Is it really so hard to be honest?

[Ocean]

Hi folks! Fair warning...the following may turn into a small rant. I stopped at a used car lot the other day because a friend of mine told me there was a decent looking conversion van on the lot. I stepped into the office to speak with the old man that was working and he immediately looks behind me to see if I have anyone (for ex. a male) with me that he can talk to. When he realizes that I'm alone he starts talking to me in the typical sugary-sweet salesman tone he apparently reserves for the ladies. He tells me there's absolutely nothing wrong with the van (a '94 Chevy) and that $6,000 is more than a fair price for it. I get in the van and immediately notice that the driver's side seatbelt is just about non-functional and there's no power to the some of the things in the back of the van. It's also missing cupholders and various items but I could get past all of that. He lets me drive it to my mechanic who informs me that the transmission hoses are leaking (I crawled under the van myself just to see) and need to be replaced as well as the shocks, etc. My mechanic says that he 'might' give someone $3900 for the van. I go back to the lot and this guy already has the paperwork done...he wants my truck (a 2005 Chevy with very low miles and four brand new tires) + $780! When I looked at him like he'd lost his mind he says he'll "do me a favor" and take my truck and $350. So, I then tell him about the mechanical issues with the van and he basically accuses my mechanic of lying...until I tell him that I was also under the van and saw for myself the problems involved. His face gets beet-red and he just sat there so I grabbed my truck keys and left. As I'm pulling out of the lot he chases me down, steps in front of my truck so I'll stop, and asks me what he needs to do to get my vehicle. I kind of laughed, told him we were well past that stage of the game, and left. He calls me the next day, says he spoke to the owner, and is now ready to trade me title for title! That, by the way, did not happen. I understand car lots wanting to make money...there's no point in being in business if you don't...but there's a difference between making money and just screwing people over. I honestly wouldn't have had a problem with him making some money on the deal if he had just been decent about everything. Damn. <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/mad.gif">&nbsp;OK...I'm done now. Thanks for reading...<img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[TxGypsy]

This is one reason that I deal with individuals selling vehicles rather than car lots. &nbsp;I still get a lot of the chauvinistic nonsense, but I just ignore what they are saying and check out the vehicle. &nbsp;Occasionally I'll bring a guy so that the seller has someone to talk to while I'm checking out the vehicle.<br><br>If I happen to see a vehicle I'm interested in at a car lot....I have my ex go check it out. &nbsp;It is a waste of my time to even bother.<br><br>One memorable experience was in the 90's when I was shopping for a minivan. &nbsp;I walked into a new car sales room and was greeted by a salesman. &nbsp;He asked what I was interested in. &nbsp;I said I wanted a 5 speed minivan. &nbsp;Without hardly a pause he said....no you don't. &nbsp;Yes I do. &nbsp;No you don't. &nbsp;Did I stutter? &nbsp;It degenerated from there. &nbsp;I actually paid more for the minivan I ended up buying because I bought it from a dealership that treated me well and was willing to find me what I wanted. &nbsp;There was one that could get the same vehicle at a cheaper price, but they had given me a lot of hassle.<br><br>So unfortunately your experience is not unique. &nbsp;Sorry you got the run around.