A good friend of mine went there last night to look at that Escape and found it was a branded title. Guess that’s the guy’s business plan; pick up very new but totaled cars, repair them, and sell them with branded titles. He was up front about it at least (other than not mentioning it anywhere in the ad or over the phone). My buddy walked away because he knows better than to pay that much for a salvage vehicle, especially since he needs to finance it.
Got the carfax back from my carfax hookup (if you’re reading this, thanks again) this morning and found out it was totaled and savaged titled in PA before being brought to NY so that’s even worse (since PA salvage re-inspection isn’t nearly as anal as NY).
I deal with this often at work.
Its a pain. fyi if a dealer sells a car that is rebuilt salvage or from out of state rebuilt salvage (meaning already fixed, and possibly gone thru salv inspection in a different state) he is required to note its history on the bill of sale. I used to have a neutral attitude in regards to dealers, but lately i’m leaning towards they’re all snakes. (sorry Justin & etc…)
To be clear, the dealer did tell him in person it was a branded title, just not in his ad or over the phone when my friend set up the appointment to see it. Minor shadiness here, but I can see why he wants to get people to see the car in person first. 99% would dismiss it immediately if they saw salvage.
your friend will be more experienced next time he shops for a car. buying from a small dealership is like buying from the private, always ask the title first.