Some of the Common Ways that a Dealer Will Mislead You

Unless you work with cars or it’s a serious avocation, you can easily be victimized by a less-than-honest car dealer. It’s not just the price, either. Here are some of the most frequent tactics that care dealers will use to try to take advantage of you:

• The old “bait and switch”—This one is as old as time. The dealer advertises a vehicle that meets all your needs, at a price that can’t be beat. Unfortunately, when you get to the dealership, the car is “no longer available.” Be careful if the dealer then tries to sell you one that’s “just as good or even better.” To avoid this happening, call the dealer before you go look at the car and confirm both the offer and that the car is still there. It’s also a good idea to bring a copy of the advertisement with you.
• Hidden fees or false statements about the total price—This happens on a regular basis—the salesperson quotes you a specific price and you verbally accept. When the deal is printed up, though, it includes hundreds or thousands of dollars in fees that were not previously discussed. If this happens, walk away and notify the Federal Trade Commission. It’s a violation of law.
• Unwanted options or accessories—Take a close look at the sales contract and make certain it doesn’t include things you didn’t ask for or didn’t want, such as extended warranties or rust-proofing. If the salesperson told you there would be no added cost, make certain the sales agreement reflects that.
• Financing irregularities—Don’t let the dealer mislead you about your eligibility for credit…know your credit score before you go to the dealer. Consider getting your loan from your own bank or credit union.

Contact Our Office

At the Cintron Firm, LLC, we offer more than 14 years of experience to people in New Jersey facing a broad array of legal challenges. Send us an e-mail or call us at 201-791-1333 or (201) 535-0323 to set up an appointment.

When you’ve worked hard to save the money for a down payment on a new car or it’s time to trade in your vehicle for something more reliable, you’ll quickly discover that you have lots of options, and one of those is to purchase your vehicle from a car dealer. Unfortunately, the reputation that car salespeople have is not unwarranted. There are many honest car dealers, but, unless you’re working with someone you know and trust, there are a few steps you need to take to ensure that you don’t become the victim of a car dealer scam.

Know What You Want and What the Vehicle Offers

Take the time to learn all the different options available on the vehicle you want and ask questions to verify that the car you are interested in purchasing has the features you desire. If you give the salesperson the impression that you know very little about the car, you can easily become a victim of dealer fraud.

Verify Who Owns the Car

If you are purchasing from a dealer, the dealer should be holding title to the vehicle. If the dealer tells you that he’s acting as an agent or representative for the seller, who still has title, you should be wary.

Get the Real Price in Writing

It’s important to understand that the price in the window or on the advertisement is not necessarily the full price you will pay. Make certain to ask the dealer to include all potential costs, so that you know exactly what you’ll be paying. It’s helpful to compare prices elsewhere before you go to the dealer. If you have an idea of what the vehicle should cost before you go to the dealer, there’s less risk that you’ll be swindled.

Don’t Pay for the Car Until You Have the Keys

A dealer may ask you to pay in advance—don’t ever do that. It’s better to make a small deposit and pay the rest just before you drive out of the lot.

Get a Copy of All Documents

The dealer should have a written contract for the sale of the vehicle. You will also need to sign certain title and loan documents, if appropriate. Make certain you have copies. You also want to verify the information on any document. Take down the VIN number from the title document and compare it with the VIN plate under the front windshield. If it doesn’t match, don’t pay for the car.

Contact Our Office

At the Cintron Firm, LLC, we offer more than 14 years of experience to people in New Jersey facing a broad array of legal challenges. Send us an e-mail or call us at 201-791-1333 or (201) 535-0323 to set up an appointment.

There are few things in life more exciting that coming home in a new vehicle. In addition to the pure enjoyment of a nice car, you can also have a greater sense of security and take comfort in knowing that you have a vehicle that really meets your needs. But you have to be careful, too…car dealership fraud is real and can wreak havoc in your life. Here are some things to watch out for.

The Old “Bait and Switch”

It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book, but it still happens on a regular basis, and in a variety of ways. The classic version involves the advertisement of a car that seems too good to be true—low mileage, all the bells and whistles, immaculately maintained. When you get to the dealer, though, you learn that it’s no longer available, but there’s another one just like it…a little more expensive, a little more mileage, a little shabbier. Then you get the hard sell to buy it. Another form of the bait and switch is the “price mistake.” You see a vehicle advertised online for a specific price (it’s in your budget), but when you get to the dealership, you learn that the advertised price was a “mistake.”

The Advertised Price Doesn’t Include Add-Ons

Often, a car dealer will either advertise a specific price or even have a sign on the vehicle stating the price. That price seems to be the real price until the salesperson puts the sales agreement on the desk. Suddenly, the price has gone up by a couple thousand dollars, due to “add-ons,” such as warranties or maintenance plans.

Playing with the Numbers

This can happen on either end. It’s not unusual for a car dealer to inflate the price of a new car by adding on charges for features that are already standard. On the other end, the dealer may incorrectly state the blue book or trade-in value of your car.

Selling a Used Car as New

If a car has been owned by someone else for a day or even an hour, it’s no longer a new car and cannot be sold as such. Watch out for dealers who will try to sell you a “new” car, when it’s actually one that was returned for a defect or for some other reason. It’s also not uncommon for a dealer to fail to disclose that a vehicle was salvaged and repaired after an automobile accident.

Contact Us

At the Cintron Firm, LLC, we offer more than 14 years of experience to people in New Jersey facing a broad array of legal challenges. Attorney Mark Cintron has worked as a prosecutor and has extensive courtroom experience, so he’s always ready, willing and able to protect your interests before a judge or jury. Contact our office online or call us at 201-791-1333 or (201) 535-0323 to set up an appointment.