Legal Question in Consumer Law in Ohio

trading in a car to buy a car

went to a small car dealer to buy a car= 2, wanted to trade in my car=1. my car=1 still had a balance owed on it. the dealer took the car=1 in on trade talked with the dealership of the other car=1 and got the payoff. about 2 months and 2 payments later on the new car=2. i got a call from the dealership of car=1 stating car=1 never got payed for and i'm 3 months behind on payments now. the auto dealer that sold me car=2 still has the car and won't tell the other dealer where the car is at.


Asked on 7/26/00, 1:28 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony DeWitt Bartimus, Frickleton Robertson & Gorny, PC

Re: trading in a car to buy a car

This frequently happens when car dealers go broke. You need to contact the Attorney General's office of consumer protection and you might also call the Sherrif of the county where you live and report the incident. To take possession of a vehicle under false pretenses can be criminal in some jurisdictions, and the dealer may have broken the criminal law.

In the future, make sure your name is on the check paying off any car. Sign the check and send it yourself to the dealer. That way you don't wind up in a problem like this one.

You may need to contact a local attorney if the situation does not resolve itself since the dealer who has been harmed may seek legal action against you.

Read more
Answered on 9/12/00, 4:36 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Consumer Law questions and answers in Ohio