What did the dealer say or do?

Search a phrase or situation below. Open a matching result to see what it might mean, words you can say to the salesperson, what to ask for, what to save as evidence, and when to pause. A warning sign alone does not prove the dealer intended to mislead you.

Showing 29 red flags

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What did the dealer say or do?

Dealership red flags

"This deal is only good today"RED FLAG

"Other people are looking at this car"RED FLAG

The dealership delays or refuses to return your keys, ID, or other propertyMAJOR RED FLAG

Repeated "let me talk to my manager" tripsWATCH OUT

The conversation stays on "what payment works?"RED FLAG

The offered APR is higher than a comparable written preapprovalRED FLAG

The trade offer is far below outside written offersRED FLAG

A large upfront payment is pitched only as "lowering the lease payment"RED FLAG

"Just sign here; I will explain it later"RED FLAG

"Take the car home while financing is still pending"MAJOR RED FLAG

A written price or number differs from the agreed written termsSTOP

The vehicle is called "certified" without program detailsWATCH OUT

A promised repair, key, or accessory is not in the written dealRED FLAG

An optional service contract is described as a "must-have"RED FLAG

Unrequested paint, fabric, etching, nitrogen, or tracking charges appearRED FLAG

An add-on is presented only as "a little more per month"RED FLAG

"Your score is lower than expected" is used to change the offerRED FLAG

"You need GAP for this loan" without contract detailsWATCH OUT

"These products are a package; none can be removed"RED FLAG

"The lender requires this warranty or GAP product for approval"MAJOR RED FLAG

The final contract differs from the latest written agreementSTOP

"We are closing; hurry through the paperwork"RED FLAG

Wheel-and-tire coverage is sold without complete termsRED FLAG

"Lock in today's service prices" without an itemized planWATCH OUT

Credit life or disability coverage is added during financingRED FLAG

A preinstalled GPS or tracking product appears as a required chargeRED FLAG

You are directed to initial several places without explanationSTOP

A used-car dealer refuses a reasonable independent inspectionMAJOR RED FLAG

A document has blanks, missing pages, or incomplete totalsSTOP

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