I recently traded in my Honda at a used car dealership for a Dodge Challenger. Before purchasing, I had the car inspected. The mechanic wrote a list of work that needed to be done to the car. It was a valve cover leak and a rear pinion seal leak. I showed that to the salesman, they put in writing they’d fix the car for free if I purchased the car. I purchased the car, brought it home for a few days, then brought it back to perform the work. They had the car for five days, and I picked it up. They wrote up the work they did, and all they did was inspect the leaks and they claimed it was road grime and oil spillage from an oil change. They did not fix my car.
Also, I purchased the car two weeks ago. They said the loan payoff takes them ten days. It’s been 16 days, and my payment due date is rapidly approaching. I called them yesterday and they said they’ll handle it. Just considering their dishonesty, I’m concerned they’re not going to pay it off before my payment is due on the 31st of March, and I don’t even have that car anymore. I’d I have to make a payment on the car, I wont get that money back.
What should I do? Ive already contacted lawyers.
Check the BBB listings, and see if there have been complaints about their business practices. Contact your state attorney general's office, and any office that regulates these companies in your state. File a complaint.
If and when you employ a lawyer, make sure they actually DO SOMETHING.
Most TV stations have some sort of advocacy program, to help viewers with problems. Contact them.
Along with way, document every interaction, every phone call, visit, email, letter, correspondence.
And, then there is social media. Use it, when appropriate (but stick to the facts only).
The better documented the narrative, the more allies you can enlist, the better it will turn out for you, all things considered. For most businesses, the cost/benefit equation changes the more eyes and allies are involved.
And send Scotty an email, perhaps, with the title: "Dealership Fraud" or something like that, that will get his attention.
That's all I can think of, at the moment.
Thank you @geriscan. I’ll do all this. What’s Scotty’s email?
Scottykilmer@gmail.com (He gets a ton of emails).
Scotty emailed back and said to tell them I hired a lawyer. Thanks for the advice!
What did the lawyers say? There is probably not much else you can do.
I’ve scheduled a consultation, nothing as of yet.
The payoff can take a long time to process. I wouldn't stress much about that as it will be paid off and the dealership will be billed if they tender the payoffate, not you.
Are you still having oil leaks? Have you had an independent mechanic look at it and tell you there are problems? Did that mechanic give you the needed repairs in writing?
If he did, and the dealership signed off on it in writing, they will be required to fix it. You just want to make sure that what they told you is not true. Make sure you verify that before moving any further.
Did you get the promised work done in writing as in with the sales contract when purchased the (you should have) Dodge this mechanical Challenger car?
If not it’s your word against the dealership. Is the dealership a franchise dealership (IE: Toyota, Ford, Studebaker) or second hand only car lot?
I’m story, but you might be stuck with typical Chrysler product
I have the promised work in writing, the salesman signed it at the time of purchase. It is a second hand only used car lot. It’s not a franchise dealership.
Go back to the selling dealership and have the paperwork in hand. If they refuse to do the work, then mention a small claims court is the next step course of action since they are under a legal binding contract to preform the promised repairs. These repairs where agreed to you purchased the car.
Good luck
Don't tell them what you're planning to do. Surprise is an effective element, keep your adversaries in the dark. When something happens that is unexpected, the impact is greater. That's my two cents.