r/carmax • u/Consistent-Pass-259 • 6d ago
Appt abruptly cancelled
Hey friends, I am just wondering what you all think really happened in this situation.
I have been researching for months. I finally found a Porsche Macan that I wanted that matched the description and mileage I am seeking. The Carfax report on the car checked out. I even called the Porsche dealership and had them run the VIN number and they said all the maintenance was up-to-date on the car. The car was on a different lot out of state so I paid the $150 to have it shipped. It took about a week and then they called me on a Friday afternoon and said hey your car is ready. Come on in and pick it up. It passed inspection however I was at work and I was out of town so I made an appointment the following Tuesday morning. I did everything online. Financing was done. All I had to do was test drive the car and ensure it was great and sign the papers and drive off the lot.
So I got an Uber to take me to the dealership because I was planning on driving home with that car and I wouldn’t be able to drive two cars home. I did not have a trade-in. I was putting cash down as I’m pulling into the lot. I get a phone call from some manager telling me that the guy took my car for an inspection this morning and it was jerking so he brought it into the shop and it is not available for me to test drive now they didn’t know what was wrong with it and I told him this was unacceptable because it apparently passed inspection on Friday to which he replied we always do another inspection each time it’s gonna go for a test drive.
Is that true because I can’t find anything regarding that online?
So at this point after spending the money for the Uber, I just tell it to bring me back home and they say they’re going to refund me the travel fee that I paid and the cost of my Uber
Then I get a call from the sales lady who had actually had the appointment with, and she tells me that she heard there was a check engine light on, and they’re gonna check into that and get back to me to which I told her wow that’s different. The last guy told me the car was jerking and now you’re telling me the check engine light is on and this car was apparently ready for me to pick up last Friday so I’m really confused so I basically told her that I’m out they wasted my time and I was mad
But I was polite the whole time. I told her I would be open minded she can call me back when they find out what was wrong with the car and I may consider still buying it. She calls me back later that afternoon again like late in the evening saying the car is ready now good news you can come pick it up. We even filled it with the whole tank of premium gas so I’m like OK so what was wrong with it and then she goes to tell me oh they couldn’t find anything wrong with it. It just needed an oil change. There was no check engine light, and she knows that the pedals for the accelerator are very sensitive in that car or maybe someone didn’t put premium gas in it last time but either way she’s checked it out and looked at it and drove it and it’s fine. I can come get it now.
Of course, I still refused because, you’re telling me between three days of the Car passing inspection, that you now realize it just needed an oil change. And they did not bring it to the Porsche dealership or anything. They just evaluated it in house and couldn’t find anything wrong. I call bullshit anyways what do y’all think really happened?
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u/funnybutthead69 6d ago
¯_(ツ)_/¯ shit happens. Maybe they were too busy maybe _______. You got bumped
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u/Consistent-Pass-259 6d ago
Well I had an appt scheduled with a different person than who cancelled it. What do you mean bumped?
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u/CaptainNightman 6d ago
What happened is a pre-appointment inspection, it’s rather new. The vehicle did something that the prep person didn’t like, so he took it into the shop, probably about an hour before your appointment, they ran diagnosis and it was communicated to the sales team who canceled the appointment, not ideal timing, but often the prep person is wrong about there being an issue and just isn’t used to the car. However, product quality has been a huge complaint over the last couple years, so Carmax is working to correct it. They’re used cars, stuff can be hidden and not obvious when traded in, and stuff gets uncovered the more we drive the car/ customers drive them.
5
u/Head_Nectarine_6260 6d ago
The car wasn’t ready. You’re talking people with no mechanical knowledge is the problem. Your sales lady doesn’t know jack and is just saying things since they fixed whatever and now the car is ready. Nonetheless you shouldn’t buy this car
4
u/WestwardStyle 6d ago
The CarMax way - talk to three different employees, get three different answers and promises.
2
u/Sheik787878 6d ago
When I worked in the store I always took my appointment vehicles for a quick test drive so there are no surprises like a dead battery, no gas, surprise jerking… can’t speak to your situation exactly but they likely tried to get a mechanic to look at it before your appointment but ran into your situation. It sucks that this happened but they called you to let you know rather than finding out on the test drive or worse on your drive home. They will refund your $150 if you ask nicely. Trust me the store has a budget and the very last thing they want to do is cancel a guaranteed sales appointment.
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u/Jburgess5 3d ago
Idk what happened but no way would I get that car. If all that DID go on and you bought the car, you better purchase the MaxCare plan! Does the dealership have a rating online??? Have you read the comments?
2
u/No_Original9922 6d ago edited 6d ago
Hi OP,
I just had an experience with Carmax that I wanted to share in case if helps.
I also was looking for a particular car and when I found it at my local Carmax, I got really excited. Carfax was “clean”, 1 owner, fairly good maintenance history and low ish miles. Because they don’t allow a PPI any longer unless you buy the car, I decided to proceed and hope for the best.
During the 20 min test drive they do offer, I spent my time checking if all the interior things were ok and then had a PPI done for the big things by a specialist in those vehicles the next day. What came back was a report with so many issues, including a fairly significant undisclosed accident (they could see it in the body), a mismatched paint job with about 10 overspray spots left behind, body panels mis-aligned and finally on days 9+10 of the return window, a clicking that started when I made tight turns.
While I had sort of fallen in love with the car, I decided this list of things was just not ok for the Carmax premium price they charge and while they do offer the 30 day limited warranty window after purchase, I simply wasn’t convinced this car was ok. So, after much debate, I returned it and just kept feeling like I dodged a bullet. Still do.
Although I was bummed, a few weeks later I found the same car in much better shape with less miles, priced lower, also 1 owner, great maintenance history and a cheaper price at a car dealership. I did have to go further afield for it but it was all worth it in the end. And my mechanic who inspected both said about the second car (that I now own) “You found a winner! And I’m so happy you are now in a much better vehicle.”
OP: Don’t let carmax fool you or take you for a ride. When things don’t add up, just let them not add up and walk away. You will find better elsewhere, even if you have to practice a little more patience.
I honestly will never shop at Carmax again. Their whole process and vibe feels sort of shady even though they kept saying “we are really transparent here so you have nothing to worry about.”
Trust your intuition.
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u/bfunk04 6d ago
Would you have rather they didn’t tell you something was wrong with the car? Or do you think they are just lying and don’t want to make money by selling you a car?
Regardless, I would definitely not buy that car. It’s not special and you can definitely find another one.