YACT: why do salesman NEED a copy of your license?

[deejayshakur]

i walked off the honda lot today after the prick salesman refused to let me test drive a civic without letting him copy my license. i've test driven cars dozens of times after refusing to let them copy my license (and 3 times at this particular dealer) so what gives? i think i read on an internet guide about not letting the dealer keep a copy of your license. what's the real reason they do it?

ended up trying a corolla (no good) and 2003 celica (really like it).

 

[amol]

liability?

 

[dug777]

if you steal it they know who you are?

 

[jagec]

To do a credit check while you're driving, AND so they can rape you if you drive off with their car.

 

[sygyzy]

You are confused. The driver's license thing is not a big deal. It's when they ask for your SSN. The reason they ask for DL is for a) liability like Amol said and b) stall tactic to keep you around longer.

 

[deejayshakur]

Don't be held hostage! Don't give them your Drivers License or Social Security number! You'll need it to break off negotiations and leave. Many new car dealers photocopy your license before a test drive. Tell them there is no reason to. They'll say insurance require it. Car rental agencies don't copy your license and you're taking their car for a week! Some dealers copy your license "in case you rob the salesman". Other dealers copy your license to run unauthorized credit checks on you during your test drive, still a top complaint we receive. Make copies of your license and when they ask for your license, hand them the copy, get it back when you leave. Write on the copy the dealer may NOT run a credit check on you. Remind them the FTC fines $2500 for unauthorized credit checks. Many dealers are honest and will photocopy your license on a copier at the front desk and give it right back. But some, while you're out on the test drive, run a credit check on you. Then they give your info to local banks, who run credit checks. Now you have 5-6 credit checks on your record. This will haunt you when you buy furniture and apply for credit. You'll get rejected for 5-6 checks on your credit with no credit issued. Don't give personal info until you have signed the buyer's order and are doing dealer financing.

Text

 

[Keyvan]

i hate dealing with car dealerships and their salespeople, it would take alot for a car salesman to earn my trust during a sale


...this thread reminds me of this from Ebaum's World hehehe

 

[d3n]

Originally posted by: jagec
To do a credit check while you're driving, AND so they can rape you if you drive off with their car.

Running a credit pull without your explicit consent is illegal. If they do it, point that out at the signing and have the name of the salesmen and the floor manager ready for a letter to the corporate office of the dealer and your states attorney general. Then ask nicely for $500 over the dealer cost. (which includes factory holdback) It works.

 

[Yellow Dog]

I go without my licence, and I refuse to tell them my last name. They will run a credit check on you in a heart beat if they can gather enough info to run it. Multiple credit checks hurt your credit rating.

I still got to test drive the truck I wanted to, but since they wouldn't get right with the $$$ they still don't know my name. I got a better deal at another dealer on the same model.

 

[pulse8]

Originally posted by: d3n

Originally posted by: jagec
To do a credit check while you're driving, AND so they can rape you if you drive off with their car.

Running a credit pull without your explicit consent is illegal. If they do it, point that out at the signing and have the name of the salesmen and the floor manager ready for a letter to the corporate office of the dealer and your states attorney general. Then ask nicely for $500 over the dealer cost. (which includes factory holdback) It works.

That's not including the fact that they can't run a credit check with just the information on your driver's license.

 

[getbush]

Originally posted by: Keyvan
...this thread reminds me of this from Ebaum's World hehehe

Oh man that was harsh. I actually feel for the salesman they really took him for a ride.

 

[Zebo]

I let the suckers buy new. I buy one year old. I've been to one dealership in my life, that was enough.

 

[nsafreak]

Unless your state prints your social security number on your license there is no way they can run a credit check with the information on your driver's license.

 

[getbush]

Ok once and for all. They can't run a credit check with your DL right? Don't you have to use SSn for those?

 

[nsafreak]

Originally posted by: getbush
Ok once and for all. They can't run a credit check with your DL right? Don't you have to use SSn for those?

Correct.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: deejayshakur
i walked off the honda lot today after the prick salesman refused to let me test drive a civic without letting him copy my license. i've test driven cars dozens of times after refusing to let them copy my license (and 3 times at this particular dealer) so what gives? i think i read on an internet guide about not letting the dealer keep a copy of your license. what's the real reason they do it?

ended up trying a corolla (no good) and 2003 celica (really like it).

It's because your sorry ass looks too poor to buy a Honda. Shave and put some clean clothes on, you scrub.

- M4H

 

[db]

" why do salesman NEED a copy of your license?"
They think you are a risk.

 

[QuitBanningMe]

We always copied DLs. We had a few people take cars too. Not on test drives (salesman always there) but on "spots". How else are you supposed to show who took the car?

Not only that but most banks require DL copy. Getting it out of the way/ checking for real buyer

 

[QuitBanningMe]

Originally posted by: nsafreak

Originally posted by: getbush
Ok once and for all. They can't run a credit check with your DL right? Don't you have to use SSn for those?

Correct.

Yes and no because some state's DL #s are your SS#

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: nsafreak
Unless your state prints your social security number on your license there is no way they can run a credit check with the information on your driver's license.

some states do, which is really crappy.

 

[db]

I've never had a salesman ask for my license for a test drive. So please explain why some people have to give their license.

 

[imported_yetti]

Originally posted by: Zebo
I let the suckers buy new. I buy one year old. I've been to one dealership in my life, that was enough.

that's the smartest way to buy a "new" car.

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: jagec
To do a credit check while you're driving, AND so they can rape you if you drive off with their car.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'd tell him he can make a copy of it so long as I get it back right away.

Edit-I've gone to many car dealers and gone on test drives. Never had any problem with them running credit checks or keeping my license. Usually they copy it and give it right back. Sometimes they don't even ask for my license.

 

[vegetation]

It's done because there are unfortunately some lowlifes who don't even have the skill to break into a car, so they just pretend to test drive one then leave the salesman stranded.