cherokeetimesonline

Posted January 7, 2009 - Marble, NC

Opinion:

Getting Ready to Spend Per Capita? Let the Buyer Beware

By Sharon Queen

    By now it’s obvious money and credit are in short supply to most everyone. Income and business are down around the globe. Per capita is a relief to many families on the reservation; it can be used to make house payments, pay on credit card debt, go on vacation, or buy a car. I am grateful for the extra income and what it affords me. Unfortunately there are people who try and prey on us every June and December.
    Recently a Native went to a buy here, pay here dealership in Bryson City, to ask about a Chevy Suburban. The windshield clearly displayed a price of $6,900, but the salesman told him it was actually $8,995 and they would need $4,500 down. He was rightfully put-off by the discrepancy and left. When I heard about this, I had to see what would happen if I went. As I have mentioned before, I wear my hair blonde and non-locals do not always see me as an Indian.
    I checked the retail value on Kelley Blue Book then went to the lot myself. They had tried to wipe-off the lower price, but it was still visible. I checked it out and asked general questions. The interior was in okay shape, but there were stains on the carpet and some of the plastic trim was broken. When I asked the price I was told the same as my friend, $8,995. I immediately pointed to the windshield where you could still see the much lower price and asked why it had went up. The salesman told me $6,900 was the cash price. I asked him why it was higher than Blue Book, and he assured me it was not. I told him I had researched prices and knew it was worth no more than $6,000 according to Blue Book, and I had proof on my laptop. He then directed me to the owner so I went to the office to see if he could “explain it better.”
The owner said the lower price was a per capita special from the previous week, which was no longer available. He showed me a print out for a Suburban but it had different options from the actual vehicle and was based on “excellent” condition. I asked him if I could see the complete and verifiable service records, a necessary component listed by Kelley Blue Book. He then told me they weren’t required and the term “excellent” was subjective based on the model year. His print out showed a price of $8,800 so I asked if he could match that price; I was told it was worth much more and his price was a bargain. He said he knew this because he had been selling cars for 25 years; I pointed out that didn’t necessarily mean it was done right. I stuck to my guns and had my information with me. I knew he was getting pretty upset at my refusal to buy what he was selling, and I don’t mean the SUV. Then he said one of the most outrageous statements I have heard in a long time; I was told he would never lower the price because there were plenty of Indians with per capita checks who would pay that much and more if he wanted them to. He went on to say there were plenty of uncashed per cap checks that would soon be coming his way. That was all I cared to hear, I had to walk away before I got myself into a sticky situation. On the way out I pointed out he didn’t know who I was. I also mentioned that word-of-mouth advertising was the most effective of all and negative spreads fastest. I informed him I would tell everyone I could what was said to me.
He and his cronies made sexist comments and laughed as I left, but that is the least of my concerns. I cannot keep quiet about such blatant predatory acts. I had honestly expected him to lower the price for someone he thought was non-enrolled. I thought I would see another form of discrimination, but I miscalculated. Anyone who could be that corrupt does not deserve our business. I hope everyone will share this information and show him he is not entitled to per capita. We have to share information like this when we find it. We have to watch out for each other until we establish a Consumer Watchdog Program. People try to take advantage of one another all the time, but that doesn’t mean we have to fall prey.