Buyer Beware! My good friends purchased a ""new"" TaoTao ATV from Chubber's Scooters, and asked me to look it over before they rode it. As a mechanic, I assure you that the Chinese product is not even close to the quality of a ""name-brand"" four wheeler. But the one my friends picked up from Chubber's wasn't even put together properly. The chain was so over-tight, that it has zero deflection, and the rear end is crooked from where the left chain adjuster is tightened four or five turns more than the other. The bolts that are meant to secure the front bumper were left finger tight, and one had fallen out completely. The left-side handlebar controls (where the start, kill, and headlight switches reside), was loose and moved freely on the handlebar. When we attempted to start the unit, it would not stay running without applying throttle. The choke had no discernible effect. Oh, and the best part- the rear wheels (which are shipped with the hubs bolted to them, but not installed) are on the WRONG SIDE of the vehicle. The rear wheelbase is about half that of the front, and the hubs stick out two inches past the tire. An obvious clue would be the lack of visible valve stems.
So, without even taking the vehicle out of the truck it was picked up in, back to Chubber's we went. Where we were greeted with total indifference. To say that the man didn't care at all, would be giving him far too much credit. Rather than take any responsibility for delivering a completely unsafe and unsatisfactory product, he blamed everything on my friends, saying that the problems were there fault because they were in a hurry to pick up the machine! At that point my friends and I were all having serious doubts about doing any kind of business with Chubber's Scooters, and they politely asked for their money to be returned. The owner pointed out the sign on the wall that says ""All Sales Final"", and told them their only option was to leave the machine over night, and he would have his mechanic look at it in the morning. Even though my friends would much rather have had a refund, they agreed to let him keep the vehicle for another day to have his mechanic fix it.
Today, the mechanic called my friend (the wife), and told her that the vehicle was ready to be picked up. I met them at Chubber's Scooters this evening, and the vehicle was sitting out front. The front bumper had been repaired, and that was it. The rear end was still crooked, the chain still stretched tighter that a guitar string, handlebar controls still loose, and rear hubs still installed backwards. The owner (Chuck Shomo) had told my friends (again) that it was ready to go. When I asked him about the rest of the problems, he stated that his mechanic had gotten the machine running and had ridden it all over the parking lot. I told him that was fine but it had absolutely no bearing on the other problems, and that the machine was still not ready to be delivered. Again, my friends requested a refund, and were refused. I asked him several times to let me point out to him the things that still needed to be fixed, but he would not even get out of his chair.
As it stands, we left the machine at Chubber's Scooters, and he claims he is going to have his mechanic look at it again. My friends have called a lawyer, and are waiting for a consultation.
Do yourself a favor. Don't buy from Chubber's Scooters.
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