How does a dealership's used car get listed on CarGurus?
If there is a used car on CarGurus that is at a dealership, did the dealership post the car on the site? I looked at a car at a dealership and was given one price. I later saw the exact same car (same Vin) listed on CarGurus, (photos taken at the dealership) and the price was lower. Also, the dealership said that there were no reported accidents, but the listing on CG said 2 reported accidents. When I brought this up to the salesman, he stated,"we do not subscribe to CarGurus." How did the car they own get on the CG site?
3 Answers
Sales rep is likely talking BS. Someone with their outfit listed it, put a lowball price on it to attract eyeballs, and will likely pull the 'ol bait and switch if you travel to said dealership to buy it.
Dealers pay to get their cars on CG's. No freebies for dealers!
I had purchased a used car from a Subaru dealer in reading. It was seemingly in great shape and low mileage. I paid more than I had originally wanted to, but the mileage was great, the Carfax report looked good, it had a 152 point inspection, the test drive went very well and it was seemingly the best used Impreza that I had seen after a good amount of research on cars.com and other sites. My most important criteria was a safe small car with AWD for my daughter who is a new driver. After finding this car at the dealership (in person visit) and signing a purchase agreement (money paid, but they were waiting on the title from the bank so I had to go back to finish paperwork when it came in) I was looking for another similar, though less expensive, vehicle for my son. Having ruled out the listings on cars.com, I went on CG, and saw a listing for the very car I had just purchased (exact car per VIN #). The car was listed on CG for $600+ less than the dealership was asking for it ($ 179 less than I paid), plus the listing said that there were 2 reported accidents which the dealership did not divulge despite explicitly being asked about any reported accidents. When I brought this to the dealership's attention they said that they do not subscribe to CarGurus and had no knowledge of the accidents. They did say they would "give" me the car for the price as listed on CG which was rated as a fair price, not even a good price. Given the accidents associated with the vehicle, I offered to pay $1800 less than the CG listed price, which was still over a $1000 more than the Kelly Blue Book trade in value and well within the value range for a private sale. They of course said they couldn't possibly do that. And I couldn't possibly take the car for anything more given the 2 previous accidents and the bad taste in my mouth from the BS I was being fed, so no deal. Once trust is broken, it just isn't worth it. I am now waiting for them to send me a refund check since they were quick to deposit my check (despite having to wait on the title), but now have to wait for it to clear before cutting me a check. I have come to expect a certain amount of fudging when it comes to dealing with car sales associates, but this dealership outdid themselves. The repeated "assurances" that they had no idea how the car listing got on CG, or that there were reported accidents, the feigned indignation that I didn't trust the Carfax report that gave no indication of any car accidents, the pretense that Auto Check was not to be trusted despite the fact that they too use the vehicle's VIN to run reports, the suggestion that perhaps the VIN # was erroneously entered resulting in another car's report (???!!!!), etc. was simply an embarrassing display of obvious BS. While it galls me to know that I was blatantly and repeatedly lied to by this establishment, I'm glad I saw the "mysterious" listing for the vehicle on CG, discovered the discrepancies and deceit, and called them out on it. I'll get my money back and find another car from a reputable dealer. There's always another car. Lesson learned!!