Better Business Bureau issues alert against Engine Shopper, LLC

Repair shops in Canada are among those who have registered complaints against Engine Shopper, LLC, an online used auto parts business.

The Better Business Bureau Serving Wisconsin (BBB) has issued an alert about Engine Shopper, LLC, which also uses or has used the names SW Transmissions, SW Engines, Southwest Engines, Engine and Transmission World LLC, ETW, Got Engines, and Quality Used Transmissions, and has generated hundreds of BBB complaints nationwide.

Customers have filed nearly 400 complaints against the company within the BBB’s current, three-year reporting period. Complaints have been received from 46 states and Canada with most complaints coming from CA, TX, OH, VA, and NC. Three complainants are from Wisconsin.

The company has responded to nearly all of the complaints, but has failed to resolve the underlying cause and pattern of complaints. The BBB continues to process new complaints on a weekly basis.

Engine Shopper, LLC has an “F” grade with BBB, the lowest possible.

Complaints concern product quality issues, delay in shipment and delivery of goods, refund and exchange issues, and advertising and selling practices. Consumers report receiving the wrong product, and products that are dirty, damaged, and faulty. They also report difficulty in reaching the company and difficulty obtaining refunds.

The BBB Serving Wisconsin issued an alert on this company in April, 2011.

Engine Shopper, LLC is located in Cudahy, Wisconsin but also claims to operate out of several other states.

For example, the company lists an address for SW Transmissions at 1033 Corporate Square Drive, Creve Coeur, Missouri. However, managers at the office building told the BBB Serving St. Louis that SW Transmissions has never had offices there.

Engine Shopper, LLC, appears to be tied to other similar companies in Michigan, Kansas, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Missouri. They include Quality Used Transmission or Quality Used Transmissions in Grand Rapids, MI; Quality Used Engines in Leawood, KS; Southwest Engines or SW Engines in Tulsa, OK; SW Engines in Mobile, AL; and SW Transmissions or Southwest Transmissions in St. Louis, MO.

“Before you invest thousands of dollars with an online business, do your research,” said Ran Hoth, BBB president and CEO. “BBB Business Reviews are free and contain information including complaint detail and customer reviews that can give you a clear idea of who you are dealing with and help you make a good business decision.”

Matthew C. of AK received the wrong engine and says, “I purchased an engine in October, 2014 and it wasn’t delivered until December, 2014. The engine I received required $686 of reconfiguration and modification to make it fit my van. When I contacted the company to inform them of their error, (they) were unwilling to discuss the matter and was, in fact, very combative. I have attempted to contact them via email and phone…they appear to be avoiding me. I have done an internet search on their business reputation. Shocking that they are still in business.”

Geoffrey S. of MD says, “I bought a used engine for my 2006 Subaru Forester that was advertised to have 40,485 miles. The engine was installed by my mechanic and he gave me the VIN number for the engine. I looked it up and was shocked to discover the engine was from a 2007 Subaru Forester with 163,523 miles.”

Brian Y. of IA received the wrong engine. He states, “I talked to an individual today who told me if I send the engine back I would have to pay shipping and handling both ways and a 25% restocking fee-for their mistake. I paid good money and was expecting the engine I paid for.”

Despite numerous attempts to obtain answers to questions from the business, BBB has been unable to obtain a response. BBB contacted the business two weeks ago requesting it respond to several questions involving its operations and complaint activity. The business referred the questions to its attorney. The attorney said he emailed responses to the BBB, however, to date, the BBB has not received them.

BBB offers the following tips when buying merchandise online:

• Research the business and owners carefully before paying any fees. Check the company’s BBB Business Review at BBB.org or by calling 414-847-6000.
• Ask for references and contact them.
• Read all terms and conditions carefully before completing a purchase. Make sure to read and understand all warranty information. Know your options in the event you receive an item that was not as advertised.
• Pay by credit card whenever possible in case you need to dispute the purchase.

If consumers have a complaint against this company, they are advised to file a complaint with the BBB Serving Wisconsin and file a dispute with their credit card company.

www.bbb.org