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

[lfinney]

What customers are not realizing is they are in fact signing paperwork that states that they have provided correct paperwork and they qualify for the program. It is not the dealers responsibilty alone to determine that. All consumers should have been asked to signed a certification sheet provided by the cars programs (not made up the dealer) when the deal is done. This paperwork states you agree UNDER PENALTY OF LAW that you have met the qualifications including the 12 months of insurance and registration. If the consumer signs this paperwork and doesn't have the 12 months of registration how is that the dealers fault?
The dealer REALLY would prefer to have the deal done and each consumer driving the new cars but if they can not get the money because of a fact that they did not know when the deal was done then the consumer must take responsiblity for the paperwork they signed.
Did you signed the deal certification from the CARS system? If so, you stated that you had 12 months insurance and registration. If you didn't and it was not on the paperwork you provided how was the dealer to know...?

 

[chris (blog)]

I did not sign any certification. The dealer looked at all of my original paperwork and said everything was fine. They then later said they thoguht there was a problem since my last registration showed it started less than 2 years before the expiration date (registrations are 2 years here). I have a cancelled check showing I paid DMV well before expiration of the prior but that is still about 6 months before the "start date" they printed on the new one. The dealer said that this would cause CFC denial. I do not know why the discrepancy but also don't know why this was brought up after they closed the deal and had me drive away. Again, I am NOT saying the dealers are assholes (just using the term from a post above), just that they said everything was fine, and that if any issue arose that I would absolutley not be involved - then changed their story. I do want things to work out and hope this is all in error. If not, as I said above, I will try to seek a mutually acceptable solution. In the event the car does go back, I will do everything in my power to make sure there are no scratches, dings or stains (also from a post above).

 

[Finally got mine!]

Chris - I used the CARS program to purchase a new car. I'm not a dealer, but I agree with everything the dealers have said here. You must submit all of the paperwork and it must meet the requirements OR you DO NOT qualify.

You may be able to clear this this up with a call to your DMV. The dealer CAN'T do this for you. I had my 2007 & 2009 registration card, but not my 2008 card. I had read all of the CARS info and knew it would be a problem when a dealer submitted the paperwork. I proactively called the DMV [at the state level] and they were more than happed to fax me a letter stating that my registration was in effort for the full time with no lapses. Problem solved - both for the dealer and for myself.

You are responsible for ensuring the paperwork is correct. If you are sure there was no lapse (I was positive of it) YOU can probably correct this with a phone call and make both yourself and the dealer very happy.

 

[John Quinn]

"Finally Got Mine" is absultely spot-on, as is Lori Finney. But now it's a question of "time." Dealers have until 8:00PM Eastern tonight to submit valid claims. If the dealership spotted and lapse in registration and could not submit the original voucher, and the issue cannot be corrected in the next couple of hours, then there's little hope a voucher will be granted.

 

[jj14268]

Chris-
without a signed certification form the dealer cannot submit for reimbursement. the form is called a Summary of Sale and Certification form. If you signed it, you are certifying under penalty for fraud that you meet all the criteria for the program. You may want to bring that up to your lawyer. The dealer is not required to verify all docs are compliant, they are only required to submit your documents to the govt for review and hopefully approval. Not only is the dealer within their right to cancel or reverse your sale, they are REQUIRED to report any and all fraud. I would talk to the dealer and forward the entire law, which is available on the cars website, to your attorney.

 

[jj14268]

can anyone get on the submission site?

 

[Alex Snyder (blog)]

DealerRefresh realizes that a whole lot of consumers (more than the those who are leaving comments here) are finding this thread. We just want to say that you should not be confused by the NHTSA's claim that the program ends at 8:00 PM EST today because that does not mean dealers will be taking your Clunker deal till that time. 8:00 PM EST is the time dealers have to have everything reported in order to make sure you receive your rebate. It takes time to process these transactions and we are already seeing the system crash again. Most dealers ARE NOT accepting anymore deals at this time - be sure to check with yours before visiting.

Within the Checkered Flag Auto Group our mileage varies by store:

BMW, MINI, smart, Jaguar, Audi, Porsche: not accepting anymore.

Hyundai & Volkswagen: only accepting till 2:00 PM EST.

Toyota, Scion, and Honda: accepting till 5:00 PM EST.

 

[kleigh]

West Herr Auto Group in Buffalo, stopped taking deals at midnight on Saturday.
Full Staff Sunday and Today, just to register the deals.
Government Site Down again for registration since 11:30am.. No Stress!!!!!

 

[jj14268]

only two left to do, but no website is frightening...

 

[KP]

368 Deals in...1 to go. Waiting for the stupid site to get back up and running so I can submit our last deal and go home.