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PA dealer refusing to sell advertised jeep

3K views 20 replies 16 participants last post by  Lusus_Naturae 
#1 ·
Hey all; I've been browsing the market for a new TJ for the past few months. And thanks to having cracked and tweaked my frame, I have to step up my browsing to getting in the ring to purchase.
I plan on staying strictly TJs-only, and very much desire a rubicon. So my first priority is to check out every rubicon I can find within a reasonable distance.
Well, a local dealer has a beautiful 05 rubi with 77k miles, hard top, pristine frame, for only 18k. Which is pretty much standard rubicon price around these parts. I went in to take a look at it, and even had cash to put down to hold it if I liked it, and would want a second option. It was in the condition it was in on their website, and had the stickers in the windows and everything.

As I started looking it over, a salesman came out and says "that's not for sale". Asked him why, and he said "well, it has my plow on it." I brought up that it's listed on their website, he said he knows and then when on to say how every year, he goes and buys a rubicon to put his plow on he uses to clear his lot. He said if he had sold it right away, he would have let it go but now that the snow is flying, he will not until at least April.

At this point I'm honestly torn between pissed and surprised how shitty of a plower this guy must be to need a low range transfer case and lockers to plow his 300x300 lot. And "my plow is on it" isn't even that good of an excuse, it was a direct bolt-on as far as I could tell, and was completely wireless other than a power and ground lead; remote was sitting in the cab on the passenger seat. This dealership advertises "buying jeep wranglers" on the LCD ticker, so he had a couple other TJs he could directly bolt the plow to.

I was pissed, hence this mild rant, but after a bit I started thinking "well, I guess the dealer technically does own it so they can do whatever they want with it." Well, after a little bit of thought and curiosity, I looked it up and found out that automotive advertisements are pretty heavily regulated. In the short time I researched, I didn't see anything in black and white that says "advertised vehicles cannot be denied to a buyer" for PA, however I did for Alaska. Rust-free TJs are very hard to come by up here, especially a rubicon. So people search far and wide for them. I know I'd be livid if I traveled across state a few hours with a lead on a rubicon, to find out the asshat of a dealer refuses to sell it.

Has anyone else ran into an issue like this? Anyone knowledgable on these laws?
 
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#2 ·
Maybe the law is in his favor. What I would do is be cool about it. April is not that far away. If the Jeep is in the condition and price range that you are looking for keep showing up asking when he will sell. Or strike up a friendship or let the guy know you want the Jeep when he is ready. He may be an a$$hat or snake oil type guy and you will find that out sooner or later. But there is a chance the snow may not be bad and he may decide to sell. So keep looking and you may find a better deal but as time passes April gets closer. So keep putting a bug in his ear. And if you find a better deal get the better deal. He may call and say he is ready to sell and you can say, sorry but I am not interested any more. You may get a little satisfaction out of that.
 
#4 ·
Next time you're in the area, tell him you were looking at it because you need something capable for the winter. When he tries to upsell you on something else, nail him for "bait and switch".

The Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law

"The UTPCPL also makes it an unfair or deceptive act or practice to engage in a "bait and switch" - advertising goods or services with intent not to sell them as advertised, or advertising them with intent not to supply the reasonably expectable public demand, unless the advertisement discloses a quantity limitation."
 
#5 ·
I would easily believe that its "business as usual" for the employee responsible for keeping the lot clear of snow, to grab (commandeer) a capable used Jeep from their lot for the purpose. That employee has the dealer's plow mounted to it for the winter season, uses it, and in the spring, removes the plow, and finally puts the used Jeep back up for sale.

I don't see anything sinister, unfair, or deceptive with it. IMHO, it a gross exaggeration to try to spin it into some kind of illegal business practice.
 
#7 ·
I would easily believe that its "business as usual" for the employee responsible for keeping the lot clear of snow, to grab (commandeer) a capable used Jeep from their lot for the purpose. That employee has the dealer's plow mounted to it for the winter season, uses it, and in the spring, removes the plow, and finally puts the used Jeep back up for sale.

I don't see anything sinister, unfair, or deceptive with it. IMHO, it a gross exaggeration to try to spin it into some kind of illegal business practice.
The vehicle still has all the window stickers, is out on the lot during business hours, the information and price are all listed online. The vehicle is listed for sale, yet anyone who comes by, is refused business. I'd say that's at the very least, extremely deceptive.

I would completely understand if the stickers were off, and it wasn't listed with a price on the website. But it's 100% being advertised as if it were for sale.
 
#9 ·
It's very simple.
Just plain common sense.

If the jeep isn't for sale RIGHT NOW, then don't list the jeep.
No seller, private or business, should ever advertise that a vehicle is for sale, if it isn't for sale right then.

Who would possibly post an ad, saying that their vehicle isn't for sale right now, but it will be for sale in April of next year?

If the dealership originally had every intention of selling the jeep, then decided to use the snow plow with it, then fine.
But, if that is the case, then REMOVE the ad, because you changed your mind.
 
#12 ·
This is my exact thought process on the situation. Of course, it's just me looking for validation, but I'm glad someone else shares my option.

I somewhat agree with buying a jeep that was used for plowing. However, it already has the 4 speed auto... Which isn't that good of a transmission to begin with. I'd probably attempt to haggle the price down since the guy plowed with it. And if it dropped out a 80k miles, I'd just try to adapt my reliable 32RH out of my 2000 TJ.
 
#17 ·
Honestly, I wouldn't touch that jeep now that he's put a plow on it. I am sure he isn't too nice to the jeep knowing he's going to to detail it in April and sell it off. While nothing may have happened to the jeep, the added wear and tear will help make some of the drive train's life a bit shorter added repair costs down the line!

I also wouldn't buy a jeep from him after the BS advertising. He is using it to lure people in and hopefully buy something else!
 
#19 ·
a guy in NH is selling his 06 unlimited rubi . has it listed at $16,000 6 speed hardtop . He has it listed on a motorcycle forum Im on so they are out there
 
#20 ·
X1000 on the "Don't buy it if it's used for plowing"! Or, at least, deal him down $5K for that! Plowing causes one heck of a beating on a little Jeep! Frame, trans, 4WD system, rust...wouldn't touch it, myself. Not for that price!
 
#21 ·
Maybe do yourself a favor and come down to Oklahoma and buy one that's rust free and drive it back home. The prices here for TJ Rubicons start about 13k. I hate rust belt cars now, and never knew how bad they were until moving here.
 
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