now i am reading over this website and i have a few points to make.
if you don't want me to pick apart your favorite importer than feel free to stop reading now.
on their website as of nov 4th 06 it says:
http://www.terra2imports.ca/faq/entry/2/27/
QUOTE (copy and paste)
What does the Auction Grade mean?:
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Some of the vehicles on our website are upcoming auction cars that we think you will be interested in. Auction vehicles are a fantastic opportunity to get a great deal but you have to be knowledgeable about the condition of the vehicle in order to place an accurate bid.
Here is an example of how the Auction Grading system works:
* Note the highest auction grade possible for a vehicle 15 years or older is 4.0
(interesting side note by Luxury Imports:
this doesn't coincide with the auction car that was quoted in the above post. we have bought a few 4.5 grades (actual and confirmed) and 2 grade 5 units that were 15 years old
end side note)
Good Grade vehicles:
Grade Means Comments Remarks
4 Excellent condition for age & km/s Excellent condition for age & KM's. Best grade possible ! Usualy a safe bet
3.5 Good condition to average for age & km/s May require some reconditioning &/or paint touch up work, usualy good condition.
A good value
Interior Grade:
After the number sometimes you will see two letters, the first letter relates to the exterior condition and the second letter relates to interior condition. Any repair required is not due to a road accident, but genearal wear and tear:
A - No need for repair. (Excellent nice condition)
B - May require cosmetic repair or cleaning. (Reasonably nice condition)
C - Needs repair. (Some work required)
D - Obvious it requires repair. (Needs attention, poor condition)
Lower Grade Vehicles:
Grade
Means Comments Remarks
3 Some small previous accident repair or poor condition Small repair or poor condition but often if small repair can still be in tidy condition for age & km/s and often cheap Sometimes ok sometimes needs work
2 Usually very bad condition or extremely modified or both Would not recommend a grade 2 Are you that keen??
1 Hail or flood damaged or some other situation We don't consider these unless client requests Forget it
RA or A Accident repaired vehicle Small or very good repair hard to see Sometimes ok
O or R Larger accident repaired vehicle or bad flood damaged. We don’t consider these unless requested
P Accident repaired vehicle The number before the letter P denotes the extent of repair ie 5P small accident repair 25P moderate repair and 50P large repair we don't consider these unless requested but sometimes 5P or 10P can be OK
B or C Large accident repair
*** Damaged unrepaired or suitable for parts only
We don't sell cars that can't be driven onto a ship, sorry.
Secondary Numbers:
You may see grading of A4BA for example. In this case the first A does not relate to overall condition but to repair.
The number relates to quality of repair:
5 - Light repair very well done.
4 - Very well repaired.
3 - May require touch up.
2 - Obvious repair
1 - Repaired poorly.
The second letter relates to overall exterior condition and the last letter relates to interior as mentioned in Note 1 above.
Last updated: Nov 04, 2006
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QUOTE:
http://www.terra2imports.ca/faq/entry/2/13/
Auction Inspections
For auction vehicles our best source for information is the auction grading report. We are not allowed to have them inspected before purchasing due to auction house guidelines. With some auction vehicles we may be able to have an associate view the vehicle in person, walk around it, examine the interior, and start the engine but the vehicle cannot be moved or driven.
Landed in Canada Inspections
For Terra2 Preferred Landed Stock, the vehicles will have already successfully passed the BC Safety inspection ensuring their quality. We welcome you to have the vehicle inspected a second time by your personal mechanic if you would feel more comfortable.
Last updated: Nov 04, 2006
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now this is fact:
Unless you actually have the units inspected before bidding there is no way to determine if the auction sheet is correct in its grading or not. the grading inspectors have been wrong many times and have taken liberaties in their gradings.
we have inspectors at every auction in Japan:
we have seen rust and bad dents on grade 4 rated units. Grade 3.5 that should be grade 3 or less. "B" interiors that have cigarette burn holes and tears, dashes cracked.
the ratings don't always tell you all the problems that are on or in the trucks. if you are bidding on a unit MAKE SURE it can be inspected by a trust worthy inspector and get a WRITTEN guarrantee of the condition of the unit you are buying from any importer.
the importer should be able to get the unit up on a hoist and taken for a DECENT test drive BEFORE demanding the full money. if they can not, in writting, guarrantee the condition of the unit then there is no benefit of using that importer. you might as well do the process yourself using this link:
http://www.luxuryimports.ca/faq/importinfo.php
deceit is another common trait of importers
QUOTE
http://www.terra2imports.ca/ab-listi...ory=Sports+Car
There are 1754 vehicles in our online inventory. ( Last updated on 11/03/06 at 12:05 PM )
END QUOTE
this form of DECEIT is misleading to those that visit the sites, HINTING that the importer has had this kind of inventory over the years and that they have sold these units. this is false, these are units that they have gleaned off the auction sites and, yes, they have been sold but not by the importer. they were sold to unknown persons in Japan. similar to the post above about the 1990 Pajero with 6200 km on it that we bought from auction, not from Terra2imports.
why am I picking on terra2imports? i am not. i am pointing out to the masses the flaws in the way they carry out their business. these might seem trivial to some but to those TRUSTING in terra2imports to fullfil their needs this is important information. when i saw the above posted unit on their site even i thought that it appeared that Terra2imports had bought and sold the unit. this caused me to further examine their site. i felt mislead and if i would feel this way, knowing what i do, then the novice web surfer would be easily taken in by what seems to be a much larger company than it really is.
crushers
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