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This much info for a sale?

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by JMalmsteen, Aug 21, 2017.

  1. JMalmsteen

    JMalmsteen I love my Prius!

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    If I am planning on driving and handing them payment for a car, why would a dealer request this much information?

    I buy lots of cars, arrange the sales over the phone, have places offer to deliver the car to my house, and I have never been asked for so much identity theft worthy info in an email.

    Thoughts?
     

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  2. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    I would be on the phone and ask THEM that exact question. I'd assume the method of payment talk would have already happened at this point. They're either just going by a standard script or something is screwy. I'd also ask that question.
     
  3. JMalmsteen

    JMalmsteen I love my Prius!

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    Something is off. Here's what should happen:

    I go there, pay them, they give me a car. Done. No financing. No trade. The whole thing with that email makes me uneasy. I'm going to call now.

    Got off the phone- sales manager is not in, general manager is supposed to return my call.
     
    #3 JMalmsteen, Aug 21, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2017
  4. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    SOP: they want to run a credit check and have financing (in their favor) ready to offer you. They don't really care for cash sales since there's much less profit for them.
     
  5. JMalmsteen

    JMalmsteen I love my Prius!

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    That could be it and is illegal.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i would give them nothing.
     
  7. JMalmsteen

    JMalmsteen I love my Prius!

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    Of course. And I'm a lawyer, so attempting to pull something so egregiously illegal would be amusing. I'm hoping there is a better explanation.
     
  8. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Class Action lawsuit. I can use a new car
     
  9. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    They'll likely need the license and insurance info for filing the registration.

    They want the social to ran credit.
     
  10. JMalmsteen

    JMalmsteen I love my Prius!

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    Of course, but I'm going and handing them a check.

    Nobody has called me back. I already drove from PA to NY.

    My last interaction was with a BMW dealer. It was nothing like this. I'm so frustrated with Langway. And, I got an email back saying they need my social security number for the finance department. I am not using their finance department.

    Here's the latest:
    In finance we usually need a copy of the drivers license to confirm that all the information is correct and spelled correctly, would it be possible to get a copy of the license from you and can I call to grab the ss#? I’m being asked by my finance office to provide this information.
     
  11. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Unless you plan on giving them cash for the car, I think they still run your credit before you drive off with their new car.

    You still need to have credit for them to take your check and expect it's good
     
  12. JMalmsteen

    JMalmsteen I love my Prius!

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    I'm giving them cash. They have absolutely no reason to run my credit. Cash in the form of a check from me, I'm not dealing with their finance department. Bank/cashiers check.

    This is unethical. I got off the phone with them, they are insisting on my social security number and license.

    Anyone reading this- they have not right to run your credit, beware.
     
  13. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I've had this exact conversation with my dealer when I paid by personal check for my car. The check you give them is a piece of paper, in running your credit, it shows how worthy you are in paying debt or not paying debt. They have the option of not taking your personal check / bank check if your credit shows you are not a good candidate for such a transaction.

    The only way to avoid this is to give cold hard cash.....which they report to the IRS that you have such a large sum of cash in your possession. There is always some type of credit they are providing you when you drive off with their new car.....even until your check clears.
     
  14. JMalmsteen

    JMalmsteen I love my Prius!

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    I looked up the IRS code. Your bank will report a transaction of over $10,000 but the dealer does not have to file a Form 8300 for purchase of a vehicle over $10,000 with a cashier's check or bank check or money order. This is not treated as cash and the business doesn't need to file the Form 8300.

    FYI cash buyers.
     
  15. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    I've paid via cashiers check (100% payment) for my last 7-8 vehicles and they've never run my credit or requested a SSN. Once they know I'm paying cash, all the financing type questions stop. This is in Oklahoma.
     
  16. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You are correct, they don't file any forms if you give them a money order or cashiers check. But that once again requires them to take a piece of paper and assume it's genuine and it's good. This is where they run your credit.
     
  17. JMalmsteen

    JMalmsteen I love my Prius!

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    Of course. That's why my warning signals started going off like crazy.
     
    ruby and Mark57 like this.
  18. JMalmsteen

    JMalmsteen I love my Prius!

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    They can contact the bank. That's the whole point of a bank check vs a personal check. They have no right to run your credit.
     
  19. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    As a young man right out of college, I worked in sales for a motorcycle dealership and was personally scammed twice in cash sales.
     
  20. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If they contact the bank, they would want a SS security number from the bank to run their credit (I know there's no such thing). The bottom line is the dealer is going out of their way to give you a brand new car to drive off their lot, all you're giving them is a piece of paper, promising they'll get money once it goes into their bank. If it bounces for any reason, they are without a new car and they have to do extra work to collect from you. If there's going to be extra work involved, they may want to make a little more money on the transaction.