Top 9 Used Car Salesmen Tricks, and How to Avoid Them

By: Donald Lee

One of the biggest moments in many people's lives is driving off
in their brand-spanking-new automobile. It's an exhilarating
feeling. It's also a big moment because in that very instant,
that brand-spanking-new car loses a big chunk of its value--the
difference between the retail price you paid and the car's
wholesale value. That's typically thousands gone in an instant.

That's why some car buyers choose to shop around for a used car.
You save yourself that steep initial drop-off in value. More
importantly, you get a car that runs just as well, is just as
dependable, and looks and feels as good as that new car--that
is, if you play your cards right.

For if there is one pitfall of buying a used car, it's the risk
of buying a lemon, a junker--call it what you want, you get the
point: the wrong car. Used car dealers, after all, have nearly
as bad a reputation, if not worse, than lawyers do. This holds
true for individual people selling their cars through
newspapers, Web auctions and classified sites, or with the
old-fashioned signs in their car windows. The saying, "Buyer
Beware," no where has more meaning than with cars.

The opposite to that, of course, is that there are some real
steals out there in used cars. We're talking about quality
vehicles that will perform beyond your expectations at a low
price. Here's how to find these perfect used vehicles, and avoid
the top 10 scams that used car dealers everywhere try to pull on
you.

1. Get a second opinion for the hype. Used car dealers will
bombard you with every adjective under the book to sell you on a
car--sporty, thrifty, fast, and etc. Don't take their word for
it. Instead, find someone you know, whether a neighbor, a
colleague, a family member, or a friend, who owns the same make
and model of the vehicle, and ask them for their opinion.

2. Do a background check. One of the most unethical, but legal,
things someone can do to you is sell you a used car that's been
in a flood (and sort of repaired), or one that's had 10 previous
owners (none of whom repaired it). To be sure you don't fall
victim to this, track down a history report, including a
clearance check on the vehicle title. You can even get some of
this information from the seller, simply by asking why they are
selling it. You'd be surprised what beans people may spill.

3. Examine for past damage. Used car dealers may also try to
peddle a vehicle that was wrecked in a major accident. It's
amazing what autobody experts can do to repair a car's exterior.
So don't go by the outer appearances of a vehicle. Before you
buy it, make sure that it does not have serious damage to its
frame, which it would have if it was involved in a crash.

4. Call up your trusted mechanic. Used car dealers, especially
the big lots, will say they put their used cars through a "100
point inspection," or something like that. Once again, a second
opinion is in order. Get this one from your own mechanic. He'll
be able to tell how good a shape the car actually is in. Also be
sure to ask him or her how often the car had been serviced. A
good mechanic can even gauge that.

5. Research for recalls. Needless to say, a used car dealer may
sell you a car that's actually under recall in his mad rush to
get the car off his lot. So be sure to call the car
manufacturer, or visit their Web site, to see if the vehicle has
any active recalls.

6. Avoid the leftover lemon. Along with recalled vehicles,
dealers may even perpetrate something much worse on you--sell
you a lemon. (By definition, a lemon is a car that's still under
warranty, which has such major problems that, warranty or not,
it still cannot be fixed in a reasonable way.) The best way to
avoid this is to research in Consumer Reports or the various
automobile magazines, which all have yearly reviews of every
make and model on the market. They'll tell you whether a kind of
car is known for being a lemon and prone to breakdowns.

7. See through the old paint and bait. Along with performing
their "100 point inspection," car dealers may shine and wax a
used car--even repaint it--to hide dents, dings, and rust spots.
A keen eye, though, can see right through this.

8. Take the test drive. Once you've done all your research,
homework, extra credit, and everything else called for in the
first seven steps, then comes the fun--the test drive. Drive the
car for as long as its owner or dealer will allow you. Then
you'll get a better feel for how the vehicle handles,
accelerates, brakes, and otherwise suits your tastes (or
doesn't).

9. Be wary of the pushy seller. At any stage of the game--from
the moment you first talk to the seller to the test drive--be
careful if the seller gets pushy. Any dealer or seller who is in
a rush to move a vehicle should set off bells and whistles. Why
the rush? Are they hiding something? In some cases the seller
may just be excited to sell you the car--and actually happy for
you--but in many other cases, they may be up to something.
Better be safe than sorry.

Follow these 9 simple steps to avoid the scams and pitfalls of
used car deals, and you could get the car of your dreams--for
far less than you'd pay if it was brand-new. Plus, you get that
same high when you drive your new used car home, without losing
thousands of dollars.

About the author:
Donald Lee is the public relations manager for
Buysellcommunity.com. Buysellcommunity provides free classified
listing services. Buy, Sell and trade: auto, computers,
household items, real estate, pets and much more. For global and
localized classifieds, please visit http://www.buysellcommunity.com