Yesterday we decided it time
to look for a replacement electric hybrid Chevrolet Volt, a vehicle no longer
in production. Our diesel Cruze sedan just isn’t designed for short hauls
around town. My husband said upgrading from a 2013 to ’16 or ’17 model equated
to making lemonade out of lemons following our hit and run collision last
month.
Using our insurance company’s
online assist, he found a car through a nationwide company that delivers a
vehicle right to your door at no charge. Hmmm… Sounded interesting.
He reached out and a
representative named Nick called. The polite fellow talked us through features
on their website, specs on the selected car, and offered to get us started on
the delivery process. In agreement my husband and I could handle the procedure
on our own, we put on the brakes and decided to poke around first.
I am so glad.
First off, ‘free’ delivery
cost $399 if we decided to keep the car. Then my smart guy thought to check the
Better Business Bureau. Besides getting two out of five stars, this used car
‘dealership’ received a plethora of complaints that echoed similar issues.
Among them: long overdue deliveries, filthy interiors, mechanical failures, and
poor customer service.
One victim tried buying two
different vehicles before demanding back his trade-in. When he got it back after a
long delay, his expensive speaker system had been replaced with substandard factory units. Also, the excuse
of a new paint job justifying his wait proved a patent falsehood.
All that, not to mention the
fact our ‘suggested’ wait time on delivery was ten days, told me to move on. Did those people even have the car? I
doubt it, seeing as the supposed ‘real time’ online image looked like a one car
showroom.
I suggested checking out
local, long trusted Voss Chevrolet the next county over. And we hit pay dirt. View of a mythical car half the continent
away paled in comparison to recognizing the drive-thru service bay on Voss’ website.
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| I've stood on this floor many times arranging automotive maintenance. |
Last night we came hope with this pristine 2017 Chevy Volt LT in metallic blue
with well under twenty thousand miles (!) on the drive train. I think a conscientious
elderly person may have leased this car. We face a learning curve on newer
technology, but that should prove interesting. I apologize for the poor image below. It was cold!
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| At home, plugged in and charging. (left front tire was a tiny bit flat) |
Do you try to shop local,
whether for large or small purchases?
I shop local for big items. I want a storefront is case there are issues. It has served us well. Good for you on pulling the plug. You would have been just one more unhappy customer.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day, Darla. Enjoy your new wheels. It's beautiful. ♥
Thanks! I hope you are well, my dear.
DeleteGood for you on the due diligence. And congrats on the new (to you) car. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I appreciated the ride today running an errand, and took a few minutes to figure out some of the electronics. Take care!
DeleteGreat you found another car! Pretty color. Our "new" replacement car has newer technology too. Only two years newer, but when we first drove at night we were shocked to see the cup holders have blue LEDs!
ReplyDeleteI don't make an effort to buy local. For something like a car, yes. I want to check the options out in person, and take it to a local mechanic before purchase (I don't find that necessary if from a dealer, just the smaller local lots), test drive, etc.
My budget dictates whether I buy local or not! Given a choice and price being the same, sure, I'd go for local. But, I don't look for it. I could buy milk from a dairy up north, but the store brand is cheaper. I get a better selection on many things online.
Hey, you doing the A-Z blogging next month? You're the one who introduced me to it on this blog!
Cool about the cup holders. Also odd. Heh... I'm with you on the economic basis. And I didn't know I introduced you to the blog challenge. Cool! Sorry to say, I've decided to forego it in favor of a novel writing challenge.
DeleteCongrats on the new car! I love the color. Glad you were cautious.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It drives nice.
DeleteWOW!!!! That is a gorgeous piece of machinery! Very happy for you and that you went to a good place to get it and not that scam artist online. Dodged a bullet there. I LOVE YOUR NEW CAR!
ReplyDeleteThank you! We're very happy.
DeleteOops...I thought I read that the car was a Peach color...oops.....my bad. Blue is pretty. I see that is the type of car you have to plug up and charge it up. My don't work that way. As my car drives it charges itself. Pretty good cause with me, having to charge it would be something I would have issues with, like remembering to do it. HAHA
ReplyDeleteNo worries. Thanks. And good for you! You do what fits your lifestyle.
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