[retiredguy123]

For what it is worth, I think it is more common for young people in their twenties to be ripped off by a car dealer than a senior citizen. And, young people are less likely to be able to afford to get ripped off. But, I blame the car manufacturers. They should require their dealers to advertise a fixed price for the cars without all of the games and ripoffs. I actually think it would increase sales and profits.

[Number 10 GI]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

For what it is worth, I think it is more common for young people in their twenties to be ripped off by a car dealer than a senior citizen. And, young people are less likely to be able to afford to get ripped off. But, I blame the car manufacturers. They should require their dealers to advertise a fixed price for the cars without all of the games and ripoffs. I actually think it would increase sales and profits.

If it actually worked all the dealers would be doing it. I think it was Saturn who had fixed price, no haggle buying and they aren't around any longer.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Number 10 GI

If it actually worked all the dealers would be doing it. I think it was Saturn who had fixed price, no haggle buying and they aren't around any longer.

It would need to come from the top down. Mandated by all manufacturers. It works for other products, why not cars? I don't think television and appliance manufacturers would be happy if Best Buy and Lowes started hiring sleasy sales people to rip off customers and ask them to pay a "dealer fee". Just my opinion.

[Number 10 GI]

I feel sorry for the lady but it isn't an unknown fact that car salesmen will take advantage of an uninformed buyer. Actually there are quite a few jokes about the integrity of car salesmen and lawyers. She should have sought out someone knowledgeable of the tactics used by dealerships.

Originally Posted by Northerner52

The 'CRIME was stealing the trade for $2500 when it is worth $10,000 on KBB trade in value. The CRIME is leasing a $32,000 new car with a Capitalized cost of $47,000, A CRIME lifting $5,000 from the senior woman's pocket. A CRIME to add $5,000 in add on services.
And all legal, as no gun was used

It’s elder abuse and against the law. There are elder abuse resources you can look up on the internet also an elder abuse attorney. I think contracts are only valid when there is a meeting of the minds.

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by Northerner52

The 'CRIME was stealing the trade for $2500 when it is worth $10,000 on KBB trade in value. The CRIME is leasing a $32,000 new car with a Capitalized cost of $47,000, A CRIME lifting $5,000 from the senior woman's pocket. A CRIME to add $5,000 in add on services.
And all legal, as no gun was used

Ok. No crime. She didnt have to take the offer or make the sale. She did no research before going and didnt get the best price. The old saying, “buyer beware”

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

1. This was a friend of yours, so of course you'll be biased. And dealerships are notorious for trying to get the best bang for your buck.
2. You don't know the actual condition of the vehicle, unless you're a mechanic and did a full inspection of it. The Kelley Blue Book provides guidelines, trade-in values are not black and white, they are shades of grey.
3. Didn't your friend do any research on her own? If not, why not? It's her car, it's her responsibility to know - at least within reason - the value of her own vehicle. No crime committed on trade-in value. They offered her a number, she accepted it. She could have walked away from the deal. She chose not to.
4. Leasing the car: when you make payments on a car, you accept that you'll be paying more than the car is actually worth. When you're leasing, you're paying interest. It also includes maintenance costs, which are covered in the lease. You don't buy a $32,000 car and don't expect to do oil changes, tuneups, 6000-mile checkups, exhaust, brakes, and AC checks and replacements, new tires after "x" number of miles, etc. etc. etc. Those things cost money and when you're leasing, they build those costs into your monthly payment. And when the lease is up and you hand the car over, they are not receiving a $32,000 car anymore. It's typically 2-4 years old already and likely worth perhaps half of that, if it's in good shape.

All legal, that's how leases work. No crime committed.

Very well said. If youre not doing some research furst, then dont complain afterwards

[LoisR]

Buyer beware. Trust everyone, but trust no one.

[raindrop49]

Originally Posted by Northerner52

A friend was taken advantage of at a Leesburg auto dealer. Besides Seniors Vs Crime. Any suggestions on recourse?

A few years back we had an older van that the dealer offered us $500.00 for it. I told him, "You must be kidding." We walked out, went to another dealer where we were offered $5000.00 for it. I did my home work before going to the dealer so I knew what our van was worth.

[Scorpyo]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

She should have asked someone who knew about car buying to come with her..

Exactly. Even if someone couldn’t come with her she should have asked for advice. A lady friend of mine is looking at a new KIA. I’ve turned her on to a TOTV thread on the subject and a couple of UTube videos. The dealer both hates and respects her.

[Mikee1]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

For what it is worth, I think it is more common for young people in their twenties to be ripped off by a car dealer than a senior citizen. And, young people are less likely to be able to afford to get ripped off. But, I blame the car manufacturers. They should require their dealers to advertise a fixed price for the cars without all of the games and ripoffs. I actually think it would increase sales and profits.

That is strictly illegal. That is called price fixing and restraint of trade. It is also illegal for a manufacturer to sell its own vehicle at retail. They have tried in the past thru arm length companies and it has been a huge failure. Ask Ford, GM.
While you may have a desirable point, it cannot be done.

[donassaid]

Buying a car, whether new, used or leasing, is always a process of negotiation. MSRP stands for Manufacturers SUGGESTED Retail Price. A person wishing to trade or buy a new car should always have a good idea of what their own car is worth. I just bought a new car from a Leesburg dealership on a trade and the dealer came down $8,000 from the original offer. That's called negotiation.

[daca55]

Try writing a letter to the car manufacturer customer service. In the letter state what happen why you think it was not fair. Tell them what would make the deal better. It can’t hurt and she might get something from it. I have done it in the past and had good results. They generally don’t like to see complaints in writing.

[greenflash245]

I am sure your friend was the first person to be scammed by an auto dealer. buyer beware!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Scorpyo]

Hey I've got a great idea. Not as good as the one I had last February when I bought a 20-year supply of TP and paper towels from Costco. Now I just have to hope I outlive the supply. Anyway, on to my new brilliant idea - one I'm sure has already be posted a dozen times. Where can Villages seniors get good advice? Right here on TOTV. But how many know that? Probably not that many. TOTV should put together a flyer, piece of paper, document or whatever say once a year. It should be labeled something like Things the Savvy Senior Villager Should Know. In it it should have references to Threads or Posts. For instance: Thinking of Buying a Car? First read these threads or posts. Then they list some threads and more importantly how to find and access them. How about, Considering Cataract Surgery, Need Roofing Repair, A/C Not Working, Toilet Problems, and on and on. Besides giving, at times, good advice to our fellow senior community this flyer (or whatever) could probably increase readership in TOTV, something the advertisers would appreciate. Also, companies that perform services for our fellow residents will figure out that their names might wind up in threads for either good or bad services. This could also be included in the package when a person becomes a new resident. Imagine if this particular lady had read some of the Posts on car buying you'd be reading a post about how I took advantage of a sleazy car salesman. Knowledge is a weapon for the buyer, lack of knowledge is a weapon for the salesman.