[Swordmaker]

The dealer had done all the prep work before I walked into the showroom.

Yeah -- and that's the point. He did the prep work AFTER YOU PURCHASED THE CAR but BEFORE YOU TOOK DELIVERY. That's precisely what I'm talking about. Get it through your head.

Pardon me, Bush, but the car I bought was sitting on the lot... prepped and ready for a buyer BEFORE I PLUNKED DOWN ONE THIN DIME. I went in, made them an offer, wrote out a check, did the paperwork, took the keys and drove it off the lot. NO MECHANIC LOOKED AT THAT CAR BETWEEN THE TIME I WALKED ON THE LOT AND THE TIME I DROVE IT HOME! Get it through YOUR head.

[Bush2000]

Pardon me, Bush, but the car I bought was sitting on the lot... prepped and ready for a buyer

That's atypical. Dealers generally don't spend time prepping a car until AFTER THEY HAVE A BUYER. Ask around. I think you'll find that I'm right.