Last week, after leaving the office I stopped off to get some gas - and as I was leaving the parking lot my car stalled out on me! A little miffed...ok, really not happy about this I called a guy I used to go to school with (he sells cars) and told him how much I thought my car was worth, how much I owe, how much I would be willing to put down and asked him to find me something to trade my car in on. My car is only a few years old and has a LOT of miles on it (what can I say, it's my mobile office!!) so I know I owe alot more than what it's worth and I was ok with that. My husband and I went to the car lot to pick something out and went in so we could discuss the terms, payment, etc. Of course, as in all car buying scenarios I've ever been involved in - they bring out the "sales manager". He makes friends with us and goes into this long story about his girlfriend that had a 350Z that she was way upside down on and then tells us that while he is not "advising" this, only "suggesting" it.... his suggestion is that we just take my car back to the dealer and drop it off... What???? Seriously? That's your suggestion... Ok, I'm not actually saying this out loud - but this is what is going on in my head.. He tells me that it would really only hurt my credit for about a year and that I would have no trouble buying a car now or in the future.... At this point I tell him this is not even an option for us... He says well, it might become an option if something big goes wrong with the car and that we should just go home and think about it.. I am amazed at this point!! I then go on to tell him that I know for a fact this would hurt us much longer than a year and that we will not at any point consider this - that even if the car breaks down and I have to show clients on a bicycle we will continue to pay our payment for the sake of our credit - and not to mention the obligation we took on 3 years ago when we so happily signed on to pay this note.
I understand that alot of people are in a situation right now where they have to choose between feeding a family or paying their car payments, mortgages, etc -- but for a business to "suggest" that this is the option we should take to alleviate our temporary situation just appalls me. I have been thinking about this alot lately, and there was a time when I was younger that I might have thought this "sales manager" knew what he was talking about and taken his "advice" - thank goodness I'm old enough and well, I like to think - smart enough, to know this only benefits the car company and not me. They get to sell a car - and I get to walk away with my credit ruined!
The point behind this blog is to let buyer's and seller's out there know - whether when you are looking for a car or making a real estate purchase - use a professional you can trust to give you sound "suggestions" and make sure to use your own best judgement when someone else is giving you advice. If it sounds a bit fishy to you - it probably is! Use your noggin people, these sort of "mistakes" will haunt you for a very long time to come!
If you're looking for an honest agent to help you with your next home sale or purchase - think of me -- and don't worry- I won't suggest any of that crazy nonsense!
Visit one of my websites for more information on homes in the Lake Texoma / Pottsboro/ Grayson County areas www.HomesByLainie.com, www.ViewPottsboroHomes.com, www.PottsboroHomes.com, www.AllDenisonRealEstate.com, & www.SearchShermanHomes.com
- Lainie Ramsey
