Let’s Switch Cars with Gulliver’s Consumer-to-Consumer Service

~First in a Series~

About two years ago I purchased a used 2003 Toyota Corolla LE. Since I’ve grown attached to it and because it gets good gas mileage, I really don’t have any complaints. But actually, from the summer of last year I started going surfing, and in order to haul my surfboard, I have been thinking I would like to have an SUV. If possible it would be nice if I could buy a Toyota Highlander at a low price, but…
Starting about a month ago, I have checked out used car dealers in the area, but the prices are high. If I trade in the car I’m driving now - assuming I get around $8,000 for it - I could still need come up with another $5,000. With a budget of $13,000, I would be able to afford a Highlander. Different dealers, however, told me that to be able to buy it, I would need to come up with an additional $2,000; but to be honest I just can’t spare it right now…
Of course I visited some of those message boards where individuals buy and sell on the Internet, and I set up appointments and went to look at several cars. Somehow, we could agree on the prices, but the sellers were kind of suspicious, and it was uncertain if what they were saying was actually true. Speaking of which, a friend happened to buy a car that was involved in an accident and could not get insurance - I have heard stories such as that. I have also heard stories whereby people buy cars that can’t be properly registered and then need to spend an incredible amount of money to register it. Obviously buying and selling among individuals is filled with uncertainty.
At that point, a friend of mine gave me some good information. It was about a place called “Gulliver Car Connection Center” that provides a go-between service for individual buyers and sellers. Since it is individuals who are doing the buying and selling, the prices are not as high as they are at a used car dealer, and the cars also receive proper inspections, so there are no worries regarding the data on the cars. What’s more, it appears that they take care of all the troublesome paperwork that comes after the conclusion of a contract. That is something I can appreciate. I don’t know how well I will do, but for the time being I will take a visit to the center to learn more.
“Hello. I heard you that you act as a go-between for individuals buying and selling used cars.”
“Yes. That would be our company’s C2C (“Consumer to Consumer”) service. Instead of the customer being the one to search for their desired car, we do that here; and all of the other things like negotiating the price are performed by us. However, we receive no money from the buyers, and we only receive an across-the-board sales fee of $499 from each seller. Therefore, cars can be purchased at more moderate prices than at used car dealers, and because our company has the responsibility for doing the inspection of the car, there is no anxiety about the car’s data like there is with individual buying and selling.”
When I visited, the car advisor who was put in charge of my case was Mr. Yamawaki. In order for customers to buy a car they want, it appears they will get all the help they need. This seems to be something that customers can really count on at Gulliver.
“Although I went to used car dealers to look for a car, I did not find anything that would fit my budget. If I could come up with another $2,000, I can make the purchase, but I just don’t have that much right now.”
“Standard used car dealers have to add on their labor costs, inventory management and maintenance costs to the price of their cars, but as I mentioned before, because we don’t charge for these extra items, it means its possible to buy a car very cheaply.”
After that, I sat down with Mr. Yamawaki and we discussed various things like the car I wanted and the budget I was working with.
“Right now there seems to be a 2002 Highlander available for $12,800. And it doesn’t seem to have very high mileage. All of the data for the inspection and maintenance history is in place, and there doesn’t seem to be any particular problem. The Private Sale Value in the Kelly Blue Book is valued at $15,000, so it’s probably a pretty good deal.”
Wow! Is it really that cheap? It would fit my budget!”
“For starters, would you like to take a test drive?”
After that, I was able to take a test drive, and the way the car felt was exactly what I was looking for. I really wanted the car.
“At this juncture, it is individual buying and selling, so it’s possible to negotiate the price a little more with the seller. Would you like to me to try?”
“Wow! There is a possibility the price could be even lower? Yes, please, go ahead and give it a try.”
Mr. Yamawaki immediately went to call the seller and returned 10 minutes later.
“The seller is willing to accept another $800 less. What would you like to do?”
“It would be great if I could buy the car for $1,000 less than what I originally budgeted for. So let’s do it!”
To Be Continued in the Next Issue.



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