11/18/2009
As usual in a recession, we see a sharp increase in
complaints regarding used car purchases. The Better Business Bureau of the Southwest
(BBBSW) wants to present you with some important facts:
- Purchases
from private owners, newspapers ads, Craig's List, etc. are usually "As
Is." Do not expect a warranty or
reimbursement for repairs.
- Regarding
dealers, the seller's reputation is just as important as the car. Buy from a reputable dealer with a good
track record.
- Check
out the car yourself. Test
drive it, take it to a trusted expert or mechanic, make sure it is in good
condition. Carfax reports are
valuable but not perfect.
- Understand
any warranty. Do you have
coverage left over from the manufacturer?
Is the selling dealer providing a warranty? What does it cover? Get everything in writing!
- It
is perfectly legal to sell a used car "as is." There is no law that sellers must
guarantee everything they sell.
- There
is no "three day law" on used
cars (or most other purchases.) We
get this question all the time on contracts people sign for anything. They assume they have three days to
cancel. Not so!
- "Verbal agreements" are usually
almost worthless. Many consumers
angrily inform us "I KNOW that there is a law that verbal agreements are
binding." Yes, we know it too…but
only if you can prove the verbal agreement in court. Most lawyers will tell you that this is
extremely difficult and may be very expensive to pursue. The three saddest words in the consumer
world are, "The salesman said..." We urge all consumers to insist that
all important verbal promises and agreements be in writing.
- Courtesy
and fairness are important for customers too. Angry demands, profanity and threats against the dealer
rarely accomplish much. Often
dealers will confess that they would have helped the customer more "If
that guy has just been a little nice to us."
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