Beware when trading in at Fitzmall

You should have sold it yourself. Some college kid would have bought for $1100. Trading in is always a bad idea... I know I have done it many times now and always get shafted.

 

Dr., I understand your outrage at the company offering yousuch a low price and then turning around seeing your vehicle for $3,850 more than what you were given.

Unfortunately, you don't know what they did with the vehicle...

What I have done the last couple of cars, is to sell my car myself when offered such a low price...

I have sold two of my cars (prior to buying my new vehicle) and I was able to get 5 to 10 x's what I was offered for a little work, and a little patience (which worked to my advantage)...

 

Did they put a gun to your head, take your keys, and make you sign the contract?

 

Next time don't gripe, sell it yourself, yes it's a hassle sometimes but, you tossed away $1000.

 

Dr.
I feel your pain (not really) I have a 1998 Corolla LE, 99,000 miles. The only thing wrong with it is the paint is in bad shape. I know that I would probably punch them if they offered less than $1500 but I would not trade attempt to trade it in. I value it at $3000 as is and close to $4000 if it had a new paint job, my wife drives it to work everyday by choice over our 2009 Prius.
I've never traded a car in. I have been insulted every time I've tried. That is why there is a door, so I can walk out when conditions are not to my liking.
The only exception is that I am confirmed on the PIP, but I warned my salesman that I might still flake out and not buy it if they try anything funny.

For $150 I would just give it to a friend (down on his/her luck) or donate it to charity, I definitely wouldn't donate it to Toyota.
The scrap value would probably be worth more than $150.
When I buy a new car I am trying to get the best price on the new car. Trying to trade in a used car just muddles up the deal and complicates everything.It tips the balance back to the dealer, it shows your weakness (or strength)You can't get the best trade in value AND lowest price on the new car.Sorry if it sounds like I am preaching, I am trying to get my "game face" on I am going to test drive the 2012 Camry hybrid tomorrow.

 

It sounds like you are just pissed that you made a bad deal in hindsight. Do you know how much work they did to the car after the trade? They did not force you to trade in the car and with a car that age they probably were thinking of scrapping it. Had the deal worked in your favor - say the gave you the $1,000 that you wanted and then found tons of problems and scrapped it for $100 or $200 would you even care?

The original post is just sour grapes - boo to the OP.

 

We are in a very similar situation with our Sienna, but we have opted to fix our check engine light problem and then sell it ourselves.

If there is a check engine light, that's an unknown completely out of control of the buyer. It could be a cheap fix, or an expensive fix -- you cannot tell without thoroughly investigating it. If the fix is expensive, that would make the car close to worthless even if it is in great condition otherwise, because it would not pass state inspection.

 

I wouldn't pay $100 for a 14 year old car with that mileage. It's just waiting to die, otherwise why did you get rid of it?

The only thing it's good for is keeping chickens in

 

It's called free enterprise. They WERE honest with you by giving you a choice. We traded our 2010 Pilot that was paid for. We received $31,000 in trade. I had it advertised in the Trader for $34,900 and never got a call (ad is still running, no calls). The dealer still has it for sale a month later. It looks like Fitzmall sells under invoice, so they can't give it on both ends.

 

Buying a car that old is sort of like picking a door on the old game show let's make a deal - you have no clue what you are getting. The car dealer was willing to offer $100. By all sounds there was no pressure - take it or leave it, they were OK either way. You chose to take the money.

While you offered to let them do a more in depth inspection you expected them to do it at the own cost - and they declined. You could have taken the car elsewhere and paid for an inspection, but you declined. You did not have to take their word that the car was worth little - that is not their problem.

You do realize that a lot of charities would have been very happy if you had chosen not to take the $100 but rather have you donate it to a worth cause - that was a decision that you made, either by not directly thinking of it, or actively choosing the $.

After buying it they realized that they could fix it and sell it - that is not something that is wrong. Part of what they do is fix cars for a living so they could have done extensive repairs quickly. It is no different than any business - they bought something, added value and then are looking to resell.

You are just pissed because you made a bad deal. I still think that your posting is just sour grapes and boarders on libeling the dealership. They made you an offer of what they were willing to pay, you accepted - that's the end of it.

 

All car dealers are in the business to make money, maximizing profit is the name of the game. My guess is that Fitzmall's game is to price new cars low and make the big money on the trade in vehicles. Sounds like a good business plan to me. As a buyer, you need to understand the game, otherwise it can get very expensive.

 

Dealers exist to make money. Not to help you. They made money, all is well with the world.

The last time we traded in a slightly used RX330 for a new RX350 the dealer gave us $16K tradein when they had an identical (with slightly higher mileage) on the lot for $25K. Yes you take a bath at the dealer and you should know that. Selling a $25K car privately is not easy. Selling a $1K car is easy.

 

One way to even the slate is to NEVER take it to them for any inspection, maintenace or even free service. Another suggestion is to try DIY, this may not be compatible with your profession, if your a surgeon you definitely should not get your hands filthy. But, getting totally familier with each procedure allows you not to conned about any repair. Priuschat allows you to have that advantage. Also, unfortuneately, you got conned on the lubrication job on the Corolla, $1100 is outrageous. But live and learn. Good Luck next time. :cheer2:

 

I thought that you were very fair with your posting.

 

Each brake pad is about $15, so 4 of them is $60.