It's two weeks left until MA sales tax increase, and the car dealerships are hungry for your business. Along with the upcoming transition to 2010 model cars and current slumped economy, there is less haggling required to get a good deal on a car. However, do not let this cause you to let your guard down when you first set foot into a dealership. They are truly professionals at lying and manipulation and we are all amateurs. Google 'car dealer tricks' to get an idea before you start shopping, because I didn't: T WALK OUT if it feels sketchy and the salesperson starts acting impatient, don't let them get the upper hand because they think you really want a specific car.
First Lesson: Inventory
When calling for a quote and an inventory check for a specific make/model/color for your car of choice. Make sure to ask specifically if that car is "on their lot." If you just ask if they have that car (at least at Herb Chambers Burlington) they will pretend to check inventory and say that it is available. You get there only to find out that when they said "available" they meant "it exists." This is their sales tactic to trick you there. The floor salespeople blame the faceless office managers that take calls for misleading you, and then tell you that you are wasting their time if you take long to decide on what they actually have at their lot.
Second Lesson: Dealer trades for Cars at different locations
Don't do it! You don't know what the shape of the car will be in when it arrives. The dealers may also pressure you to pay/finance upfront before you even see the car, if they know you really want it. Realize they don't want you walking out. You shouldn't have to pay until you've checked the car you want.
Third Lesson: Check the VIN# of the car you test drove
Yes, they will try to sell you a damaged car as a new car and fix it without telling you - no matter how many times you ask - they can lie straight to your face. Complete financing only after you have closely inspected the car.
Here's my story...
I started at Burlington Herb Chambers, which tricked me about their inventory. They knew I wanted a car they didn't have, so they offered to locate a second choice. After finding one in Boston, I said I could pick it up there, but then their attitude changed - they would lose commission. Then they said the car was no longer available because someone bought and returned it for being badly scratched. Afterwards, they refused to tell me where they would get the car and it could have 100,200 or even 300 miles on it - they didn't know and refused to tell me anything.
Since I was in the Boston area later, I decided to go to Herb Chambers Allston to find a nicer salesperson, and check their inventory. I requested a test drive for a silver 2009 civic. It was badly scratched, so I asked to see if they had a new one available. They said they did and it was still wrapped at their lot in Charlestown, but that I would need a deposit and pay it in full for it to shipped to Allston. I asked again if it was new, they said it was. I said, "you are not going to give me the scratched one I test drove?" They said, "no that car is a demo and they have a new one." I said that the Burlington site said that there was none in Boston. They said that Burlington Herb Chambers lied and that they in Allston were just selfish and didn't want to trade it with them. To their own defense, they said they do not play games. So much for company loyalty?
Although late (after encountering some sleazy sales tactics), I felt an urge to read up on warnings about car dealerships and how to look over the car before delivery. Once the car was at the lot in Allston, I requested a pre-pickup inspection before I would finalize my insurance and get the car. I planned to go with a relative more familiar with cars to check specifically if the car was painted and if they were trying to pull a fast one. I got there early and started to check the car. The dashboard was scuffed and driver side door had small holes punched in it. The rear seats were scuffed and had some deep impression marks. Coincidentally, one of the front center cup holders had a small cup mark in it, same as where I had left a cold bubble tea drink two days prior in the damaged demo car. Coincidentally again, the car also had the exact mileage I had left the tested damaged demo car. I asked about it and they had an answer for everything..."well, the person who drove the car over could have had a cold drink, and cars are always around that mileage." I asked again, "was this car ever repaired and repainted?" He said no, it was a new car. My relative finally arrived and I asked them to seriously check for paint alterations on the front right bumper. There was silver paint marks over the black trim area by the front right tire, underneath the bumper on another black trim there was a silver outline of what appeared to be a 1" piece of tape, we popped the hood and there was a fine mist of silver paint on only the right side of the engine area and the black frame of the car.
We confronted them. The salesperson and manger said WE were paranoid and that the Honda Factory did it (yup - they claimed the factory painted under the hood...), and if we didn't want a car they can give a refund. The manager said that they still wanted to sell me a car right after. The salesperson called next day to apologize to admit their fault but still wanted to sell me a car. I went elsewhere.
Tricked by Herb
Cambridge, Massachusetts
U.S.A.
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