Switch on the TV, open the paper, surf the internet and all that greets you are messages of doom and gloom about the economy. If reports are to be believed we are all about to be trampled to death in horrific scenes that represent a mini Armageddon when we are all so desperately poor that it takes a week's wages to purchase a loaf of bread and selling our children on eBay is looking an ever more attractive option simply to make ends meet.
Ok, I exaggerate slightly but this scaremongering simply inflames the situation by making people panic when there is still nothing we can do about it. We are in the hands of the Government and financial institutions and all we can do is make the best of a bad job.
To that end, people are looking to escapism TV to hide away from this enforced reality. Losing popularity are the shows such as Eastenders and Casualty where we can see even more of the everyday doom and gloom of life and in come the chat shows that make us all feel that little more superior. There is something ultimately satisfying about watching daytime TV and being able to criticise the chav girl on Jeremy Kyle with her Basildon face lift (where the pony tail is scraped back so tight that the eyes are pulled into Chinese style). We poke fun at her Crayola style black eyeliner attempts and the fact that she obviously doesn't own a mirror because who in their right mind would go on TV in a tracksuit that has purpling belly overhang?
These people hail from a certain section of society that make us all feel that little bit better about ourselves. They think nothing of airing their dirty laundry in public for a freebie night in a London hotel or their five minutes of fame. Self respect simply doesn't seem to be in them.
With these shows gaining in popularity, the producers are looking to a wider section of society to pick apart. It is reported that an upcoming show will be featuring used car dealers. Kyle promises to grill used car dealers on their tactics. Those wishing to participate must own a donkey jacket that will be worn to the show, they must speak with a gravelly, London accent and sport red drinkers noses. They must own at least one car lot that hasn't had a presence for longer than two months and have plenty of skeletons in their cupboards in the form of dodgy deals.
The show promises to bring you the humiliation of used car dealers that includes past customers surprising the guests with tails of cut and shut disasters and those responsible for buying up cars that have a dubious history. In a new twist, it is hoped that a selection of used car dealers that are completely above board, with a few token respectably dressed people that want to sing their praises.
Once this section of society have been ripped to shreds to the satisfaction of the common masses, it is hoped future shows will follow up with the picking apart of Saturday shop assistants who can't be bothered to get a proper job, financial advisers - if any can be found left in the country - and the occasional peeping tom paperboy jsut to remind us of how low these shows can get.
In one of our previous articles we listed the "Top 5 Car Dealership Scams To Avoid," but it doesn't stop there. This article continues with a few other car dealer scams that we've heard happening around the car market. Again, there are a lot of credible car dealerships that won't try these but it's always a good thing to know these in case you get a dirty car dealer or salesman.
6. The Dealer Mark up Scam
This is an unnecessary fee that the dealer charges for no reason other than greed. This fee can be seen on the orange sticker marked on the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). The additional dealer markup is nothing more than requiring more money for no real reason. They can include all kinds of extra fees in the additional dealer markup.
When you see an extra dealer mark up fee, ask the dealer to get rid of it. If they refuse, it is pretty much up to you, but remember that if you do pay the extra dealer markup, you are overpaying for no real reason.
7. The Payoff Your Loan Scam
This is when the dealer offers to pay off the balance of your current car loan no matter how much money you still owe. It is a common sales strategy. When the average buyer hears it, they think that by purchasing a new car with a new dealership, they will automatically owe no more money on their current car. That couldn't be further from the truth.
What really happens is that the dealership does help you get out of your current contract; however, they normally are forgetting to tell you how high your fees are going to be for breaking the lease agreement with your old dealership. You will now be responsible to pay fees that are in the thousands to make up for it.
You also will not be able to refinance for a new car until those fees are paid. Of course the dealership can add the cost on to your contract with them at a substantially higher rate. The dealership only agrees to this deal because they want to get more money off of your current car. They aren't really doing anything for you at all.
The dealership will also give you far less then the car is worth on the trade off. Basically this scam works because they will up your monthly fees, and then sell your trade in for a more money than its worth. The dealership then extends your monthly payments so that they can make it appear that you are paying a small amount monthly when you don't even realize that you have committed to an extra year of payments.
To avoid this scam, you have to bite the bullet and ride out your current lease until the end. If you are really determined to get a new car, then you should try selling your current car on your own. Just sell it so that the buyer just takes over the lease payments.
8. The Used Car Sold ?As Is? Scam
This is when a dealership will sell you a car that has been in a car wreck, but they will tell you that the car has been completely refurbished. When you see the car it has a sticker on it that says "as is" on it and no warranty is included with your purchase. This is the dealer's way of telling you that you can't bring the car back, you are assuming all risks for the car, and that it is not under warranty.
To avoid this scam, don't buy a car without a warranty or one that says "as is" on it. By doing this, you might as well buy a car from a stranger on the street with the same deal.
9. The Bounced Check Scam
This is when you walk into a dealership with a bank draft and the dealership charges that they can't accept your draft because your bank bounces checks often so they now refuse checks from that bank. Of course, this leaves the table open for them to get the extra money they want by offering to sell you a car at a higher interest rate.
You can avoid this scam first by getting your drafts from First Again Auto Finance. Then let the finance manager know that you are aware of the scam that they are pulling and that First Again Auto Finance is in the business of giving loans so the checks don't bounce.
10. The Forced Credit Application
If you are hoping to pay for a car outright or in cash with a bank draft or check that is what you should do. Some dealerships will not let you. You will hear one of these lines so that they can try and get you into paying monthly terms for more money. "State laws require that you must fill out a credit application before I can sell you this car.? Or ?Everyone that buys a car from us fills out a credit application first." Or maybe "It's the company's policy."
If you hear any of these lies, then know what's going on. When you are paying cash why would you think that you need to fill out a credit application? It doesn't make sense. No state will force you to apply for credit when paying cash. Would you have to fill out a credit report if you want to buy a sofa or groceries while paying cash? See how silly this is. To avoid this scam, just laugh in their faces.
If you can identify these scams then you stand a great chance of saving a ton of money down the road on your new car. Stay tuned for our next two posts as we explain some other car dealership scams that have the ?Special Offer? tag on them.
Both Catherine Harvey & Neil Teasdale are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Catherine Harvey has sinced written about articles on various topics from Culture and Society, Home and Wedding Gowns. Current affairs expert Catherine Harvey takes a humorous look at the way TV is used to escape the everyday stresses of life and the possibility that interviews with