Thread: Utah Mamas--car buying questions for my dd

If you want to hear my long story, it's here. If you want to skip to my questions, they're at the bottom. Thanks!

My stepdaughter recently moved to Salt Lake City. Her car promptly died, and she had to buy one in a hurry this weekend. After a bad dealership experience Friday night, I found her a car on the internet. She went to check it out on Saturday and spent about 7 hours at the dealership, trying not to get ripped off. It was bad--when she got there, the $12,000 car was suddenly $17,000. When they agreed to sell it at the advertised price, they insisted that the only loan she could get (despite the fact that they offer competitive rates on their website and she has perfect credit) was at 14%, with a $900 origination fee. At that point, I arranged a loan with 6.95% and no origination fee online, and called them. They then said that the $12000 price was wrong; it was really $13000. I again referred them to their website. They insisted she get insurance through them--$600 compared to the $400 I had already arranged for her. Again I was on the phone with them. Then her cell phone died. They insisted she sign papers immediately or leave. She had finally been told to expect tax, title, etc. to add up to about $1500, and her total should be about $13500, but when she went to sign the papers, the were charging $14,900. She signed anyways because she has to have a car to get to work Monday and she's too young to be able to rent a car and she has no friends there yet. (Her job is 1/2 hour north.)

So my biggest question is about VTR (vehicle theft registration)--is this required?

They insist that it is, but I can't find anything online that says it is required. They charged her $399 plus tax for this. As far as I know, they haven't done anything to the vehicle for this (ie. etched the windshield) I'll call tomorrow to see if we have any recourse for this, but I doubt it.

Thanks for any insight!

My DH is in the car industry biz and he says no, it's not required. She also has 3 business days to return it, even if she did sign papers. Where did she get it from?

Thanks, Amorette. It was one of the Ken Garff dealerships in the SLC area. She really loves the car and wants to keep it, but the whole deal was just bad. Their policy is that one can exchange, but not return, within three days.

kutv.com - Get Gephardt: Can you return a car?

I think she is out of luck

Thanks, Robin.

She doesn't want to return it; I'm just upset about how bad the experience was, and that they told her (and me) things are required by state law that are not. I wasn't impressed that when she arrived, the price was $6,000 more than stated on their website, but that's your basic unethical practice. Saying things are required by state law that are not is another whole ball of wax to me.

yes, I think you have grounds under fraudulent statements as well as bait and switch. I would certainly mention that to them when you call!