Advertising Said Reconditioned—Dealership Said Otherwise.
Lost My Trust and the Sale by Refusing Transparency --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I spent two days coordinating the purchase of a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe from Genesis of Central Florida—texting back and forth, arranging the sale and scheduling an Uber to the dealership.
The vehicle-specific advertisement clearly stated, in capital letters, “PRICE INCLUDES RECONDITIONING.” However, when I asked for documentation showing what reconditioning had actually been performed, I was told by Julio that they do not recondition these older “cash cars” and that the vehicle would be sold as-is. In my opinion, advertising that reconditioning is included and then saying otherwise is false and misleading advertising designed to pull prospective buyers in.
I was also assured repeatedly that there were no recalls and that Genesis would not sell a vehicle without inspecting it and ensuring that all applicable recalls were addressed. Nevertheless, when I took it upon myself to research the VIN, I discovered an incomplete Hyundai manufacturer service campaign involving a known cylinder-head-cover oil leak that can affect the alternator. Technically, a manufacturer service campaign is different from a safety recall, but it was still an outstanding manufacturer issue that had not been disclosed or completed.
When I requested the inspection report, campaign documentation and an itemized explanation of the advertised reconditioning, I did not receive direct answers. Instead, I was sent a general website disclaimer saying listings may contain errors, followed by this response: “It’s a 2009, if you are expecting a vehicle that has had every little thing addressed this may not be the right car for you. These are cash cars sold as is.”
I never expected every minor issue on a 2009 vehicle to be repaired. I simply expected the dealership to substantiate its own advertisement and the repeated assurances that the vehicle had been inspected, was in good shape and had no outstanding recall-related concerns. Rather than addressing my reasonable questions, the responses felt defensive, dismissive and indifferent. The salesperson seemed unconcerned that I had already spent two days coordinating the purchase.
I ultimately cancelled the sale because I no longer trusted the information being provided. In additon the the attitude of the salesperson Julio. I also lost $25 when I had to cancel the Uber ride I had arranged to pick up the vehicle.
My advice to other buyers is to take it upon yourself to research everything. Do not assume that an advertised statement such as “price includes reconditioning” means the dealership can or will provide evidence of what was done. Run the VIN through the manufacturer’s recall and service-campaign systems, obtain the complete vehicle history, save screenshots of the advertisement and demand all inspections, repairs and promises in writing before arranging transportation or spending any money.
I am disappointed because I was genuinely excited to purchase this vehicle. The sale was lost not because I expected a perfect 2009 car, but because straightforward questions about the dealership’s own advertising and assurances were repeatedly deflected.
Net Promoter® NPS®, NPS Prism®, y los emoticonos relacionados con NPS son marcas registradas de Bain & Company, Inc., Satmetrix Systems, Inc., y Fred Reichheld. Net Promoter Score™ y Net Promoter System™ son marcas de servicio de Bain & Company, Inc., y Fred Reichheld.
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The vehicle-specific advertisement clearly stated, in capital letters, “PRICE INCLUDES RECONDITIONING.” However, when I asked for documentation showing what reconditioning had actually been performed, I was told by Julio that they do not recondition these older “cash cars” and that the vehicle would be sold as-is. In my opinion, advertising that reconditioning is included and then saying otherwise is false and misleading advertising designed to pull prospective buyers in.
I was also assured repeatedly that there were no recalls and that Genesis would not sell a vehicle without inspecting it and ensuring that all applicable recalls were addressed. Nevertheless, when I took it upon myself to research the VIN, I discovered an incomplete Hyundai manufacturer service campaign involving a known cylinder-head-cover oil leak that can affect the alternator. Technically, a manufacturer service campaign is different from a safety recall, but it was still an outstanding manufacturer issue that had not been disclosed or completed.
When I requested the inspection report, campaign documentation and an itemized explanation of the advertised reconditioning, I did not receive direct answers. Instead, I was sent a general website disclaimer saying listings may contain errors, followed by this response: “It’s a 2009, if you are expecting a vehicle that has had every little thing addressed this may not be the right car for you. These are cash cars sold as is.”
I never expected every minor issue on a 2009 vehicle to be repaired. I simply expected the dealership to substantiate its own advertisement and the repeated assurances that the vehicle had been inspected, was in good shape and had no outstanding recall-related concerns. Rather than addressing my reasonable questions, the responses felt defensive, dismissive and indifferent. The salesperson seemed unconcerned that I had already spent two days coordinating the purchase.
I ultimately cancelled the sale because I no longer trusted the information being provided. In additon the the attitude of the salesperson Julio. I also lost $25 when I had to cancel the Uber ride I had arranged to pick up the vehicle.
My advice to other buyers is to take it upon yourself to research everything. Do not assume that an advertised statement such as “price includes reconditioning” means the dealership can or will provide evidence of what was done. Run the VIN through the manufacturer’s recall and service-campaign systems, obtain the complete vehicle history, save screenshots of the advertisement and demand all inspections, repairs and promises in writing before arranging transportation or spending any money.
I am disappointed because I was genuinely excited to purchase this vehicle. The sale was lost not because I expected a perfect 2009 car, but because straightforward questions about the dealership’s own advertising and assurances were repeatedly deflected.