| Even though many people can afford a new car, they | | | | consumer complaints is the type of financing available |
| choose to buy a used vehicle for a variety of reasons. | | | | for used cars. This can't always be blamed on just |
| Some people buy used vehicles of about a year or | | | | used car dealerships. Used cars have always had |
| two old; they are still in like new condition but the major | | | | higher interest rates associated with the loans no |
| portion of the depreciation has already occurred. | | | | matter how good your credit is. Why? Used cars are |
| When it's time to buy that car, they tend to shop at | | | | the ones that are defaulted on more frequently. This |
| used car dealers. | | | | goes back decades when used cars were really old |
| This type of dealership has really managed to gain a | | | | clunkers, and if people financed them, they would |
| tough reputation over the years. Even movies and | | | | usually just die and people would stop paying for them. |
| television shows make fun of used car salespeople | | | | Even though the car industry has changed, the finance |
| and portray them as stupid, lazy, or downright criminals. | | | | industry hasn't kept up with the times. |
| They also have reputations for trying to sell vehicles | | | | Another problem consumers have is that it's hard to |
| that should be sent to be crushed long ago. | | | | get specific information about the cars on many lots. |
| Consumers are always filing complaints about how | | | | Some dealerships sell any car they can. They can't be |
| they were allegedly done wrong at one of their local | | | | expected to know everything about every car on the |
| dealers. | | | | lot. And, these cars usually don't get turned in with the |
| How much of all this is true? Some. No matter how | | | | original owners manual so if you find a car you're |
| shady some of these people might be, the majority of | | | | interested in, it's up to you to learn all about it. |
| the onus falls on the customer to understand exactly | | | | In these cases, do research before even making a |
| what he's buying and what he's being charged. Unless | | | | down payment. If you have a laptop with a wireless |
| you have a dealer who is purposely committing fraud, | | | | data plan, bring it with you! Let the salesman know you |
| your entire deal should be plainly outlined in the | | | | are going to check out the car, the pricing, financing |
| paperwork given to you sign. | | | | alternatives, and a CarFax history report. |
| If you had promises made to you, make sure they are | | | | Then, take it for a long test drive. If possible, have an |
| in writing. Forget the gentleman's handshake or "don't | | | | auto mechanic look at the odometer and rule out |
| worry about a thing, I'll take care of you" speeches. | | | | tampering. This isn't limited to old cars; many new cars |
| Don't sign anything unless everything you had agreed | | | | that were leases are still prime candidates. Some cars |
| to is indeed in writing. If not, you were instrumental in | | | | are turned in just because of their high mileage. Make |
| causing your own problem. | | | | sure you aren't buying one. |
| One issue that keeps coming up when it comes to | | | | |