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Cash for Clunkers - Does it Work for You?

2742 messages,  Last post on Oct 24, 2012 at 7:17 AM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying, Legislation

Edmunds Cash for Clunkers Calculator
 
I Traded My Clunker and Bought a....?

Messages Page 273 of 275

#2713 of 2742 Re: Pension [sandman_6472] by isellhondas

Aug 21, 2010 (10:00 am)

Replying to: sandman_6472 (Aug 21, 2010 8:43 am)
Your profile says 2005 but I remember at least one sandman from way back. Are there more than one "sandman"?
 
I think I started here in 1996 when the forums were newly established.
 
A lot of people have come and gone since then.

#2714 of 2742 Sandman by sandman_6472

Aug 21, 2010 (11:21 am)

That was me...had a problem with my login back in '05 so had to start a new profile. Once my kids showed me to operate a computer & surf on the internet, I found Edmunds & was hooked. Now, I'm here on a daily basis & love the forums. Lots of friendly folks with great advice & stories...much like a family but we only know each other by what we post...good or bad! Seriously, this is my favorite website on the web.
 
The Sandman

#2715 of 2742 Re: Sandman [sandman_6472] by isellhondas

Aug 21, 2010 (1:58 pm)

Replying to: sandman_6472 (Aug 21, 2010 11:21 am)
OK, I didn't think there were 6472 different sandmen.

#2716 of 2742 Only 2 by sandman_6472

Aug 21, 2010 (3:03 pm)

Only me & my son here.
 
The Sandman

#2717 of 2742 What it means now. by euphonium

Aug 30, 2010 (9:53 am)

"Cash for Clunkers" took a lot of his stickers off the road so when I see an Obama placard today it is recognized the driver is taking responsibility for his mistake.

#2718 of 2742 Reducing Emissions by sandman_6472

Aug 31, 2010 (4:15 pm)

And reducing emissions while increasing mileage so we can be less dependent on foreign oil...a good thing for America! So we all win!!!
 
The Sandman

#2719 of 2742 CARS Scam by rabelleville

Sep 10, 2010 (9:07 pm)

This will make your hair stand on end. On August 11, 2009, I went to a local Mercury dealership, L&B Lincoln Mercury in Babylon, NY, to inquire about trading my car in for a better gas mileage SUV. I gave them all required paperwork - insurance card, registration, title, etc. The sales person informed me the car I was trading in - a 1995 Mercury Cougar - qualified for $4,500 under the CARS program. After hagling for a better price, I was told that they were not going lower since they were giving me $4,500 from the Government and 0% interest on the remainder of the loan. I told them the $4,500 had nothing to do with negotiating a better price, but they weren't budging. That should have been a sign for me to leave right there, but I figured I should take the $4,500 and be happy.
 
On August 14, 2009, I went to pick up my car, but they needed my registration, insurance, etc. and wanted to verify AGAIN that my car qualified for the CARS program. I was told AGAIN it was. After going over all the paperwork, I was reading the Bill of Sale and noticed it said - Dealer Install - $350. I asked what this was and they pointed out on the left side of the BoS that it was for the Tow Hitch. I was ticked that they charged me for it after they said they would throw it in. Mistake number 2.
 
After signing the BoS, I was just about to get my copy and leave when a guy came out of the dealership and said there was a typ-o on the Bill of Sale. I looked at the price (didn't change), my name and they type of car I was buying. I signed it and left.
 
Here's where the story really gets interesting. In April of 2010, I received a call from the dealership in which they said that the car was denied by the federal government and that I owed them the $4,500. I went to the Better Business Bureau (who responded), Department of Consumer Affairs (who also responded), my legislator (who responded), Senator Schumer (who has yet to respond), Congressman Bishop (who has yet to respond), and my states Attorney General's Office (who also has yet to respond).
 
Apparently, what L&B did was the old bait and switch. When the guy came out stating there was a typ-o, they removed where they mentioned the tow hitch and put a clause in there that states (yes, there is a typ-o in what they wrote) - Dealer Installed: BUYER SHALL INDEMNIFY DEARERSHIP FOR ANY DEFICIENCY FINANCIAL OR OTHERWISE PERTAINING TO THE FEDERAL CARS ACT.
 
This was never explained to me. Thus, they took me to small claims court demanding the $4,500. I stated my case and even pointed out to the judge that L&B's representative, Ira Bernstein, showed a document they submitted to the federal government clearly showing my car DID NOT qualify. Thus, they new it did not qualify and wanted to move inventory. The arbitrator stated to L&B "do you think you deserve everything? What about the trade in value of the car?" The arbitrator also mentioned that I should pursue Federal Appeals Court. That indicated that I would lose. Lose I did. Not only did the arbitrator grant the whole $4,500, plus the destruction value of my car, they also mention interest! Interest? There was no interest rate associated with the decision.
 
I am now going to an attorney to find out what I can do. In my opinion, this is FRAUD!

#2720 of 2742 Re: CARS Scam [rabelleville] by mikefm58

Sep 12, 2010 (1:01 pm)

Replying to: rabelleville (Sep 10, 2010 9:07 pm)
I don't see what the issue is. They told you it qualified, you signed the BofS with the "typ-o" to reimburse them if it doesn't, you didn't qualify. With what the paper work says, you lose.
 
I'm curious to see what an attorney can do, keep us informed.

#2721 of 2742 Re: CARS Scam [rabelleville] by kernick

Sep 13, 2010 (9:40 am)

Replying to: rabelleville (Sep 10, 2010 9:07 pm)
Of course they knew that a small Mercury Cougar - whether it was the 4 or 6 cyl. wasn't going to qualify when you go to an SUV. You should have been able to look that up yourself also, if this is a true story.
 
Anyway here's my advice to you next time, or anyone in the future - if someone pulls some sort of fraud - even a "legal" one like this on you, don't try and get justice from the legal system. At this point you need to decide whether you get Soprano-like with the guy. Explain to him that your vehicle has been surging, and is dangerous, and you'll bring it down to see if he can check it out ...

#2722 of 2742 Re: CARS Scam [kernick] by jeffyscott

Sep 13, 2010 (11:04 am)

Replying to: kernick (Sep 13, 2010 9:40 am)
1995 Cougar was not small and had a V8 available, rated at 18 mpg according to fueleconomy.gov
 
Cougar was not small (again) until 1999.

Messages Page 273 of 275

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