This auto dealer scam tops them all. Do I have any recourse?

Question

I went to a local dealer looking at one model car and ended up buying another. When the dealer told me the price I asked him to print out the kelly blue book value on the car so I could compare it against his price. He printed it out and gave to to me. He was asking 27K and Kelly blue book retail was 25,555. I told him I would only pay 25K and he agreed. It was only until I got home that I realized the Kelly Blue Book retail price he presented me with was for the same car but for a different model than the one they were showing me. Of course, the printout was for a more expensive model which made me think I was paying a fair price, when in fact I paid 3K more than retail price.

I made my decision on whether or not to buy the car based on false information provided by the dealer. Do I have any recourse?

Answer 1

not sure which state you are in, but some states have powerful consumer protection laws that you may want to consult.  A letter to the state attorney general, and or the state licensing department may provide some action..If not then you may need to see how much an attorney will cost you and deduct that from the 3,000.00 you overpaid and decide if that will work..good luck..

Answer 2

There is no 'Cooling Off Period' or "3-Day Right-to-Rescind" for completed automobile purchases anywhere in the USA. Once a vehicle is "delivered", it's your vehicle unless either the dealership grants you a refund, or the financing falls through. A complete delivery is going to the dealership, signing all the necessary paperwork, then driving the vehicle off the dealership's property. It is important to know what contracts you are signing and how it will effect your payment. Never sign until you know all the figures and have a "We Owe" signed by the General Manager for any open or 'promised' items.

Exceptions: California dealerships must offer the customer an option to purchase a "3-day return policy". If the customers signs the waiver instead, then they do not get the ability to return the car. In addition, Carmax does offer a 5-day return policy, however that is not a law, it's a promotion they offer to their customers.

-you can always call the Office of Consumer Affairs/Protection in your state, though. Don't even mess with the Better Business Bureau...they are a private company that is out for profits just like any other private company.

Answer 3

you have 7 days (in NY at least) to return a car once you bought it. You will have to take a slight hit money wise but I'm sure once you tell the dealer that you intend to return the car he will make up the difference.

Answer 4

This wasn't a scam. It was a dealer taking advantage of an uninformed consumer. Do some research on pricing next time before you walk in to the dealership.

Answer 5

Unfortuently no, your signature on the paperwork agreeing to purchase the car for $25,000 pretty much trumps your chances of legal recourse. Consider this a lesson to make sure to pay attention to what the dealer is offering. So many people end up paying more or buying features they do not need because they get so caught up with the pressure of the salesman trying to make a car deal.

You can try threatening to contact the BBB or atourney general but this happens more often than you think. I work at a Ford Mazda dealership and this is the goal of the salesman, to get you to agree to pay more for a car than what its worth, especially a used car.  I wish you luck but I hate to tell you that my experience tells me that you will most likely not get your money back.

*EDIT: Its worth a shot at returning the vehicle if you have not secured financing, chances are if the dealer let you leave without secured financing then it means you are most likely approved in the first place. Your signature agreeing to purchase the car when all terms are agreeable will be the biggest hurdle to overcome in this issue.

Answer 6

Actually, no.

Cars are sold for whatever customers are willing to pay, based on whatever information they have, and whatever they think is fair. Furthermore, KBB prices can be wrong for a number of reasons.

But since most used cars are sold "as-is" and there are no laws that provide a right to return automobiles, the car is yours once you've signed for it and been approved for any financing.