frequently asked questions

Why Buy This Way?

Four reasons: Price, Choice, Convenience and Integrity.

Price — Our prices are consistently lower than what you’d find on a lot. We work hard to buy our vehicles at a good price, and we price our vehicles very near wholesale. Here are some examples:
- 2000 Ford Taurus SES: $8,100 — $1,525 under wholesale!
- 1999 Saturn SL1: $6,700 — at wholesale!
- 1998 Toyota Tacoma SR5: $9,700 — $575 over wholesale! ($3,100 under retail!)
- 2001 Ford Escort SE: $6,700 — $1,300 under wholesale!
Choice — We have access to thousands of vehicles each week, and can search nationwide to locate what you want. The sale we go to each week has 3,000 - 4,000 vehicles per week! This also means that, unlike most dealerships, we don't buy a car and then try to convince you that it's the right car for you. Rather, you are in the drivers' seat, and you pick the car!
Convenience — Save yourself the time and hassle of searching. We will do the work, and find the vehicle you are looking for.
Integrity — We have been selling vehicles in San Luis Obispo for over 30 years, and have a proven track record, so our customers can buy with confidence. Additionally, we gladly provide a complimentary CarFax Vehicle History Report with each vehicle we sell, so our customers can see the vehicle’s history.

What Are The Disadvantages?

There are no disadvantages! You pick the vehicle, you set the price, you always have final approval, we do the work!

Why Would I Buy A Vehicle Sight-Unseen?

It's not completely sight-unseen. We take a digital camera with us to the sales, and can email photos to you. Additionally, we call you to describe the vehicle and answer any questions you may have before we buy. We work very hard to give you a complete and accurate description of the vehicle, so you will know exactly what you are getting, with no surprises.

We thoroughly inspect each vehicle, and only buy the highest quality ones. The advantages are substantial, and we will only buy what you want!

But What If I Don't Like The Vehicle You Bought?

You will, because you specify exactly what you want! One of the purposes of the Sales Agreement is to provide, in writing, a detailed description of what you want. This is for your protection; if we buy a vehicle other than what you specified or verbally authorized you are not obligated to buy it

You have to ask yourself, "Why wouldn't I like it?" Let's look at some of the possibilities:

What if it's not mechanically sound (engine problems, trans problems, etc)?
- We do not buy vehicles that aren't in good shape mechanically. The sellers are required to disclose any problems, and we thoroughly inspect them to weed out any problem vehicles.
- We encourage our customers to get a pre-sale inspection from their mechanic.
What if it's been wrecked?
- We run a CarFax report to ensure that there are no title brands or any accident history.
- We cannot guarantee that a vehicle has never been wrecked. If it has never been reported, there will be no record, anywhere, of the accident. However, we can ensure that there is no frame damage, which is not always the case with other dealerships or private party transactions.
- The sellers are required to disclose any frame damage, and we simply do not buy frame-damaged vehicles.
What if the exterior is in poor shape (scratches, rust, etc.)?
- We don't buy rough vehicles. Here's our thinking: if it's not what you agreed to buy, and you don't buy it, we have to try to sell it from our lot. It's harder for us to sell a car that's all scratched up, so we don't want to buy it in the first place.
- We work hard to describe every scratch on the vehicle to you. If the car is not what we have described to you, you are not obligated to buy it.
What if it's not really the make/model I want?
- Here is where it's your responsibility to make sure that you know what you want before you tell us to buy. If we buy the vehicle you specify, you are obligated to buy it.
- This is one reason we collect a deposit: to make sure that you are serious, and that you know what you want.

We value your long-term business, and want to have you as a delighted customer for years to come.

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Where Do Your Vehicles Come From?

The vehicles we buy fall into several categories:

Lease Return — The majority of the vehicles we buy are lease return. That means that they are late-model (usually 99 or newer), they have low miles (approx. 12,000/yr), they have been well cared-for, and are being sold directly from the manufacturer (Toyota, Honda, Ford, etc.), or the finance company (Chase, etc.). We like lease returns because the overall quality is superior.
Rental — Rentals share many of the same characteristics as lease return vehicles. They are late-model, and have been serviced regularly. They typically have higher miles than lease returns, and therefore sell for a little less.
Repossession — These are typically very new, with very low miles. Sometimes we will find a repo that's older, with unusually low miles.
Dealer Consignment — We seldom buy these. They are usually vehicles that have been traded in towards a new car, and are often in rough condition. They typically have higher miles. We occasionally come across consignment cars that are in outstanding condition, and can be excellent values for the customer looking for a little older vehicle.

How Do You Ensure They Are High-Quality?

First, we buy from reputable sellers. The major companies are very good about (and are required to) disclosing any frame, transmission, engine, or odometer problems. We do not buy cars with these problems.

Second, most of the vehicles we buy have low miles and are still under manufacturer’s warranty.

Third, the sale discloses any title brands (Salvage, Flood Damage, Lemon Law, etc.).

Finally, the CarFax Vehicle History Report shows us registration history, title brands, odometer rollback, and accident history.

What About Shipping?

We have access to a number of qualified transporters that we work with on a regular basis who can ship anywhere in the United States or internationally. We are happy to help arrange delivery with one of these shippers, or you can use one of your own choosing.

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Why Is A Deposit Necessary?

Several reasons. First, we want to make the best use of our time and resources. It costs several hundred dollars in time and travel expenses to research and purchase one vehicle, and we want to focus our efforts for customers who are serious about buying. Anyone can SAY they want to buy a car, but we can only commit our resources to those people that pay the deposit.

Second, if a customer changes his mind in the middle of the search process, we have already incurred expenses searching for his vehicle. We need to be able to recover some of those expenses, to keep our prices down.

Finally, we want to ensure that our customers don't get “cold feet” after we’ve purchased a vehicle for them. Unfortunately, we have purchased vehicles for people who have simply backed out (after assuring us they'd buy the vehicle), leaving us stuck with the vehicle. We then incur the costs of advertising this vehicle, ultimately driving up costs for everyone.

Is The Deposit Refundable?

Yes, with interest, provided the terms of the agreement are honored. See The Fine Print, below, for details.

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There isn't much. We try to keep things as simple as possible. These are the terms of the Sales Agreement:

This is an agreement to hire webcarsandtrucks.com to locate your vehicle. Please read carefully:

We will find the car you have specified in this agreement. If the vehicle we purchase is different from what you have specified in writing, you are not obligated to purchase it.
If we fail to find your requested vehicle within 30 days, your deposit will, at your request, be refunded with interest.
If you cancel this order, you must notify us immediately. We will refund your deposit minus expenses we have incurred.
If you fail to notify us of cancellation, and we buy a vehicle that meets your specifications, you are obligated to buy that vehicle.
All vehicles are sold AS-IS, and there is no warranty, expressed or implied, other than any applicable remaining factory warranty.
Extended warranties may be available at additional cost.

Does The Car Have To Be Smog Tested?

The dealer is responsible to smog the car before it is sold, to ensure that you are not sold a car which will not pass smog.

Who Pays For The Test?

The buyer is responsible for the cost of the smog test and certificate. According to the DMV Dealer Handbook, "The dealer may charge the buyer up to $50 for the inspection plus the actual fee charged for issuance of the smog certification." (VC 11713.1, H&SC 44060, & Dealer Handbook 8.010)

Although we are permitted to add up to $50, we simply pass along to our customers the price of the smog test and certificate.

Dealer x Doesn't Charge For Smog--Why Do You?

No dealer is going to simply absorb the cost of the smog test. The buyer pays for it, whether it is explicitly spelled out on the sales contract, or simply factored into the selling price. We prefer to make it clear to our customers exactly which charges they are incurring, rather than build it into the sale price.

I Didn't Pay for Smog When I Bought A Car Privately. Why Do I Have To Pay Now?

The DMV regulations differ for private parties. Dealerships are permitted to charge customers for the smog test.

Can I Take The Car Before It's Smogged?

Normally, after you sign the sales agreement and put down a deposit, we will have the car smogged and ready to go the next day. Should you need to take the car immediately (for example, if you are from outside the area), we will allow you to pay for the car and take it that day. We won't charge you for smog, but will write into the sales agreement that you must smog it within two weeks. We cannot complete the DMV paperwork until the car passes smog. Should it fail the smog test, it is our responsibility to make the necessary repairs for it to pass.

What Is "Enhanced Smog"?

In CA, there are two different types of smog tests. Basic testing checks for two types of gases. In areas with very poor air quality, enhanced testing, which checks for five types of emissions gases, is required. The enhanced test uses different equipment, and is about twice the cost of basic testing.

The DMV determines which smog is required based on the county in which the vehicle was last registered. Thus, if a car was registered in LA, it will require enhanced smog until it is registered in a non-enhanced area. San Luis Obispo does not require enhanced smog, so vehicles from enhanced areas will only require enhanced smog testing at the time of purchase.

The Process

The Deposit

The Vehicles

The Fine Print

What About Smog?