CONSUMERS who are selling vehicles are being targeted by several British Columbia-based companies that are offering questionable advertising opportunities, according to a recent warning from the Better Business Bureau.
"If you are selling your vehicle through a classified ad, you may get a call from a company guaranteeing they have a buyer for your vehicle," mainland B.C. Better Business Bureau president and CEO Danielle Primrose said in a release. "The approach makes it sound like the company has buyers waiting to buy your vehicle, but the reality is that you are purchasing online advertising that comes with no guarantees."
The BBB has received 40 complaints related to this issue in the last 12 months and 81 over the last three years, according to the release. Several companies operating out of British Columbia have F ratings with the Better Business Bureau serving mainland British Columbia.
Companies telemarketing their services ask for a fee guaranteeing that the purchaser will pay more than the vehicle is advertised for or they will list your vehicle on their classified site with the promise that if the vehicle is not sold for more within 90 days, you will get your money back.
Reports to the BBB show that the vehicle is not sold through the advertising and the socalled "guarantees" are not followed through and consumers are out of pocket the funds for the advertising. These companies often require you to submit a signed company form which must also be officially notarized. They also usually require that this be done in a very specific time period after the end of the 90-day period (often 5 or 7 days).
The BBB advises consumers to be wary of brokers who "guarantee" auto sales with prearranged buyers and provides the following tips:
- Ask detailed questions such as: is the buyer specifically interested in your vehicle, rather than a range of similar vehicles? Always understand telemarketing offers and ask for additional documentation.
- Understand the refund and cancellation policies. You may need to notarize the letter of cancellation and there is usually a specific time period for cancellation.
- Check to see if the telemarketing company is licensed through Consumer Protection B.C. at consumerprotectionbc.ca or 1-888-564-9963. Also, review their Business Review with the Better Business Bureau at mbc.bbb.org.
- Always read all terms and conditions thoroughly and understand that if an offer seems to be too good to be true, it often is. Consumer Protection B.C. licenses and regulates certain aspects of the telemarketing industry. For more information visit www.telemarketingrightsbc. ca.
