A Car Quest

I have decided to write up this two page assay in order to warn all of you students (graduate and undergraduate) from the pits and falls of a certain car dealership in New Haven.

The first dealership with whom I had the (despicable) pleasure to work with was Auto Sale Inc.  which is located on 1925 State St. NH (just next to the DMV office). Both my wife and I were walking down State St. when we both spotted a beautiful gray 1992 Honda Accord EX which immediately captured our eyes. The car looked great! And I mean GREAT! Hardly any visible dents, a little bit of rust above the rare wheels (a common Honda phenomenon), sunroof, cruise control and a reasonable 145,000 miles on the odometer. As we were looking at that master piece, a nice old chap (named Ted.do not forget this name!) convinced us that he was there for over 50 years, that he knows what he was doing and that he has sold hundreds of cars to the Yale community . He explained every little detail about the car, how to know if the car was ever involved in an accident, stressing out that we are practically getting a bargain (it was listed for $3950) and went on and on about his honesty and marvelous reputation. He then walked us right into his office, trying to get us sign a purchase agreement paying merely $100 deposit, just to make sure that the car will still be there tomorrow if we need the time to sleep on it or take it for a car check in an independent garage. And I have to say we almost signed! Almost.why? Oh, because he mentioned that he is retired and that the dealership is not his anymore, and one more important detail that the 100 dollar deposit is in no way refundableno matter what our mechanic will find.

So we went home without signing italthough I really felt that I am missing out on something good, and oh boy was I wrong! After calling my best friend, and telling him about the car, we both decided to go down again and have another look at the car. A second opinion never hurts. When we arrived at the dealership, a young guy named Bob greeted us and said oh, you are the guy from Saturdaythis accord is a good clean car, I had five people looking at it today, and if you wait too long it will be long gone. Although rough looking, Bobby immediately gained our trust, and we signed the agreement. As for the 100 dollars deposit, I will pay it back to you, if I cannot fix whatever is wrong with the car Bobby said after stressing again that the car is clean and in great shape.

I was so excited. We have been looking for a car for a while now, and with our limited budget, I was so happy I finally found one both my wife and I can agree on. I was in haven.

Before continuing my story, I should say a word or two about my mechanic. Ray from SKF Automotive on Portsea St. in NH is a great guy. Not only that he knows his business he is never too busy to give you some extra info about what he did and what needs to be done when considering your car. He has a great sense of humor which I guess changes according to the customer. Back to our story, following 48 hours the car was at Rays garage, and after a thorough check up, the picture looked pretty grim. The car was, how shall I put it, A COMPLETE PIECE OF JUNK! Every possible lubricated part was leaking, the breaks were off, transmission oil was leaking, and according to Ray the car was previously involved in an accident. The cost of repair.are you ready for this??. around 1300 bucks! I was shocked! 50 years of reputation! Hundreds of cars sold to the yale community! GOOD CLEAN CAR??? Damn I was fooled. No need to say that Ray did not recommend buying the car. 

The first thing that came to my mind, I have to get my money back. You all know that 100 bucks for a grad is like 10000 for everyone else. After a long conversation, the bottom line was, Bobby wouldnt not pay. I told you I will give you back the money if I cannot fix the car, right? he said. But, you cannot fix a previous accident! I cried and besides, I do not think that you are going to invest over a 1000 dollars on repairs for a car that costs 3900! Please give me back my money, as I told you before, I am a student and for me every dollar counts, this way we both walk as if nothing has happened ..silence.more silence.and then..I wont do that. I will not give you your money backgood bye.

So, legally he is right. The agreement did mention that the deposit is refundable if he does not fix the defects found by the mechanic! But the fact still remains this guy is a cheater. He knew about all those faultsbut did not even bother to mention them. He gave both my wife and I mischief and distress, but the most important fact is that he just made a 100 dollars from selling practically nothing. And I wonderhow much money will he make doing it over...and overand overand over again. So dont let it happened to you!

Sincerely, just another graduate student.

Comments: car_dealers_reviews@yahoo.com.