Abuja4sale: DRIVER STORY; “The Naked Truth is better than the best dressed lies”

Dear Nairalanders,
My name is Biola Akinwande, my user’s names on Nairaland are Abuja4sale and Biowande. I am appealing to fellow Nairalanders to run through my posts since I joined this forum and you would see that faithfulness and truthfulness is my philosophy in life. This reply is coming late due to the fact that I have been sick since I came back to Abuja four days back due to the big whitlow on my right hand. Here is the truth and nothing but the truth on the Rav4 sold by Damola1 to Lekky2.

I and Alhaji Kamoru (Lekky2) worked in the same NGO in Abuja. I used my part time in a partnership with one of our director to run an Auto Business; my car stand is located beside GTB, Area 3, Garki. I recommend our current clearing agent (Accl 200); whom I met on Nairaland to my partner and it has been nice doing business on Nairaland. Please note, I used my weekends to bring our cars from Tincan to Abuja and I am in charge of marketing and sales. I introduced Alhaji (my supervisor) to Nairaland two years back. And so far so good, I have assisted Alhaji to sell three of his cars (Highlander, Toyota and Rav4).

Please note, it was after Alhaji had paid the first payment (N500, 000) that he consulted me to assist him to bring the said car (2008 Rav4) from Lagos to Abuja. And as I am presently on annual leave I promised to assist him last Friday 11th May; same day the balance (N1, 500,000) was paid to Damola GTB Account. I prepared the legal document for the transfer and I told Damola on Alhaji’s phone that the “deed of sales” is to be paid by the seller that I charges N50, 000 for the stamped document, though Damola promised that when I come to Lagos we shall negotiate. I told Damola that I would enter night bus to Lagos same day and that he should bring the car to Berger on Saturday morning and he agreed, as I don’t have other things doing inside Lagos as this has been my practice with our agent (Accl 200). I called Damola when our bus got to Ibadan and I told him that by 7am I would have reach Berger and he said no problem. I got to Berger by 7am but was surprised that Damola was no where to be found. I called Alhaji and he promised to call Damola to find out why? Alhaji called me back that Damola said he cannot bring the car to Berger as agreed that I should come to 1, Modupe Street, Adeniyi Jones Ikeja.

Though I was not happy but Alhaji appealed with me to meet Damola at the above address. I took bike to Ikeja inside the rain and was surprised that it took Damola 45 minutes after I got to the address before he finally show up with the car with a friend of his. And immediately the dead of sales were signed at exactly 9.25am on Saturday 12th May. As I went through the document I discovered that the last vehicle license was missing and I told Damola that without the document I cannot drive the car to Abuja. Damola responded that his priority in life is “to make money not to disturb himself with vehicle particulars, that his driver is the one driving the car” So this warrants us going to Damola’s House to check the document. Please note Damola was driving while his friend was by his side and I was seated at the back seat as we were going I noticed seven lights (check engine, airbag, abs, fuel, vcr?, bad alignment and one other signal) shows on the dashboard and I observed the driving was not smooth. I told Damola to enter the AP Filling Station closer to his office to do the wheel balancing and alignment. But I received the shock of my life when Damola told the technician that he cannot pay N3,500 for both wheel balancing and alignment that the technician should go ahead with only alignment which cost N1,000. That he had brought a Belgium tire two days ago plus
N1, 000 alignments is the highest cost he could bear on that car. As we came down for the alignment I was also shocked to discovered that the VIN of the car could not be view through the left side bottom of the widescreen and I told Damola that “this car is accidented” and Damola responded “Welcome to Nigerian-Used” I called Alhaji immediately that there are seven lights on the dashboard and he asked me to give the phone to Damola. Distinguish Nairaladers, if you see the way Damola talked to Alhaji on phone that he expected Alhaji to come and inspect the car before he paid for it and he (Damola) cannot do more than the Belgium tire and alignment. I told Damola he lied on the advert of the car on nairaland.com and he told me that is business. I could not even ask him money for the deed of sales. From there we went to his house for the missing document and I drove the car for the first time from his house to Lagos Ibadan Express way coming to Abuja.

The seven lights had reduced to six after I brought fuel (fuel light off). And as I was driving along Lagos Ibadan Express way I observed the temperature was at the center, this surprised me as the engine is not V6. I had used two V6 as my personal cars and I know the temperature rises faster to the center and it remains at the center all through whichever journey. So I called Alhaji that the car is doing overheating and he advised I should add radiator coolant which I added and please note, I never put on the AC. As I moved like 15minutes I observed the temperature is rising above average and I packed again to check the fans; which were working. Though the fans look smaller for the engine, which was why I brought a bag of pure water as stand by should in case the radiator need water.

I have my eyes on the temperature all through and immediately I observed the temperature suddenly comes down to zero level and the car is still moving I packed at the next filling station to check what went wrong. A mechanic added water to the radiator and suggested I avoid hold up. For some of us that ply Lagos / Ibadan express way on last Saturday morning we would observed a long holdup as a result of four trailers that had a collision on the way to Ibadan so I followed the old road in other to avoid holdup but suddenly the engine stopped and refuses to start and I had to call people; who assisted me to push the car to the mechanic; who confirm that the top cylinder casket is burnt. I was shocked that a temperature that is a little above average could burn the top cylinder casket this implies the temperature signs on the dashboard is not accurate. I also called Damola and he promised to call me back as soon as he speak to his mechanic and he called back with Damola’s mechanic asking what went wrong and I told him and later promised to get back to me as soon as he settle talk with Damola but they never did.

As soon as the mechanic open the started the work on Sunday, I could not believed my eyes that the last time the engine was repaired by Damola, two nuts were missing right inside the engine and there are lots of other shabby works already done on the vehicle.

Please note, Damola is not worthy to be trusted the below mails said it all.

See copy of the exchanged mails and more pictures……

Damola damola@damola.com

May 14 (5 days ago)

to Kamoru, me
What would you have me do then?

Business for me must be a win win for all parties concerned at all times, that's why I left a career in oil and gas to retail.

The value of the car is well above what you purchased it for. If you've got a better proposition, I will be glad to hear it. I have not cheated you in anyway. I have spent a lot to keep the car in good shape, but if you feel anyway cheated, please return the car, and you'll get a full refund. I have only asked for time to resell and put it up.

You didn't have to ' overhaul ' the engine, since I left it in a perfectly working condition.

I do not need ' your money ' to run my business. I sold you ' my car '. It's that simple.


Thank you.

Damola.

On 14 May 2012 20:37, Kamoru Olalekan <ola4u3@gmail.com> wrote:

Bros,
Thanks for your mail.
But hear urself again.
I should return the car back to you in a good working condition and you will refund my money(which i paid into your acount cash) back to me via a posdated check 1 month after you have gotten your vehicle back.
So what is the meaning of this?
The meaning is simply that after you would have had your vehicle back ina good working condition better than the way i collected it (since i had almost overhaul the engine for you) you will still use my 2 million Naira to run your business and when you are finally done with it, i can now have it back after a month.
This now makes me belief that this is advance fee fraud popularly called "419".
Now that i have known your type of person, it is better we consider this case closed. You may not bother to write me again on this isssue or call me and i wiill not do either.

On Mon, May 14, 2012 at 7:55 PM, Damola <damola@damola.com> wrote:

Thank you for this update.

More people have trusted me, and I can only count a few times I have failed.

And my structure or system cannot accept the complaint you just made. Your trust is not misplaced. I was not afraid for the potential buyer to inspect it. And am sorry if you think I played you. I will now try to fix it.

I am willing to accept the car back in a working condition as it's left, and I will issue you a post dated check ( 1 month from date of delivery) for the exact amount you paid.

I am sorry for inconvenience caused.

Br.

Damola.

Damola damola@damola.com

May 15 (4 days ago)

to me
I have no business with you sir. Please do not communicate with me. You've chosen to insult me.

On 15 May 2012 06:47, <biowande@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Damola,
Though I would not speak for Kamoru on this matter. But remember what I told you when I came down to Lagos from Abuja to freight the car that you are full of deceits.

I drove the car for the first time after the deed of sales had been signed, as you led me out of your estate. I find out that the hands of the car is out of shape and six/seven lights shows on the dashboard. i.e 'check engine' 'malfunction airbag' 'abs' 'vcr' 'passenger seat belt; even as there is no single passenger in the car' 'non alignment; even after your N1,000 paid alignment' and lots more. You sold an accidented vehicle; chassis welded, air bags damaged, head collision, bad steering, damaged head. And that is one of the reason you didn't include the front view pictures until aftermath. And to crown it all you 'forgot' to type accidented in your advert on nairaland.com. When I could not view the VIN through the wide screen I told you to your face that the car is accidented and your response was 'welcome to Nigeria-Used' afterall N2M was already paid to your account two days earlier.

What a flamboyant statement that 'you don't need Kamoru's money to run your business' Must you sold the car after receipt before the N2M that was less than 4 days in your account could be return back to Kamoru. To me, your attitude is nothing but a proud and deceit spoil child. An empty drum that is so full of himself.

Since, I collected the car on saturday, the car never make it to Ibadan. It started overheating right from Berger Lagos, even the radiator coolant and bags of sachet water I brought could not subside the overheating and by the time it got to Redemption camp the temperature had risen to just above average thereafter the engine stopped working. As the mechanic arrived I could not believe my eyes that a car with a major accident of such could be sold for N2M. As 2008 Model you claimed it is the car is nothing but a dumping rubbish. I now know the reason why after we agreed to met at Berger even before I left Abuja on Friday night, you didn't showup at Berger as I finally came down to Ikeja and waited 45 minutes before you finally showup with the car. Though your conscience is dead because if I were you I would never find peace with such cash transaction. And I don't think you would also whether you like it or not. Except you turn a new leaf, nemesis awaits you at a conner. At least you repeatedly said your own priority is 'to make money no matter how' and I told you that you should check my posts on nairaland that faithfulness is my key in business.

Up till now, we have spent N100,000 on the salvage you called a car. And the technician are still working on it maybe in next two days we shall see if I would be fit to enter Ibadan. We have learnt our lessons in a bitter way. Though I begged Kamoru not to expose your deceitfulness on the tread you used to advertised the car on same night you went online to inform nairalanders that the new owner had picked the salvage rubbish. And I also believed you would have rushed to your shrine to thank your god for bringing a 'mumu' like itself to buy the car. Can't imagine you said the value of such accidented rubbish is above N2M? You are nothing but 'omo ti a ko to ti ongbele ti a kota'

Kamoru Olalekan ola4u3@gmail.com
7:51 PM (4 hours ago)




to damola, sales, me



Dear Damola,
It had been concluded and advised that the engine of the car be changed after all efforts to get it started again today proved abortive.
The reason given is that the engine had serious complications and for the car to be back on the road again, a replacement engine is desirable.
He has promised to get me what it will cost me to install a new engine in the car on Monday as he is going to make enquiry from ladipo market in Lagos.
Please note that today marks a week after the car was released to me without getting value for my N2m.So the earlier we get this replacement engine, the better.
At this junction, i will write off all the costs i had incurred so far to ressurrect the engine, which is about 130k in total.
But be ever prepared that this new cost of installing a replacement engine will be borne by two of us 50-50, the cost which i will communicate to you as it gets to me on Monday.At least, two of us are suppose to bear the loss.But mine has been greater
I hope i have been fair enough.
I await ur usual swift response.
I

I prepared the legal document for the transfer and I told Damola on Alhaji’s phone that the “deed of sales” is to be paid by the seller that I charges N50, 000 for the stamped document, though Damola promised that when I come to Lagos we shall negotiate.

I got to Berger by 7am but was surprised that Damola was no where to be found. I called Alhaji and he promised to call Damola to find out why? Alhaji called me back that Damola said he cannot bring the car to Berger as agreed that I should come to 1, Modupe Street, Adeniyi Jones Ikeja.

Please note Damola was driving while his friend was by his side and I was seated at the back seat as we were going I noticed seven lights (check engine, airbag, abs, fuel, vcr?, bad alignment and one other signal) shows on the dashboard and I observed the driving was not smooth. I told Damola to enter the AP Filling Station closer to his office to do the wheel balancing and alignment. But I received the shock of my life when Damola told the technician that he cannot pay N3,500 for both wheel balancing and alignment that the technician should go ahead with only alignment which cost N1,000. That he had brought a Belgium tire two days ago plus
N1, 000 alignments is the highest cost he could bear on that car. As we came down for the alignment I was also shocked to discovered that the VIN of the car could not be view through the left side bottom of the widescreen and I told Damola that “this car is accidented” and Damola responded “Welcome to Nigerian-Used” I called Alhaji immediately that there are seven lights on the dashboard and he asked me to give the phone to Damola. Distinguish Nairaladers, if you see the way Damola talked to Alhaji on phone that he expected Alhaji to come and inspect the car before he paid for it and he (Damola) cannot do more than the Belgium tire and alignment. I told Damola he lied on the advert of the car on nairaland.com and he told me that is business. I could not even ask him money for the deed of sales. From there we went to his house for the missing document and I drove the car for the first time from his house to Lagos Ibadan Express way coming to Abuja.

And as I was driving along Lagos Ibadan Express way I observed the temperature was at the center, this surprised me as the engine is not V6. I had used two V6 as my personal cars and I know the temperature rises faster to the center and it remains at the center all through whichever journey. So I called Alhaji that the car is doing overheating and he advised I should add radiator coolant which I added and please note, I never put on the AC. As I moved like 15minutes I observed the temperature is rising above average and I packed again to check the fans; which were working. Though the fans look smaller for the engine, which was why I brought a bag of pure water as stand by should in case the radiator need water.

I have my eyes on the temperature all through and immediately I observed the temperature suddenly comes down to zero level and the car is still moving I packed at the next filling station to check what went wrong. A mechanic added water to the radiator and suggested I avoid hold up. For some of us that ply Lagos / Ibadan express way on last Saturday morning we would observed a long holdup as a result of four trailers that had a collision on the way to Ibadan so I followed the old road in other to avoid holdup but suddenly the engine stopped and refuses to start and I had to call people; who assisted me to push the car to the mechanic; who confirm that the top cylinder casket is burnt. I was shocked that a temperature that is a little above average could burn the top cylinder casket this implies the temperature signs on the dashboard is not accurate. I also called Damola and he promised to call me back as soon as he speak to his mechanic and he called back with Damola’s mechanic asking what went wrong and I told him and later promised to get back to me as soon as he settle talk with Damola but they never did.

It started overheating right from Berger Lagos, even the radiator coolant and bags of sachet water I brought could not subside the overheating and by the time it got to Redemption camp the temperature had risen to just above average thereafter the engine stopped working.

lagerwhenindoubt: It is particularly sad that nearly everyone on this thread has discounted the very essence of Salesmanship - TRUST , rather we have focused on blaming Alhaji for not inspecting a car before buying it. I suspect that a lot of posters on this thread are actually car dealers and cannot bring themselves to the point of beign a buyer. It is a pathetic excuse we are all making for damola and it is a sad development for Nairaland Autos. If you all think that this issue will rest with this thread - you are dead wrong, a lot of viewers have made the realization that they cannot TRUST every Auto-sales Post they read on Nairaland. It is even more sad that many have actually gone to inspect the so-called CLEAN, MINT, PERFECT, CHILLING cars - have been disappointed. I know one Highlander in Festac on Nairaland that is similar to what Alhaji bought. The pictures posted are different from the actual car and it had more than superficial problems. The real owner could not be found after they pressured me to sign a cheque for the full amount to a 3rd party. This poster is still very much on Nairaland and one Nairalander will buy this car and be in a similar situation.

I wonder why we cannot bring ourselves to accept the plain fact that this Damola character is not Trustworthy, rather we blame a man who Trusted him well enough to pay him N2million for trash. Na waooo.

Chairman
Thanks for your input. I really appreciate your observation. You are one of the few person i respect on this forum, i don't know why
You see, i really get worried when issues like this crop up because without some of our dealers knowing it, it is our business that gets to suffer.
You don't really get to know until you deal with someone who doesn't trust you or your judgement(this is the worst). Or when you lose sales to a rival
who you are dead sure doesn't have as much quality cars as you do.

I was surprised that given the vituperations pouring in from incensed buyers or observers, no dealer bar a few made any attempt to put things in perspective.
The seller was never, has never been, but may intend to be a dealer. But for the case in point, he is not one. Hence i find it hard to swallow
when people lump us all up, either as a pre-conceived notion or a reading carelessness. Whichever it is, it doesn't favour me as a dealer or any dealer for that matter.

But my main grouse is the issue of trust. I thank God for one thing; the seller didn't keep mute. He came back to at least salvage whatever is left of his name.
I really pity him cos from my little 'ignorance', I want to believe he did not set out to sell a lemon to the buyer, but is guilty and is paying for not fully revealing the condition or history of the unit he sold. He is paying for that now. Maybe if that car hadn't over heat along the road, we may never have heard of this deal till today.

I am also worried because i know that the future of sales in digital. People needn't leave the comfort of their homes or offices to buy or sell their wares; cars inclusive. And this can only be achieved when trust in entrenched. Therefore i shudder to think what will happen in this age of e-commerce if buyers can't trust sellers to fully disclose the condition or the exact situation their goods are in. We are already seeing the result in what Inspired M is doing here; clearing all the pre-order deals on Nairaland, simply because people can trust his final product. I urge him to keep up the game and never falter. Someone like me is also working hard to be sure i attain and surpass that standard. It is for this reason that i find it hard to believe that people are bashing Lekky 2 for his decision to buy sans inspection. At least from his experience, he has done a deal like this before and it worked out well.

Finally, you observers and buyers owe us a lot. U discovered something terrible that someone else is likely to fall into and u are keeping mute! WHY??
Expose the damn dealer and blacklist him !!!! Why do have to wait till someone is scammed before u say, "i knew it"! You are not showing love to your neighbour if you keep hiding such a dealer in our midst. If we intend benefiting from the buying convenience and comfort this real estate offers us, then it is up to us all to make it clean by exposing those out to sell lemons. It is like someone passing thru a robbery scene unhurt and then goes past a close check-point on his way without alerting the police to what is going on behind them. Where is our love for one another??!!! Must we emulate the said dealers we demonise in this regard? Hell No!!

It is to user credit that some level of exposure and openness is being attached to car sales here. People will have to disclose VIN and other issues with their cars to advertise. It is to our credit that Lekky 2 came back and is getting justice for what was done wrongly to him. I can assure you, you will hardly come by such a positive feedback from road side deals. If you do, let me know where you got such so i can go commend the person involved.

Hence, in as much as we think dealers are fraudulent, it is up to us to expose those who take advantage of us all. Those who know me will tell u that even if u approach me to buy a car and i don't have what you are looking for, that parting shot from me will be tips on how to buy the right unit.

Whatever be the case,we can only get better with time. We are not yet there, but with continuous, conscious effort, we will get there in a short time.
IT IS WELL WITH US!

Lekky 2: @ martini101,
I will still give the old engine to damola as requested by him.It is still his own and not mine since he is contributing to the purchase of the replacement engine.I dont need the old engine as there is nothing i am going to do with it.
He has shown some level of matruity and sense of transparency on the whole issue so far to an extent. At least replying my sms, mails and still contributing to this thread.
What if he decided to bolt-away and swith off his phone after katakata burst like what most Nigerian seller will do,when this kind of problem happens.
So let me display my own level of maturity and transparency too since he has displayed his.
@ 3ace
I have promise to give all neccessary update on the whole saga to the point of conclusion.

Temistatics 007: The driver said he was familiar with some v6 engine cars he has driven in which their temp gauge stay in the middle through out a journey(i don't know about that),beside he said the temperature gauge was at the least when the car stopped working meaning,the gauge was deceptive(not in good order),i once blamed the driver before he narrated his side of the story.
@all,na God go help us all o

Africaine: damola decieved the buyer,the buyer has no fault except for trusting that people still had intergrity,and am very sure he wouldnt have paid if inspired didnt put in a word about the history of the vehicle,besides imspired was innocently talking about the history before it arrived america.

the seller is fraudlent and should be banned from selling or advertising any type of vehicle be it personal or otherwise,he should return the alhaji 2million in full with no conditions attached,go and pick ur vehicle and stop talking trash about waiting till its sold before u refund the buyers money,fraudster!!!

alhaji,dont even try to do anything again,just let him pick his dead beat of a car,collect ur money,lick ur wounds and move on,stop trying to be too nice,except ur a billionaire or sumtin...and 2million is chicken feed!!!

damola the fraudster,shame on you

blank: Abeg carry your gbese Rav 4 dey go. When in 6 months, u have spent more than the cost of a new Rav 4 then you can return to Mr value his reputation and buy another one.

Can this thread just be locked abeg?

gulfer: Most irresponsible comment i have seen on NL. Why did you have to comment when all you've spewed is t.hrash!

blank:

How is it your business?

gulfer: It is my business for the same reason it is your own business to have requested the thread closed

blank:

Be here exchanging word with a woman when your mates are bringing in money for their families.

blank: Abeg carry your gbese Rav 4 dey go. When in 6 months, u have spent more than the cost of a new Rav 4 then you can return to Mr value his reputation and buy another one.

Can this thread just be locked abeg?

txswat: @ Lekky 2 what is the VIN of the car so I can give you an idea of what the engine would cost?

On another note if the seller is willing to refund your money IMMEDIATELY then I think you should seriously consider going that route. Buying used engines in naija can be a tricky thing sometimes. Importing a good used engine from the US from a trusted source might be the better option of the two but shipping might be cost prohibitive. I think the conclusion here is some money has gone down the drain so how much more are you willing to spend one way or another.

@ damola 1 please offer to refund the money immediately you receive the car so your reputation can be restored.

Best wishes gentleman.....