caveat emptor : learn all the options first.
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 534
Likes: 9
From: Florida
caveat emptor : learn all the options first.
At the risk of exposing myself as a complete idiot, shown is part of the listing on a website for my car, which I looked at before going to see the car and buying it.
Some of this bothers me after-the-fact (multi-CD changer). Some of it I don't care about (phone). Some of it makes me wish it were true (Carrera Classics).
This is not so much a case as buyer beware, as it is buyer be informed.
This hurts my pride more than my wallet. I am uber-informed and a total ***** when buying a car. I generally know more than the dealer. For example, I found paint damage that the dealer and my wife couldn't spot. Confirmed damage at a body shop. Got some money taken off the selling price and I got it fixed for $65 (wet sanding). Interior scratches - got money taken off selling price - parts ordered. I feel fine about all that. It's a used car. But this overstating of options has got me retroactively miffed.
That being said, I love the car, and I wouldn't take in cash what I paid for it. Thus, I'm a happy buyer. I just could have done a better job knowing my Porsche option codes and calling the seller on his bull****.
Some of this bothers me after-the-fact (multi-CD changer). Some of it I don't care about (phone). Some of it makes me wish it were true (Carrera Classics).
This is not so much a case as buyer beware, as it is buyer be informed.
This hurts my pride more than my wallet. I am uber-informed and a total ***** when buying a car. I generally know more than the dealer. For example, I found paint damage that the dealer and my wife couldn't spot. Confirmed damage at a body shop. Got some money taken off the selling price and I got it fixed for $65 (wet sanding). Interior scratches - got money taken off selling price - parts ordered. I feel fine about all that. It's a used car. But this overstating of options has got me retroactively miffed.
That being said, I love the car, and I wouldn't take in cash what I paid for it. Thus, I'm a happy buyer. I just could have done a better job knowing my Porsche option codes and calling the seller on his bull****.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 10,594
Likes: 8
From: THE Republic
ok, im going to come at you.
while some of the stuff like phone can be confusing and the seller did know, how did you miss something so obvious as the wheels? the silver seat beats????
was it a Porsche dealer? if so i think you should disclose.
also separtely, shifter/brake lever. is the brake lever Aluminum
In short I think youre entitled to some restitution.
while some of the stuff like phone can be confusing and the seller did know, how did you miss something so obvious as the wheels? the silver seat beats????
was it a Porsche dealer? if so i think you should disclose.
also separtely, shifter/brake lever. is the brake lever Aluminum
In short I think youre entitled to some restitution.
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 534
Likes: 9
From: Florida
ok, im going to come at you.
while some of the stuff like phone can be confusing and the seller did know, how did you miss something so obvious as the wheels? the silver seat beats????
was it a Porsche dealer? if so i think you should disclose.
also separately, shifter/brake lever. is the brake lever Aluminum
In short I think youre entitled to some restitution.
while some of the stuff like phone can be confusing and the seller did know, how did you miss something so obvious as the wheels? the silver seat beats????
was it a Porsche dealer? if so i think you should disclose.
also separately, shifter/brake lever. is the brake lever Aluminum
In short I think youre entitled to some restitution.
I disagree that the wheels were "obvious". You'd have to know your wheels and/or look it up on the web before you really know the difference between one and the other, and they were 19", so I didn't take it any further. For all I knew at the time, those WERE Classics. I know better now of course.
And take the CD-changer. I saw the thing in the frunk and assumed that was it.
Silver seat belts? meh. I've had never seen the silver ones to distinguish from the grey ones.
Brake lever and shifter may be "aluminum-look" but they are not aluminum. And talk about confusing, is it leather or aluminum and on which one, the shifter and/or the brake? Anyway the shifter **** is pure plastic. My miss on that one.
White gauges, same thing, you'd have to have prior knowledge of an 'S car with black gauges before knowing that the white ones were not an option but standard, if that makes sense.
It was not a Porsche dealer. As far a restitution, they'd likely quote caveat emptor.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,612
Likes: 424
From: Raleigh, North Carolina
I see constant misrepresentation of options when I look at Cars.com and other auto selling sites. Usually, that happens with non-Porsche dealers whose employees are not familiar with the cars and who just click every radio button when they fill out the listing information online. I often see a mistake or omission from a P-car dealer, too.
But the listing you posted seems way too specific to be a mistake. What are the little abbreviations in front of those details? Are they the option codes (or are they supposed to look like option codes)? When a seller goes into that kind of detail, he's crossed the line into misrepresentation. Maybe not legally actionable misrepresentation but it's lying just the same.
Now, most of those options would have been pretty easy to verify prior to purchase, so there's not alot of recoruse on your part. I guess it's just a lesson learned and a good warning to others to learn the product before you plunk down $50 to $75 grand for a used car.
I'm glad you like your car and that you posted this. Even when we can't fix our mistakes, they can be useful as warnings for others.
But the listing you posted seems way too specific to be a mistake. What are the little abbreviations in front of those details? Are they the option codes (or are they supposed to look like option codes)? When a seller goes into that kind of detail, he's crossed the line into misrepresentation. Maybe not legally actionable misrepresentation but it's lying just the same.
Now, most of those options would have been pretty easy to verify prior to purchase, so there's not alot of recoruse on your part. I guess it's just a lesson learned and a good warning to others to learn the product before you plunk down $50 to $75 grand for a used car.
I'm glad you like your car and that you posted this. Even when we can't fix our mistakes, they can be useful as warnings for others.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 594
Likes: 162
From: Florida
I see constant misrepresentation of options when I look at Cars.com and other auto selling sites. Usually, that happens with non-Porsche dealers whose employees are not familiar with the cars and who just click every radio button when they fill out the listing information online. I often see a mistake or omission from a P-car dealer, too.
But the listing you posted seems way too specific to be a mistake. What are the little abbreviations in front of those details? Are they the option codes (or are they supposed to look like option codes)? When a seller goes into that kind of detail, he's crossed the line into misrepresentation. Maybe not legally actionable misrepresentation but it's lying just the same.
Now, most of those options would have been pretty easy to verify prior to purchase, so there's not alot of recoruse on your part. I guess it's just a lesson learned and a good warning to others to learn the product before you plunk down $50 to $75 grand for a used car.
I'm glad you like your car and that you posted this. Even when we can't fix our mistakes, they can be useful as warnings for others.
But the listing you posted seems way too specific to be a mistake. What are the little abbreviations in front of those details? Are they the option codes (or are they supposed to look like option codes)? When a seller goes into that kind of detail, he's crossed the line into misrepresentation. Maybe not legally actionable misrepresentation but it's lying just the same.
Now, most of those options would have been pretty easy to verify prior to purchase, so there's not alot of recoruse on your part. I guess it's just a lesson learned and a good warning to others to learn the product before you plunk down $50 to $75 grand for a used car.
I'm glad you like your car and that you posted this. Even when we can't fix our mistakes, they can be useful as warnings for others.
Again, to the OP, do you know any prior history on your new car? Have you had a dealer pull the history, build sheet, and other data?
This type of "mistake" needs to be identified and rectified or disclosed to the community so that all can be aware. I hope the car itself is great and that you love it. But, it does seem that this type of treatment by the seller would take away some of the glow. Good luck getting it resolved to your satisfaction.
Trending Topics
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,401
Likes: 6
From: Toronto
With the way the US court systems work, you can take the seller to court within a stipulated period of time and get restitution for misrepresentation but it is buyer beware as well. You had the opportunity to validate the claims before purchasing and it's your loss (IMO) if you did not. Not doing your due diligence is your mistake but there are laws against misrepresentation to protect the 'novice' buyer as well.
At this time, if you love the car and want to keep it, you can chalk it up to experience and enjoy your car.
Or, you can contact the dealer and let them know you're considering legal action to see if they might want to offer restitution willingly.
Or you can talk to a lawyer and see if you have a case based on the state laws where the sale was registered.
At this time, if you love the car and want to keep it, you can chalk it up to experience and enjoy your car.
Or, you can contact the dealer and let them know you're considering legal action to see if they might want to offer restitution willingly.
Or you can talk to a lawyer and see if you have a case based on the state laws where the sale was registered.
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
9 Vehicles Porsche Helped Engineer that Aren't Porsches
Verdad Gallardo
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Verdad Gallardo
I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 S/C vs 718 Spyder RS: 10 Categories, One Winner
Joe Kucinski
This Builder Is Turning Heads With Its Slantnose 911 Creation
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 Artisan Edition Pays Homage to Japanese Culture
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look
Verdad Gallardo
10 Porsche Colors That Have More Personality Than Most People
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 534
Likes: 9
From: Florida
Thanks all. I like Iceter's comment ". Even when we can't fix our mistakes, they can be useful as warnings for others. "
Looking further, I found small print, something to the effect of "...the buyer's responsibility to confirm accuracy of the options and prices..." blah.
No love lost on my car. Happy with price too. I've lost nothing but pride, and gained knowledge.
As for Porsche, "Aluminum-look" bits for $1680? And oddly, they charge less for floormats than Acura or Nissan!
Looking further, I found small print, something to the effect of "...the buyer's responsibility to confirm accuracy of the options and prices..." blah.
No love lost on my car. Happy with price too. I've lost nothing but pride, and gained knowledge.
As for Porsche, "Aluminum-look" bits for $1680? And oddly, they charge less for floormats than Acura or Nissan!
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,401
Likes: 6
From: Toronto
I like your attitude but maybe you should expose the name of the dealer so that other's can be aware of the fact that this dealer may not understand the options for certain vehicles and its is buyer beware. A fine print is a way for the dealer to hide behind misrepresentation.
Thanks all. I like Iceter's comment ". Even when we can't fix our mistakes, they can be useful as warnings for others. "
Looking further, I found small print, something to the effect of "...the buyer's responsibility to confirm accuracy of the options and prices..." blah.
No love lost on my car. Happy with price too. I've lost nothing but pride, and gained knowledge.
As for Porsche, "Aluminum-look" bits for $1680? And oddly, they charge less for floormats than Acura or Nissan!
Looking further, I found small print, something to the effect of "...the buyer's responsibility to confirm accuracy of the options and prices..." blah.
No love lost on my car. Happy with price too. I've lost nothing but pride, and gained knowledge.
As for Porsche, "Aluminum-look" bits for $1680? And oddly, they charge less for floormats than Acura or Nissan!
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 271
Likes: 1
From: DFW,TX
If you think "aluminum look" plastic is expensive, you should see the price of some of the other options! Also, if this is your first Porsche, brace yourself for some of the maintenance and other checks you will have to write for the privilege of ownership.
There are several online VIN decoders available that will allow a prospective buyer to get an accurate list of options before buying that are low or no cost. A little research in advance can prevent such disappointments and surprises.
There are several online VIN decoders available that will allow a prospective buyer to get an accurate list of options before buying that are low or no cost. A little research in advance can prevent such disappointments and surprises.
