Buying a used car/truck sucks!

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Went to go look at a Truck 2 days ago. I decided to call first, and the truck was sold. Oh well, no problem. I called first and they were honest.

Yesterday, I call up another place advertising a similar truck. The guy on the phone even makes sure it has been sold. I drive 45 minutes to get to the dealer. "Sorry, that one is sold." I walkt out. "You don't want to look at anything else?" "No. I came to look at that advertised vehicle. I called ahead."

So I found another one, the Lincoln Blackwood. I call in, around 2PM and get an appointment for 7:45 PM. I call back in at 3PM to verify the mileage on the vehicle. They take 5 minutes and find the mileage. THEY confirm I will be there for the appointment.

So I drive almost an hour to look at this vehicle. I arrive 5 minutes early for my appointment. 1st, no one at the dealership even knows I coming. Appearently the schedule thing is on the computer and the older guy is basically computer illiterate. And the vehicle? Oh, it went to auction early in the morning. When I made the appointment, the vehicle was ALREADY GONE!

The stupid computerized system sent me a message at 1:55AM this morning.

Quote:

Hello James,

I am wondering how everything went when you stopped in for a visit! I did not see you nor was I informed that you made it in, so please let me know as soon as you can. Also, was everyone professional and courteous? Who was the person that you visited with? Were you offered the Internet pricing? Did you end up purchasing a vehicle? What further I may do to assist you?

Thank you so much for the opportunity.

By the way......... Fill this out and send it back for a discount on your next service or oil change!

Jennifer

Rant!

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

Red=Beard;
I can tell you one thing that sucks even harder...SELLING used cars / trucks. Partner in that biz with a friend for 3 years- I could tell you some stories that you would not believe...

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

I saw one that looked decent yesterday, except it will have to have new shoes immediately. My first thought is...if they didn't keep new tires on a high value truck, what other maintenance did they skip?

onewhippedpuppy · 10-15-2010, 06:30 AM

Buy from individuals. I don't even bother looking at dealers. With all of the cars I buy I'd rate individuals as 90% honest, but I'm yet to meet a used car salesman that didn't lie about something.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Yup... Stay away from the dealers...

The best dealer experience dad ever had was in Houston coincidentally. There are some guys there that only sell on ebay. they have a HUGE lot and move lots of volume. They have very good prices. I'll get the name if you want it.

My dad used to run a used car lot(got out b/c he was too honest) and this is one of the few dealerships he has actually talked about liking.

TSNAPCRACKLEPOP · TSNAPCRACKLEPOP's Garage

if you are going to buy a blackwood from a dealer, id have them bring it to ME!

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Yup... Stay away from the dealers...

The best dealer experience dad ever had was in Houston coincidentally. There are some guys there that only sell on ebay. they have a HUGE lot and move lots of volume. They have very good prices. I'll get the name if you want it.

My dad used to run a used car lot(got out b/c he was too honest) and this is one of the few dealerships he has actually talked about liking.

Send it over when you can.

Steve Viegas · 10-15-2010, 08:47 AM

The last car I bought was used and the dealer brought it to me. He offered. The dealership was an hour from me. I liked the car, we negotiated a price and I sent him back. I then found a ride out there and showed up later to pick up the car.

Eric 951 · 10-15-2010, 09:04 AM

it can also be tough buying from individuals. Before I bought my current 96' cherokee this past winter, I looked at several--all private owners from C-list. I owned (2) XJs back in the day and know their weaknesses, especially for rust in the floorboards.
Asked one guy who sent me pics of his Country, "any rust?"..his reply.."a little on the rear quarters..just surface".
"Okay, I know these have a tendency for floorboard rot"
"None that I know of"
I set up an appt and meet him on a drizzly day--Jeep was very clean looking, I open the door pull back the floormat and see the carpet is wet. I crawl under and the boards are gone--as in a foot wide hole on both the passenger and drivers side.
I look at him and all he says is "Yeah, I should have mentioned that"
I declined his offer for a test drive and left.

Christien · Christien's Garage

Count me as one of the few honest ones. I'll let potential sales walk even though I know I could close the deal with some BS. I have to sleep at night and look my kids in the eye when I teach them about honesty. I might BS something like how I like the way a car looks even though it's a bit boring, but in any material way I'm completely honest. Hell, when I posted my 911 for sale someone commented that my middle name must be "disclosure"

The difference between buying private or from a dealer (at least here in Ontario) is that with a private sale you have no recourse against the seller if the car is misrepresented - the onus is entirely on the buyer to make a knowledgable buy. If the seller misrepresents the car, sure you could sue him, but that's not going to go anywhere. A dealer has to represent the car honestly, even in terms of things they might not be aware of (i.e. undisclosed accident history). A buyer can come back to the dealer years later and demand restitution for a misrepresented car. And if the dealer is out of business or unable to refund any money, there's a gov't-administered compensation fund that the buyer can apply to for restitution.

In this province, unless you're a very savvy and knowledgeable buyer, you're much safer buying from a registered dealer.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Texas Direct Auto - The World's Largest eBay Motors Dealer

Check it out Red. Looks like they have expanded since dad was there in '08 He says he would be shocked if they didn't have what you are looking for.

EarlyPorsche · 10-15-2010, 07:16 PM

Carmax is unbelievable when it comes to high quality and fair priced cars. Plus its like purchasing from the grocery store.

onewhippedpuppy · 10-15-2010, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christien

The difference between buying private or from a dealer (at least here in Ontario) is that with a private sale you have no recourse against the seller if the car is misrepresented - the onus is entirely on the buyer to make a knowledgable buy. If the seller misrepresents the car, sure you could sue him, but that's not going to go anywhere. A dealer has to represent the car honestly, even in terms of things they might not be aware of (i.e. undisclosed accident history). A buyer can come back to the dealer years later and demand restitution for a misrepresented car. And if the dealer is out of business or unable to refund any money, there's a gov't-administered compensation fund that the buyer can apply to for restitution.

In this province, unless you're a very savvy and knowledgeable buyer, you're much safer buying from a registered dealer.

That is absolutely not the case here in the states. Besides, in most cases it's your word against the dealer in court. Buyer beware, no warranty expressed or implied pretty well sums up used car sales.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

Carmax is unbelievable when it comes to high quality and fair priced cars. Plus its like purchasing from the grocery store.

Maybe they're better elsewhere, but our Carmax sells mediocre dirty cars for thousands over comparable lots or individuals.

masraum · 10-15-2010, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Texas Direct Auto - The World's Largest eBay Motors Dealer

Check it out Red. Looks like they have expanded since dad was there in '08 He says he would be shocked if they didn't have what you are looking for.

I don't have any exp with this place, but in the last 6 months, I've had at least a half a dozen people tell me that I should use them because they are so awesome.

masraum · 10-15-2010, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

Carmax is unbelievable when it comes to high quality and fair priced cars. Plus its like purchasing from the grocery store.

My experience is that they usually have nice cars, low miles, clean, and they usually want too much for them. I've also read articles that said that most no-haggle places aren't the place to get the best deal.

I've had good luck with this place. It's a no haggle place, and you are supposed to make an appt, but their cars usually seem to be pretty nice, and their prices seem to be decent.
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