Car Dealership Complaints
This is an example of someone with a Consumer Complaint who made an appointment to see me. Results Vary.
I was ripped off by a car dealership.
Have you ever felt cheated by a car dealer? I have, and I want to share my story with you. Maybe you can learn from my mistakes and avoid falling into the same trap.
It all started when I decided to buy a used car. I had been saving up for a while and I wanted to get a reliable vehicle that would last me for years. I did some research online and found a few models that seemed to fit my needs and budget. I also checked the reviews of some local dealerships and found one that had a good reputation and a lot of positive feedback.
I went to the dealership with high hopes and expectations. The salesperson greeted me warmly and showed me around the lot. He seemed very friendly and knowledgeable, and he answered all my questions patiently. He showed me a car that matched what I was looking for: a 2015 Honda Civic with low mileage, good condition, and a reasonable price. He said it was a great deal and that it had been inspected and certified by their mechanics. He also said it came with a warranty and a free oil change.
I was impressed by the car and the salesperson's pitch. I decided to take it for a test drive. The car ran smoothly and felt comfortable. I liked how it handled and how it looked. I was ready to make an offer.
The salesperson took me to his office, and we started to negotiate the price. He said he could give me a discount if I paid cash or financed through them. He also said he could throw in some extra features like floor mats, window tinting, and a GPS system. He made it sound like he was doing me a favor and that I was getting a bargain.
I agreed to his terms and signed the papers. He congratulated me on my purchase and handed me the keys. He said he would call me when the car was ready to be picked up.
I was so happy and excited that I didn't notice anything wrong until later. When I got home, I looked at the papers more closely and realized that I had been ripped off.
The salesperson had added several fees and charges that he didn't mention before, such as documentation fee, delivery fee, dealer prep fee, and environmental fee. He had also inflated the interest rate on the loan and extended the term to 72 months instead of 60. He had also lied about the warranty and the oil change: they were not included in the price but were optional services that I had to pay extra for.
I felt angry and betrayed. I tried to call the dealership to cancel the deal, but they said it was too late. They said I had signed a binding contract and that I had no right to back out. They said they would sue me if I didn't pay them.
I didn't know what to do. I felt trapped and helpless. I had been scammed by a car dealer who took advantage of my trust and ignorance.
I decided to seek legal advice from a consumer protection lawyer. He told me that I had been a victim of fraud and deception, and that I had grounds to sue the dealership for damages. He said he could help me get out of the contract and get my money back.
He filed a lawsuit against the dealership on my behalf. He argued that they had violated several laws and regulations, such as the Truth in Lending Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Magnon-Moss Warranty Act, and the Consumer Fraud Act. He also presented evidence of their dishonest practices, such as falsifying documents, misrepresenting facts, hiding fees, and inflating prices.
The lawsuit took several months to resolve, but it was worth it.
I was relieved and satisfied with the outcome. I got justice for myself and for other consumers who might have been cheated by the same dealership. I also learned a valuable lesson: never trust a car dealer without doing your homework first.
The New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act (CFA) provides a powerful civil litigation remedy for consumers who have suffered losses due to fraudulent practices from car dealerships. Plaintiffs can bring suit to recover their losses, as well as treble damages and attorneys' fees, for violations of the CFA. The law prohibits a wide range of deceptive and unfair
New Jersey Lemon Laws
The NJ Lemon Law is a consumer protection law, implemented in New Jersey to protect consumers who have purchased vehicles with defects. The law protects individuals who purchase or lease new motor vehicles that are found to be defective and cannot be repaired within a certain number of attempts. If a vehicle meets the criteria outlined by the lemon law, customers are eligible for either