I needed to sell my car to free up some money for an upcoming move. I first tried to sell my car privately. But with the date of my move coming up quick and the car still unsold, I decided it would be best to sell it to a "cash for cars" service. After doing some research online, I found Big Buck$ Auto. I called them and spoke with Ann, who asked me some basic questions about my car (year, mileage, original owner, etc). She was very professional on the phone and we made an appointment for me to bring the car in for them to evaluate it. Before my appointment, my friend & I read as much as we could find about Big Buck$ Auto. It seemed to be an established and reputable company. The owner, Buddy Evans, appeared in company videos and was quoted in various articles. The company had no complaints with the Better Business Bureau. Online customer reviews were mixed, but the negative reviews were from people who were offered less than they believed their car was worth. Those reviews didn't concern me. I knew I was dealing with a wholesaler who would pay a little less than I might get in a private sale. But I didn't have time to wait for the perfect buyer to show up on my doorstep. I knew that if I sold to Big Bucks Auto, I'd instantly have enough money to pay for my move. On the day of my appointment, Buddy and his trainee Carlos met me at the car. They looked over the vehicle, made sure everything was in good shape, and verified some information. Then we headed to their office. Buddy made me an offer for the car, which I accepted. No hassle. He and Ann then led me through all the paperwork. They were both very friendly and professional and made the process easy. I started to cry a little when I was about to sign over the title, and Buddy even consoled me. The whole appointment lasted around an hour. Ann told me that my check would clear within 48 hours and to call her if there were any problems. I thanked them for being so pleasant to deal with. Buddy told me that he'd pay me $200 for any referrals I sent to them. At that point, I felt very likely to refer Big Bucks Auto to friends & family. Up to that point, it had been a 5-star experience. I continued planning my move while waiting for the funds to clear. Three days after the sale, my bank informed me that there was a problem with the check. There was a hold placed on the funds. They asked me to get in touch with the person who issued the check and to put the branch manager at their bank in touch with my bank to release the hold. At this point, I believed it was just the bank doing due diligence since it was a large check. Just verification, for everyone's protection. Nothing to be concerned about. I called Ann and explained what was going on. Almost instantly, her whole tone changed from the pleasant and professional person I had dealt with just days before. She became very defensive, asking why the bank needed this information and saying repeatedly that this never happened before. I calmly explained that this was just bank procedure. She said she'd contact Buddy but seemed reluctant. Eventually my bank was able to get on the phone with Buddy. He was also defensive and argumentative with my bank. But he did ultimately provide my bank with the contact for his bank's branch manager. I was getting concerned at this point, but believed it would get sorted out once the banks talked to each other. The next day, my bank informed me that the check was being returned. Big Bucks Auto had written me a bad check. It had bounced and could not be deposited. My world went black in that moment. I now had no car, no money, and now potentially no home. I was beside myself. I replayed everything in my mind. Clearly I had made a mistake by accepting their business check, rather than insisting on a certified bank check. But what kind of a sales business writes bad checks? I called Ann, who claimed that the check had been paid out by their bank, even though I had evidence that this wasn't true. I asked to speak with Buddy, but she said he was sick and couldn't take my call. I feared I had been scammed. It was a very dark day. My kids saw that state I was in and were worried about me. After talking with friends & family (including those in law enforcement), I decided it was unlikely that I had been scammed. Big Bucks Auto had been in business for years, and the owner was who he said he was. Still, it didn't make sense. If they were legitimate, why did they get so defensive with me & my bank? At no point did they offer an explanation of what happened, or an apology. Had they written the check from the wrong account? Were they waiting on a deposit from someone else to clear before they'd have funds available for me? I am a very understanding person. We all go through things, or have slow months. Sometimes we all get behind on bills. But as I said to them repeatedly on the phone: I did not give them my car. I sold it to them. And I expected them to uphold their part of the deal. On the following Monday, I called Ann and Buddy again and demanded that Big Bucks Auto either fulfill the contract by giving me my cash, or void the contract & give me back my car & title. I informed them that I was on the way to their office, accompanied by a sheriff, and expected them to have my money ready by the time we arrived. Finally the message got through! Before we arrived at the office, Buddy got back on the phone with my bank and wired me the full amount that was owed to me. One week after I had brought my car in, the payment was in my bank account at last. I could breathe again. I am a nice person and wish no harm to anybody or their business. But after my experience, I cannot recommend Big Bucks Auto. Yes, I eventually got all my money, but not without a lot of trouble and unnecessary heartache. If you do decide to sell your car to Big Bucks Auto, I strongly suggest that you go to the bank with them and insist on a bank certified check. Or insist on a wire and don't leave their office until the funds show in your account.