BLOK Charity Auto Clearance

Reviews 5

MA

Mammoth Condo

BUYER BEWARE! Transmission bad! Car broke down within 15 minutes of driving it off the lot!....They dont allow you to test drive the vehicles! But, I did a CarFax and DMV check first, checked the fluids, checked the engine, no engine lights came on, checked the tires and rotors (you could see them through the wheels) and checked the electrical the best we could without a test drive. Everything seemed ok so we decided to buy it. I paid the extra $200 to be able to return the car in 48 hours so my mechanic look at it (if you return it, they also charge a 5% restocking fee on top of the $200!). After paying for the car with a money order, we drove it off the lot and the transmission was NO GOOD!! We only got about 7 miles from the lot when the transmission got stuck in 3rd gear!! We had to tow it back to the lot at our expense. Then they wouldnt give the $200 back even though we didnt get more than 10 miles away from the lot! TOTAL RIP OFF!!!! They were also going to charge me an additional $400 restocking fee!! What???? I was furious!! How can they restock a car that they KNOW has a bad transmission? I fought and fought with them to get the restocking fee back and threatened to make a claim with the DMV and then they waived the restocking fee. BUT, I STILL had to pay the $200! So basically, I paid $200 for a test drive. I also had to wait a day to reimbursed my initial purchase price even though I gave them the money order just about an hour earlier! DONT GO THERE!! Their cars are crap! They rip you off every chance they get and they dont care. And I bet the same car that broke down on me was put back on the lot!! I cant believe they are still in business! DONT BUY FROM BLOK!!!

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A Private User

This place is a TOTAL RIP OFF AND NOTHING BUT LIARS! My sister purchased a Malibu for $3700, waived the "return warranty" at the advice of the sales rep due to how far we live and it wouldnt be worth it. She was told that all vehicles are inspected and driven for at least 30 minutes to ensure no major defects, what a load! You cant test drive the cars, they have someone doing illegal smogs because not even a brand new car shows ZERO emissions on a smog test yet this one does. This I know for a fact, I come from a long line of mechanics and smog techs. Anyway, She drove off the lot straight onto the freeway and 15 miles down the road the car overheated, wouldnt start and had to be towed home. When called the next day they told her "you didnt buy the warranty, its your problem" Yes she should have got the warranty, but even if she had in 2 days it would have been void anyway. Either way, they are liars this was on March 30, 2011 it is now June 8 and we still have not recieved the pink slip. Every time we call we are told the same line "we recieved it 2 days ago, would you like me to mail it?" Ok, yes the DMV is slow but not that slow! Do yourself a favor and either spend a little more or expect to pay for major repairs that are not listed on the vehicle like another post says. And think about this, they are called Charity Auctions because the private seller or entity whom owned them prior KNEW they would not be able to sell it so they donated it, that way they at least get a tax write off.

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A Private User

Used car bargain bin. This place is like a GIANT bargain bin for used cars. It is a fairly large dirt lot with many cars fairly well labeled and good for the DIY person. I did not see any help around (or knew were to get some) and I was there for and hour browsing. The place does not give you the warm and fuzy feeling that you are gonna buy something that will last (any amount of time) it is more like gambling than anything. Prices range from nice to WHAT &%#@* are they thinking? The cars have junk removed from them but not "dealer" clean. They look like the average car in the street. If the previous owner smoked, drove with a pet, had kids that pee in the seats you will know because the car will stink like it. You will find a VERY wide selection of cars but the selection includes: cars that need work, do not pass smogged, and have multiple defects. Big problems are labeled so you would know such things before hand. Even the keys are inside all the cars I looked at. I would say you are better of buying from a private party since you are likely to get something in better condition and at least the owner may have some history info on the car. But if yiu are a gambler and know about cars, you will likely like this place. Oh there is little street parking and watch out were you park because the VERY efficient parking enforcement personnel patrols the place often and I saw several vehicles get parking tickets.

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Ryan Dang

10% buyers fee + smog fee $55 + $55 for documentation, buy as-is. $5 entrance fee. I heard public auctions have the worst cars, because even the dealer auctions dont want them. The great cars are saved for dealers only. $200 deposit. $200 to buy the refund policy but 8% restocking fee?! They make money even if you dont buy anything! No test driving. You might get lucky and get a working car, but if you dont. you will at least pay them the buyers fee, smog fee, documentation fee, $200 non refundable deposit, or the $200 refund policy with 8% restocking fee and the entrance fee. At least from a private seller or dealer I can get the car professionally inspected. If you brought mechanic you will have to come on a Saturday at 8am till 10am to inspect it. Which means you have to first find a car you like and then ask your mechanic to inspect it. In under 2 hours or less. Theres like hundreds of cars here. It take more than 2 hours to find a car you like and even more to inspect it without a car lift. No tools. Dont forget the people they hire to bid against you. Undercover fake bidders to increase the winning bid! The announcer will say a bunch of rubbish really fast to confuse and pressure you. He will make it seem like someone already outbid you, but if you wait long enough he will go back to your bid and say SOLD.

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AD

Adrian Stanescu

Ive been buying cars from these guys for years (maybe 6-7 years for my family and my relatives). Like any car dealers you need to do your homework. This is more like DIY project. Run a history check on the vehicle for accidents or salvage titles ( I usually avoid those cars), use KBB to find out the going value for a similar vehicle, try out the car in the parking lot, run the engine for few minutes, try the transmission on site for good smooth swift from P to D and R (you will check the transmission later during test drive) check overall look, a worn and dirty vehicle is probably not a good sign, look for clean engine oil, clean air filter, good brakes and tires no dings on the body, clean interior no broken seats(these are signs for a good maintenance on the vehicle) and if you like the price buy the car before auction day; they will take out the 10% fees from the internet posted price. Always buy the $200 return policy and if you need more information take the car to a dealer or your mechanic and get a second opinion. This vehicles are not 100% perfect but a well maintain car should get you a good investment that you can keep running for years for a fraction of the cost of a new one.

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