Hilarious pranks raise Clearwater used car lot’s social media presence

Barry’s Buy & Drive, a used car dealership in Clearwater, has seen a huge uptick in their social media engagement traffic since introducing new content: pranks played on would-be customers.

“Sure, we’ve had Twitter, Instagram and TikTok for some time now, but we didn’t know what to do with them. Just seemed like as a business, you’re supposed to have that stuff,” said dealership owner and social media manager Barry Schvitzwell. “It’s hard to imagine why a consumer would need to ‘follow’ a car lot. Once you know what days and times we’re open, which you can find on Google or by calling, and you’ve bought a car, what other reason is there to need to interact? Check-in whoever sold you a used car? ‘Gee, I wonder what guy-whose-name-I-didn’t-bother-to-remember is up to.’ Yeah, right.”

Recently, Schvitzwell was at home watching videos and had a brilliant idea.

“This kid was sneaking up on people and putting buckets over their heads. They would take the bucket off and look around like, ‘Hey, who put a bucket on my head?’ and they wouldn’t suspect the kid because he put a bucket on his own head, like he was a victim too! Really clever, innovative stuff,” he said. “And I thought, ‘Hey, we can do something like that!'”

The next day, Andy and Denise Proctor visited the lot in search of a car.

“Andy has been out of work since the pandemic. We’re hoping to find something dependable and for a good price today. We really need a break,” said Denise.

That’s when Todd, one of the salesmen emerged from behind a bush and proceeded to show the Proctors a 2017 Lexus RX350 with only 3,000 miles on it and told them it could be theirs for just $250.

“Oh my God, are you serious! This is literally the answer to our prayers! You’ve saved our lives,” said Andy, as he fumbled in his pocket to produce the last of the family’s cash. “We’ll take it!”

That’s when the rest of the sales staff came out from various hiding places, laughing hysterically.

“You idiots!” exclaimed Todd. “This is a $38,000 car! Deadbeats like you couldn’t sniff the cupholders for $250!” The Proctors trudged off humiliated and in abject despair.

The video has garnered over 8 million views on TikTok so far.