OFFTOPIC: Car Dealership Scam Info - check this website

[jaymer]

Only because we had some discussions about Brandon Honda am I posting this... because many others posted similar feelings/experiences with car dealers.

As you read this, the case against SONIC AUTOMOTIVE involved a 2000 case against local Clearwater Mitsubishi

From PUBLIC CITIZEN.ORG
The Car Scam Page (http://www.citizen.org/autosafety/dealerscam/articles.cfm?ID=10775)

My favorite attachment is this one (http://www.citizen.org/documents/A_12A-14_2.pdf)
Interesting to see how sell price AND COST of addons like Warranty, ETCH, Entry/Alarm Systems, etc.

Jaymer...

[jaymer]

Just in case any of you are thinking about a new car purchase, here's important tips from the final page of the large PDF.

Find outside financing first, before entering a dealership. Financial groups like credit unions generally provide the lowest auto loan price for which consumers qualify, and outside financing reduces the paperwork shuffle at the time of purchase that can conceal fraud. Do not deal with any lending institutions (including credit unions) offered through
the dealership.
• Do not give the dealership written permission to pull your credit information or your personal information (such as Social Security Number) until you are ready to negotiate the sale of a vehicle.
• Avoid any dealer that requires signature on a mandatory arbitration or “dispute resolution” clause or agreement. By signing the contract, the consumer agrees to binding arbitration to settle any future dispute and also waives the right to sue or appeal even if the dealership committed fraud.
• Be willing to walk away. Resist the pressure to buy—and slow down and read the fine print! Ask lots of questions about what is contained in the price and the limitations and exclusions of any services or products. Negotiate away extras and add-ons.
• Stay away from “spot” deliveries. Dealers can exploit on-the-spot vehicle purchases through writs of rescission inserted into the purchase contract, allowing a consumer to drive the vehicle off the lot — then changing the material terms of the contract later when, for example, the deal is refused by the lender.
• Remember that extended warranties can be cancelled, even after the fact. Written notification of cancellation of extended warranties results under law in a pro-rate refund on the remainder of the cost of the warranty.
• Remember the price of the new car is not where the dealer makes money. Dealers may sell their vehicles at “zero profit” — and then make thousands on what they squeeze into the contracts, with or without consumer knowledge. It is important to stay alert to extras, bonuses and alleged freebies. Nothing is free.

[CANDY76MAN]

good info....thanks.

[OccamMD]

doesn't sonic own the clearwater toyota dealership next door as well?