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- Car Dealer Horror Story -
How To Buy A Car From Friends or Family


::: Car dealer horror story by Douglas Effingham, IL. United States...
"My wife had this car dealer horror story (before we met).... She bought her car, a 98 Mercury Mystique GL with all the options. It was used, but with a 6-CD changer, etc. She tested everything out, and it all worked. After she signed the papers, the dealership offered to detail the car for her because they had not had the chance to do that yet. They took a LONG time, and finally the salesman (a family friend) went back to see what was going on. Shortly after that, they told her the car was ready. The CD changer never worked after that, and after we got married I took it apart & there were 2 CDs jammed in the changer unit. They switched it out with a bad one so that she would bring it in to be serviced! Either way, they got a nice deal by getting a good CD changer for free. Great site. Keep up the good work!"

My response to the previous car dealer horror story...
And that was from a "friend" of the family! Let me shed some light on buying a car through or from a family member or friend...to avoid having a car dealer horror story: DO EXACTLY THE SAME THINGS THAT YOU LEARNED ON THIS SITE on how to buy a car! Gee, isn't that a little harsh? I mean, you can always trust a friend and family, right? Well, I'd like to think so, but as honest as they might be, and as great as they might think their old car is and how perfect it would be for you....you still need to check it out! I once bought a car from a family member pretty much sight unseen. I had seen the car many times before I bought it but didn't pay attention to it because I wasn't interested in buying it then.

Anyway, I was really busy at the time and left the details up to my wife at the time. So I was surprised to find AFTER paying for it that the front windshield was cracked ($150.00) and that the AC wasn't working. Now these were both things that I specifically asked about when I was talking to the seller (a family member) on the phone. Now I don't for a second think she was being dishonest. I really don't. I figure she was just busy with life and kids and had completely forgotten about those details when I asked her especially considering she hadn't driven the car in a couple months since getting her new car. The problem is that it left me feeling kinda bummed about the whole situation later. So its just not worth having the bad vibes in your family if you were to buy a car without checking it out. See, this person may not honestly know the difference between expensive sounds and inexpensive sounds. I can assure you that most people don't. So its up to you to do your due diligence when buying from anyone, both to save you money and hassles, and in this case, to preserve your connection with friends or family because a car dealer horror story between friends or family can be extremely divisive. Get it?

 

::: Car dealer horror story by Carol New York, United States...
"I bought a really good looking 1996 Ford Explorer from a used car saleman who got the car from an auction. After giving him the money I found out he was a friend of my son-in-law. A good friend. I knew then that I would not be sold a "bad" car. WRONG. As I drove it home I noticed it had a hard time moving in "drive". Felt like the tires were skidding. I took it back the next day and told them and they said those cars do that sometimes - no big deal. It also failed inspection due to bad tires and no bright lights. I bought new tires on the third day I owned the car so I could get it inspected. I went back again and they took it to a transmission place. Of course it needs a transmission which they want me to pay for. Remember now, thats within 24 hours after I bought the car I had it back there telling them I had a problem.... and this guy is my son-in-laws friend? I am a mom who had six children and never had a really great car. So now that the kids are grown I decided to buy myself a car and this is what I get? He probaly sells snake oil too. Be careful of your children's friends. I am not paying for a transmission and I am not done with him yet."

My response to the previous car dealer horror story...
Well, its possible that the "friend" wasn't really aware of the condition of the vehicle. I would think that since there was that connection, that he would take extra care to make sure that the car he is selling you is a good one.

However, its quite possible that the numb nut that sold you the car knows absolutely NOTHING about cars and so doesn't know the difference between a minor yet slightly annoying quirk that doesn't matter or something that could cost you hundreds of dollars (like a transmission!). You have to know the difference between expensive sounds and non-expensive sounds, and if you don't, then you need to either educate yourself buy checking out my section on how to buy used cars, or enlist the help of people that will know. Having said that, I understand the bad taste left in your mouth when you feel like you've been ripped by someone you thought you could trust. The bottom line is 'caveat emptor' when you are dealing with buying a new or used car. In case you don't know what that means....it means: LET THE BUYER BEWARE! If you do then you won't experience a car dealer horror story.

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