Used car salesman RANT!!!

[Vindingo]

I have been looking to buy a truck for the last month.  Today I saw a truck that I really liked for a price that was awesome.  Here is a link   http://www.marinamotorsonline.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=2190&category_id=42&option=com_phpshop&Itemid=1

"We are selling our 2003 Toyota Tacoma Extra Cab TRD Off Road SR5. This truck has everything and looks 95% new and show room condition. The condition of the paint is near flawless everywhere where there are no dents, scratches or spray paint. All of the bumpers and plastic moldings look good if you don't count the huge dent in the front bumper, or the fact that the grill is held on by zip ties. This is probably the cleanest Tacoma currently offered for sale at this price."

I guess my idea of 95% is WAY different than theirs.  The grill was held on by zipties, there were good size dents and scratches all over the entire truck and it looked like the bed had been used to haul gravel for about 10 years.... "show room condition"   

There were tons of random wires hooked up to the battery and when I asked the salesman what they were, he said "for electrical things, it doesn't harm the truck"

I take the car out for a drive and the belts squeal like a stuck pig.  I figured it hadn't been driven in a while, so it may stop when the truck warms up.  When I get on the freeway, at 50mph the squeal is so loud it hurts my ears. I pull off at the next exit to turn around.  I look over at the guy and give him the whole "well that doesn't sound too good..."  and he says "it is a very strong truck"

I asked him if he could have the belts replaced if I were to buy the truck and he said that we can talk to the sales manager when I get back.  As I am pulling into the lot I see the manager with another "customer" waiting to test drive the truck I am in.  I get out and immediately he starts saying how great the truck is to the other "customer".  The salesman I was with calls the manager over so we can talk about the squealing noise, and price. 

I tell him that there was a loud noise when I stepped on the gas and he told me it was a loose muffler...  I said no it is coming from the engine, it is a squealing noise.  I then asked if he could have that fixed if I buy the truck and he said no.  I asked if he could work with me on the price because the truck needs a little work done...  I think this really pissed him off

he raises his voice and says "No, the truck is sold as is, it isn't a safety issues so if you don't like it dont buy it!" 

I toss him the keys "I won't buy it then, thanks buddy" 

I walked back to my motorcycle and saw the other "customer" go back into the service area...

What a douchebag.  I don't know how he sells cars with that attitude.  I also thought the whole fake customer gig was really funny.  They also had about 1/3 of the inventory that they claim to have online.  When I asked about a few other trucks "oh, that sold yesterday"  or "we just sold that one last weekend" 

[He Man]

shouldda just given him that newark attitude and stabbed him for being a liar.

That car is in no way shape or form "showroom" unless your showroom is the junk yard. Nice tires though!

[IZ]

shouldda just given him that newark attitude and stabbed him for being a liar.

Looked like a nice truck in the tiny pic Vin.

Don't worry.  Just like looking at homes..you might lose out on this one but the next one will be even better!! 

[Howie]

The add probably should have said "guaranteed to disappoint".

[Popeye the Sailor]

Eh, just go back tonight and steal the cat out of it. It'll make up for your time.

[swampduc]

shouldda just given him that newark attitude and stabbed him for being a liar.

That car is in no way shape or form "showroom" unless your showroom is the junk yard. Nice tires though!

Alright, watch yourselves around He Man. Just read another thread where he advocated stabbing someone. I think somebody's gonna get stabbed soon, might not matter who 

[NeufUnSix]

I read a great review of the Sebring recently. The journalist describes the salesperson trying to sell it - comparing it to the Acura TSX! Funny stuff:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/yankee-econo-car-comparo-3rd-place-chrysler-sebring/

[stateprez]

I was looking at a used F150 (34k miles).  Took it for a test drive and noticed a humming from the rear-end.  I occasionally have to drive our F150 work trucks, so I knew what it was- some rear-ends were not built to spec causing misalignment in the gears.  Could be a simple kit fix <1k or could be up to 5k for a new axle.  

Told them about it, they said they knew.  I asked them to fix it before I bought it, or compensate monetarily.  They said no.  I asked, "So basically you're looking for a buyer who has no idea about this issue or the cost to fix it?"

Them, "Yes."

"Who is the fool, the fool or the fool that you are fooling"  -Raconteurs

[El Matador]

Alright, watch yourselves around He Man. Just read another thread where he advocated stabbing someone. I think somebody's gonna get stabbed soon, might not matter who 

Don't worry about it. It is the natural reaction to any engineer studying Differential Equations.

[NAKID]

I was looking at a used F150 (34k miles).  Took it for a test drive and noticed a humming from the rear-end.  I occasionally have to drive our F150 work trucks, so I knew what it was- some rear-ends were not built to spec causing misalignment in the gears.  Could be a simple kit fix <1k or could be up to 5k for a new axle.  

Told them about it, they said they knew.  I asked them to fix it before I bought it, or compensate monetarily.  They said no.  I asked, "So basically you're looking for a buyer who has no idea about this issue or the cost to fix it?"

Them, "Yes."

"Who is the fool, the fool or the fool that you are fooling"  -Raconteurs

Man that is make the beast with two backsed up...

[Slide Panda]

Personally, I like the half dozen cig burns I can see in drivers seat from a quick look at the photo.. and the 3in tear in the upholstery.... 95%... yeah sure.

[Grampa]

never ever EVER...... buy a used car off a car lot!  EVER!

I've spent most of my working life , working at new car dealerships. I've been the used car reconditioning manager at two different dealersips. Rarely (Vegas odds) will you get a good car and an actual good deal.

The dealers use a term "turn and burn". If a car thats been taken in on trade does not sell within 30 days... they either take it to an auction, or sell it to a wholesaler (small used car store). Tons of cars just cycle around the country that way. And while they cycle...they are being abused by lot personal, driven home at night, on weekend trips, to the bar..... and they drive them just like a rental..... HARD. And to keep repair costs low...they have them repaired at which ever garage will do the repairs cheapest. I worked for a GMC dealership where we sent the used cars out to an independent shop down the street, because they considered our own "certified" mechanics, too expensive) ya get what ya pay for.

I"ve seen vehicles that have been in floods.... I've seen vehicles where people committed suicide in them..... I've seen saw dust in rear alxes.... I've seen mechanics dump gallons of Marvel Mystery Oil in cars that should have been put to sleep ages ago.

99.9% of the time.... a used car becomes a used car, because it became more of a problem for the previous owner than it was worth.

AND NEVER EVER BUY/FINANCE A USED CAR EXTENDED WARRANTY!!!!!!!

[Monster Dave]

never ever EVER...... buy a used car off a car lot!  EVER!

I've spent most of my working life , working at new car dealerships. I've been the used car reconditioning manager at two different dealersips. Rarely (Vegas odds) will you get a good car and an actual good deal.

The dealers use a term "turn and burn". If a car thats been taken in on trade does not sell within 30 days... they either take it to an auction, or sell it to a wholesaler (small used car store). Tons of cars just cycle around the country that way. And while they cycle...they are being abused by lot personal, driven home at night, on weekend trips, to the bar..... and they drive them just like a rental..... HARD. And to keep repair costs low...they have them repaired at which ever garage will do the repairs cheapest. I worked for a GMC dealership where we sent the used cars out to an independent shop down the street, because they considered our own "certified" mechanics, too expensive) ya get what ya pay for.

I"ve seen vehicles that have been in floods.... I've seen vehicles where people committed suicide in them..... I've seen saw dust in rear alxes.... I've seen mechanics dump gallons of Marvel Mystery Oil in cars that should have been put to sleep ages ago.

99.9% of the time.... a used car becomes a used car, because it became more of a problem for the previous owner than it was worth.

AND NEVER EVER BUY/FINANCE A USED CAR EXTENDED WARRANTY!!!!!!!

All good knowledge! +1

Most average consumers (myself included) don't think of those things when it comes time to look for a 'new' car. It's so hard anymore even to get a new car that you can depend on not being built cheap or having a need for services too often.

Recently (say within the last year), we started getting really interested in the Saturn Sky:



Great looks, fun to drive, reliable. But now that Saturn's scheduled to be nixed in the next few years, we weren't even sure if it would be smart to look at getting one. We both drive imports (a Honda Civic and a Nissan Xterra), and aside from normal wear, they have been basically maintenance free.

With the market the way that it is, even loosing money on a vehicle (you'd think) would be better for a dealer than not getting any money for a possible sale. That's just sad.

[hbliam]

never ever EVER...... buy a used car off a car lot!  EVER!

I've spent most of my working life , working at new car dealerships. I've been the used car reconditioning manager at two different dealersips. Rarely (Vegas odds) will you get a good car and an actual good deal.

The dealers use a term "turn and burn". If a car thats been taken in on trade does not sell within 30 days... they either take it to an auction, or sell it to a wholesaler (small used car store). Tons of cars just cycle around the country that way. And while they cycle...they are being abused by lot personal, driven home at night, on weekend trips, to the bar..... and they drive them just like a rental..... HARD. And to keep repair costs low...they have them repaired at which ever garage will do the repairs cheapest. I worked for a GMC dealership where we sent the used cars out to an independent shop down the street, because they considered our own "certified" mechanics, too expensive) ya get what ya pay for.

I"ve seen vehicles that have been in floods.... I've seen vehicles where people committed suicide in them..... I've seen saw dust in rear alxes.... I've seen mechanics dump gallons of Marvel Mystery Oil in cars that should have been put to sleep ages ago.

99.9% of the time.... a used car becomes a used car, because it became more of a problem for the previous owner than it was worth.

AND NEVER EVER BUY/FINANCE A USED CAR EXTENDED WARRANTY!!!!!!!

What about obvious lease return CPO's? Like BMW? I can't imagine they are in the same class of "used" that you are talking about...or are they?

[swampduc]

What about obvious lease return CPO's? Like BMW? I can't imagine they are in the same class of "used" that you are talking about...or are they?

Wondering the same thing. Was thinking about a used M3 or 5 in a year or so.