I contacted http://superioruap.com/index.html through a used auto parts finder website. I was told they had a 03 Baja engine that runs gread and only has 36k miles. I was told the engine was still in the car and would be pulled strapped down and shrink wrapped after payment was received. Well I got the engine yesterday, and needless to say im pretty pissed.
hole in cylinder cover
thermostat housing broken off
timing belt cover trashed
oil pan crushed in
some sensors broken off instead of removed or unplugged
broken mounts
rusted pulleys and other parts (kind of weird for an engine that was running in a car a few days ago)
wasn't even strapped down, just sitting on a pallet rolling around
"When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Kentucky, because everything there happens 20 years after it happens anywhere else." Mark Twain
Not sure where they are but I would file a complaint with the consumer affairs office of whatever state they are in. I've had mixed results with that, the Oregon office is totally useless (they just write back and say they have no money to pursue complaints so we should all vote for higher taxes) but the Missouri AG was incredible. I received a promise by snail mail within a few days, they sent two progress letters along the way, and the vendor made it right within a few weeks.
You can also file a complaint with the credit card company and request that the charge be reversed.
Either approach may work, but I like the AG approach since the complaint often will go on a public record of some sort (consumer complaints or maybe attached to their business license, depends on the state).
Spoke to a manager today, he tried to convince me all the damage was cosmetic and to just swap all my parts from my current engine and it will be good as new.
Last edited by Takaaco on Thu Jun 13, 2013 8:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Kentucky, because everything there happens 20 years after it happens anywhere else." Mark Twain
Still working on getting this resolved. When I first called and told them of the condition of the delivered engine, they said they had another 03 Baja engine and will get it inspected and shipped out to me.
After a week of voicemails and unreturned calls, They told me they just purchaced a 03 Baja at an auction and it will be delivered "tomorrow" and we will get it checked out and when it ready to go we will call you with the info.
4 days later I called and they say they are still waiting for the Baja to be delivered to their shop for inspection, and to "just bear with us for another day or two, and we will get you fixed up".
Its been 20 days since I told them of the problem, and I really just wanna get my money back so I can get a engine thats worth a dam, but if I do im gonna loose out on about $175 in shipping charges. and possibly a 20% restocking fee.
I really am waiting to get this resolved so I can take the whole story and make them famous, and not in a good way. BBB, Consumer Affairs Office, every forum,facebook page, and review site I can think of.
"When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Kentucky, because everything there happens 20 years after it happens anywhere else." Mark Twain
Called for an update today:
"Engine is ready and waiting on the carrier to pick it up by 5pm today" "soon as they pick it up I will e-mail you the shipping info"
"When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Kentucky, because everything there happens 20 years after it happens anywhere else." Mark Twain
Well after six weeks of phone calls, voice mails, and e-mails I finally got my replacement engine. Overall the engine is in pretty good shape. The head gaskets are shot, but I figured I would replace them and the timing belt anyway just to be safe. And "due to the cost of shipping" they let me keep the old engine. The conpany has only been open for a year, and they have a D+ rating with the BBB, but after the letter they are getting from me lets see if we cant get it a little lower.
Life lesson learned: When you buy a used engine off the internet always get pictures of the actual engine and the VIN # to verify milage before ordering, and never,never buy from Superior Used Auto Parts in Gibsonton Florida. If they can even manage to stay in business long enough, and dont forget to check for complaints with the BBB.
"When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Kentucky, because everything there happens 20 years after it happens anywhere else." Mark Twain
