Three for Thursday 09.10.2020
Welcome to TrustDALE's Three For Thursday with Consumer Investigator Dale Cardwell.
I'm fascinated by car dealers and the car buying process. I know it exits across the marketplace, but this is where the "win-lose" mentality is most obvious. Every day, people walk into dealerships with far less knowledge of the product than the car salesperson. That seems to be when the "what can I not tell this person that helps me earn more money from the sale or the trade-in? I'm writing about this because a) TrustDALE gets more complaints about cars and dealers than any other category, and b) we're currently negotiating with a dealer on behalf of a consumer who unknowingly purchased what appears to be a stolen car. Will the dealer do the right thing? Stay tuned - you'll see it soon on Facebook and our show "Inside Investigations!" See my advice on buying a car below in our seven-point process.
Watch this Investigation
Buying a car online may seem convenient but what happens when you have an issue? Watch our investigation because this could happen to you!
Ask Dale
Today's Real Consumer Question is from Barbara: "Dale, I recently received a call from a debt collector claiming I owed money. How do I know if this call is legit?"
Todays Lesson on how to be a Savvy Consumer!
Today's seven-point lesson on: How to buy a car from a private seller or dealership
Fast - Do they want your money NOW? Paying in full and avoiding interest is smart, but if possible, pay with a credit card. If something goes wrong with the transaction, you'll have some leverage with the seller.
Funds - Is the investment required relevant to the promised payoff? If not, it's likely too good to be true. Cars offered for sale on sites like Craig's list for prices that are far below market ARE MOST LIKELY SCAMS! Don't fall for it!
Found - A person who intends to rip you off will make certain he can't be found after he gets your money. This is why it is so dangerous to pay a private dealer in cash. If that's your only option, get a mechanic to check out the vehicle and make certain you have a valid title before you hand over your money.
Ensure - Your deal with an Ethical negotiation, an Equitable contract and an Effective Guarantee. Few transactions are more riddled with sand traps than car purchase contracts. My advice is to never purchase the car on first site and have a friend in the industry review your deal before you agree. I don't like extended warranties, and if there are surprises at the last minute, get up and leave.
Authenticate - Your deal by requesting References, checking Reviews, and examining government and watchdog reports. Check online reviews before choosing a dealer and beware of "curb stoners." These are brokers who claim to own the car but are actually selling it for a third party. This is a path that can lead to you purchasing a salvaged car or a car that's been in a flood.
Legitimize your deal by determining if the company has a business license, liability insurance and is Lawsuit and background checked. If purchasing from a private individual, ask to see their driver's license and again, verify the validity of the title. If purchasing from a dealership, check their record in small claims or state court.
SCAMMERS BEWARE: SEASONED CONSUMER INVESTIGATOR DALE CARDWELL GIVES READERS A GAME PLAN TO AVOID RIP-OFFS