Berkshire Mazda's Rich has been nothing short of a Godsend! From initial correspondence to auto…read moretransport, Rich has been immensely helpful and a true advocate for me and my inexperience in the used car buying process.
I asked my daughter (incredibly great kid) what kind of car she would like to have. She was VERRRY particular: 'Off-White' MINI Convertible Cooper with center placed maroon rally (racing) double stripe with pinstripes She didn't expect anything expensive - she even provided a 2007 as an example. After A LOT of research, I determined years 2017 and 2019 were my best bet for reliability/price.
Because I was in search of a unicorn, it was clear this was going to have to be a 'remote' purchase. I was EXTREMELY untrusting/guarded with salespeople.
I experienced SO MANY poor practices:
I was 'ghosted' following a PPI booking (the PPI is a MUST if you're buying a used car!!!).
Another instance I requested a copy of the ASE inspection report (the dealership explicitly stated every used car gets one) and I was told multiple times it was being sent over, but I never received it...
I explained to one salesman I felt a price was 'fair', but I was in search of a 'good' offer. Despite my giving him a number I felt was fair, he COMPLETELY ignored it/never responded to it, instead had a finance representative send me a quote with the original sales price AND an additional $799 'appearance fee' slipped in (I am convinced this fee is the exact same price as their DOC fee in efforts for it to remain undetected due to some buyers, overwhelmed/frustrated/ready to drive away in the car, missing it).
I had another salesman try to convince me a steering wheel assembly/convertible top replacement a few months after a front end collision (carfax deemed resulted in 'minor damage') had nothing to do with the collision - was merely coincidental...
Another salesman asserted brake pads/tires could not be replaced by the dealership because they were 'within the requirements of the car's CPO (Certified Pre-owned) status'. He failed to mention the requirements for CPO status is set by the dealership itself and, coincidentally, the brake pads/tire tread for this vehicle were all 5/32 - the minimum for this dealership's CPO status... I explained this increased the cost of the car over $1000 since I was going to have to replace all of these soon. He claimed the brake pads/tires in this condition are good for another 20,000 miles...
Then, to add insult to injury, the total on the price quote he provided was mysteriously $150 higher than the sum of all items listed...When I brought this to his attention, he claimed the $150 was for an 'etching fee' and, when I told him it was shady to include it in the total but not list it, he stated it was not (shady)... btw I learned an 'etching fee' helps prevent the car from being stolen...?
I had another salesman allow me to go forward with a $200 PPI only to learn the large amount of under carriage rust present would have been visible to me had I been able to be present to look over the car. Tip: if buying remotely, and the dealership 'doesn't keep a record of the used vehicle's intake inspection' and/or they don't 'prepare purchase paperwork before a client confirms (after the PPI) they are buying the car' - do not waste your time/PPI money.
I have shared all of this 1) in hopes you don't fall for (and are prepared for) any of these dishonest tactics dealers use and 2) to demonstrate, given the amount of cynicism and attention to detail I approached this purchase with, my recommendation of Rich is backed by a great deal of experience with 'shady' salespeople.
Not only did I not catch (I actively looked) Rich in a single dishonest act, he went to great strides to earn my trust and provided every document I requested - car fax, intake inspection report (they use a third party), proof of recommended services done (oil change/filter replacement/new battery), thorough pictures of the car and the website includes a detailed video as well. Rich sent me a video that had been taken during the initial inspection. He accommodated the PPI technician, and began, on his own accord, purchase paperwork prior to the PPI. Everything about his actions demonstrated he had full confidence he was selling me a good car, and at a good price. The PPI went extremely well.
The finance manager, Joey, was fantastic as well. He did his job - offered me the various warranty packages, but was kind - not pushy in any way and provided us with documents quickly.
It's also important to mention my purchase wasn't an 'expensive' one - no luxury car price for Rich to 'get rich' off of (pun intended ). But, despite my purchase being amongst the 'low hanging fruit' of car sales, Rich treated me like a VIP throughout my car buying process. I felt extremely valued, taken care of and his services didn't end with the purchase. He helped me find transport as well. Thank you, Rich!