Part-vexed

I recently bought a Ford car, and decided to trade my wife's Hyundai Coupe in part exchange. I thought the dealer's offer for the Coupe seemed rather low. He insisted that, although the car was immaculate, with only 23,000 miles on the clock, the fact that it was 6 years old meant that it would have to go to auction, hence depressing the trade-in price. This was reiterated by the manager. I accepted that statement at its face value and went ahead with the deal. Imagine my surprise, a few days later, when I saw said Coupe in a prominent position in the forecourt, at a price considerably more than that given to me, with a huge banner proclaiming MANAGER'S SPECIAL. I fully accept that car dealers have to make as much profit as they can. Are they entitled to tell what I consider to be a blatant lie to a customer in order to do so?

Asked on 3 October 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
No. Question it. Better still go and bid him a few hundred less than he paid you for it (he did say it was going to auction). Normally a car like this would be marked up about £1,500 - £2,000 over what the dealer paid, to give him a profit and to cover him against his obligatory 6 month warranty. But if the dealer lied, he owes you some money.
Dear Honest John,

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