using Lemon Squad (3rd Party inspection)
I know nothing about Lemon Squad's credentials but their name sounds like a company to specializes in newer stuff that wouldn't understand the collector car niche....
Ok, I took a minute & looked at some reviews...... These were all grouped together, there are plenty more negative & some positive... But most of the positive are clearly looking at daily driver not specialty cars...
ivan K.
1.0 star rating 1/23/2017
I had a total of 4 nearly identical vehicles inspected by Lemon Squad. Each and every time I made the order by phone and I was explicit that the vehicle needs to be checked for any repainted areas, and body repair. Each time Lemon Squads employee assured me that this is not an issue even if their technician does not have a paint meter. "our technicians look very carefully for panel alignment, overspray, filler, etc." To date I have given this company $520 dollars to check cars. I could not check the cars myself as they were located far away. I ended up deciding to purchase one of the cars based on the "professional" inspection from Lemon Squad. In the report it stated that the car "does not appear to have had any body repair or paint work, the trunk lid has some clear coat peeling". This was my main concern on the car, along with the condition of the glass. (the car is equipped with special windows which are known for issues and are very expensive to replace) "the right side of the front glass has slight de lamination" (no photo was provided of the "minor de lamination of the right front glass") After reading the inspection notes regarding my main concerns, I assumed the paint was all original, the windshield has minor de laminating, So since they only made 88 cars of this version, I bought it, and had it shipped to me.
As the car was being unloaded from the carrier I noticed obvious overspray around the driver door and surrounding areas. I also found the driver's and passengers door window, to be de laminated and the drivers window cracked.I then spent 15 minutes inspecting the car and it was obvious that all these issues were there for a long time. Lemon squad neglected to note, clear coat peeling on both quarter panels, roof edge, I actually found that 80% of the car was repainted poorly , wipers do not work, under covers broken, missing, window regulators working slowly (failing).
I took pictures of the overspray and cracked glass, contacted Lemon Squad and informed them of the situation. I told them this is a very serious error on their part and If I had known this I would have not even considered this car. In a hurry to get me off the phone, Angel asked for me to send an email, so I did. In the email I explained the issues, asked how it was possible they were missed as they are obvious, I also explained that due to the issues with the windows and lack of original paint, I no longer want the car, and if I sell it I will incur a loss.
After multiple attempts to get an answer, re sending the pictures of the issues they missed on the car. I got a call from Reagan stating that she contacted the owner (Andy) and even though it is past 14 days they will refund my money for that inspection. I asked again how were these obvious and serious issues overlooked ,she replied, " I sent you links of the other inspections you had us do and I closed your access to the account" (she did to block my access to the improperly done inspection) She also went on to say that "we did not recommend you buy this car, we gave it a grade of a D" I informed her there was no recommendation to buy the car or not, I hired you guys to INSPECT the car! Which was not done properly, my main reason for inspection was the paint, body and windows, and these had issues that were not noted while being obvious on the car. I informed her that the technician who inspected the car was either brain dead, or was bribed by the seller. I called back asking to speak with the owner (Andy) who was "unavailable" within a few minutes I received an email with a link to the "terms and conditions" along with their attorneys contact. So I called him, no reply. I obtained Lemon Squads Owners (Andy) mobile number and I called him to discuss the matter, and the severity of this situation. Andy did not allow me to speak, he simply said he "bent over backwards" for me and we are done. I asked him I need to know how this could happen to which he said. I don't know, I will look into it internally but will not contact you. You and I are done." (hangs up phone)
So, this business collects money from people to check cars, so buyers do not get cheated, or get a car that is not what they expected. In reality the company misses obvious issues, which would even be visible to someone who knew nothing about cars, then accepts no responsibility,(moral or financial) for the incompetence or perhaps corruption within the company. I was never told how this happened, I never received an apology, never discussed on what can be done! Instead, Andy in the most arrogant, rude, and unprofessional matter ended this case by hanging up the phone! This business need to be shut down as it is not providing any reliable service. I got doubly cheated with this vehicle, once by the seller and then by Lemon Squad. My advice as a 25 year professional in the automotive industry, STAY AWAY!
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Joe S.
DeLand, FL
1.0 star rating 12/6/2016
I used them to look at a car 1400 miles away, a 70 Cuda that the seller had sent me probably 50 pics of the car and were better than the 101 pics the Inspector took..
Obviously a seller is not going to tell the buyer what may be wrong with the car, SO, you hire a professional inspection service like Lemon Squad to do the Inspection and Valuation your not able to do because of distance and or knowledge. In the application process they want to know what the asking price is..I put $64k when it was really $74.5k and they came back with a valuation of $65k, huh, wonder where they got that from, and I'm $298.98 slimmer..Andy the owner seems to reply to the positive reviews on here, but not the negative, shame on him..
Reuben E.
North Miami Beach, FL
1.0 star rating 11/5/2016
Hired lemon squad to do inspection on a pantera they did terrible job bad inspection bad pictures waste of money. When called them to re do they said I was difficult and closed my account
Jeff B.
Landrum, SC
1.0 star rating 9/9/2016
Very unprofessionally run company. They lost the key fob to the car that was being inspected and would not pay to have it replaced. Regan who claimed to be the owner was not willing to discuss an equitable settlement. She started screaming on the phone and then hung up. I would not recommend.
