I had the same experience as many people. Bait and... - mrkdlstn
I had the same experience as many people. Bait and switch with the internet pricing. It's easy for me to get lured into the sales guy's story and believe he's just a guy trying to make a living and so I let my guard down and go with the flow. Never forget, these people are there to take as much money from you and make as much money for the dealership as possible. So I could swear the price of the car online was a couple thousand dollars less than what they showed on their computer. But it was still a decent price and I needed a car. The thing is, for just like two grand more I could've gotten a much better, brand new car. Did the sales guy mention this? Of course not. Should I have known that? Yes. But the point is I was thinking that the sales guy was looking out for me, the customer, not himself and the dealership. I realize that sounds naïve but isn't that the way it should be? So they sell me a used car and yes I opted for over 4 grand of extended warranties and prepaid maintenance. Again, not necessary since the car still has a long way to go under the factory warranty.
A word about the finance department, and this is where the buyer's remorse really kicks in for me: I didn't read over the contract before I signed. After haggling with the sales guy for some time they make you wait in this obnoxiously lit waiting area for the finance guy to "get the papers ready." What they're really doing is playing some kind of psychological game where you get so exhausted that you're more willing to just sign the papers and leave - which is what I did. Big mistake. Again, I'm of the mindset that these people are on my side, looking out for me - the customer. Again, they're not.
So I drive the car home and read over the contract and start to think over the price I expected to pay and the price I paid and the price for all the extras I agreed to and thought, I could've gotten a much better deal. So I called the place the next day and they slam the door shut on me. Transferred from person to person, "manager" to "manager" until one guy finally said, "you signed. That's it." Apparently auto contract law in New Jersey is very unforgiving. Once you sign, that's it. There is no cooling off period.
So now I'm stuck with this car with these terms that I'm not a hundred percent happy with. And that's the operative word: stuck. I went in there to get a great deal on a great car and I ended up stuck with not a great deal and a not-so-great car.
About the car. The year and model I bought, 2019 Rav4, has several known issues including: hesitation at low speeds caused by poorly designed transmission, leaky roof and a fuel pump recall. It's really not great to drive and every time I read about how great the hybrid model is, which I could've gotten, brand new, for just a few thousand dollars more, the knot in my stomach twists a little more.
So I guess I've written about enough. I think you get the point. Dealerships are inherently shady. It's really too bad customers have to try so hard to get a decent deal. What kind of business is designed to make its customers feel bad? I'm not one to advocate for technology replacing human labor but these online only buying models are looking better and better.
By the way, if they respond with the "I'm so sorry...contact Dez Cruz" response, that's just a copy and paste response. Dez Cruz doesn't even work there anymore.
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