Auto dealer dilemma.Q I purchased a new minivan, [however], I did not ask how much each option cost. After several attempts, I [spoke] to the salesman and he told me that he eliminated the destination fee and only charged $200 over dealer's cost. The bottom line: These options were not itemized, and [my research shows] I was overcharged by $1,000. Do I have any legal recourse? --A. Davis Brooklyn, NY A It looks like you're in a bit of a conundrum conundrum A problem with no satisfactory solution; a dilemma . On one hand, you may seek recourse by filing a complaint with the Attorney General's Office Bureau of Consumer Fraud in your state. Typically, once the paperwork is reviewed, both parties are contacted and a mediation mediation, in law, type of intervention in which the disputing parties accept the offer of a third party to recommend a solution for their controversy. Mediation has long been a part of international law, frequently involving the use of an international commission, process takes place to settle the dispute. You may also want to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org). On the other hand, "when things are verbally said, nothing is set in stone. Once the final agreement is done, it is a binding agreement," says Darius Griffith of the Consumer Fraud and Protection Bureau of the New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of State Attorney General's Office (www.oag.state.ny.us; 800-771-7755). Otherwise, "they should have signed a purchase agreement or installment contract installment contract n. an agreement in which payments of money, delivery of goods or performance of services are to be made in a series of payments, deliveries or performances, usually on specific dates or upon certain happenings. which would list prices for the [options in question]," says Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) was founded in 1970 by Consumers Union and Ralph Nader as a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying group focused on the United States automotive industry. (www.autosafety.org) in Washington, D.C. "There should also be a window sticker that will have the manufacturers suggested retail price. Sometimes, there's even a supplemental sticker to list the options." Nonetheless, get your paperwork in order and file the complaint today! Mail your consumer empowerment em·pow·er tr.v. em·pow·ered, em·pow·er·ing, em·pow·ers 1. To invest with power, especially legal power or official authority. See Synonyms at authorize. 2. questions to Ask Your Advocate, BLACK ENTERPRISE, 130 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10011 or send an e-mail to sykest@blackenterprise.com. |
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