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elchrist
See-thru Afro
Joined: 09 Oct 2002
Posts: 7485
Location: Calecia.com
  
Votes: 14
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 Posted: 16 Dec 2003 08:54 AM Post subject: Rip-Off Nation: Auto Dealers Swindling of America |
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I came across this report on Clarkhoward.com about some of the tactics auto dealerships sometimes use to make a profit. From placing fake sticker prices that list standard items as extras to running a credit report on you to find out if they should even waste their time with you on the sale.
I haven't read the complete report, but I'll make sure to reference it if and when I'm in the market for purchasing a new vehicle.
Rip-Off Nation: Auto Dealers Swindling of America
http://www.citizen.org/autosafety/dealerscam/articles.cfm?ID=10775 |
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elchrist
See-thru Afro
Joined: 09 Oct 2002
Posts: 7485
Location: Calecia.com
Votes: 14
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| Posted: 16 Dec 2003 11:07 AM Post subject: |
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Hmmm, I didn't think this would get many or any replies, so I guess I have to be a little more straight forward.
Have any of you ever been fucked by a car dealership? If so, share your experiences*.
* No need keeping it a secret. Things don't change if the public doesn't know about them. |
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Americano
Coffee
Joined: 18 May 2003
Posts: 1640
Location: fair Verona
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| Posted: 16 Dec 2003 11:18 AM Post subject: |
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| I have good credit so last time I went to buy a new car they tried to convince me to buy something bigger. Those fuckers were pushy. |
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pato
Nervous Breakdown
Joined: 09 Oct 2002
Posts: 558
Location: Chicali
Votes: 1
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| Posted: 16 Dec 2003 11:29 AM Post subject: Direct Auto tried to F*** me over ! |
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| I don't know if this is considered a rip-off, but heres my little story. I bought a Honda Accord at San Diego and after 2 years I noticed that the radiator had oil in it. I took it to Direct Auto Plaza here in El Centro, and they told me it was the head gaskets (which made no sense, cause if it was the head gaskets, water would be in the motor, not oil in the radiator). Everything was covered by the warranty EXCEPT, the head gaskets. Therefore I was charged $2,150. I needed my car, so I had no choice but to pay that money. After about 3 weeks, they gave me my car back, and 1 week later I checked the radiator and guess what? It STILL had oil in the radiator. I took it back, and it took them about 1 1/2 months to tell me that the motor was cracked, which WAS covered by the warranty company. It took them about 3 more weeks to fix it, and finally got my car back. Went to talk to the Service manager about getting my money back, and he refused. Talked to the General Manager of the dealership and he agreed to pay me half, but fuck that, why should I pay 1,000 for something that was covered by the warraty, and which the dealership clearly misdiagnosed it. I'm taking those fools to small claims on January the 12, hopefully the judge is fair and sees that they tried to fuck me over. Will keep you updated. |
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Americano
Coffee
Joined: 18 May 2003
Posts: 1640
Location: fair Verona
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| Posted: 16 Dec 2003 11:38 AM Post subject: Re: Direct Auto tried to F*** me over ! |
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| pato wrote: | | I don't know if this is considered a rip-off, but heres my little story. I bought a Honda Accord at San Diego and after 2 years I noticed that the radiator had oil in it. I took it to Direct Auto Plaza here in El Centro, and they told me it was the head gaskets (which made no sense, cause if it was the head gaskets, water would be in the motor, not oil in the radiator). Everything was covered by the warranty EXCEPT, the head gaskets. Therefore I was charged $2,150. I needed my car, so I had no choice but to pay that money. After about 3 weeks, they gave me my car back, and 1 week later I checked the radiator and guess what? It STILL had oil in the radiator. I took it back, and it took them about 1 1/2 months to tell me that the motor was cracked, which WAS covered by the warranty company. It took them about 3 more weeks to fix it, and finally got my car back. Went to talk to the Service manager about getting my money back, and he refused. Talked to the General Manager of the dealership and he agreed to pay me half, but fuck that, why should I pay 1,000 for something that was covered by the warraty, and which the dealership clearly misdiagnosed it. I'm taking those fools to small claims on January the 12, hopefully the judge is fair and sees that they tried to fuck me over. Will keep you updated. |
Alright Pato, stick it to the man. |
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elchrist
See-thru Afro
Joined: 09 Oct 2002
Posts: 7485
Location: Calecia.com
Votes: 14
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| Posted: 16 Dec 2003 11:43 AM Post subject: |
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When I was first time new car buyer, they really fucked me. It was an emotionally driven purchase and I was set on getting the one car I wanted. I didn't make it obvious that I wanted it real bad, but I knew I wasn't about to leave the dealership with it, especially when there was some other guy* who was persistently asking if he could test drive the car I was getting while I was working out the paperwork.
Mistake #1: Was set on just one car. That one car.
They ended up telling me that since I was a first time buyer, their financing department (bank) couldn't approve me, so I was going to have to go with a lease. As dumb as I was at that time, I went for it. I ended up buying off the lease about a couple years later with no fees.
Mistake #2: Didn't get pre-approved at my bank before going shopping.
Mistake #3: Bought a new car.
* He was pissed that his order didn't come in and was demanding to take the one I had in mind. He arrived about 30 seconds later after I did, so he didn't have precedence. |
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verbal
Cole
Joined: 24 Oct 2002
Posts: 2474
Location: C-Town
Votes: 9
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| Posted: 16 Dec 2003 12:59 PM Post subject: |
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This thread sounds like fun.
Option 1:
Go to carsdirect.com and print out their price. Take the print out and give it to the salesmen. Tell him to match it. Walk out.
Option 2:
Sign up at carsdirect.com and they will contact you. They will ask you to go to the nearest dealership. Within 45 minutes you can walk out with the car you want (color too) and at about 500 less than invoice (2-3k from sticker price). No hassles, no negotiating, just pure love. |
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Americano
Coffee
Joined: 18 May 2003
Posts: 1640
Location: fair Verona
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| Posted: 16 Dec 2003 01:13 PM Post subject: |
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| verbal wrote: | This thread sounds like fun.
Option 1:
Go to carsdirect.com and print out their price. Take the print out and give it to the salesmen. Tell him to match it. Walk out.
Option 2:
Sign up at carsdirect.com and they will contact you. They will ask you to go to the nearest dealership. Within 45 minutes you can walk out with the car you want (color too) and at about 500 less than invoice (2-3k from sticker price). No hassles, no negotiating, just pure love. |
Carsdirect.com kicks ass. I bought my truck from them and I got an awesome deal. They take the headache away from buying a car. |
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elchrist
See-thru Afro
Joined: 09 Oct 2002
Posts: 7485
Location: Calecia.com
Votes: 14
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| Posted: 16 Dec 2003 01:22 PM Post subject: |
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| Ame-ricano wrote: | | verbal wrote: | This thread sounds like fun.
Option 1:
Go to carsdirect.com and print out their price. Take the print out and give it to the salesmen. Tell him to match it. Walk out.
Option 2:
Sign up at carsdirect.com and they will contact you. They will ask you to go to the nearest dealership. Within 45 minutes you can walk out with the car you want (color too) and at about 500 less than invoice (2-3k from sticker price). No hassles, no negotiating, just pure love. |
Carsdirect.com kicks ass. I bought my truck from them and I got an awesome deal. They take the headache away from buying a car. |
With the advent of the World Wide Web, Carsdirect.com and other auto quoting services are great resources. Although, I've read and heard about dealerships who don't offer great customer service when you take in your vehicle which wasn't purchased at their dealership.
I understand that you're technically still buying it there, but they've lost a lot of profit because of this approach. I assume you can forget about getting any type of special* service or favors from them during servicing.
* And you can most likely forget about this even if you purchased your vehicle directly through a dealership located inside the Imperial Valley. |
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Americano
Coffee
Joined: 18 May 2003
Posts: 1640
Location: fair Verona
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| Posted: 16 Dec 2003 01:25 PM Post subject: |
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| elchrist wrote: | | Ame-ricano wrote: | | verbal wrote: | This thread sounds like fun.
Option 1:
Go to carsdirect.com and print out their price. Take the print out and give it to the salesmen. Tell him to match it. Walk out.
Option 2:
Sign up at carsdirect.com and they will contact you. They will ask you to go to the nearest dealership. Within 45 minutes you can walk out with the car you want (color too) and at about 500 less than invoice (2-3k from sticker price). No hassles, no negotiating, just pure love. |
Carsdirect.com kicks ass. I bought my truck from them and I got an awesome deal. They take the headache away from buying a car. |
With the advent of the World Wide Web, Carsdirect.com and other auto quoting services are great resources. Although, I've read and heard about dealerships who don't offer great customer service when you take in your vehicle which wasn't purchased at their dealership.
I understand that you're technically still buying it there, but they've lost a lot of profit because of this approach. I assume you can forget about getting any type of special* service or favors from them during servicing.
* And you can most likely forget about this even if you purchased your vehicle directly through a dealership located inside the Imperial Valley. |
I picked up my truck in Long Beach so when I take in for service they never know. So I figure none of the local dealers will work with these online dealers. |
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