager said car should be here between Thursday (tomorrow) and Monday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks again to everyone who offered their help!

estrellajon

Did you insure the car already?

USCGTO

Update: I checked out the place. Car nowhere to be seen. I am assuming its on its way to you.

jmueller

Probably a pretty good sign. Good luck OP.

deanmc

You are awesome. Thanks again for checking it out. Let me know if I can repay the favor in California some time! I'll keep you guys posted.

m a x i m u s

OP, where are you in SoCal? just curious. I'm in west LA.

deanmc

I'm in Tustin, Orange County. Nice to see another So Cal member!

m a x i m u s

cool. there's a few of us on here.