#1 Consumer Suggestion
AUTHOR: Tammy - Indianapolis (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Thursday, March 12, 2009
POSTED: Thursday, March 12, 2009
and tell them exactly who you spoke with in regards to it. They are a national company, so it would make sense that they honor their warranties everywhere. Also, do not just call them, but write a letter (not email) and address it to the President of the company.
In regards to the fuel pump, if you had suspected anything in that week, how were they to know that it was going to go out? As far as that goes, now you say you've had it a year and several other things are going wrong with it. There is not a dealership, new or used, or mechanic that can tell you when these things will happen. If they could, we would all be in a much better place.
I'm sorry if I sound a little callous, but I have read report after report on here about people buying something from a buy here pay here and something like this happens. It happens and there is nothing that can be done about it, unless of course you have a warranty, which unfortunately is not doing you any good right now.....
I understand having to purchase from a buy here pay here as my credit is not the best either, and I have had to purchase this way before. However, my purchase was from more of a Mom/Pop operation so that may have had more to my better experience.
Ok, this is for anyone going ANYWHERE to buy a used vehicle:
1) Do not be in such a hurry that you have to sign something that day. Take the vehicle on a test drive and to a mechanic. Have the mechanic look for the most obvious - oil, brakes and the such. NO MECHANIC WILL BE ABLE TO TELL YOU IF SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN A FEW DAYS, FEW MONTHS OR EVEN A MONTH LATER! They can not tell you if the motor is going to blow, it's going to need a tune-up in the near future and so on. My ex was a mechanic and lost a couple of friends over this little fact.
2) If you have found one you like, get the best price you can get them down to and tell them you will think about it. Be realistic - the chances of someone being interested in the same vehicle are low - just a ploy. The 'this offer is only good for tonight' is also just a ploy. Go home and do research!! Check the blue book price and go back prepared!!
If they still don't want to give you what you want to pay then tell them there is another lot you can go to and walk off the lot. Chances are you are not going to get your car! My Grandfather & Grandmother (which later became me helping him) would go into the office and when the salesperson started with the offers Grandma would say "Clyde that other place told us so & so" or "Clyde I just don't think we can afford that right now" and it worked. We also had to walk one time and sure enough didn't get to the car!
3) If repairs need to be made, such as brakes, steering, belts, make sure it is covered in the contract!!!!!!!!! If they won't - then walk - same as above. Why didn't I say oil change? My ex always said it doesn't matter if they did it there, ALWAYS do it yourself along with cap, rotor, and wires. If you don't know what I mean there, then ask a mechanic.
Again, not the dealer or a mechanic is going to be able to tell if the engine is going to blow the day after tomorrow, as well as some other major things, so keep that in mind. If there is something that has had to be repaired more than three consecutive times there is such a thing called the 'Lemon Law' and this pertains to used as well as new. If they are still unwilling to budge, it's wonder what a call to the BBB and/or Consumer Board at the Mayors office can do!
4) Make sure you FULLY understand what you are signing. You are dealing with a buy her pay here, so they are not going to be as lenient as a finance company. If you are going to have problems making a payment don't just rely on a phone call. GO to the office and tell them and get it in writing!!!!!!
They don't care if you been paying on it for a couple of weeks or several years, a contract is a contract and never, never, ever ASSUME they are going to be understanding if you are a couple of days late and you don't call them. Do you know how many times that happens to them and people move and they can't find them???? How much do you think they are out of then?
5) If they repo a vehicle they have every right to turn around re-sell it or auction it and charge you for the amount outstanding that they did not get. There is nothing against the law on that one. I myself have been a victim of this in the past and it was not with a bhph, it was through a regular car lot and finance company. ANY loan company has the right to call the loan at any point in time. FULLY understand what you are signing, do not make assumptions. If you do not understand something then ask. If you don't like their answer then have someone knowledgeable to read it!
6) As far as finance charges go, you are buying from a bhph, which means you obviously have not so good credit. EVEN if you were to go to a new/used dealership with a co-signer you would probably still be paying that high interest rate. Again, I know from experience.
Again, I do not mean to sound derogatory in this - but if you walk in acting like you are a hick and don't know shi* from shinola, they are going to try to take you for every thing ya got!