Anybody ever bring a video camera to dealerships and openly show that you're video documeting the whole process, from test drive, discussions, to puchase?

A voice recorder would work too, as long as the dude knows he's being taped. Better yet, take a lie detector. Nah, the thing would probably blow up to smithereens...

The problem with audio or video taping -either one - is who cares? I just finished shopping for a new car and almost all of the sales people trotted out the same old scams. Taping that garbage would be like taping the noise from the trash trucks outside the house in the morning. Who wants to hear it or see it twice? If you're a glutton for punishment, just go to another dealer and hear it all over again.

And, in any case, it's what winds up in the written contract that counts, if you think you're building up some sort of legal record.

I bought from I Fleecem & Cheatem Hyundai in Miami.

Not only did I tape my final bargaining session on my Digital

recorder. I used my Cell phone too. Both were good for a couple

of hours. I was there for 3 :w00t:

You might ask why I did this. Because this was my 3rd session with them

(the entire time I was driving their Car) and they were beginning to creep me out.

Everything worked out just fine. :thumbsup: 3rd time was a charm! :banana:

Did you know it is illegal to tape someone in almost every State. At one point

I brought a better digital recorder to Work to document my day at work. Then you

could save it on your Computer. Totally cool, totally illegal. I did have special

reasons though...

This post has been edited by MiamiLX: May 26 2008, 12:36 AM

I find it hard to believe that they will allow you taping the process.... They will be suspicious, and for a good reason.

It's only illegal to record someone without their knowledge and consent. BTW, be sure to record them consenting to a recording, or they could later deny that they ever knew about it (if it ever came to a legal matter).

Taking a recorder to work is a different story. Most companies won't allow this since you may be recording and revealing company secrets.


Back to the OP's question, just as kn5owa said, if it's not in writing, it never happened.

That car wash they promised you?
-"Huh?"

The extra remotes and keys they were going to get for you?
-"We never said that!"

Those oil changes for life?
-"What are you talking about?"


Just make sure you get everything in writing and that YOU have copies of EVERYTHING that you sign or they promise. Then all should be well.

Actually, although it varies by state - I think its becomes an issue when you are recording a conversation that is not public and the party expects a reasonable right to privacy. I wonder if expecting a conversation in a public store front on the floor that all have access too would be reasonable to expect such privacy?

I guess we should lock up all the tourists around me. Them AND their videotapes and disposable cameras.

Do it, thsi one is my fav!
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/181/

definetly how you test drive a car...lol

ok I'll bite....are you doing something wrong? :thumbsup: Or witness protection like miami? :grin:

Wasn't there a case where a woman brought in a video camera to a Mitsubishi dealership? I think it was in Arizona. They had taken advantage of a customer. I wanna say this was maybe like a year ago or so.

So how do news people get away with any "right to privacy" laws? They do investigations all the time with hidden cameras.

Or, when you call a company's support number? How do they abide by the various state laws. Are they making it legal when they say upfront "this conversation is being recorded for quality and training purposes" and you agree to continue the phone call anyways cause you want to get support.

In my state, I believe both parties have to consent to being recorded before you can actually record.

Besides bringing a hidden camera into a dealerhip, I'm almost tempted to hook up a video recorder on my car, the way cops do, so I can record tailgating, aggresive driving, etc.

At times I almost think, "there's the law" and "there's protecting oneself". I understand it won't prevent crime, but it can definitely help convict when you have hard cold evidence.

Sometimes you hear examples of people complaining to the Better Business Bureau, Attorney General, police, etc. but nothing gets done or is too slow, but when that video is released to the media, it's hustle and bustle time.

You are consenting to the recording by staying on the line after the "This call may be monitored or recorded for quality and training purposes" message.

I'm almost certain that's the way it's written in the law for your state (and most others).

Yes, I'll break out the suitcase full of cash, pen to sign on the dotted line, and speak a quick one-liner "This deal may be monitored or recorded for quality and training purposes".

This post has been edited by hyundaiorbust: Jun 1 2008, 03:11 AM

When you are in a place that it is reasonable to expect a right to privacy - yes, I bet ya it is. Walking down the street - you are unreasonable to expect privacy and I can tape ya all I want. In a public store in public access areas - you are unreasonable to expect privacy and I can tape ya if I want to (as well as the store can tape you too, and many do).

In a public restroom? No cameras please, you're reasonable to expect privacy.

On the floor of a dealership? Bet ya its unreasonable to expect privacy and you can tape all ya want. Look around - are they taping you? Did they ask for your permission?

Now if you walk into an office in the dealership, things get iffy. In a test drive in a closed door, iffy again.

This is a silly idea.

Buying a car is a business agreement. If you cannot trust a dealer enough that you must secretly tape them...you have a problem. Why in the world would you do business with them...and likewise, why would they do business with you.

I believe they would politely ask you to leave and not come back.

There are good dealers out there...I have found that Hyundai has quite a few. Ask around here and find one in your area.

Nobody's being held hostage here. They have a right to refuse service and I have a right to take my business elsewhere. "Silly idea", "[I] have a problem", almost sounds like what a salesmen would say. I have no problem with good dealers, as I'm sure they are out there, but for the (really) bad ones I have no problem putting them on you tube either.



This post has been edited by hyundaiorbust: Jun 4 2008, 02:07 AM