HELP!! I think I'm gettin screwed.

**Caveman** · 12-01-06, 03:26 PM

A week ago today I traded in my truck at the local Dodge dealership.
I had a 99 Dodge 2500 4X4 diesel that I purchased used about 4 years ago at another local Dodge dealership. It appeared to be in excellent shape, it had a clean title and carfax. The dealership told me that they give each used vehicle they sell a thorough inspection before they sell it.. Great I thought.
I’ve been driving it for the past 4 years, no problems with it
Last week I decided to look at a new (used) 2004 truck that I saw advertised at my local Dodge dealership.
They gave me the deal that I wanted, as far as what they gave me on trade for my old truck and what I purchased the new one for. I was happy.

Well today I get a call from the dealership telling me that when they did an inspection of my trade in they discovered that my old truck had prior frame damage, and it wasn’t worth what they gave me on trade for.
What kind of bullshit is this???

I haven’t got this cleared up yet but I have a feeling that they want me to pay them the difference of what they now say my old truck is worth. WTF?? I’m sure that there is some fine print somewhere that covers their ass regarding this otherwise they wouldn’t have contacted me.

This is total B.S…. I took good care of my truck while I had it. I never wrecked it nor had any problems.
It had been in the shop a few times for lift an alignment and front and rear end service. The mechanics never mentioned that the truck looked like it had been wreaked.
I owed a small amount on my old truck in which they already paid off, and the new one has been title transferred to my credit union so as far as I am concerned it’s a done deal… F’em.
Fuken scam artists.

Opinions?

**Virginian** · 12-01-06, 03:31 PM

I'm no lawyer, but it sounds like their problem now!

**Michelle** · 12-01-06, 03:38 PM

If its already a done did deal, papers signed, they already paid off the remaining loan on the trade in, I wouldn't think they could legally get any more money from you.

I bought a Firebird from a used dealership last year here in California. They said that once I signed the paperwork, that they were not obligated to take the car back and it was being sold to me as is.
I forget what that new law is called, but use to be you had so many days to change your mind - not anymore.

**I_Pack** · 12-01-06, 04:03 PM

I'd have to agree, the deal is done, papers are signed, the truck is now in your name, and the old one is not. I'm no lawyer but legally, I believe they have no leg to stand on.

**Ducky** · 12-01-06, 04:05 PM

I'd say that they should have done the inspection BEFORE they accepted it as a trade in, but you're right, there's probably something in the fine print. Is it enough of a difference in price to talk to a lawyer about it?

**Virginian** · 12-01-06, 04:06 PM

May as well say "sorry!" and see what happens, right?

**Michelle** · 12-01-06, 04:22 PM

Maybe one of their inspectors took it for a joy ride and damaged it. That would be my first thought.

Yep, they should have inspected it before they gave a trade in value, made a deal and signed the papers.
That's how it's always done by dealerships here that I have dealt with.

**Pedro56** · 12-01-06, 04:52 PM

I agree with it being their problem. When I bought my 06 Daytona, I met with the sales manager and straight out told him I wanted the Orange Daytona with these options and this is what I am going to pay, no more, no less (unless he offered less) So we went back and forth a bit and he agreed, and I ordered the Daytona 5 minutes after Dodge released them for order. So, we agreed, and signed a contract, I put down $200 dollars and off I went, driving away in my 94 Dodge Ram. 4 days later I get a call from the owner of the dealership and he tells me he can't get me the car for the price we dealt on. So I told him bullshit we had a deal, and I got a lawyer (who happened to be my partner at the time). He told me 10k more and he would sell it to me. We went back and forth and after he realized that I didn't order the SRT-8 he fealt like an ass and let me add a few options ot my car. Dealers are asses at times.

**OFK** · 12-01-06, 04:53 PM

Tis what happens when you buy a certified pre-fucked car.

**Caveman** · 12-01-06, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by Michelle

Maybe one of their inspectors took it for a joy ride and damaged it. That would be my first thought.

I thought about bringing that up...

They had their shop guy go out and look it over and test drive it before we made the deal. He told me that it was a nice truck and it looked like I've taken good care of it.

I wonder what they would tell me if... a week after I purchased the truck I went back to them and told them that I found the same rig at another dealership for 3k less and I feel I paid you guys to much.
Do you think they would say "Yea we feel bad, heres 3 grand of your money back."

They would tell me to go pound sand, a deal is a deal.

Car dealers have been screwing people over for years. Granted you need to watch your own ass when you deal with them A-holes.
Now that they feel like they got a bum deal I'm supposed to feel bad...

I think not....

**Ducky** · 12-01-06, 07:09 PM

If their guy gave it the thumbs up, then it's on them. You got it with a clean history, you never had a wreck in it, and suddenly AFTER giving it the all clear, they find problems. If they try to make you pay the difference, I'd raise holy hell and contact a lawyer, and possibly the Better Busines Bureau. You may not be the first they've tried this with.

**markw76** · 12-01-06, 07:21 PM

As much of that crap that used car salesmen have been sticking consumers with over the years, they deserve one incoming once in awhile. Check carfax again. If its still clear, send them a copy and tell them it was that way when you bought it too. If you don't hear back, they were trying to bully you. Its probably not worth their money to pursue it further, especially if the repair was done correctly. The difference between a properly repaired vehicle and an undamaged one is a few hundred bucks at most, on average. You can experiment with Kelly online to see what effect it has. Around my parts, you're only liable if you reasonably should've known it was repaired and failed to disclose it. Oh, and I'm not a lawyer, so if you quote me, thats your problem!

**Vendetta** · 12-01-06, 07:45 PM

Im sure it varies from state to state but a few years ago I had a friend trade in his wife's Subaru. It wasnt an all wheel drive but she had been rear ended and they put a used trunk lid on it that had an AWD emblem on it. Well my friend never thought about it and they called him after the trading raising hell because they found out it was only a front wheel drive and the blue book price was quite a bit different.
His reply to them....."Well I didnt realize it at the time but now that you told me about it....................Hows it feel to get fucked like you guys have been doing to people for year?" and he hung up the phone and never heard from them again

**BEB** · 12-01-06, 08:16 PM

Did they describe the damage or provide any pictures? Even if there is damage - it's only their allegation at this point - it may well be a design defect.

Even if A) the damage is real and B) they do have the fine print on their side, I'd do some research to see if this is something common to your '99.

Could be some commonly cracked crossmember that they're calling frame damage. If it is a known issue, tough for them - a Dodge dealer should know to look.

--BEB

**Retmilleo909** · 12-01-06, 08:24 PM

Charlie, I'd tell them to go piss uo a rope...When you trade or sell a used vehicle you sell it as is and without a warranty.
Here in Georgia when a person goes to a dealership or used car facility and trades their used vehicle for a new or later model one the sales person jacks up the price of his/her car and the buyer gets screwed and gets practically nothing for his/hers.
The best thing for the individual vehicle owner to do is to run an ad in the local paper and sell their car/truck outright.
Most dealers and sales people will tell you this, as they hate to put used vehicles in their inventory, especially during the latter part of the year.

**jmur5074** · 12-01-06, 08:53 PM

I'd say it's their problem

Charlie, at least they made their mistake on your deal, and not the guy before you.

I bet they won't do that again.

**OffDuty** · 12-01-06, 11:08 PM

Car dealers are on the same plane with defense attys. and firemwn who think their job is harder than ours. BS!

Screw them. Paperwork is done, signed and no longer yours- their problem now. They know that they are trying to put some heat on you to see if you flex and so they can soak you more. If it came down to legal action, there is nothing they can do, and they just dont expect you to know it.

**Coloradocop** · 12-01-06, 11:09 PM

I'd say you're fine... their problem.

Obviously car sales aren't the same as real estate, but having recently purchased a house, I just had a thought:

In a real estate transaction you are required to provide full disclosure of the material defects on the property that you are selling that are actually known to you at the time of the sale. You didn't know about the frame damage, therefore this isn't your fault/problem... The dealership could have checked the vehicle out before they bought it from you on the trade.

Additionally, if that wasn't enough... I sincerley doubt that the burden of ethics is nearly as strict in car sales as it is in real estate. And, most of the laws that I've heard of relating to car sales (and I'm no expert on this subject) impact dealerships selling to private parties... not private parties selling to dealerships (after all, selling cars isn't your business).

So, unless you signed contractual documents that give them the right to reverse this sale, I'd just smile and be happy that for once things worked in your favor at a car dealership

**BigDawg** · 12-02-06, 11:00 AM

Well actually not many people know about this but there is a federal law for certain purchases. If Im correct it involves any deal where a contract is signed, ie car purchase, home, or anything financed. Its basically called a "three day recission(sp) law".

its basically to protect the consumer who buys something then later regrets it, they are allowed three days to get out of the deal. Now lets say it also goes to the dealer in this deal, not sure if it does or not. But if they contacted you After three days, then they have no legg to stand on. They may try to bully you etc, but there isnt anything I kow of that they can legally do. They checked the vehicle, they accepted the deal by signing the paperwork, they paid yours off, etc. The deal is done. Its now their problem, which means its someone elses problem when they sell it.

**Caveman** · 12-02-06, 12:50 PM

Well I guess that I have nothing to worry about now.
The dealer called me this morning and said that they were able to whole sale my trade in for what they put into it. They also said they hope there is no hard feelings… Right!!, only cause it worked out…

Thanks for the great input everyone…..

That’s why I love it here…