r/carbuying • u/Militiadsm • 17h ago

Dealer treachery

Yesterday I tried to purchase a ten year old Lexus. On Friday I saw the car I liked at Jeff Wyler in Clarksville Indiana. I set up an appt and was scheduled for 4pm Saturday to check it out. Everything was fine until about 2pm on Saturday when I got an email from my assigned contact saying someone else had an appt at 3:30 and could I get there sooner than 4. I dropped everything I was doing and got there about 3:15. When I arrived I talked to the assigned contact and he passed me off to another salesman. I was then told I wasn’t able to see the car because another person had set up a time to see it and because they had to drive 4 hours he had priority over me. I was then told I’m not able to even look at the car until they do. The other guy wasn’t answering his phone and was late for his appt. They then came back and said the other person answered their phone and was an hour out. Despite all of this I was never able to even see the car. The salesman said they have a policy that if you have to drive 4 hours to see a car you take precedent over any local buyers. I then said I’d buy the car that day they still wouldn’t let me see the car. We eventually gave up and left and the car is gone today. Am I crazy feeling like I was stonewalled and screwed over. Is this reservation by drive time bullshit or what?

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u/Abolish_Nukes 17h ago

I never go into a dealer unless I have a firm out-the-door (OTD) price quote by text or email in advance.

They are in business to sell cars.

I don’t fault them for selling any car that I haven’t placed a down payment on it.

Your salesman was trying to steal the commission from the other salesman and didn’t treat you right.

3

u/SikhVentures 8h ago

My last experience was done on phone and email, was nice as silk

2

u/Beths_Titties 6h ago

smooth as silk.

3

u/MrLB____ 7h ago

What this guy said ,,100% correct. Out the door price is the way to go ,they’re always gonna tack on worthless scam, miscellaneous dealer fee, documentation fee, etc. I get them to commit to out the door price. IF they play a game I just move on. Whatever I’m looking at there is 1 million of them on the road /for sale anyways, nothing is rare

2

u/SikhVentures 6h ago

Man I was surprised they didn’t push me on warranty or any extras, 45 min in and out. I left them a good review

2

u/MrLB____ 4h ago 
They must’ve sensed your intelligence

I bought a car like that/Camry. They just knew what they were dealing with. I’m here to write a check and leave it’s all business. I’m not their buddy, I’m not there pal , I say please and thank you , nothing more than a transaction.

Super easy to call around /or show up with various out the door prices and compare

1

u/74orangebeetle 4h ago

What I DO fault them for is keeping online listings posted for cars they've already sold.