In a recent court case, Ford was required to back back a lemon car and to pay back to the consumer the amount that the selling dealer increased the actual purchase price in order to pay off the consumer's trade in. That's a first.
Called "negative equity" by car dealers, it can mean that your trade in vehicle isn't worth what you owe on it. Some dealers hide the numbers by jacking up the sale price without really telling the consumer what is happening. Other dealers aren't telling the truth about the trade in value in the first place. Either way, it can cost you money.
Now, the courts are recognizing that when that shiney new car turns out to be a lemon, then the manufacturer shouldn't be allowed to rip you off again by deducting the so-called "negative equity" amount from the money they have to refund. That's only fair. After all, if they had built it right in the first place, you wouldn't be in that spot.
That's good news for consumers, certainly, but the problem goes deeper than that. Before you go to the dealer's lot, check online to find out what your trade in is really worth. Then, argue for the highest dollar when you are negotiating on the dealer's lot.
And don't let them hide the number with some excuse like "oh, don't worry, we'll pay it off for you." Know the numbers; that's the one thing car dealer's don't want you to know and there's a reason. The less you know, the more they make off you.
It's your money, so don't waste it.
You read more car dealer terms and what they mean by clicking here to read our Car Dealer Dictionary.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Known nationwide as a leading Lemon Law attorney, Ronald L. Burdge has represented literally thousands of consumers in "lemon" lawsuits and actively co-counsels and coaches other Consumer Law attorneys. From 2005 through 2018, attorney Ronald L. Burdge has been named as the only Lemon Law Ohio Super Lawyer by Law and Politics magazine and Thomson Reuters Corp., Professional Division. Burdge restricts his practice to Lemon Law and Consumer Law cases. The Ohio Super Lawyer results are published annually in the January issue of Cincinnati Magazine. Ronald L. Burdge was named Consumer Law Trial Lawyer of the Year 2004 by the National Association of Consumer Advocates, the nation's largest organization of consumer law private and government attorneys. "Your impact on the auto industry has been magnified many times over because of the trail you blazed for others," stated NACA's Executive Director, Will Ogburn. Burdge has represented thousands of consumers in Ohio, Kentucky and elsewhere since 1978 and is a frequent lecturer to national, state and local Bar Associations and Judicial organizations. Burdge is admitted to Ohio's state and federal courts, Kentucky's state courts, and Indiana's federal courts. Other court admissions are on a "pro hac" temporary, case by cases basis.