The Craziest Car Sales Experiences I've Witnessed

Working as a car salesman in the 90s at a Chevrolet dealership in Fridley, Minnesota, I've encountered some absolutely bizarre situations. These odd and sometimes disturbing events often come with a mix of shock, embarrassment, and a touch of humor. Here are a few of the craziest experiences I've ever had in the automotive sales world.

Trade-In Backfire

One particularly crazy event occurred when a prospective customer walked into the dealership ready to buy a new Tahoe. The deal looked promising, but when the customer mentioned wanting to trade in a specific vehicle, we quickly realized that the trade-in value was significantly lower than our offer. Despite this, the customer surprisingly agreed to buy the Tahoe and keep his trade-in.

He provided a cashier's check for around 80% of the amount needed and a personal check for the remainder. After the sale, he left the Tahoe at the dealership until his return the following Saturday. When he came back, he brought his non-traded car along with a driver.

The next step was to transfer the non-traded car to the customer's storage space. However, before we could do that, something went terribly wrong. He tried to pull the car into the storage space but mistakenly accelerated into the rear of the Tahoe, causing a significant collision. The car's rear was heavily damaged, and a cement light post was destroyed, dropping on top of the truck.

The customer was clearly angry and swore loudly, insisting he no longer wanted the car. However, the damage was substantial, and it was not a total loss. The customer, still upset, insisted on keeping the car and taking the title, despite the extensive damage and the fact that the incident had caused property damage.

Less than a week later, the dealer repossessed the car. The customer's wife eventually paid off the remaining loan and drove the car away, while he drove his non-traded vehicle home.

Messy Trade-In Discoveries

In addition to the car crash, other bizarre incidents have occurred during the vetting process of trade-ins. One such example was a used car manager's refusal to appraise a trade-in due to finding bullets inside the vehicle. Another unforgettable incident involved the discovery of multiple empty beer bottles and used condoms in a new Ford Transit high roof. The items were found in the back of the van, which had been left unlocked overnight, indicating that someone had engaged in a drunken orgy inside.

These events are not isolated incidents. I work in an area known for heavy drug use and occasional shootings at popular pizza delivery shops, which might explain the level of mess and chaos that sometimes arises during car sales.