Dealer listing sham cars for sale on CarGurus

Asked by Joel Aug 02, 2021 at 12:05 PM about the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek Premium

Question type: General

I am in the market for a car for my daughter. I have
been looking on CarGurus. Since I have already
used CarGurus to previously buy and sell vehicles, I
am fully aware of the process involved. Saturday
morning, I found a car in NJ that I was prepared to
make an all cash offer on, which I did. The dealer
salesman and I both agreed on a cash price, after
he had the offer approved through his sales
manager. I supplied the dealership with all my
personal information needed for the sale. He
stated he would process the sale on Monday. After
hanging up with him, he called back within 5
minutes to inform me that, unbeknownst to him,
there was a buyer on the lot holding the keys, and
he could no longer sell me said car. I told him
thank you for his efforts and hung up. I went on
searching for cars over the last 2 days. I have
noticed that said dealer still has the car listed on
CarGurus, but I was specifically told that car was
sold, and I could not buy it. I'm wondering what
protections CarGurus offers it's potential buyers
from being scammed by (so called) reputable
dealers. If said car was truly sold by this dealer to
an individual physically present on the lot, why
would said car continue to be legitimately listed on
CarGurus? I believe I haggled said dealer into a low
all cash offer, that they had decided they were not
happy with, and as a result made up an excuse to
cancel the sale we had agreed upon. Is this
acceptable sales protocol? Is this behavior
acceptable to CarGurus?? If so, I will no longer use
CarGurus for my car shopping needs, and will
spread the word to all I know of the kind of funny
business taking place on CarGurus. I expect an
answer as to why this behavior can, and does,
happen on CarGurus. I am a very upset customer.

1 Answer

157,615

Unfortunately Cargurus is an advertising site only. Similar to Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, etc. Anyone can advertise here, a private person or a Dealer, or an alleged Dealer. It's up to you to do your homework and avoid possible scams. Feel free to contact customer support at user_support@cargurus.com for more information. I'd also suggest you report that Dealer to the Better Business Bureau. Use social media to share your bad experience as well! Word of mouth is their best advertisement or their worst enemy! Enough bad press and they won't be around long! Good luck to you! Jim

Your Answer:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2018 Subaru Crosstrek

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    TheSubaruGuruBoston
    Reputation
    750
  • #2
    Sadie Richardson
    Reputation
    660
  • #3
    toddssjones
    Reputation
    630
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Subaru Outback
1,206 Great Deals out of 33,981 listings starting at $900
Used Subaru Forester
1,092 Great Deals out of 33,990 listings starting at $1,999
Used Toyota RAV4
1,965 Great Deals out of 33,854 listings starting at $2,300
Used Subaru Impreza
329 Great Deals out of 9,226 listings starting at $1,995
Used Honda CR-V
2,007 Great Deals out of 37,558 listings starting at $1,600
Used Mazda CX-5
951 Great Deals out of 27,070 listings starting at $2,496
Used Toyota Tacoma
2,174 Great Deals out of 55,566 listings starting at $3,995
Used Honda HR-V
567 Great Deals out of 30,384 listings starting at $7,822
Used Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
14 Great Deals out of 205 listings starting at $6,998
Used Subaru Legacy
314 Great Deals out of 7,025 listings starting at $1,250
Used Honda Civic
1,291 Great Deals out of 25,874 listings starting at $997
Used Toyota 4Runner
1,024 Great Deals out of 10,618 listings starting at $2,995
Used Toyota Camry
2,109 Great Deals out of 43,152 listings starting at $1,150
Used Toyota Corolla
1,390 Great Deals out of 27,320 listings starting at $1,450

Used Cars for Sale

2024 Subaru Crosstrek For Sale
126 Great Deals out of 22,186 listings starting at $22,415
2023 Subaru Crosstrek For Sale
75 Great Deals out of 883 listings starting at $17,895
2022 Subaru Crosstrek For Sale
64 Great Deals out of 849 listings starting at $15,781
2021 Subaru Crosstrek For Sale
161 Great Deals out of 1,902 listings starting at $12,495
2020 Subaru Crosstrek For Sale
33 Great Deals out of 382 listings starting at $12,000

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.