Quick Contact

News

• CONSUMER WATCH: The downside of voluntary repossession
• Misrepresentation costly for Norfolk dealership
• National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration Releases Annual Crash Predictions
• LifeSmarts Competition
• Advocates, dealerships cheer car-inspection bill's demise
• USED-VEHICLE PURCHASE
• Inspection bill put on hold by Sen. Norment
• Car-Dealer Measure Is Pulled
• Virginia Independent Automobile Dealers Association Meeting
• J. Smith v. Casey Chevrolet, Circuit Court of Newport News, Virginia:

more >

Library

• Virginia Lemon Law
• Auto Fraud
• Credit Fraud & Identity Theft
• General

more >

Case Results

• Virginia Lemon Law
• Virginia Lemon Law - Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act
• Virginia Lemon Law Cases
• Lemon Law Case Results With Chrysler Vehicles
• Lemon Law Case Results With General Motors Corporation
• Lemon Law Case Results With Ford Motor Company
• Auto Fraud
• Richmond Dealer Guilty of Fraud, Punitive Damages Awarded
• Dealership Found Guilty of Fraud in Sale of BMW
• CAR DEALER ORDERED TO PAY $140,000 + FOR FRAUD, CLAIMS POVERTY
• Auto Fraud Case Results
• Charlie Falk Auto Wholesale, Inc. Pays Judgments
• Settled Case - Auto Fraud
• Settled Case - Prior Wreck Auto Fraud
• Automobile Fraud
• Auto Fraud - Settled Case
• Car Dealership Pays Over $114,500 For Fraud In Selling Wrecked Vehicle
• Misrepresentation costly for Norfolk dealership

more >

TEN TOP TIPS FOR CAR BUYERS: By Remar Sutton

Here are 10 tips for car buyers, as written by a nationally known consumer advocate, Remar Sutton. Remar Sutton is president and co-founder with Ralph Nader of the non-profit Consumer Task Force for Automotive Issues. For more helpful tips, see his book title Don’t Get Taken Every Time.

TEN TOP TIPS FOR CAR BUYERS
By Remar Sutton

1. SLOW DOWN. Speed in the automobile transaction is a very dangerous thing.

2. JOIN A CREDIT UNION. Negotiating skills aren't needed at most credit unions. You generally receive the lowest price you qualify for on automobile loans. Find a credit union using the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) service.

3. BUDGET BEFORE YOU SHOP. Know what you plan to spend on a car before you begin to shop. Want help developing a budget? Read "How Much Car Can I Afford?"

4. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Sellers can't tell you if the cars they sell are unsafe or mechanically unreliable. To check out vehicles use noncommercial sites such as the Center for Auto Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

5. DON'T DEAL WITH DEALERSHIPS THAT REQUIRE YOU TO SIGN A MANDATORY ARBITRATION AGREEMENT. Call dealerships before you visit them. Want to know more? Read Why You Shouldn't Buy a Vehicle From Any Seller That Requires a "Mandatory Binding Arbitration Agreement".

6. DON'T BUY ON YOUR FIRST VISIT. All dealerships want to sell you the first time you're there. Why? They make more if you don't shop.

7. NEVER LEAVE A DEPOSIT UNTIL THE SELLER HAS AGREED TO YOUR PRICE. Sellers want your deposit so you can't leave.

8. DON'T FALL FOR "SPOT" DELIVERY. You know: take it home "on the spot," the first time you've seen the car. Spot delivery means your emotions, not your pocketbook, are ruling the transaction.

9. STOP THE TRANSACTION IF YOU FEEL PRESSURED OR CONFUSED.

10. REMEMBER THAT THE PRICE OF THE NEW CAR ISN'T WHERE SELLERS MAKE MONEY! Many dealers will sell you a car for "cost" but still make thousands on you.