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Woman wants justice after being sold ‘bad’ vehicle

- upset that she now has to spend an additional $1,500 to get Suzuki Vitara working again
The defective vehicle parked in Long Bush yesterday June 6, 2016. Photo: VINO
The engine block with the crack on it. Photo: Provided
The engine block with the crack on it. Photo: Provided
A close up shot of the cracked engine block. Photo: Provided
A close up shot of the cracked engine block. Photo: Provided
The repair costs are expected to be around $1,500. Photo: Provided
The repair costs are expected to be around $1,500. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - A woman feels absolutely cheated as she is left ‘holding the bag’ after purchasing a vehicle online from a person in the United States of America and wants justice.

According to the woman, the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara she purchased started giving her trouble just days after clearing it from the port some weeks ago.

For fear of getting into trouble with her employers, the woman only agreed for her first name to be used.

Petrina said that on December 18, 2015 she sent some money through the bank to the person she linked up with to get the vehicle.

“He told me that the vehicle passed inspection and that everything was ready to go. When it reach down here I drove it from the port to the Road Town Police Station and that is when one of my colleagues told me that the vehicle has a problem because the scent of coolant was very strong,” she said.

She said that she has had to put coolant in the vehicle every other day.

Cracked engine block

The woman said that she went to attend a cricket match at Greenland on the main island of Tortola and midway up the hill at Belle Vue the “check engine” light came on.

“Being a woman I was very frightened so I asked the mechanic to check it for me thinking that it was just a hose or some minor problem but when he went in and opened my biggest fear came true. The engine block was completely cracked and since then it has been down and I have had to walk,” she said.

“I called the person who was responsible for getting me the vehicle and I told him about it. He sent me some liquid which he said would stop the leak if I throw it in. I did not do that and I asked him to help me with half of the payment for the mechanic which is $400. He told me that I am trying to take blood out of stone and he does not have any money so therefore I am holding the sh-tty end of the stick,” she said in frustration.

“It seems like all of the expenses are on me and I am just here watching my Betsy and I can’t do nothing with her," said Petrina.

She noted that she last spoke to the person about a week and a half ago and according to her, he said that it is over ten years that he has been doing that business and in that time there were only two times he encountered such a complaint about vehicles he shipped.

“He said that because mine is overseas there is nothing that he could do. He was telling me that Suzuki will take care of me,” she said, noting that this is the last time that she spoke to the man.

According to the woman, a local mechanic told her that the engine block had a crack on it and that a new engine block was needed. She said that the mechanic is charging her $800 to put in the new engine block.

Buyers beware

The woman is upset that on top of the over $8,000 spent to get the vehicle to Tortola she now has to spend an additional $1,500 or so to get the vehicle working again.

While she is not sure what her next step will be after fixing the vehicle, Petrina wants people to beware of persons in the US who proffer to sell vehicles and warned that they deal only with certified used car dealers with a good reputation.

Our efforts to contact the person she bought the vehicle from for a comment proved futile up to post time.

39 Responses to “Woman wants justice after being sold ‘bad’ vehicle”

  • Chances (07/06/2016, 08:13) Like (55) Dislike (1) Reply
    Lady that's the risk that you took. Not everyone you see in person is honest and surely, those who you deal with online will say what is necessary to get the vehicle sold. The proper thing to do would have been to come clean and tell you what is wrong with the vehicle and then you choose to buy as is. That's why people test drive vehicles and check the engines before purchasing.you. a 2009 vehicle is not flawless. Lesson learnt hopefully
    • Oh Well (07/06/2016, 13:11) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      She is not going to get anything back.so lady take it as a loss. She was better off going to Miami to a dealership and buy the car.
    • gamble (08/06/2016, 10:31) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      1. did he show you the carfax?
      2. if you had to go to the bank, i think you could of gotten a better vehicle
      3. the only thing you can do is sue him for lying and being that it is a across waters situation idk how that would work.
      4. next time go and see it in person with a mechanic that you trust.
      5. even if you was buying from someone here in the territory you should still take a trusted mechanic to see the vehicle.

      ty management
  • Carfax (07/06/2016, 08:31) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    if you did not know that this could happen, then you were not thinking, next time make sure and get a carfax report LOL or just try and get a reputable dealership or go yourself. or better yet just ask the person who you know bought a vehicle in the US how to go about getting a good one.
  • wize up (07/06/2016, 08:31) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pig in a bag:
    • @ wize up (07/06/2016, 12:49) Like (19) Dislike (7) Reply
      reminds me of the 2015 elections we voted for a PIG IN A BAG!!!
      • wize up (07/06/2016, 15:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ @ wize: you can say that again but we will examine the product the next for sure
      • OBVIOUSLY! (07/06/2016, 20:06) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
        Obviously, the 2015 elections is still hurting you!
        Tomorrow makes 1 year since the election. Please focus on the time and make each day count.
        Thank God for each day, man. Jeeeze!
  • qc (07/06/2016, 08:49) Like (6) Dislike (8) Reply
    yes there we go again with these imports
    • 100 (07/06/2016, 09:15) Like (34) Dislike (2) Reply
      I don’t see no auto factory here, Everything is import,. And if tola dealers didn’t kill people with them prices we would buy more from the local dealers
    • @qc (07/06/2016, 10:28) Like (9) Dislike (7) Reply
      Did you hit your head on a limb of the stupid tree when you fell out of your mothers' womb!?! Are you suggesting that she buys 'locally made' vehicles or from a local - news flash kiddo; there are con-men/women here too that sell lemons! Or you meant to say a locally made jalopy like yours....#GTFOH
  • Made in Japan (07/06/2016, 09:08) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Japanese Exporters has more credibility than those street dealers anyday.
    • Made in USA (08/06/2016, 01:07) Like (4) Dislike (8) Reply
      i hate to see dem Japanese cars looking so ghetto thru da place with the steering on the other side!!!!
      • The Governor vehicle is Right Hand (08/06/2016, 14:26) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        Tell that to the Governor because his Range Rover is Right Hand for obvious reasons. The passenger must be on the safe side. In the US they drive on the right so they use Left Hand Vehicles. Do the math.
      • Independent Lady (10/06/2016, 13:01) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        Are you serious?!! We drive on the left, THEREFORE, we should drive with vehicles with right hand steering, but because, we in the BVI think we are closer to the USA than the Caribbean, we buy AMERICAN spec vehicles, which are left hand drive. AND the reason Americans use left hand drive vehicles is BECAUSE, they drive on the right..so go figure!!!
  • Hmm (07/06/2016, 09:09) Like (39) Dislike (2) Reply
    what were you expecting when you ordered blindly u should of invested your money wisely and buy a vehicle on island where you would of seen your money work for u to each his own same thing happened to me and i had to learn the hard way never again!!
  • ... (07/06/2016, 09:26) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    Unfortunately that's the risk you took. But who sends money for a vehicle without it being inspected by someone you can trust? Not because he says it's good means it's good. he just wants the sale. Never "link up" online with someone you don't know and send money nonchalantly with people you cant trust!
  • tola (07/06/2016, 10:23) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please make sure any used vehicle that is sold to you is inspected by some one who is certified to do so. Also do not buy if no warranty is offered by the person who is selling. If you are unable to fly to ensure of these conditions before payment is made then arrange for someone to do so on your behalf. As it stands it is better to replace the cracked engine head.and move on.
  • Advice (07/06/2016, 10:25) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Shut your mouth and see if you can't sell it some place else just like they did to you. Run fast. Buying vehicle local any day.
  • Da Real Bull (07/06/2016, 10:28) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Buying a vehicle overseas on the street is like playing the lottery, because its just a chance.
  • . (07/06/2016, 10:31) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    That's why I buy new vehicles that have no less than 3 years warranty.
  • chak (07/06/2016, 10:48) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hope she did not buy from pope
  • chad (07/06/2016, 11:01) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Did she check Car facts
  • Boo (07/06/2016, 11:24) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well thats the risk you take when you order cat in bag online. If you buy through EBay or other site or pay with Paypal you have fraud protection and can get your money back. Send your money wire transfer to someone you meet online and the risk is all yours. 8k plus 1.5k repairs is still a good total price if thats all thats wrong.
  • options (07/06/2016, 11:32) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    Child you made a mistake but its not the end of the world. Contact the Better Business Bureau in the state where he is at and lodge a complaint. He must also have a dealership licence so do your research and report the fraudulent behavior to the licencing bureau. He should have me to deal with I would take him to the cleaners. SOB preying on innocent women.
  • Wow. (07/06/2016, 11:36) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
    Hmmm. I always warned my friends living here to be careful with people who were living in America, They are Selfish, heartless and money hungry, Just look around. You will see them,
    • nope (07/06/2016, 17:54) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      @WOW, you sound so dumb. You think only people in America is selfish, heartless and money hungry? BoBo, we have those type of people from right here who carry that title.
    • yeah (08/06/2016, 08:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @WOW, the Americans is selfish, heartless and money hungry but, you are enjoying the American dollar, going to America for medical care, shopping ETC... Some people need to think before they speak. You know what they say about assumptions.
  • happens all here (07/06/2016, 11:56) Like (9) Dislike (7) Reply
    this happens here when people buy cars that others are trying to get rid of. They do a quick fix and then rob people. The thing is the law here is still stuck in 1960. It doesn't protect the people who are being robbed.
  • Lemon (07/06/2016, 13:12) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    She ended up with a lemon.
  • JT (07/06/2016, 13:34) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oops! I am so sorry for you. I purchase vehicles overseas, but I ensure to take them to get a Diagnostic test within the "lemon law" period before exporting them. Its a pitty you did not know to do that.
  • Lesson learnt (07/06/2016, 13:57) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don't understand why, you would choose to import a vehicle for that amount of money that is soooooo popular on the island. that same 8000 you could have bought someone's jeep exactly the same locally, at least you would have had first hand inspection and know what was done. Makes no sense
  • Dont be Mad (07/06/2016, 14:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    $1,500 to replace an engine block is a great deal. Consider yourself lucky
    • id be mad (08/06/2016, 10:35) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      i aint or wont be happy to fix a vehicle me get same day me get it
  • next time (08/06/2016, 09:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Next time, request a copy of the passed inspection report and also request for a minimum warranty period.
  • chad (08/06/2016, 09:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @made in Japan, people can buy whatever vehicle they want.
  • HAS IT? (08/06/2016, 11:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Has it dawn on you that the vendor thought that they were selling the vehicle to a 3rd World country who was desperate for anything?
  • *Hmm (08/06/2016, 12:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    At any given day u go on BVI Car & Parts it have Vitaras selling for around that same price so what would possess u to go order one online & not in any way shape or form in a position to have it inspected. Frigged up situation yes but lady u not getting back your $$ so I'm not sure what justice u expect to get. I could do well now with $8k to put towards a vehicle
  • Stupidity reigns (10/06/2016, 23:25) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sad situation indeed but that's when people head big for nothing. As a woman who I might add is not well versed with vehicles, take your hard earned money that you stand in the sun to make, and send overseas to buy a vehicle is asking for trouble and that's just what you got. You have no knowledge of vehicles AND I'm sure you didn't even (just for the sake of saying so) have a male help you communicate to the dealer. Not that it would've make a difference but the dealer PROBABLY would've thought about his actions just hearing a mans voice, but just communicating to an "overly excited to get a vehicle from the USA woman" you are left with "the bag." As a previous blogger said that same vehicle is featured on BUY BVI site that are around that same price. Not that anything is wrong with them but probably the owner wants to or has already upgraded. I'm most definitely not telling you where or how to spend the money you stand in the sun for but sense should be common. May I take this opportunity to point out your lack of thinking. You made mention of not wanting your employer to know who you are hence the use of your first name. How idiotic is that. Did you purchase the vehicle from their vast display of dilapidated vehicles? We know the answer to that. If you have a complaint you have a complaint. Sooooo....... U go to the media as twas your choice and get it out there. You let Tola know now that head really big for nothing, but mostly to warn people who already knows, to either catch a plane/boat and go check out the vehicle for themselves of have a honest friend/relative in the purchasing state to go check it out for you. What can your employer do I for one would like someone to enlighten me on here in relation to that. JUST TO SAY YOU BUY A VEHICLE IN THE USA you end up a gum tree and looking pity. Strups. WAlking is good for the heart and a little sweat definitely cannot kill. It's hot yes so if you sweat that means your pores are working and a few unwanted pounds will shed. Everybody investing in pedometers maybe you should do the same. I really hope you learn from this experience.


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