How right you are to tell readers to be on the lookout for fraudsters because they are alive and well in Victoria.
As a senior with a disabled husband we looked a long time to find a great car for us. The dealer wanted a $2,500 non-refundable deposit because a white one without a block heater and without a sun roof had to be ordered from Vancouver. We had turned down this non-refundable deposit deal from a different dealer so we thought the trust, transparency, all the bells and whistles talk at this large, well-known dealership was legit so we gave the deposit.
Even though we were phoned a week later and told it was ready, it was not. While waiting we handed over the certified cheque, transferred the insurance and signed the papers.
After four hours of waiting we were told a wet car — gas coming out of the tank, different interior — was ours. I refused to get inside but the salesman urged me to sign his already checked off papers. I refused.
He waved the papers at my chest, neck and chin, closed the door three-quarters of the way and with my feet still on the ground, he squatted down and raised my seat, forcing me to sit.
He then leaned between me and the steering wheel and turned on the radio, heater, fan, windshield washers, wipers and the computer screen (we were told it was a bigger screen than the car we were shown and it was — only there was no back up camera).
Then he slammed the door. He hurried to the back bumper and waved his hand in front of the three sensors.
‘Bait and switch’ is alive and well in Victoria.
Helen Butler
Sidney