topic Re: Kinda Weird in Community Chat

Kinda Weird

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:12:05 GMT

We bought a new car in November, trading in our current vehicle at the time. The other day, my husband got a DM on Facebook Messenger from the guy who purchased our old car from the dealership. He wanted to know about the history, maintenance, tire age, etc. of the vehicle. He complimented my husband on the great shape the car was in too. My husband was fine with answering him. It was just kinda weird because prior to social media that kind of thing didn't happen. At least to my knowledge anyway.

Re: Kinda Weird

deepwaterdotter — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:30:40 GMT

I would be uncomfortable with the idea that the dealership is disclosing my personal information to someone who is a stranger to me.

Re: Kinda Weird

kate2357 — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:20:39 GMT

I would be annoyed as all get out if the dealership gave our name out to the person who bought our trade in. One reason we stopped doing private sell of our used car is because the buyer kept calling me with questions.

Re: Kinda Weird

4kitties — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:21:21 GMT

I would not like this at all. I do not do Facebook so I am not sure how that all works, but how did the new owner get your information?

I would be creeped out about this and would not respond to the new owner.

Re: Kinda Weird

Jordan2 — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:25:27 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch aren't those questions the dealership could have answered? Your husband is a nice guy, I wouldn't have been comfortable being contacted by a stranger.

Re: Kinda Weird

brandiwine — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:26:22 GMT

NEVER respond to a request like this. That's just another way people get their information stolen.

Re: Kinda Weird

Greeneyedlady21 — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:27:25 GMT

I believe the previous owner information would be on the paperwork in the glove compartment.?

Don't believe you have to have someone's email address to send a Facebook DM. The person probably just searched the name.

Re: Kinda Weird

qualitygal — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:30:46 GMT

Doublecheck with the dealership, maybe they didn't give out your email info. Be very wary now a days of this. The person may be ligit, but tell that dealership, NO MORE.

Re: Kinda Weird

Desert Lily — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:32:14 GMT

I've never left personal information in a glove compartment when I've traded in a car.

I think the OP is right about being a bit uncomfortable about getting contacted.

Re: Kinda Weird

jackthebear — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:39:02 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
We bought a new car in November, trading in our current vehicle at the time. The other day, my husband got a DM on Facebook Messenger from the guy who purchased our old car from the dealership. He wanted to know about the history, maintenance, tire age, etc. of the vehicle. He complimented my husband on the great shape the car was in too. My husband was fine with answering him. It was just kinda weird because prior to social media that kind of thing didn't happen. At least to my knowledge anyway.

very weird, I would not even answer and I block anyone I don't know, also good practice not use your real name on social. you can make up a name

Re: Kinda Weird

Karie2022 — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:39:55 GMT

@Greeneyedlady21 wrote:
I believe the previous owner information would be on the paperwork in the glove compartment.?

Don't believe you have to have someone's email address to send a Facebook DM. The person probably just searched the name.

Shouldn't be any personal info left in a car when you turn it in. But maybe op left insurance or registration paper work in there.

Re: Kinda Weird

CAcableGirl2 — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:40:51 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch I think your husband is being nice and I don't see anything wrong with it. He probably got the info out of the glove compartment or online.

I hardly think giving maintenance information or the age of tires on a previous car is disclosing personal information and I wouldn't be suspicious of it. After all, you can get someone's address all the time online.

Not everyone is out to scam people. However, if the conversation started asking about personal info, then I wouldn't offer the info, but offering vehicle maintenance information to the new owner seems fine to me.

Re: Kinda Weird

Greeneyedlady21 — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:42:34 GMT

I think it depends upon the rules and regulations of the individual states. I think the OP would have to call the dealership and ask them why that was made available. And call her state govt if necessary.

Re: Kinda Weird

kaydee50 — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:44:09 GMT

I would be upset with the dealership. How did this person get your contact info? I would not have answered any of his questions and referred him to where he bought the car. They should have all the info he needed. The age of the car? Didn't he know that before he bought it????? No way would I have answered any questions from a stranger.

Re: Kinda Weird

Mindy D — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:45:46 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch @He could have obtained this information from Car Fax. It was nice of your husband to help the new owner.

Re: Kinda Weird

occasionalrain — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:48:56 GMT

The previous owner is easy to find since titles are transferred and a car's Vin number stays the same. The new owner had legitimate questions and the OP's husband was considerate in answering them.

Re: Kinda Weird

geezerette — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:50:04 GMT

I bought a used car through a dealership last year. Everything went through the dealership and I had no idea who the previous owners were--until I received the title in the mail weeks later. That had the previous owners' names and address on it.

It would have been possible to find their social media or even write them a letter since I also had their address.

It's just the way my state handles the sale of used vehicles. Not the fault of the dealer.

Re: Kinda Weird

Greeneyedlady21 — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:53:17 GMT

@geezerette wrote:
I bought a used car through a dealership last year. Everything went through the dealership and I had no idea who the previous owners were--until I received the title in the mail weeks later. That had the previous owners' names and address on it.

It would have been possible to find their social media or even write them a letter since I also had their address.

It's just the way my state handles the sale of used vehicles. Not the fault of the dealer.

Yes that's exactly what I was thinking, in my state that information is on the title.

Re: Kinda Weird

MezzieStarr — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:54:18 GMT

I can't imagine the dealership giving up that information.

Seems like it would violate privacy laws/confidentiality issues.

Nothing is a secret in today's world though, so who knows 🤷‍♀️

Re: Kinda Weird

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 15:57:06 GMT

@deepwaterdotter wrote:
I would be uncomfortable with the idea that the dealership is disclosing my personal information to someone who is a stranger to me.

It was on the title.