Hazel
Apopka,#2Consumer Comment
Fri, July 02, 2004
Jill - Unfortunately, you learned a hard lesson. We learn lessons when purchasing a new car. Most of the time, when we get screwed in car deals it's our fault because we gave the dealer the upper hand by not being informed. I don't think you really have an out in this situtation since you signed an agreement and your signature on the agreement is a binding contract. For now, you may only owe them $500, but they can come back at you later for the remaining $1000 if you didn't get a written statement from them stating they would reduce your down payment from $1500 to $500. Watch out. When you buy next car, make sure to test drive the car before you agree to buy it. I think you made a mistake in not doing that and I hope for your sake it doesn't come back to bite you. Also, DON'T sign anything until the terms are exactly the way you want them. The deal isn't "done" until you sign the papers. Verbal promises, as you have learned, mean nothing if its not backed up in writing. You should have walked away. Then they would have come back with a new contract showing the zero down they promised. Plus, when you look at the numbers, take a calculator with you and make sure everything adds up to the price you agreed upon. Sometimes dealers will say something costs one thing and then write something else on the paperwork, always to their benefit to make a bigger profit. They know most people won't call them on it because they want to hurry up and drive off the lot in their new car. Dealers have all sorts of dirty tricks. It's up to us to uncover them all. Yeah, it's a pain, but it could be a difference in saving you thousands of dollars on your new car in the end. Would you rather keep that money or just give it to them? Hope next time you really take your time when purchasing your new car to make sure you always come out with the upper hand.