What is Cash for Clunkers (C.A.R.S.) Doing for YOU?

[jj14268]

amen kp

 

[chris (blog)]

Yes, I am working closely VERY with my dealer. I am not looking to screw anyone over and am just trying to make sure everyone is happy with the outcome. They did indicate that they were also working with DMV and will supply me a "hotline" number to call. I did not sign any "Summary of Sale and Certification" so it sounds like that is an issue that will prevent them from submitting even if the registration is cleared up! Not good! I guess all of this then becomes a moot point and we will have to work towards a mutually acceptable outcome. Really, the difference between the book value of my trade and the $4,500 isn't THAT much, so the gap is all we will have to agree on handling, I would think. As for FRAUD, there is nothing that I did that would qualify. All documents I supplied were original. I did not sign anything that was not accurate either. The only reason I even checked with a lawyer is to know where I stand IF things get very ugly. It is NOT my intention to use any potential loophole of how this deal transpired to "pull a fast one". I just subscribe to the principal of "hope for the best, plan for the worst". Just like dealers are pointing out that they are not the bad guy, please understand that not all consumers are bad guys either.

 

[jj14268]

totally understood, but i'm just stressing the facts. The govt is not holding dealers liable for non-compliant paperwork. and if you didn't sign a sale summary form, you don't have a cars deal anyway. sounds like the dealer will have to take your car in trade for market value or nobody wins.

 

[LIZ]

I WENT TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON SUN. AUG 2ND TO TRADE IN MY 1994 FORD EXPLORER UNDER THE CARS PROGRAM. THE DEALERSHIP SUBMITTED ALL MY PAPERWORK ON MON. AUG 3RD AND IM STILL WAITING TO HEAR IF I WAS APPROVED. I HAD MY DAD COME WITH ME TO TALK TO THE DEALER THAT FOLLOWING WEEK TO SEE WHAT WAS TAKING SO LONG AND THEY SAID THERE STILL WAITING. THIS DEALERSHIP ALSO WILL NOT LET YOU LEAVE WITH THE NEW CAR UNTIL YOU ARE APPROVED AND THE REFUND IS AT THE DEALERSHIP. MY FEAR IS THAT I WAIT ALL THIS TIME AND THEY REJECT ME AND I DONT GET THE NEW CAR. I KNOW ALL MY DOCUMENTS THAT I SENT IN WERE ALL SET AND I HAVE NO LAPSE ON ANYTHING. BUT I NEED THIS NEW CAR BEFORE THE SNOW COMES BECAUSE MY 94' FORD EXPLORER WILL NOT BE SAFE TO KEEP DRIVING. LITTLE THINGS ARE STARTING TO BREAK DOWN AND I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND I NEED THEM IN A SAFER CAR. IS THERE ANY OTHER CUSTOMERS WHO ARE STILL WAITING TO GET THERE NEW CAR. PLEASE LET ME KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE.

 

[jj14268]

liz
the dealer is required to let you take possession of your new vehicle. they cannot send you home without it. if you signed all of your paperwork and you are positive you meet the requirements they have to give you your vehicle.
also, if they sent you home in your "clunker", they are in violation of the rules of the program and you can report them. they have to have the "clunker" in their possession before thay can submit the application.

 

[LIZ]

JEFF,
THATS EXACTLY WHAT MY FATHER TOLD THEM WHEN WE WENT DOWN TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THE GUY WHO IS DOIGN THE PAPERWORK ON THE CASH FOR CLUNKER DEALS TOLD US THAT IT REALLY IS UP TO THE DEALERSHIP SINCE THEY ARE THE ONES WHO ARE PAYING MONTHLY ON THERE INVENTORY THAT THEY WOULD BE LOSING ALOT OF MONEY IF THEY LET THE CARS GO AND THEN THEY COME BACK REJECTED. AND EVERYTIME I CALL THEY ALWAYS SAY THEY HAVENT GOTTEN ANY REFUNDS BACK YET BUT EVEYTIME I PASS BY THE DEALERSHIP THERE ARE MORE AND MORE CARS GONE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

 

[jj14268]

hi liz,
this is from the CARS website:
IF THE DEALER HAS THE NEW CAR IN STOCK, THE DEALER MUST ALLOW YOU TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THE NEW CAR BEFORE THE DEALER MAY SUBMIT THE CREDIT APPLICATION TO THE GOVERNMENT. PLEASE REPORT ANY DEALER TO NHTSA THAT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO TAKE POSSESSION OF A NEW CAR PURCHASED UNDER THE CARS PROGRAM. PLEASE CALL THE CARS HOTLINE AT (866)-CAR-7891.

The dealer says that I should take my trade-in car home after I sign the purchase agreement for a new car under the CARS program, and that I can pick up my new car after the dealer is paid by the government. Can I do this?

NO. The dealer must take title to and possession of your trade-in vehicle in order to submit a credit for reimbursement under the CARS program. You may not keep possession of your old car.
You have rights under the program. If the dealer is registered, they are supposed to play by the rules. I would suggest letting the dealr know (nicely) that you know your rights, and the rules, and suggest to them that all the other people waiting for their cars know the law too. Let them know that you are bringing your clunker back in and taking your car home so the dealer doesn't get into trouble.

 

[Finally got mine]

I was in the same situation in July. We waited over two weeks. You should call the dealer and tell them that you want to schedule a pick up date today OR you will be calling the hotline number immediately. He is sure to have more than your deal to lose and there are fines he could incur.

My dealer scheduled our pick up within 30 minutes of my call to him. We picked up our car mid-August

 

[jj14268]

I've been unable to log on for 3 1/2 hours. has anyone had any luck??

 

[kleigh]

it was up for a few moments then crashed again.