Legal Question in Consumer Law in Massachusetts
my contract was altered after i signed it
I just bought a car, which we have not
yet picked up. I signed a contract
between me and the car dealership.
The only figure on the contract was
the price that we were told by the
salesman includes taxes, registration,
plates, etc... I was given the carbon
copy of that contract. When I received
the financing papers between me and
the bank, the figures had changed.
Unfortunately, I did not notice and
signed the paper work to finance with
the bank for a greater value than I
thought. When I returned the
following day to ask about the
mysterious extra amount, I was given
a photocopy of my original contract
with the car dealer (already signed by
me, the sales man and his mannager)
with extra figures for tax, registration,
etc... My carbon copy only has the 3
signatures and the single figure that
we were told included everything. The
dealership added the extra figures
without telling us on a document we
already signed. We probably would
never have seen the altered contract if
we had not asked. I understand that
the financing papers with the bank is
binding. My question is ''is my contract
that was altered after the parties have
signed it binding?''
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: my contract was altered after i signed it
Is the finance contract more, because it is based on their interest added?
With that being said, you also stated that the dealership added extra costs to your contract, after being signed? If the copy of the contract you retained does not include those costs, I would suggest that you file a complaint immediately with the attorney general/consumer regulator, with a copy of the contract you retain and the altered contract by the dealership. Good luck!
Sincerely, Maria Murber
Re: my contract was altered after i signed it
It is unclear to me what the damages are as a result of the altered contract. If you believe the altered contact fails to reflect your agreement, there are a few steps that you need to take. Contact me so that we can discuss this.