Legal Question in Consumer Law in Washington

Is contract binding?

My wife and I purchased a new Toyota. We traded in our Jeep. We had buyers remorse after extreme hard sell and tried to return car next day. We wanted our Jeep back. Dealer said no. A month has gone by and they have now discovered they do not have my signature on the contract only my wife's. Do I have any recourse? Or can they process the loan without my signature based on wife's income? We filed bankruptcy in 2006. We have 2 children. They gave us only $8000 for our Jeep we bought from them for $12,000.


Asked on 1/05/07, 1:21 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Elizabeth Powell ELizabeth Powell PS Inc

Re: Is contract binding?

Washington is a community property state, so a contract signed by one spouse is effective against the marital community and the other spouse.

Is the dealer now contacting you demanding that you sign the contract? Based on how you say he's treated you, I could hardly see you leaping to help him out. (and I would not blame you either).

They can process this loan based on the fact that you are married to the person who signed it.

Sounds like what you would really like is more $ or your Jeep back. In WA, there is no 3-day right of recission in auto sales, contrary to popular myth, only in sales which happen at your home. So no, you cannot use their unfortunate oversight as leverage, for a whole host of reasons.

But why would you ever buy a car from them again?

Hope this helps. Powell

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Answered on 1/05/07, 8:53 pm


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