Used Hyundai and Rebates

[jetskiscott2]

What is the name of your state? California

I went to a dealer to buy a NEW Hyundai Accent that was in the Saturday paper. It was $8400 minus a 500 Loyality Rebate (I qualify for the rebate since I'm a current Hyundai owner).

While signing the finance agreement I was told that the car would have to be sold as a used car since it was purchased last week, but returned because someone's financing fell through. I was okay with that since it only had 700 miles on it and it was a good deal. My question is about the 500 rebate that I received. (BTW, I used the rebate towards my downpayment that totaled $1,700) How can I get a rebate on a used car? It is my understanding that rebates are for new vehicles only, not used.

Is it possible the dealer will catch its mistake and take the rebate from the deal and leave me with only a $1,200 downpayment? Could they do this even when I have a signed contract? Before I left the dealer my bank (finance company) wrote them a check for the remaining balance of $7,500.

No one can backout on a contract once it is signed unless both parties agree, correct?

Thanks and Happy Holidays

 

[cjbrown929]

When you did the paperwork, was there a rebate "certificate" that you had to sign?

Was the car advertised as new? What about the license and registration? Theoretically, it should have been paid.

Most importantly, was the car represented as new until you got in the finance office?

 

[jetskiscott2]

When you did the paperwork, was there a rebate "certificate" that you had to sign?

No, I just looked through my paperwork again. I didn't sign anything in regards to a rebate. The only indication that I got a 500 rebate is on the Retail Installment Contract in the 'Manufacturer's Rebate' section.

Was the car advertised as new? What about the license and registration? Theoretically, it should have been paid.

I paid 130.00 dollars for 'License Fees'. The Registration/Transfer/Titling Fees is left blank.

Most importantly, was the car represented as new until you got in the finance office?

Yes, the car was advertised as new. When I went to the finance department they wrote the paperwork as a used car. The guy that bought the car last week (same advertised special, same vehicle) had to return it because his financing fell through. I'm totally fine buying this car as used. I'm just worried that they [the dealer] will call me up and want to omit the 500 dollar rebate and rewrite my contract thus increasing the amount financed.

 

[cjbrown929]

This is potentially a very bad situation...for the DEALER. The only thing they have going for them is that you are generally happy with the car.

I am checking with some people who also wanted me to ask, did the car have a (used) buyer's guide on it and/or did you sign one at the time of purchase? It would be in your packet of papers along with the contract etc.

While I know you are happy generally, there may be several issues that might affect you unless they are resolved between the dealer, the dmv, and yourself.

Let me know about the buyers guide.

PS If the dealer contacts you and wants you to resign (that is, sign a new contract with worse terms), you can refuse without any penalty, ie you return the car and get ALL your money back.

 

[jetskiscott2]

This is potentially a very bad situation...for the DEALER. The only thing they have going for them is that you are generally happy with the car.

Yes, I like the car. It's for my son and a great deal for us.

I am checking with some people who also wanted me to ask, did the car have a (used) buyer's guide on it and/or did you sign one at the time of purchase? It would be in your packet of papers along with the contract etc.

There was no used buyer's guide in the vehicle or stuck in the window. The only paperwork I have that has the word 'used' on it is the Retail Installment Sale Contract.

While I know you are happy generally, there may be several issues that might affect you unless they are resolved between the dealer, the dmv, and yourself.

Let me know about the buyers guide.

PS If the dealer contacts you and wants you to resign (that is, sign a new contract with worse terms), you can refuse without any penalty, ie you return the car and get ALL your money back.[/QUOTE]

 

[jetskiscott2]

Something I found on the net about the Buyer's Guide you were talking about.

In addition, the buyer should examine the Buyers Guide, which by federal law must be displayed on the window of any used vehicle for sale. The Buyers Guide will indicate if the dealer is offering any written warranty on the car, or if the car is being sold "as is"--without any warranty. It is legal for a car to be sold without warranty so long as this is clearly stated in the Buyers Guide. The Used Car Rule of the Federal Trade Commission provides that it is deceptive for any used car dealer to misrepresent the mechanical condition of any used car, to misrepresent the terms of any warranty offered on a used car, or to represent that a used car is being sold with a warranty when no warranty is in fact provided.

 

[cjbrown929]

You are entitled to receive the balance of the warranty that came with the car (what, 10yr/100,000mile and 5yr/60,000mile?), so for a car with 700 miles, it's probably not a big deal

By law, the car was required to have a buyer's guide on it. Moreover, because the dealer advertised it as new, he should've posted a notice declaring a mistake in the ad.

Did you sign and receive a copy of the buyer's guide?

At the Toyota/Nissan/Hyundai lot I worked at, the actions of your dealer would've caused GRAVE consequences, especially if the dmv was alerted...

 

[jetskiscott2]

You are entitled to receive the balance of the warranty that came with the car (what, 10yr/100,000mile and 5yr/60,000mile?), so for a car with 700 miles, it's probably not a big deal

Yeah, that's the warranty for it.

By law, the car was required to have a buyer's guide on it. Moreover, because the dealer advertised it as new, he should've posted a notice declaring a mistake in the ad.

Did you sign and receive a copy of the buyer's guide?

No, I never signed a buyer's guide.

At the Toyota/Nissan/Hyundai lot I worked at, the actions of your dealer would've caused GRAVE consequences, especially if the dmv was alerted...

Yes, I might contact the DMV in a few days. I don't understand why I paid 130 dollars in 'license fees'. It seems to me that I should only pay for transfer fees of about 15 dollars.

 

[cjbrown929]

Even though the car was verbally disclosed as used, California law requires it to have a (used)buyer's guide on it disclosing its status. You as the buyer would be required to sign the BG and receive a copy.

California's DMV has an investigative arm with some pretty big teeth (amazing, huh, to find a gov agency that actually protects the consumer?)

This dealer seems so clueless about very basic stuff (ie misrepresented car in ad, only disclosed used status in finance office, no buyer's guide etc), I would contact the DMV office of investigations.

I will emphasize that the dealer has problems, not you, and that the office is VERY consumer oriented. If you desire to keep the car, they can make sure it is done properly. Depending on what the investigator says, you might consider finding an attorney to sue the dealership.

 

[jetskiscott2]

Even though I'm happy with the deal, I'll contact DMV Investigations in regards to the registration costs and any other items they might be 'interested' in.

 

[cjbrown929]

Jetski: any developments of interest in your case?

 

[jetskiscott2]

I mailed a complaint to the DMV about the false advertising and the registration fees. I haven't heard anything yet.

 

[jetskiscott2]

I received my registration and plates in the mail from the DMV and found that this vehicle was originally sold in May 2005 (my reg is valid from May/05-May/06) and not Nov/05 - Nov/06 as it should have been.

The dealer was obviously aware they were falsely advertising this vehicle as 'new' in November if they had sold it previously in May. I filed a complaint with the BBB about the false advertising. I requested a refund of 6 months registration costs since I was led to believe I was paying for a full year at the time of the sale. The dealer refunded me 50 percent of my reg fees to resolve the BBB complaint. I'm happy with the resolution.

 

[cjbrown929]

I received my registration and plates in the mail from the DMV and found that this vehicle was originally sold in May 2005 (my reg is valid from May/05-May/06) and not Nov/05 - Nov/06 as it should have been.

The dealer was obviously aware they were falsely advertising this vehicle as 'new' in November if they had sold it previously in May. I filed a complaint with the BBB about the false advertising. I requested a refund of 6 months registration costs since I was led to believe I was paying for a full year at the time of the sale. The dealer refunded me 50 percent of my reg fees to resolve the BBB complaint. I'm happy with the resolution.

And so are we...thanks for update.