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...hence why dealers do not engage in illegal practices as that can result in fines or suspension of license, etc.
Why would there be fines and suspension of license laws if dealers never break the law?
In reviewing the OP, I see that he didn't say he called and confirmed ahead of time. This was my understanding of what happened. Maybe he said it later in the thread....or maybe I'm just getting old :-)
Why would there be fines and suspension of license laws if dealers never break the law?
In reviewing the OP, I see that he didn't say he called and confirmed ahead of time. This was my understanding of what happened. Maybe he said it later in the thread....or maybe I'm just getting old :-)
I never said that they didn't break the law, and most laws have penalties, be they civil or criminal.
No, I was confused to as to when the call occurred. I have called and put a deposit on a specific car, not a loss leader, but with special equipment and drove three hours to the dealership, only to find there was a "mistake." Aggravating, but no redress in law.
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All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
If it's a new car you're looking at it's quite possible they weren't expecting any more and then got a new shipment from the manufacturer cleaning out its inventory for the new model year.
As far as the salesman calling, he's doing his job following up on a possible sale. You did tell him what you wanted and one came in.
Also dealerships trade inventory with other dealerships to replenish items that are IN DEMAND in their area.
I'm sure if in between the phone call and when the OP got to the dealership the car was sold they certainly can produce a sales order. If anything to quell the OP's suspicions of bait and switch.
I had the same thing happen to me. Saw a dealership craigslist ad for Forester priced competitively. Called them up and asked about that car at that price. They said YEP, still available. Come on down. Drove 45 minutes just to have them tell me it's been sold. They said from the time you called to now it was sold. Asked for sales order form but they didn't and/or wouldn't supply it (I get it, privacy laws. I didn't expect it anyways).
Of course a week later that same ad was still running. And a week after that...and so on.
Forget about whether it was bait and switch. The OP wants to know if he should buy a car from this dealer, and I think it's simple.
If the dealer has the car the OP wants, and is willing to sell it to the OP at the price the OP wants to pay, all as demonstrated by a bill of sale, the OP should buy it.
What if a car dealer tells you the car you want is sold but they have others to offer you at a higher price, then you find out that the car you wanted to test drive WAS NOT sold after all and in the next couple of days they raised the price by $500? (Not relisted it, just raised the price on the same ad.)
What if a car dealer tells you the car you want is sold but they have others to offer you at a higher price, then you find out that the car you wanted to test drive WAS NOT sold after all and in the next couple of days they raised the price by $500? (Not relisted it, just raised the price on the same ad.)
What is that called?
SOP
Standard Operating Procedure for the car sales business.
Bait and switch, bread and butter of many dealerships.
Sure, go back, but be aware, read and understand any contract you sign.
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