Why Car Salesmen Lie - The Podcast

"SteveLehto" (stevelehto) 04/27/2017 at 08:00 • Filed to: None

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I hear from car buyers all day long who are disgruntled. The source of their disgruntlement is often that the car salesman lied to them prior to the purchase. As I point out to them - and in this week’s podcast - they get away with it because the buyers almost always sign a document saying it is OK.

The Purchase Agreement is a document I have preached about before. Everyone signs one when they buy a used car but few people read it. And as I point out this week, there is one sentence that specifically says the salesman’s words don’t count. Nothing SAID by him/her is enforceable.

So, salespeople just say whatever they feel like before the sale knowing that the Purchase Agreement acts like a reset button on the whole transaction. The moment that document is signed by the buyer, all of the previous discussions go out the window.

It’s more nuanced than that - and worse, for the buyer. These things are, after all, drafted by the seller. So they protect the seller REALLY WELL.

This week’s audio:

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And video.

Top pic is two Tuckers - one real and one replica from the movie. (Real car is on the right).

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Flavien Vidal > SteveLehto 04/27/2017 at 08:41

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I guess I’m kind of a used cars salesman now... Exporter, but still. Would suck to be assimilated to people like that :(

Especially since all of my customers buy cars from me without seeing them in person AT ALL, I feel that 200% transparency is needed for my job. I wouldn’t imagine what someone shady could get away with in my situation.

SteveLehto > Flavien Vidal 04/27/2017 at 08:50

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Most used car dealers don’t care if they never get repeat business.

Flavien Vidal > SteveLehto 04/27/2017 at 09:00

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Which is the opposite in my case, true, as I mostly get business from small resellers... But when I see all the crap sold either on facebook or eBay when it comes to JDM cars, with no hisotry, rolled backed odometers sold as low mileage cars, previously crashed cars without let the customers know and so on... Fuck. All that because they come from a country foreign customers don’t know crap about... You’d be in heaven if you could do anything against crap exporters here in Japan haha. At least you can probably go easily after shady importers.

If you ever get a case against a JDM importer and need details on a car, let me know, I can have access to lots of stuff if given the VIN of a car.

smobgirl > Flavien Vidal 04/27/2017 at 09:40

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Unlike most car dealers, I actually dream about having the money to buy something from you!

Flavien Vidal > smobgirl 04/27/2017 at 10:01

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Cheapest mechanically great Honda Beat start very close from $3000. If you don’t mind cosmetic imperfections, I can ship very cheap cars that are mechanically great to enjoy :)

gawdzillla > Flavien Vidal 04/27/2017 at 10:11

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contact info ? would like to get more info from you

we can have a cup of suzuki cappuccino, and i always have room for the mazda az1 in my garage

smobgirl > Flavien Vidal 04/27/2017 at 10:16

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Hoping to pay off EVERYTHING this year (except the house and the Abarth) and then we’ll chat!

Flavien Vidal > gawdzillla 04/27/2017 at 10:18

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Az-1 aren’t legally importable yet :)

Production started in October 1992... So all the ones you may see for sale right now in the US... Yeah, not fully legal :)

As for my contact: flavien.vidal at this thing called Gmail dot com.

Flavien Vidal > smobgirl 04/27/2017 at 10:31

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Hehe, we’re all in this situation don’t worry :)

Anytime you want!

benjrblant > SteveLehto 04/27/2017 at 10:59

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And as I point out this week, there is one sentence that specifically says the salesman’s words don’t count. Nothing SAID by him/her is enforceable.

This sounds like a setup, almost a guarantee for a terrible experience and/or an unsatisfied customer. )=

gawdzillla > Flavien Vidal 04/27/2017 at 11:00

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thats the best part. once they are legal the price will skyrocket !?

Flavien Vidal > gawdzillla 04/27/2017 at 11:06

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Fuck yeah... they already have, thanks to canadians buying them in bulk before reselling them to you lol.

In all seriousness, they are a lot less common than Cappuccinos and A LOT less common than Honda Beat. Yes, prices will skyrocket.