FYI: A family has been left in financial distress and without adequate transportation after purchasing a structurally compromised van to help their daughter, who needs a kidney transplant.
Family Faces Hardship After Purchasing Defective Wheelchair Accessible Van
A Pittsburgh-area family is now in search of answers and justice after spending $11,000 on a wheelchair accessible van that turned out to be defective, leading to additional costly repairs.
The Geibel Family’s Struggle
Lisa and Scott Geibel, the parents of 33-year-old Katie who is in stage 4 kidney failure and requires a transplant, purchased the van to facilitate Katie’s medical transportation needs. Shortly after making the purchase, they encountered significant issues with the vehicle.
Lisa detailed to CBS News the dire necessity for the van, explaining, "After the transplant she won’t be able to lift herself because the surgery might compromise her organs." The family needed a reliable and affordable transport solution, as a new specialized van would cost around $90,000—a price far beyond their financial reach.
A Costly Mistake
Turning to First Quality Auto Mall in Talmadge, Ohio, the Geibels found what seemed like a decent alternative: a 2010 Chrysler Town & Country priced at $11,000. Initially, the van appeared in excellent condition, both exterior and interior. However, Lisa Geibel noted a significant red flag when the dealer, Ranko Veslinovic, declined to allow an inspection of the vehicle’s underside, citing that the lift was already occupied.
Discovery of Severe Issues
The family’s predicament deepened as the van broke down before they even arrived back home. A subsequent inspection in Pennsylvania revealed severe structural problems. "It has holes in the frame and it’s full of mud. There are holes in the floor. It’s rusted and covered in black spray paint and tar and what looks like spray foam insulation," Lisa recounted to CBS News.
Their attempts to contact the dealer for a resolution were met with refusal. Veslinovic told them that all sales were final and dismissively remarked on the matter of returns.
Legal and Financial Quandary
Efforts to seek assistance from both the Pennsylvania and Ohio Attorney General’s Offices yielded no hope due to differences in state laws, with Ohio laws favoring the seller under ‘as-is’ terms.
CBS affiliate KDKA reached out to Veslinovic, who maintained that the Geibels had signed the paperwork with full knowledge of what they were purchasing, though they had not been able to conduct a thorough inspection.
Moving Forward
Facing the misfortune of being out $11,000, the Geibels are left without a necessary vehicle. Despite these challenges, they persist with an optimistic determination. "Now the Geibels are $11,000 down, without a van – something they desperately need to get their daughter to transplant – and, despite the overall dire situation, they say they’re keeping their heads down and ‘just keeping moving forward.’” Lisa highlighted to CBS News.
In conclusion, the Geibels’ unfortunate experience underscores the importance of thorough vehicle inspections and understanding seller terms, particularly for second-hand buyers of specialized vehicles. Their story is a stark reminder of the potential risks involved in such transactions.
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By: Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
