IAA Flint — Local services in Flint Charter Township

I thought Copart’s customer service was the absolute worst possible. I was wrong. IAAI — somehow — is even worse. I operate a small used car dealership. Occasionally we buy previously salvaged vehicles, repair them, and resell. I always purchase these vehicles from Copart. Copart is generally a tough company to deal with so I gave their main competitor, IAAI, a shot to win my business. On my first “purchase,” IAAI destroyed any chance of me doing business with them again. On December 6, 2022, I was the high bidder on Stock #34852243 (2008 Chevy Cobalt) for $275.00. At the end of the auction, the website displayed that the seller was reviewing the high bid. I did not receive any notification, email, text, phone call, or any type of communication from IAAI that indicated the seller had accepted my bid. On December 19, 2022, I attempted to log into my IAAI account. The website alerted me that I was ineligible to bid and I owed a “renege fee” of over $1000.00 due to non-payment. I was confused - I’ve never purchased anything from IAAI. Well, turns out the seller of the $275 Cobalt had accepted my bid. I didn’t know it was accepted - IAAI never notified me that I owed them for this car. I’ve bought thousands of cars from various auctions over the years and am in good standing across the country. If I had been notified I won the auction, I happily would have paid for my $275 Cobalt - not incurred a colossal $1000+ fee for “reneging.” IAAI “customer service” has been nothing except an unhelpful and discourteous waste of my time. Immediately after learning my account was locked on December 19, I attempted to resolve this issue by calling the corporate “customer service” phone number. After being placed on hold several hours, I was informed that it was a “branch issue” and that I would need to contact “Zachary” at the Flint, Michigan, branch. It was near the end of the business day, so I decided to call the branch the next day on December 20, 2022. I reached an office clerk to whom I expressed my frustrations with this process and how it could have been resolved with a simple phone call. She was not in the least bit empathetic to my situation. She took my contact information and said Zachary would follow-up with me shortly. By December 29, 2022, I still had not heard back from Zachary or anyone at IAAI. On December 29, I called the Flint branch again and spoke to “Kathy.” She assured me that Zachary was busy and not ignoring me, but asked why I wanted to speak with him. I explained the situation and she replied “it’s the policy and there’s nothing that can be done” with an impudent tone. I told her I would still like to speak to Zachary and she simply told me it wouldn’t matter. IAAI’s policies are predatory and their customer service is beyond abysmal. I would have happily paid for my $275 Cobalt had I been notified that I had won the auction or that payment was due. An email reminder, simple phone call, text message, basically anything letting me know that a renege fee was being imposed would have been helpful. All of the other online-auction platforms that I have worked with notify you after you’ve won an auction. IAAI, on the other hand, hopes that you do not notice you’ve won so they can assess a ridiculous $1000+ fee and still re-sell the vehicle you “won” to another buyer. This is a crooked and predatory policy. When you attempt to reach someone at IAAI — even as a new customer — they avoid you. If you can talk to someone, they are rude and hide behind their predatory policies. I will not do any further business with IAAI unless this issue is resolved. Further, I will recommend to anyone that they avoid doing business with IAAI. IAAI takes advantage of their new customers. I am disappointed at the lack of response or attempt to resolve this issue from anyone at IAAI. While I would have enjoyed a business relationship with IAAI, I cannot spend my money with such a predatory company and would encourage others...

DO NOT USE Flint, Michigan IAA!!!!! We buy from IAA locations across the Midwestern states. This location FALSELY claims RUN & DRIVE and gives high IAA RATING SCORES to vehicles with seized engines and drive shafts that are in pieces. I TOLD the branch when it was brought out of the yard that they misrepresented the vehicle and they called over a manager who told me auction was over and it was an as is policy. Their site says they are better than others because they give free inspections on their listing. 😆 WHAT A JOKE. Especially when they immediately negate their inspection in their legal terms. We called 3 times discussing this vehicle with branch beforehand and were reassured vehicle was indeed RUN AND DRIVE.

We had to then find a way to tow it after hours. $ Then had to find another same make and model to buy for a working motor that ended up being @ Nashville, TN where they tell the true run and drive qualityof vehicles.$$$ Payed 2 employees 2 days pay to go get new vehicle and for a vehicle transport trailer.$$$ Finally pay $2,800 to a mechanic to pull both motor and installation. $$

THEY ARE SCAMMING FOR HIGHER SALES FIGURES WHICH GETS THEM HIGHER AUCTION FEES!!! This branch needs new management and employees who don't lie to increase bottom line! They also lied to us on the phone and won't let you inspect vehicles before auctions. Only 2 IAA sites let you inspect the day before in Michigan. But all other states sites have allowed us.

Don't belive this locations inspections!!!

BUY FROM ANY other IAA branch and you won't be...

⭐ 0/5 – DO NOT TRUST IAA FLINT – Especially Manager Zach

If I could leave zero stars, I absolutely would. My experience at IAA Flint was nothing short of a scam, and Manager Zach was right at the center of it. I was deliberately misled and given false information that cost me both time and over 10K.

The vehicle I purchased was clearly marked as “Run and Drive”, Insurance write off but when it arrived, it wouldn't even come off the tow truck. It had severe water damage, no power, wouldn't start, and couldn't even unlock the doors — even after attempting to boost it. That is nowhere near “Run and Drive” condition. It was a blatant misrepresentation. This vehicle was one of their scam vehicle which they made false advertising on to cover as an insurance write off. In Fact, it was not.

When I raised my concerns, I was met with deflection and denial. Zach offered zero accountability and clearly has no interest in being honest or resolving issues. He is unprofessional and absolutely should not be in any customer-facing role.

Everyone should join forces and boycott these scammers. Once these scammers are out of work and can't provide for their families then they may realize what they do on daily is not just unethical but predatory.

IAA Flint’s practices are deceptive and unfair. They prey on hardworking people trying to make legitimate purchases. I strongly warn anyone considering doing business here — don’t. Save yourself the headache, the financial loss, and the stress. This place does not deserve your trust...