Whenever Brian drives his Dodge Charger in the rain, all of the dash lights flash and has trouble restarting his car. He’s taken the car to the dealership multiple times, but they say they’re never able to recreate the problem. Above are two screencaps of the video he took last time this occurred. He’s now taken to writing a letter to Chrysler CEO Big Bob Nardelli, which is most likely a futile effort. You might instead email Cerberus, the company that now owns Chrysler’s ass. Maybe the dealership will find it’s able to recreate the flashing signals if Brian rides along the next time they test the car. Maybe call the Car Talk radio show. Inside, a video of this bizzare phenom in action, and his letter to the CEO.
dealerships
If You Buy A Car (Okay, Truck) In Texas, Make Sure You Don't Pay The Inventory Tax
By 3.8.08
Texas levies an inventory tax of .02% on the retail value of all products in a company’s inventory each year, but lots of car dealerships try to sneak the fee over to the consumer. Even worse, they do it year-round.
Dealership Tells Customer Abitration Is Awesome For Corporations
By 2.12.08
Sean writes: “The wife and I were purchasing a car this weekend. After the typical pulling of teeth to get a price quote over email, we headed into the dealership on Saturday to finalize the deal. We were finally ushered into the finance guy’s office, pitched the warranty, gap insurance, etc., and got to the contract itself. I looked over the agreement and saw the ‘binding arbitration’ clause. Knowing it wasn’t a battle I could win, nor an issue I could avoid by shopping elsewhere, I let it go with a simple, “I don’t like the binding arbitration clause.” To my surprise, he responded, “Arbitration is the best thing invented for corporations!” [More]
Dealer Sells Car Touting Safety Features It Doesn't Actually Have
By 1.29.08
Ben writes:
A friend of mine bought a 2005 Toyota 4 Runner for about $25000. When he went to the dealer, he told them that safety was a big concern as he has small children, and he wanted to get as many safety features as he could on the vehicle he was going to buy. The saleswoman showed him the 4 Runner he ended up buying and pointed out that it had side and curtain airbags, which were listed on the sticker. He bought it, and a week later he took it to get inspected. It turns out that it does not have the side and curtain airbags that are listed on the sticker. He went back to the dealership and spoke to the manager who offered him a few free oil changes, and tried to tell him that that year didn’t even come with those airbags so what was he complaining about. What should he do? They already got rid of the truck he traded in, and is thinking that the dealer owes him some cash back on the deal.
Classic bait and switch. If your friend wants to take the guy to the mat, he could try to ask for a rebate for what he feels the cash value of those safety features are. I recommend the tactics described in the post, “How To Kick A Scammy Car Dealer In The Nuts.”
Indiana Man Buys Pickup Truck With Spare Change
By 12.26.07
Paul Brant of Indiana bought a 2008 Dodge Ram with quarters and gold dollars worth $26,670. The septuagenarian spent thirteen years collecting enough loose change to buy the new pickup, which will replace the Dodge he purchased in 1994 with 144,000 quarters. Brant’s revolutionary method for collecting spare change, after the jump.
Get Used Cars Inspected Before Buying
By 12.10.07
This month’s USAA member newsletter has twelve Car-Buying Secrets from a former car salesman who got out after 6 months in the biz. One of the things he advocated was when shopping for a used car…
…take your potential purchase to your mechanic for an independent inspection. A good tech will spot hidden problems. Independent inspections usually run $75to$100. It’s the best 100 bucks you’ll ever spend on a car.
That shiny apple may contain a lemon inside. Have an expert peel back the skin so you’re not stuck with unexpected and costly repairs down the line.
Reader Falls Victim To Spot Delivery Dealership Scam
By 12.5.07
Andriy writes:
It seems as I’m falling a victim to a Yo-Yo Car Financing | Spot Delivery Scam from a car dealer…
10 Things To Never Say To A Car Dealer
By 11.15.07
ForbesAutos has ten things you should never say to a car dealer, unless you feel like beefing up his kid’s college fund. Hit the link to find out their rationale. The basic premise is hide your assets and weaknesses until the right moment, to not say stupid crap, and watch out for the little maneuvers that hand over control to the salesman.
Brecht BMW Tells Customer "Go Back To Volkswagon, You Don't Deserve To Own A BMW"
By 10.6.07
Poor Raquel. She only wanted to return her leased BMW. Following instructions to bring her car to any authorized dealership, she arrived at Brecht BMW in San Diego. Brecht’s manager refused to accept the car, a decision he conveyed by screaming in front of her kids, threatening to call the police, and telling her to “go back to Volkswagon” because she didn’t “deserve to own a BMW.” Raquel writes:
Unable To Overcome Stain Of Breaking Into Mentally Disabled Customer's Home And Stealing $70,000, Dealership Closes
By 10.4.07
Remember that Seattle used car dealership that broke into a mentally disabled customer’s house and stole $70,000, and turned out to have a history of on the job drug-use, shady tactics, and abusing mentally handicapped customers? Seems the new owners were never able to overcome those little besmirches on its good name and the dealerships are closing. Huling Bros, consider this your auto de fe.
Customer Videotapes What She Says Is Escape From "Spot Delivery" Car Dealership Scam
By 9.4.07
This is a video a customer’s daughter made after she says Brad Benson Mistubishi of NJ tried to scam her mother with a classic “spot delivery” scam.
How To Kick A Scammy Car Dealer In The Nuts
By 8.20.07
While we spend a lot of time on this site talking about the importance of writing a good complaint letter, of finding the executive contact info, and cc’ing letters to appropriate regulatory bodies, sometimes the best way to win is to stop playing Mr. Nice Guy and start playing hardball. Demonstrate, in no uncertain terms, just how much more costly it would be for the business to ignore your complaint than to resolve it. That’s the lesson learned from, Unscrewed: The Consumer’s Guide To Getting What You Paid For.
Georgia Sues Infamous Bill Heard Dealership
By 7.10.07
Georgia is suing the super duper shady Bill Heard dealership, whom we wrote about twice in July 2006. This time, the dealership stands to get slapped on the hand for sending out advertising that fraudulently appeared to be recall notices for GM cars, but were actually printed by the state’s biggest car seller in an attempt to scare people into buying new cars. The result of the lawsuit could be a fine of a $5,000 per mailing, up to $50,000,000, reports AJC.com, and a promise to stop deceptive trade practices. It would mark the 16th such promise Bill Heard has made in its 16 years of business.
Now This Is A Car Salesman
By 6.28.07
A guy walks into a dealership and wants to buy a $30,000 truck for $19,900, according to this blog entry by car salesman, “Bloodraven” (pictured). The mark gets with one salesman but then calls over to a second salesman he’s bought from a few years ago. Now the second salesman has to sell the truck for the first salesman. Read how salesman #2 fends off the seemingly unstoppable customer’s quest for a deal with a good jerk of the patriotic heartstrings…
3 Confessions From A Former Used Car Salesman
By 4.17.07
Patrick is a former used car salesman who grew a conscience. He has three tips to share with us:
7 Confessions Of A Car Salesman: Kia
By 4.5.07
Carl spent some time selling Kias at a dealership in Colorado, and has written in with a few insights about Kia, selling cars, and some buying strategies for you. Some highlights:
ENDGAME: Pulled Over By Police After Toyota Dealer Rented Me A Car That Was Illegal To Drive
By 4.5.07
Chris tells us the endgame on his situation where the Toyota dealership rented him a car that was illegal to drive. He was eventually able to get a full apology from the place and get 50% knocked off his bill, but it took him showing up in person and going a few rounds with the manager.
