Dirty Tricks of The Used Car Salesman
Many moons ago as a naïve young articled clerk, I went to a used car dealership in Eloff Street Extension and purchased my first dream car. The salesman must have seen me coming from a mile away and he took me to the cleaners and back. In fact, this salesman (Tony, if I recall correctly) couldn’t lay straight in bed even if he tried. “Revenge is a dish best eaten cold” is an old saying, so please allow me to have my revenge and share some dirty tricks that salesmen and dealers get up to…
1. BAIT AND SWITCH
The car that I “bought” as an articled clerk was an Alfa 1600 GT in red. The day I was supposed to collect my car, Tony ’phoned me with a “good news and bad news” approach. The car I chose was sold but the good news was that I could choose any car on their lot at an excellent price! Tony told me years later that the Alfa was merely a drawcard to attract potential customers and was sold 10 times over – and
each time a deposit was received from the customer! If something seems amiss, walk away. There will always be another car, another day.
2. THE LITTLE OLD LADY’S CAR…
We have probably all heard some or other version of the “old lady’s car” pitch. The truth is that the car may have spent a few months in a panel shop being repaired… hence the low mileage. Obviously, make sure of the facts.
3. THE CAR WASH
You arrive at a dealership and the car has just been washed and is still wet. You are immediately impressed with the salesman for the effort in getting the car washed especially for you! Never look at a car that has not been dried. The water could hide subtle differences in the paintwork that would show that the car has had panel or hail damage. Never look at a car on a rainy day either!
4. AMBUSHED TRADE-IN
Your five-year-old well cared for trade-in has just been valued by the dealership. The salesmen tells you that the best price he can obtain from the dealership is, say, R50 000, but you should not be concerned as he has an acquaintance who will offer you much more. You are impressed with this Samaritan and he immediately wins your trust. All he has done is to undervalue your car and pass the deal on to one of his buddies who in turn will pay him CASH commission (tax free) as he has secured him a valuable car. Franchise dealers lose about 1 500 units this way every month!
The other scenario is you get a call out of the blue from a dealer who knows you want to trade-in your car and without seeing the car makes you an offer that is much better than the dealer you had just visited! Dont participate in these shady transactions. This is dirty money and is white collar crime at its worst. Stay clear of this type of transaction. You are as guilty as the salesman. So when the paperwork is not completed correctly and you receive traffic fines etc, you deserve it!
