Buy here pay here nightmare

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Broadway1983

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I recently purchased a dodge magnum from a seemingly reputable dealership. The car was a repo and had not yet been completely serviced by the dealership's mechanic. The salesman told me to leave the lot with the car, drive it for a 10 days and get back to them with a list of problems, if any. I was told that they would fix anything that was wrong. Within 10 minutes of leaving the car lot, the check engine light came on. I immediately called the dealer and informed them. They assured me that the car was fine and that they would handle it when I brought it back for the service department. Over the 10 day period I compiled a list of problems and potential problems. I returned to get my car serviced only to be told that the service department was full and I'd have to come back in a week. This same thing continued to happen for two months. No room in the shop and the service department was booked up. This whole time, I was still paying my car note(200 every other week). At the end of two months I was to pay taxes on the car and I'd be able to get my permanent tags. I refused to pay the taxes until my car was serviced because I wouldn't be able to pass emissions and get tags. This got their attention. They looked in the service schedule and said they were still full for another week and to come in the following week. They then gave me a 3rd temp tag and sent me on my way. The day of my appointment I brought the car in and was told to call before the close of business. When I called they told me to call back the following day. I did. They the. Told me they needed to order a part to fix the car. Two days later I called to check on the progress. I was told my car had too many issues for them to fix. They didn't want to spend that kind of money and decided to auction the car off. The told me to wait until the end of the week and come get another vehicle. When I went to get a car, I was told that they would give me a credit of what I paid down and my car notes would go to use of the car. Since then I have not been able to find a car on their lot that they'll give me for the same down. They are adamant that I have to come up with 1000 more dollars. I honestly don't want to deal with these shady people and just want my money back. I was forced to give up my car and even with getting a credit for the down payment, I feel cheated by losing the money I put towards the price of the vehicle. I wanna know if i have a case against them. HELP PLEASE!!!
 
Read the contract you signed.
If there is relief, its in the contract.

Or, take your story to a tv station or newspaper.
 
So the gist of what you are saying is that deadbeat car dealers use that software and you should never buy a car off of a company that does correct?


I have had a lot of experience with buy-here-pay-here dealerships. They always sell used cars and they always include an as-is clause in the purchase contract. This means that despite anything they told you verbally, in writing you agreed to buy the car despite the issues it may have.

That said, if you have any documentation (documents, a recorded phone call, etc.) where the dealer said they would fix the car, they could have set a precedent for an implied warranty on the vehicle. Usually these buy-here-pay-here dealerships are disorganized. Sometimes they will be running good software like AutoPal Software http://www.autopalsoftware.com that will help them keep track of all the interactions they have had with you, but usually this isn't the case.

The greatest skill these places have is stopping you from talking to a decision maker. If you actually bring a law suit against them then you will be able to get to that person every time. It will cost a little in order to put together the paperwork and have a process server deliver it to the dealership, but most buy-here-pay-here dealers aren't rich and it will scare them to actually go to court. It should put you in a far better position to get this worked out.
 
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