Car Vanish
Complaint 147057 Details

I am sending this complaint as a warning to anyone out there selling their used car on sites like Kijijii. The following is long-winded, but only to include all of the fine details of my experience with this american/west coast company called Car Vanish (carvanish.com).

I posted my car on Kijijii and after a few days I was contacted by someone from a company called Car Vanish. I was informed that they use multiple search engines and can generate more interested buyers for my car, likely assuring the sale at my asking price, plus a nominal admin fee which was optional, if I were interested. I said that it sounded too good to be true but wanting to expedite the sale of my car I advised her that I'd only be interested if there were no service/admin fee. She said her manager would be intouch in a few days. Sure enough, I was contacted by someone stating they were the Sr Finance Manager and he went into his very smooth script telling me that he had 2 interested buyers in my area that would likely buy the car at the full asking price. He did advise me that the conversation was being recoded for authorization and quality purposes. He did say that they'd add $ 500 US + tax as an admin fee on top of my asking price. His explanation appeared to convey that this would be recovered from the buyer. He then said that they'd need my VISA # details on file to assure the safe tranfer of the asking price, pending a test drive. This is where I hesitated...and trying to stall for time to validate this company, I asked him to call me back. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to research/Google to find out anything about the company, Car Vanish. The representative did call me back and I unfortunately caved and I knievely proceeded to give him my VISA info. Shortly after, I received an email confirmation verifying my 'transaction' which clearly stated that they gurantee the sale of my vehicle within 90 days. It also stated that if by chance I had not sold my vehicle in those 90 days I could extend for another 90 days free of charge or request a refund equivalent to 75%. My suspicions started to increase. I was then given a password for the Car Vanish website to enter details of my car ad and pictures. However, when I went to my account/ad, the pictures in the ad were already there, taken from my Kijijii ad but all very blurry. I tried to post new pictures but was not able to. By that time, their office hours had ended for the day.

Needless to say, I didn't sleep very well feeling more and more like I was 'tricked' by a slick outfit...first time for me. I called their Customer Service # today and kept my cool but clearly stated that I wanted my full refund/credit back to my VISA. The representative said she had no authority to do that so I escalated by asking for the Customer Service Manager. She claimed she was the manager. I then asked to speak to her direct report, she said he wasn't taking calls...Strange, a Customer Service senior person and not taking calls...more suspicions. She then suggested that she'd get my agent from the other night to call me back. Oddly enough, he had introduced himself as the Senior Finance Manager..more suspicions. He did call me back and after debating back and forth, asking for a full refund, explaining all of the items which were misleading/misrepresentations:
- a web site that doesn't even pop up on 1st few pages when one Googles "used car sales/web sites"...so how effective can it be?
- My misunderstanding of his verbage that I'd provide my VISA details only to be used to secure the eventual money transfer of the car sale, after the 'buyer' had test driven the car
- their website did not clearly represent my vehicle's details and images so how could any interested buyer truly be attracted to my add
- you have to wait 90days to request your 75% money back if they don't sell your car HOWEVER, if you sell your car on your own, they KEEP ALL $500! Nice income for not doing much

Obviously a very shrude way to prey on unsuspecting and anxious used car sellers. His original proposal for a solution was to wait 90 days and then request for my full rebate. I did not accept that and requested a full refund immediately. Their best compromise was an upfront $ 250 charge and the balance would be credited to my VISA within 10 days. I am not happy with this but have no other option because I don't want to wait 90 days. So I accepted but may dispute through my bank (as per my bank's advise). I'm now awaiting their email confirmation of this resolution/settlement which i'll need if I choose to dispute payment with my bank's dispute dept

A big lesson learned for me, $250 or possibly $500....buyer beware

The warning sign is clear in my mind and everyone should take note. If Car Vanish call you and say they have a buyer that will pay your 'asking' price...its likely too good to be true so don't get caught up in the moment because you may lose $ 500.

You've been warned
Anonymous