Some got to win some got to lose

Anything goes in the auto sales world. Look in the newspaper ads. Great deals but they never end up like what you read. Deception is the rule and it is always there.
Last post I wrote about car hunting with a agent from my credit union (read previous) but there is a little more to that story and it is illuminating.
We had tried and failed to find as Explorer that fit our budget and bid on something else. Then as we were about to go, Kirk remembered he knew about a explorer another CU customer had for sale that was in great shape. He would call them and arrange a meet to look at it. Well that didn't sound bad? I agreed to have him call me about it.
Now I'm just a low life slot tech but that doesn't mean I'm stupid. I got on the computer and searched Kelly blue book for prices. Remember my pre approved lone is for 10 K.
I find that the trade in value for this car is a lot lower than that even with the unbelievable 24000 miles. When Kirk finally calls back I tell him about my research ( no actually I just tell him that a 1999 is not worth my max lone) and he admits that he flipped the mileage and it is 42000. Phoning goes on and the final is that the seller has decided not to sell and Kirk (let's it slip?) that the owner is into the car for 13K.
What have we learned? One, a car is worth what you can get for it. Two, you need to protect yourself by doing some research. Three, any agent you use may have other clients. Kirk would have let me pay too much for a car to help out another client, so do I now distrust Kirk? No, not any more or less than before.
When we look at cars Thursday he will try to find me a good deal. It's his job. And he'll know that I'm not completely clueless so it should be interesting.
More to come.
Adaven