Was helping a friend shop for a dependable used car. Used Autotrader.com and found a couple of…read morevehicles that fit his budget.
Mailed the dealership through Autotrader website on 06/07. Email includes a copy to me and the dealer with the vehicle listed, VIN, price advertised BY THE DEALER on Autotrader.
I received a call that same evening to schedule an appt for 5:00pm the next day.
I received 2 phone calls on 6/8 to confirm the 5:00pm appt.
We drove 18 miles to Tipton. Once we arrived, we were informed that the vehicle was on a test drive for at least 30 minutes. Really? A 30 minute test drive?
So the salesperson, Casey asked questions regarding what type of vehicle was my friend looking for (even though we had specifically selected this vehicle AND the other 1 year older model/same price, but different trim and mileage).
Casey then informs us that Autotraders prices are incorrect and there's "no way" they would sell those vehicles for that amount (both vehicles were listed on Autotrader for $17,888 and $17,867.
According to Autotrader, dealers are the ones that supply all of the information to them, including VIN, mileage, make, model AND price.
The fact that the vehicle "being held" for us to view was NOT there (and we were called 3 times to set the appt and verify the appt and time), and that it was on a ludicrous 30 minute test drive, AND now the prices (which I had confirmed on the phone when the appt was made AND it is included in the message sent to me and the dealer), we incorrect and $10,000-$12,000 more is a classic bait and switch to get people to come in and try and sell them something else at a far higher cost.
Within 18 miles (the approx distance I drove from Westfield) to Tipton Ford, there are over 70 car dealerships. I can assure you I would NEVER select this location due to bait and switch, shady business practices.