Legal Question in Consumer Law in North Carolina

lied to by car dealer

I bought a used SUV from a local used car dealership for 1500.00. The car was purchased AS-IS. There was a specific converstation with the salesperson/owner concerning the transmission. His response was that it was ''fine''.

8 days later, it began to leak fluid. I took it to a trasmission specialist, who said it needs to be rebuilt, approx 1200.00. The newspaper ad for this reads: 4x4, ac, automatic, dependable. This is not dependable. Also, it did not have an air conditioner. (not that it was broken, it was not even there). Is this false advertising? Thanks.


Asked on 1/06/04, 2:51 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jim Griffin The Law Office of James L. Griffin

Re: lied to by car dealer

The trouble here is you purchased "As Is." Despite the fact that that you had a conversation with the salesman about the transmission and he replied "fine." When you purchase "as is", you have the responsibility to have it checked out on your own. Same with the ad-ac. Once you looked at the vehicle and noticed there was no ac-you could have either confronted the dealership about the ad or said nothing. At this point in time I do not believe it would be seen as false advertising as much as a possible clerical error.

However, if you could show that the transmission was temproarily fixed to hide the leak, you may be able to obtain at least partial relief.

If you are interested in information on how to never be at the mercy of slimy salesman or vague contracts again and be able to obtain legal information BEFORE making a financial committment, please e-mail me at:

[email protected].

Jim Griffin

Attorney at Law

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Answered on 1/06/04, 8:36 pm


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