Crush Car Dealer Fraud
If you are concerned as an auto customer about car dealer fraud, this article walks through three good steps to consider when choosing the company that you will buy your next ride from:
1. Always check the business reviews on the Google search for the business. These usually turn up on the right. Read the reviews. They will give you a "quick" assessment of what people are thinking about the company and their personal experience with the dealership as a customer. Google news articles and request a general opinion of the dealership's quality from your city's chamber of commerce representative.
2. Remember that car dealer fraud may be more common if you are buying your car using mortgage payments. It is easier to hide extra loan amounts and fees in a mess of paperwork if you are not paying cash outright. Consider buying an older model equivalent to the one you need that can be more easily afforded with cash.
3. Never assume that just because a car dealer is new, it is better. Several dealers recently prosecuted by the Federal Trade Commission for deceptive advertising were newer Nissan dealerships.
It is your responsibility as a car buyer to carefully research the history and character of the proprietor of the business. This will save you a lot of financial headache in the future. Always know what your financial situation actually is, so as not to cause problems for yourself. It is ideal if you buy using cash. This comes from the old saying in Real Estate that "cash is king." Make sure that you read the full terms of the paperwork. It is possible for meaningless text to be drawn up to hide a nasty addition to your mortgage payment 10 months down the road. Feel free to demand a revision of the contract. This is your right as a customer. Clarity will save both you and the dealership time if there is a disagreement in the future.
