Whatever happened to doing a deal on a handshake?

[xtruck]

Hiya all, new member signing in.
Last week I did a deal with a company executive and purchased his 2002 Explorer LTD. Took it for a spin around the block, really liked it and did a deal on the spot.
But here is the catch. I know cars pretty good and this one shaped up on the test run with no obvious problems. The seller looked me in the eye and told me right out that there were absolutely no serious problems and that if he wasn't about to move to Australia he would not be selling.
Trusting this guy was a bad mistake. It turns out that when I took the vehicle in for a pre holiday check-up at the Ford Dealer, they said that the vehicle was in their shop in April and they had given a quote between NZ$5000 and NZ$6000 to fix a raft of fairly serious problems.
It is still in the shop but so far we are talking about brakes, discs, wheel bearings, bushes, suspension and steering issues, 4x4 module or worse, full fluid changes and more.
I have no problem getting this work done because I really like the vehicle and being pretty particular I want this vehicle looking and running smart. I purchased for promo reasons to be signed up for my truck insurance broking business but I sure got shafted.
As I said what has happened to a deal on a handshake!?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! It's always good to get a written contract.

 

[Gus Gorilla]

If your not already technicaly inclined, hang around. Someday you could look back at all that work your paying for and kick yourself. Generally doing the work yourself can save from 50-75% off the dealership cost.
Welcome to the site and enjoy your new truck.

 

[my pos mounty]

When greed enters the picture, trustworthiness gets shoved aside. I don't trust "executive" types anyway, been there, been burned EVERY time, wont do it again. I would not trust the dealer either. Brakes and wheel bearings are very easy to fix, and there are "step-by-step" directions here with pictures.
I would try to get hold of this "executive" and ask him if he has any morals and would be willing to negate the deal given the fact the dealer can substantiate he had full knowledge of all problems. If he will not, call an attorney.

 

[msilver]

do the work your self or at least take it to an independent shop for a secound oppinion, dealer ships are all about tring to rip people off

 

[xtruck]

Thanks for the welcome. New Zealand has very strong consumer legislation and written contracts on this sort of a deal is not usual.
Cheers

 

[xtruck]

I could try and do the work myself or shop the job around but now having purchased the car I just want to get it on the road and working as it should.
It is not so much about the work that really has me worked up. It is more about being able to trust someone and in this case he was a straight out rip off merchant. I just got caught.
No Dealer involved - TradeMe (ebay) deal.