Scams

Most car dealer and auto loan institutions are reputable.  Unfortunately there are a few out there that run some scams.  I want to share an experience I had.

I saw a Toyota 4 Runner in the newspaper.  One at this price.  I went down an asked if they still had the 4 Runner.  They did.  I test drove and just had to have it.  I called a neighbor and he told me to call the owner of another Toyota dealership he might be able to do better.  I called him and told him how much it was and what came with the car.  He told me buy it from them he could not match it.  Before he hung up he told me to watch the paper work.  They will try to pad the amount to make money.

Well I caught a couple hundred dollars and they had to print out the paper work twice.  I then questioned $1300.00 for VIN.  I was told that was the fee for etching the number on the glass and the paper work they had to fill out and submit to the DMV (department of motor vehicles).  I went home and called the DMV.  This may come as a shock to some of you but I was told by the DMV that there was no such thing and I should go back to the dealer and have that cost removed.  The next day I went back and told them to rewrite everything and remove the $1300.00.  After I instisted we call the DMV and have a chat with them I was told such things as:

1. We will loose money on this deal if we don’t charge this (the only honest thing they said)
2. we have some accesories and discounts on service for you
3. Don’t call the DMV and please fill out this reivew with all positives and sign it

I believe there were a few other things that were said but that was enough.  My 1 at this price took at total of about 12 hours worth of work, having the contract written several times, and three trips to the dealership and I could not shake the feeling I was still having the wool pulled over my eyes.

The best way to not have be scamed or be the victim of scams like this is to be prepared.  You can be prepared by:

* Make sure you understand what all the fees that you are being charged.
* Review everything you sign carefully
* Review the loan and car purchase documents on this site.  The ones you sign will be different but at least you will have some familiarity with the paper work
* try to secure financing before you get to the dealership
* take your time in the finance department
* If you see signs of a scam you might want to find another dealership to do business with (or like me stick it out and get the deal you were promised!)

I will be adding to my scam list so check back and let me know what scam you have been the victim of.