Headed out to do some secondhand car shopping this (freezing cold) evening, both coughing madly. First very large dealer in Vic Park didn’t actually have the model of car they’d advertised on their internet site in the yard (I had given them a whole days warning we were coming), and they claimed it wasn’t the model advertised anyway (you’d think they’d get that right, given that the models have different numers of seats!). Also having said we had the money they then said they could negotiate good finance deals with Esanda because they’re their biggest customer, and they get a kickback so they’d be more willing to negotiate on price.
The other model we looked at (Hyundai Trajet) had two clear anchor points in the second row, but we couldn’t find the third. All dealers are happy to point out that they have to have 3 anchor points, but they don’t mention that most cars aren’t wide enough to fit 3 kids seats (and the Trajet is narrower than the Kia Grand Carnival on the Tarago). The manual pointed out lots of warnings about kids seats but seemed to neglect to mention where the anchor points actually were…
Then it was off to the local Kia dealer, which had a nice year old model in stock. When pointed out that it was tagged at $2000 more than it was on the internet they said ‘oh, the boss must have changed the price’. They went to find him, but he couldn’t be found. Not sure if they’d have mentioned it first if we hadn’t… Then they claimed he must have changed the price this morning (I found it on the net two days ago). Then miraculously the boss appeared and said someone else was calling up asking about it. They asked if we’d like them to hold it for us.
Having said we’d think about it it was then back home to check on the net where it appears that they have two of them in stock. Not that they mentioned it. So pretty much (unsurprisingly) they’ll do anything they can to make the sale then and there, because they think you won’t come back if you don’t buy now.
Also, commenting on how you wish you had my salary when you’re driving a better car than me isn’t likely to endear you to me. Although it may reassure me about having my priorities in order.
So we await the next exciting instalment…
