Who are you dealing with & what are you waiting for?
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We are very proud of our website. Since it’s inception over ten years ago as the first site dealing specifically with lemon law and breach of warranty rights, we have provided information to more than 20 million visitors. We have been recognized by many organizations for providing comprehensive and useful information to both distressed drivers who already have a lemon car and potential car-buyers who are looking to buy a car without being taken for a ride.
That being said, it often surprises us when folks reach out to us for assistance and information, and then proceed to tell us that they think they will be able to handle it on their own through the dealership. That would be okay–if the dealer was the defendant, but they are not. In most cases, dealerships have NO authority to offer a consumer a buy back or an MSRP to MSRP swap (not a trade, but a swap). In addition, most consumers have
**NO access to the manufacturer’s legal counsel. Sure, you can call the customer service hotline and receive a case number, but what does that mean? And, who are you talking to on the other line? In most cases, this is a pacifier.
**NO true knowledge of the last chance letter we frequently see on websites. Consumers should not send a last chance letter on their own. Why are you only giving the consumer one last chance to fix the problem, when there is no guarantee that you will get a new car or buyback. This is a law; it is not a guarantee. Plus, you are creating a hostile environment between you and the dealership. You need to speak to a lawyer first before issuing such a letter.
**NO access to technical service bulletins, recalls, or case study to determine if the problems you are experiencing are common among the masses. Plus, law firms offer ASE-certified experts who will write expert reports on cars and their conditions–at NO COST TO THE CONSUMER.
**NO ability to enforce the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act. Yes, dealers are required to discuss the Lemon Law with you when you purchase a car. But, if your problems fall outside the lemon law provisions, ask them about the Mag Moss and they will stare at you like you are speaking another language? Do you think the dealer is going to offer you thousands of dollars to reflect the diminished value of the car? No and they are not required to. If you have a car with 50,000 miles on it, what can a dealer do for you? An oil change, a monthly payment, at the most an extended warranty, but you are entitled to SO MUCH MORE.
Our goal is to educate you about your rights so that you will enforce them if you need to. However, the beauty of these laws is that they offer provisions which put you on EQUAL FOOTING with the billion-dollar manufacturers? These provisions provide completely free legal help, either through us or another Firm. Take advantage of them. Let those who are more knowledgeable help you. I can’t tell you the number of folks who tried to do this on their own, failed, and then virtually voided their rights. If you are going to fight, make sure you have someone in your corner who knows how to battle. OK, I’m stepping off my soapbox now.
A quick programming note for viewers in the Delaware Valley–Craig Kimmel will be discussing the 2008 Car Complaint Index and the Center for Auto Safety’s Best Bets tonight on the Fox 29 News at 5.