Anybody ever returned a Carvana car

[Quickstep192]

I’m car shopping and found a car on Carvana. At first it seemed so easy, they bring the car, you drive it around and then keep or not keep.


As I waded through the process, they asked for my bank credentials to access my checking account and want full payment (not just a deposit) before delivering the car. This was off putting and leaves me wondering what happens if I decide I don’t like the car. It’s a lot of money to leave hanging out there.


Has anyone done this and have an experience to share?

[Heel n Toe]

They have to pay for all those "car vending machines," ya know. They need that money.

Seriously, it sounds ridiculous. After seeing their TV ads, there must be a lot of people who love the simplicity of car shopping in their PJs and handing over their account number. Modern conveniences, huh? Ideal during a pandemic, though... but I'd never do it.

I prefer the old fashioned way. This seems like something "the younger set" would do. And enjoy telling their friends about how cool it was... how easy it was. No thanks.



I'm sure you'd get your money back if you didn't like the car, but you should ask if there's a restocking fee or some other fee.

[wilnj]

A friend of mine has. The transaction was completed, the car delivered and he realized that it was the wrong spec. Like we’ve probably all done once before, we click on the wrong item, size, color, etc. except this was a $30,000 transaction.

He called Carvana, they let him hold onto and use the car for 2 weeks until a car with the options he wanted came into inventory. They delivered the replacement and took away the original car with no penalties.

[asphaltgambler]

In a different market, maybe. But in this market no way. The biggest issue is titles or more accurately the lack of. As a matter of fact recently there was a lawsuit and cease doing business southeast like NC, SC or Georgia because of selling vehicles and not giving a title for months at time. Further they would send the buyer a different set of out of state temp tags which doesn't fly in most states. There are more than a few buyers where 7-8 months later they still didn't have the title so therefore couldn't register the vehicle, couldn't drive it.

Also a lot of vehicles were delivered with so little gas or battery power ( in the case if electric vehicles) there was no way they could test drive it while the flatbed guy waited. Also, not surprisingly rust or other issues under or low on the body that the camera doesn't pick-up.

When there is a problem, try getting someone on the phone live to resolve it. Do some research.

Think of it this way: Would you look online for your next wife, fully commit, pay for everything in advance and the 1st time you see her in person is when you're standing at the alter with the click ticking?

If that doesn't set well, there's another similar online seller 'Vroom but for there is no brick /mortar and worse reviews.

[Chocaholic]

I’ve heard far more good than bad. It’s a competitive business and the major players seem to be stepping up to the plate.

As an old fart, I’m skeptical. They offered a crazy amount for my wife’s Odyssey. About $3k more than we payed new. Ended up trading it for a new Pilot at a Honda dealership. They couldn’t match Carvana’s offer but I just felt....safer. Silly, I know. But they gave us about what we paid for it new 2 years and 35k miles ago. Crazy market. We bought the new 2022 at MSRP so out out of pocket was minimal.

When selling to Carvana, as I understand, you sign the paperwork...and the title, and they send you payment a week later. Hmmm.

In any case, I think it’s pretty safe but we older guys are just not their demographic.

[Starless]

My nephew bought a BMW 1 series from them. Dark blue, black leather, 6 speed, really nice looking car. Had a friend that owns a body shop look it over and found some filler on the rear quarter panel. They took it back no hassle and refunded him all his money.

[Steve Carlton]

I think Carvana is the best of the lot, but they all might be good. I know for a fact that Drive99 is bait and switch after 2 offers that were walked back on the first phone call, so no real harm, just disappointment.

Carvana took me out of a Volvo S60 lease one year into a 3 year lease and gave me a check for $1,900 on the spot. They also paid off my lease right away.

I hooked up a friend with a Charger Hellcat lease a two years ago. The MSRP was $68,740 and he leased it for around $63,500. Shift is buying it with 18,000 miles on it for $64,600 (Carvana offered $56,231). You never know who is going to make the crazy offer. We'll find out tomorrow night if they honor it.

[911boost]

I sold a car to Carvana for $5K more than I paid for it. It only had 5,000 miles on it, we just did not need it.

Went smooth as silk, they brought a check and I deposited it before they came back to pick up the car. Guy that was there to pay me couldn't drive a manual, lol.

[matthewb0051]

No experience with Carvana but with the Sonic network of dealerships. They have numerous dealerships across the the country.

It was painful. It was the car I wanted in spec, etc. But in order to get the deal I had to sign a bunch of documents that literally had no relationship to the matter. I had money, so no financing but it was like I was asking for thier money. They ran the credit, tried to get financing. Worst of all was had to sign agreeing to arbitration if there was any issues.

Some may say then just walk away. Easy in theory but it was the car I wanted and the market was tight. Luckily it all worked out but they made it beyond painful.

[911 Rod]

Do you want fries with your order?
Way too much money for me to be in limbo for a couple of days.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

They offered a crazy amount for my wife’s Odyssey. About $3k more than we payed new.

Neighbor sold his two year old basic Tacoma outright to them. He got more than he paid.

I think it's the market and not Carvana.

[aschen]

Carvanas pricing seems out of hand even for today's crazy market. Alot of the search sites put carvana cars right on top if you sort by distance, which I hate. I sold a car recently and it was sortof useful to have all those high priced caravan cars mixed in the shuffle with my listing. Buyers would try to beat me up on price and Id point them to the carvana adds with much higher prices.

[Skillet83]

Originally Posted by Quickstep192

I’m car shopping and found a car on Carvana. At first it seemed so easy, they bring the car, you drive it around and then keep or not keep.


As I waded through the process, they asked for my bank credentials to access my checking account and want full payment (not just a deposit) before delivering the car. This was off putting and leaves me wondering what happens if I decide I don’t like the car. It’s a lot of money to leave hanging out there.


Has anyone done this and have an experience to share?

Would not do it. Purchased a MB 450E-Coupe for my wife from Vroom, same style of company as Carvana. Took 6 months and an expensive attorney to get a title. Loads of horror stories out there if you look.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by Starless

My nephew bought a BMW 1 series from them. Dark blue, black leather, 6 speed, really nice looking car. Had a friend that owns a body shop look it over and found some filler on the rear quarter panel. They took it back no hassle and refunded him all his money.

But how many people would do that kind of inspection? I’d say that’s a negative for Carvana as they advertise their scrutiny and representation as accurate. I’m guessing if they’d disclosed that repair, he wouldn’t have gotten a refund. Buyer beware.

[asphaltgambler]

Buyer beware - you bet. When shopping online, looking at a vehicle and it does not have a CarFax link but 'autocheck' instead, make sure you run your own Carfax as Autocheck is a lower tier service that 'leans' to the dealership. Where Carfax reports everything ( that has been entered) Autocheck does not.

Biggest example? Excluding 'minor' accidents / subsequent repairs which are $1000. or less.

We are looking (still) for a replacement for our Jeep and just ran into this exact situation. From CarMax no less. They advertised this particular vehicle as 1 owner, no accidents. They use Autocheck. When I ran a Carfax on it, returned showing minor accident left front. I called them on it, saying it was just short of fraud. They didn't move on price or offer apology.