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- Apr 30, 2023
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- Lucid Grand Touring
Buyer Beware: Our Disastrous Experience with Da Vinci Automotive in Jacksonville, FL
I wanted to share a frustrating and disappointing experience my friend and I just had while trying to purchase a Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance from a dealership in Jacksonville, Florida. I hope this serves as a warning to anyone considering doing business with them.
We found a Lucid Grand Touring Performance listed by Da Vinci Automotive and reached out to confirm availability. They assured us the car was ours, so long as we sent over our flight tickets. Which we provided, a red eye flight from LAX to JAX… 14hrs with two layovers for $1,456 (delta is expensive go figure). Given that this was a rare find, we quickly agreed to give them a cashiers check as a deposit for $80,000. Needless to say it was a long flight but we looked forward to a road trip back home in this beautiful machine.
Upon arrival, things immediately started to feel off. Despite having our money in hand, the dealership told us they had received another deposit of only $1,000 from a different buyer “before” ours, but they weren’t going to honor that offer. The dealerships manager Louis told us that they had actually taken a deposit from a California lawyer who was now threatening a restraining order to enforce his deposit. This seemed strange, but since they still appeared committed to our deal, and committed to not accepting the lawyers offer, we proceeded with the purchase. Big mistake!
For two full days, we waited for them to finalize the refund of the lawyers deposit. Purchasing hotel rooms, Ubers, and holding our breath. All while they held our $80K. We even signed the sales contract when they asked us to, fully expecting to pick up the car. But today at the very “end of business” as told by our service advisor we arrived at the dealership only to be told that they had sold the car to the other buyer instead.
So after flying out, handing over the purchase price of the car as a -massive deposit, and waiting patiently for days while they assured us everything was fine, they turned around and gave the car to “the blood sucking lawyer”. Not only that but they sent us the contract of the California lawyer, I almost want to reach out to him, or name drop him but that might violate the rules here.
It should never have come to this. This isn’t just poor business practices but is outright unethical. If this is how they operate, I strongly advise anyone considering buying from them to think twice. I thought this would be especially prescient for this forum as they informed us that Lucid sends them merch and likes to partner with them to sell aftermarket Lucid’s. And to hear them tell it “they [Da Vinci] do the most lucid business” of any pre owned dealer.
Seeing how they had 4 or 5 Lucid’s out back this might be right, hence my fear of whom Lucid seeks to do business with. Has anyone else experienced something similar with or other used car dealerships? What is the best course of action in a situation like this?
Seem’s like they would be liable for our flights and accommodations, but I’m not a lawyer.
Funnily enough it’s still “for sale”:
www.davinciautomotive.com
Beware!
I wanted to share a frustrating and disappointing experience my friend and I just had while trying to purchase a Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance from a dealership in Jacksonville, Florida. I hope this serves as a warning to anyone considering doing business with them.
We found a Lucid Grand Touring Performance listed by Da Vinci Automotive and reached out to confirm availability. They assured us the car was ours, so long as we sent over our flight tickets. Which we provided, a red eye flight from LAX to JAX… 14hrs with two layovers for $1,456 (delta is expensive go figure). Given that this was a rare find, we quickly agreed to give them a cashiers check as a deposit for $80,000. Needless to say it was a long flight but we looked forward to a road trip back home in this beautiful machine.
Upon arrival, things immediately started to feel off. Despite having our money in hand, the dealership told us they had received another deposit of only $1,000 from a different buyer “before” ours, but they weren’t going to honor that offer. The dealerships manager Louis told us that they had actually taken a deposit from a California lawyer who was now threatening a restraining order to enforce his deposit. This seemed strange, but since they still appeared committed to our deal, and committed to not accepting the lawyers offer, we proceeded with the purchase. Big mistake!
For two full days, we waited for them to finalize the refund of the lawyers deposit. Purchasing hotel rooms, Ubers, and holding our breath. All while they held our $80K. We even signed the sales contract when they asked us to, fully expecting to pick up the car. But today at the very “end of business” as told by our service advisor we arrived at the dealership only to be told that they had sold the car to the other buyer instead.
So after flying out, handing over the purchase price of the car as a -massive deposit, and waiting patiently for days while they assured us everything was fine, they turned around and gave the car to “the blood sucking lawyer”. Not only that but they sent us the contract of the California lawyer, I almost want to reach out to him, or name drop him but that might violate the rules here.
It should never have come to this. This isn’t just poor business practices but is outright unethical. If this is how they operate, I strongly advise anyone considering buying from them to think twice. I thought this would be especially prescient for this forum as they informed us that Lucid sends them merch and likes to partner with them to sell aftermarket Lucid’s. And to hear them tell it “they [Da Vinci] do the most lucid business” of any pre owned dealer.
Seeing how they had 4 or 5 Lucid’s out back this might be right, hence my fear of whom Lucid seeks to do business with. Has anyone else experienced something similar with or other used car dealerships? What is the best course of action in a situation like this?
Seem’s like they would be liable for our flights and accommodations, but I’m not a lawyer.
Funnily enough it’s still “for sale”:
USED LUCID AIR 2023 for sale in Jacksonville, FL | Da Vinci Automotive
Find USED 2023 LUCID AIR for sale at $74,985 in Jacksonville, FL at Da Vinci Automotive now.
www.davinciautomotive.com
Beware!
