$500 to Test Drive?

[introverting]

Stopped and looked at a hi-top van yesterday.  For it's age, it looks pretty good.  After looking the van over, I stopped by the office and asked if I could test drive it.  I was told they don't allow test drives unless an individual has made a commitment to purchase the vehicle; i.e. a $500 non-refundable deposit.  They are willing to take the vehicle to a mechanic of my choice within a reasonable distance for a pre-sale inspection.  I just don't feel comfortable about the prospect of losing $500 if I decide I don't like how the vehicle drives.  What say ye, veterans?  The dealership is very small, if that matters.

 

[RVTravel]

avoid

 

[MrNoodly]

Rip off.

 

[djkeev]

Run!
Run like the Devil himself is chasing you!!

Dave

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

All of the above, plus report them to the local Better Business Bureau.

 

[LeeRevell]

Bunk. A testdrive is a requirement before making such a huge committment as buying a vehicle, and should not cost anything. What are these guys hiding?

 

[GotSmart]

Sounds like the company that wanted a signed BLANK purchase agreement before running my credit.  

I walked away.

 

[ArtW]

good
I could MAYBE see a refundable deposit, but non refundable? hells to the no!

 

[Ballenxj]

I agree with everybody else here, RUN AWAY! What are they trying to sell, a vehicle, or $500. rides?

 

[rvpopeye]

"I'll find another dealer without such a stupid policy, you probably just lost a sale !"

 

[SHELK]

Never heard anything like that. Crazy. They may never sell any vehicle ever again.

 

[MikeRuth]

In comparison to a small dealer as you say, my last purchase from a small dealer was, Dealer shall we go for a test drive? No issue at all, all that was asked was for a copy of my drivers license.

That's a rip off in the making. As others would say, Tell em no thanks and look for another dealer.

 

[introverting]

I was thinking the same as most of the response received so far...walk/run away. Thing is, they have what appears to be a fairly nice high top van and it's the only second high top I've seen advertised since looking for a vehicle to dwell in. I've also seen very few extended vans for sale, although more than the high tops. On the other hand, I've been thinking maybe it would be better to just buy a regular cargo van and have a high top installed.

@MikeRuth: Another dealer...there aren't many who deal in used vans and even fewer who deal in high tops, extendeds, or box vans.

@SHELK: Evidently, they are selling vehicles. I had my eye on a box van they had for quite some time and they eventually sold that. Thing is, just because others wish to take a risk doesn't mean that I should.

 

[GotSmart]

Google used vans in your area  You will be surprised at what comes up.

Where do you live?

 

[66788]

I just got back from 2 weeks in Costa Rica and my friend has a Mercedes Benz vehicle. The local Mercedes dealership wants you to join the "Mercedes Service Club" for a $5,000 USD membership fee before they will service your vehicle according to my friend.

Personally, I would never own one of those overpriced heaps.

 

[sassypickins]

Wierd policy...any good mechanic would test drive it.

If they'll take it to a mechanic of your choice who would request that, maybe that's a way around the $500. I had a mechanic test drive mine, crawl under, in, around, and report to me everything he saw, heard, felt, both good and bad, and I noted it all on my checklist to analyze later. Was also able to take it by a different mechanic who had performed the last work on it.

But valuing the hi-top alone at $2300 sounds close to what a new hi-top would run you. I would negotiate that down.

Sassy

 

[introverting]

@GotSmart: I've been using CraigsList. I'm not willing to disclose my location for privacy reasons.

@sassypickins: Yeah, I found a place in Los Angeles yesterday that manufactures fiberglass hightops and a new one will run you above $2K. Of course, that doesn't include delivery and installation. I asked the dealership to send me a Carfax report, but no report yet, so I've basically given up on that establishment. I would consider getting a regular cargo van and having a hightop installed, but I am unable to find anyone locally who does that type of work.

 

[sassypickins]

Best of luck with your search. Maybe get a cargo van, then take a road trip to a hi-top.

Sassy

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Yeah, I found a place in Los Angeles yesterday that manufactures fiberglass hightops and a new one will run you above $2K.  Of course, that doesn't include delivery and installation.  . . . I would consider getting a regular cargo van and having a hightop installed, but I am unable to find anyone locally who does that type of work.

I'm actually a little surprised to hear that.  I would think that any body shop would have the equipment to install a high top.  You found the place that MAKES them.  They don't have a list of authorized dealers, or recommended places to have them installed?

 

[DannyB1954]

HA! ALMOST as bad as trying to get a test ride on a new motorcycle from a dealer!

Guy

Some people like to joy ride with no intention of buying. I think the saying drive it like you stole it applies more to motorcycles than rental cars. So someone takes out a new bike, thrashes it about and returns it and says no I don't want to buy it. There is nobody that will tell them OK test drive is over, so a number of miles could be put on the bike. Now the dealership has to try to sell the "new" bike with hard road miles on it.  I don't blame them. 

A used car or van is a different critter. The seller can go with for the test drive, and it makes little difference if the vehicle gets another 10 miles put on it. I think asking for $500 is a rip off like others have said. Tell them you want a $600 rebate whether or not you decide to buy the van.