I bought a used car from a dealer last week. We had cash provided by our credit union to pay for the car, and had no interest in financing the dealer could offer.
Multiple times during the signing on the paperwork, we were asked to sign credit applications. Each time the dealer lied about the purpose.
First was the OFAC check (a government check to confirm you are not on a watch list). The dealer produced a form titled "CREDIT APPLICATION CHECK". Asked for it to be signed for OFAC. We refused, saying our license is sufficient for that check. There was a standoff and argument. A man who claimed to be dealer owner came out and said we could leave if we were questioning his integrity. Eventually they relented, and ran OFAC check with drivers license.
Then during more paperwork, they produced another form worded differently, but saying they could provide any of our information to banks or financial institutions. We refused again. They claimed that would stop them paying the sales tax or providing our information to registration authorities. Eventually after more time wasting, they relented.
This was all at the highest rated Infiniti dealership in the Chicago area (not exactly a fly by night operation). It was during weekday business hours, and we were paying with a cashiers check from on the 3 largest national bank in the US. We were well dressed in formal attire on our way to work.
I posted on \r\askcarsales about the experience, expecting to be told that was just a bad dealer example. My post was downvoted, abused and then locked by mods. This is likely due to tricking people into credit checks by car salesmen being such a common tactic.
Be careful when buying a car. We take multiple 1st class flights per year thanks to credit card points. We have significant real estate investments thanks to easy mortgage financing. Your credit is an asset, don't let a dealer crash it for their hoped commission.
Submitted November 20, 2017 at 10:51AM by helper543 http://ift.tt/2B5xkxc
