It was a negative experience.
We would not recommend this dealer.
First of all I would like to apologize for not getting this in sooner. We had a family issue, which took, up a lot of our personal time along with having the responsibility of a young family at home.
I want to start off by stating, BUYER BEWARE its a USED VEHICLE, always, always get a second inspection.
The sale took place October 2010
I cruised this site for the whole summer last year. It seemed to me that there was a couple of very highly thought of Importers in Richmond.
We decided to buy our L400 SE SWB from Steven who owns Assiniboine Importers/Rising Sun Auto Import of New Westminster. He lived close to us and had a garage for servicing
Steven, who seemed at the time to us, to be on the up and up. There were no formal complaints on this forum about he and his company. He was very personable to us, returned all my e-mails, a genuinely seemed very professional.
Background leading up to the findings of the rust:
A member from this forum met me a couple of weeks after my purchase, asked me to lift my engine lid, in doing so it was pointed out to me a ‘tiny’ rust spot. “This is a common place for rust in these cars and that I should have it checked out!”
I have not formally thanked this person but I will take the time to track him down this week.
I was communicating to Steven that my van was getting nasty mileage and bellowing black smoke. Steven would not do anything about it, so I coughed up money and dealt with it.
November 2010
While it was getting the service I had them check out ‘the rust spot’. I was then told NOT to take it off road, that there was considerable rust in and around the steering arms.
After many communications from the garage to Steven he wanted the van brought to his mechanic at RS Auto for a final approval, which he got.
January 2011
It was in for two weeks at a reputable garage, front end off and engine removed. After the first week, the frame welder was poking around the back end, he found more rust near the leaf springs.
I was quoted at $1100.00 to fix it.
I contacted Steven; he gave the phone to his son and I was told it was between the garage and I and that they, (RS Importers) would not pay for it. My reply was “there was supposed to be no rust to begin with!” He then replied. That, “maybe they would not pay for any of it!”
Needless to say we paid the $1100.00. When it comes to our family's safety, we just cut our losses.
I have many e-mails from Steven stating there was NO rust on my L400.
Here is an excerpt of one from August of 2010:
Hi Ian,
Good to hear you again.
Our delicas have been selling very fast in July and Aug.
But we have four L400 coming in Sep, all were selected by staff in Japan through on site inspection.
We guarantee good running condition and no rust whatsoever.
Also we will do maintenance and compliance work when they are here.
At the end of all this, Steven NEVER took any responsibility and NEVER apologized to my wife and I.
I'm hoping that Steven and David have learned from this.
I've noticed since after our experience with Steven, there have been quite a few happy Rising Sun purchasers. That’s great.
I'm always hopeful that people can change. We all make mistakes and usually better ourselves and move on. It’s a small community; lets keep it honest and professional.
I must say that I have and am thoroughly enjoying our community, I have met and chatted with many with regards to mods, roof rack fabbing etc
EN
