[segen77]

My wife took her car to car max today to have it apprised, and they told her that the hitch was installed wrong and the car has frame damage. I called them, and they couldn't tell me how they checked to see it's damaged, or verified it, only that they "saw it" because of how it was "repaired or welded".

My issue is, I installed the hitch myself and torqued to spec. There was no welding or drilling required. We never put anything other than a bike rack on the hitch, and that was only 4-5 times. Do I need to remove the hitch before taking it to the next dealer? (wont be a car max)

I'm really frustrated with this situation, because I believe they were just giving her the run around. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[ELCouz]

For the sake of curiosity, for what car you want to trade-in?

Also, the hitch can make people back off their offer. (Some thinks that they towed trailers and stuff)

For me, I would stay away from a hitch installed car (unless it's a truck).

 

[CunFFS13]

^this

My advice, next time you better remove the hitch

 

[segen77]

I guess my concern with removing it is that you will be able to tell that there was something installed because the frame will most likely have some slight scratches right? I called a local collision center here and they told me that carmax has a habit of making things up to get a cheaper price. He said that unless there was an accident there is no way there could be frame damage.

I'm just really frustrated with the situation, and mad that I wasn't able to go with her.

 

[segen77]

BTW. We want to trade in for a highlander, but we were using carmax to get a real price on the car value. They said the car would have been worth 16-17, but because of the "damage" they would only offer 11. Sounds like complete BS

 

[Elizabeth]

Seriously ANY time cars and women get together they are being cheated.
It is a rare car place which will treat a woman with the same respect a man gets.
So IMO more than half of your 'problem' is your wife took the car in vs YOU taking it in. Seriously.

I could write books about the crap guys working at car places try to pull just because i am (or my friends are) a women. The car guys always think I do not know anything, and that they can make up endless BS and I will beg them to take my money. There may be a few honest guys in the business.. But they are damn hard to find.

Of the two DOZEN Ford dealers in my Metro area, only one I feel I can trust to not be screwing me .. One out of two dozen.

 

[Kabigon]

My wife took her car to car max today to have it apprised, and they told her that the hitch was installed wrong and the car has frame damage. I called them, and they couldn't tell me how they checked to see it's damaged, or verified it, only that they "saw it" because of how it was "repaired or welded".

My issue is, I installed the hitch myself and torqued to spec. There was no welding or drilling required. We never put anything other than a bike rack on the hitch, and that was only 4-5 times. Do I need to remove the hitch before taking it to the next dealer? (wont be a car max)

I'm really frustrated with this situation, because I believe they were just giving her the run around. Any advice is appreciated.

In general, it's better to return a car to its original condition (as much as possible) before attempting to trade it in.

For example, an add-on hood scoop, rear spoiler, and "turbo" decals are not likely to enhance a car's value.

 

[Rogerschro]

My wife took her car to car max today to have it apprised, and they told her that the hitch was installed wrong and the car has frame damage. I called them, and they couldn't tell me how they checked to see it's damaged, or verified it, only that they "saw it" because of how it was "repaired or welded".

My issue is, I installed the hitch myself and torqued to spec. There was no welding or drilling required. We never put anything other than a bike rack on the hitch, and that was only 4-5 times. Do I need to remove the hitch before taking it to the next dealer? (wont be a car max)

I'm really frustrated with this situation, because I believe they were just giving her the run around. Any advice is appreciated.

That was pure BS by the people at Carmax. There is no way they either could have checked it for damage or found any. A bike rack just does not provide anywhere near the load required to damage the frame of the car. Even by towing a trailer, it would take a significant amount of force to do the amount of damage required to visually see it on a simple inspection. They just tried to depreciate the car to increase profit. And you can bet they would raise the price of it on their lot because it had a hitch installed as a bonus add on. Carmax uses bluebook or blackbook to Reduce value of cars when buying and to increase value when selling. It's a reputable way to rip people off! Leave the hitch on and claim the increase in value of the car with the hitch installed. It will not increase the amount they pay you for a trade, but it should not reduce it either.

 

[ELCouz]

Seriously ANY time cars and women get together they are being cheated.
It is a rare car place which will treat a woman with the same respect a man gets.
So IMO more than half of your 'problem' is your wife took the car in vs YOU taking it in. Seriously.

I could write books about the crap guys working at car places try to pull just because i am (or my friends are) a women. The car guys always think I do not know anything, and that they can make up endless BS and I will beg them to take my money. There may be a few honest guys in the business.. But they are damn hard to find.

Of the two DOZEN Ford dealers in my Metro area, only one I feel I can trust to not be screwing me .. One out of two dozen.

This is sad... Even dealers *service advisor* (sigh) , tell a bunch of crap to sell their friggin service (man or woman)!
Came today from the dealer to have a window switch replaced and insisted...GREATLY recommended that I pay for the full car inspection (160$ on a 2 years car). So I would be safe in my car... This is pure FUD sales tactic!

StealerShip ftw!

 

[ViperThreat]

Yeah, sounds like your average stealership scam.

I'd walk away.

There are plenty of other dealers out there who would be happy to get your business.

 

[JayDeZ]

This is sad... Even dealers *service advisor* (sigh) , tell a bunch of crap to sell their friggin service (man or woman)!
Came today from the dealer to have a window switch replaced and insisted...GREATLY recommended that I pay for the full car inspection (160$ on a 2 years car). So I would be safe in my car... This is pure FUD sales tactic!

StealerShip ftw!

My dealer is recommending to everyone to have your tires balanced every 15,000 miles. They say its a safety issue if it isn't done. I watched 3 people fall for it (at $60 each) while waiting for a set of tires to be mounted on my wife's car.

At least they stopped telling everyone they need nitrogen in their tires though.

 

[segen77]

I found a toyota dealer here charging $299 above MSRP for nitrogen tires.

 

[ELCouz]

I found a toyota dealer here charging $299 above MSRP for nitrogen tires.

Sir, that's wallet raping!!!! [screwy] [ohcrap]

 

[segen77]

Yeah, I laughed (loudly) at the sales guy.

 

[pablo94sc]

PM me if you sell the hitch. I've been wanting one for towing a small utility trailer.

 

[segen77]

I'm going to have it for sale this weekend, but it would be a heck of a drive from Tennessee to Texas to get it.

 

[segen77]

It is now officially for sale.
http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=471617

 

[wavsine]

Seriously ANY time cars and women get together they are being cheated.
It is a rare car place which will treat a woman with the same respect a man gets.
So IMO more than half of your 'problem' is your wife took the car in vs YOU taking it in. Seriously.

I could write books about the crap guys working at car places try to pull just because i am (or my friends are) a women. The car guys always think I do not know anything, and that they can make up endless BS and I will beg them to take my money. There may be a few honest guys in the business.. But they are damn hard to find.

Of the two DOZEN Ford dealers in my Metro area, only one I feel I can trust to not be screwing me .. One out of two dozen.

Sadly, everything you are saying is true. But I must add that you would be surprised how many men also get taken advantage of. I grew up working on cars because it was my passion but many guys don't know anything about their vehicle and fall for the same BS that women do.

My biggest gripe about modern car dealerships is that many of them are now "system houses" That means they employ greeters that work the lot and then turn you over to a closer if you are a serious prospect. That is why I buy cars over the phone and I only talk to the sales manager. I have the entire deal worked out before I ever arrive at the dealership.

NEVER tell them you have a trade in. Get the best price worked out before you bring that up so they don't massage the numbers based on your trade.