September 10, 2025

Car Shopping, Why Mats?

🚗 Why Online Car Prices Aren’t What They Seem

We spend a lot of time on the phone with customers, and often hear:

“I’m seeing cars online that are cheaper than the recommendations you’re sending me.”

It’s a fair question — but here’s the reality: online car pricing is a game.

Most of the time, the “deal” you see isn’t the real deal. The low price is just bait to get you in the door. And if the price is real? Chances are, the car has hidden issues like poor condition, a salvage title, or even being imported from Canada — things buyers rarely know upfront.

A Real Story From Last Week

One of our clients tried shopping in her hometown and shared this experience:

“Went to drive a 2023 Suburban with 32,000 miles and it was $53,500. That is the price he (the dealer) texted me and after we drove I said I wanted to put in an offer.”

Sounds normal, right?

She goes on to say that when the dealer brought out the paperwork, this happened:

The sales price on the paperwork was $56,900 (a $3,000 jump!)

And after fees, the total out the door cost was $63,900.

That’s over $10,000 more than the original “deal.”

Unfortunately, this isn’t rare. It happens to buyers every single day.

Why MATS is Different

At MATS, we refuse to play pricing games.

 No hidden fees 

No surprise add-ons

 Transparent about condition

The price you see is the real price — period.

Yes, our listings may sometimes look higher than what you see online. But that’s because we tell you the truth upfront.

We know car buying can feel broken. Dealers get a bad rap for a reason. But with MATS, you don’t have to waste weekends chasing fake deals.

If you want a fair price on an above-average quality vehicle, we’re here to help.

 Call us today, and let’s find the right car for you — without the games.