Vehicle Test Drives - Not Until You Sign and Pay!!
During the 20 years that I had the dealership, I quickly adopted a policy of no test drives. Why? Because people will drive the vehicle in an unsafe manner and also do things that are harmful for the vehicle. Who pays? Me.
So, after about a year I adopted a policy that they buyer could ride and observe, but not drive. Never had an issue other than one guy who rubbed me the wrong way the moment he got out of his car anyway. He said that he never bought a car that he couldn't drive and I wished him a good afternoon. He and his "other" did the hoochie-coo and left. I sold that car the next day to someone who was thrilled with it.
I was asked before why I adopted the policy and several people would insist that they are insured. I believed that they were, but here's the issue.
Your insurance sees you test driving a vehicle. Your insurance (looking to slither out of the claim) takes the position that since the vehicle was being tested, they "feel" like my insurance should be the primary carrier. My insurance disagrees. So, I am stuck in the middle with a damaged vehicle.
Solution: You drive it after you sign and pay. Until then, it is my vehicle. Don't like that rule? Go on down the road. Bye.
marnotom!
·3 years agoMaybe it's because I live in a small Canadian town, but both times I purchased a used car from a dealer, the sales person gave me the key and told me to "have at 'er." They didn't even join me on my drive.
annadryl
·3 years agoA dealer that want's my thousands of dollars but won't even allow the most basic testing and feeling the car is hiding something. That's the seller I wouldn't even consider dealing with. I'll go with someone who stands (not hides) behind what they are selling.
tony1963
OP3 years agoI would have showed you the door. What people forget is that for everyone one of you who "must" drive the car, there are 20 who will walk in with cash and say "no problem".
Other dealers agreed with me and copied my policy. The problem is that the auto insurance carriers are not what they used to be and that's the reason I wouldn't allow test drives.
And as far as "wanting your thousands of dollars", I didn't need it. It is really the other way around. If you want my car, you buy it according to my terms or out the door you go. Bye!
jr-41ford
·3 years agoI'm with you, if not allowed to test drive... it's not an issue for me because I will walk and go elsewhere where my dollars are welcomed. Also, I don't test drive unless I am serious and ready to buy. But no automobile, motorcycle, RV, boat, dealer has ever refused me a test drive.
We just bought another new SUV last month, the dealer was insistent that we drive the car... since it was going to be the wife's car, she drove and I rode... then when she said she wanted the vehicle, I drove it and the the salesman was with us. The wife knows how to buy cars, she makes her own deals. We buy a new car for the wife every two to three years and have been for years.
I looked at a Chevrolet SSR pickup, been thinking of buying one since last year. A used car dealership had a nice one, but it had a manual transmission and I want an automatic. It was nice, but not what I wanted, the dealer asked me to drive it saying I might change my mind since it drove exceptional nice... but nope.
As with buyers, there are also plenty of dealers that are willing to work with potential customers and not be so asinine about test drives.... it's just good customer service.
tony1963
OP3 years agoYou watched me sell a lot of cars over a 20 year period. Didn't seem to matter to my buyers.
jhtobias
·3 years agoYour business your choice just like I can buy where I want and from who I want . Glad we have free enterprise. I would still probably buy from you as long as you don't push paint protection or car protection on me for thousands of dollars that cost you 25 bucks .
tony1963
OP3 years agoWe never sold any of that crap.
jr-41ford
·3 years ago"You watched me sell a lot of cars over a 20 year period. Didn't seem to matter to my buyers."
Not correct at all... never watched you sell anything, never cared...
tony1963
OP3 years agoLet me try again, this time with maybe a picture.
I am not talking about BUYING a vehicle, I bought them all day and night. I am talking about SELLING.
If they person wanting to buy my car wanted to test drive it, I said NO. Problem solved. Party over.
kensgiftshop
·3 years agoIf I was looking to buy a used car and they wouldn't let me test drive it, Id say so long.
tony1963
OP3 years agoBye! Don't let the bed bugs bite.
biggymoe
·3 years agoWOW, I have never heard of such a practice. I guess if it is working, for you, that is fine.
In my 77 years, 61 as a licensed driver, I have never purchased a vehicle, that I didn't actually test drive, nor would I. That includes, who knows how many, new and used vehicles.
buyselljack2016
·3 years agoHow long does your 100% bumper to bumper warranty last?
Never have, never will buy a vehicle that I cannot test drive, other than a new one.
stainlessenginecovers
·3 years agoExcept for a 'new car' purchase at a dealership- this makes total sense.
As just a 'private party seller' I would never let anyone drive any of the couple dozen cars I've sold in my life; they could ride in the passenger seat. If anything- an insurance thing as well as just like you said; wreck the car and I'm the one that is out. Not the 'would be' buyer.
In fact; buy a $40k Motorcycle at a Dealer- no test drive
Buy a $150k Boat at a dealership-no test drive at 'most' because they are not on the water along with a multitude of various reasons.
Buy a $40k UTV- no test drive, dirt or asphalt. Not even possible as typically not street legal and very few dealers have a 'dirt track' in the back.
tony1963
OP3 years agoYes, agree on all points.
They all rode in the passenger seat and understood. If you want to allow test drives, that's your business.