tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56037945537054164832024-08-30T08:51:02.035-07:00Lemon Law InformationUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-84013065900748532302007-08-16T01:07:00.001-07:002007-08-16T22:28:28.299-07:00California Lemon Law1793.2. (a) Every manufacturer of consumer goods sold in this state and for which the manufacturer has made an express warranty shall:(1) (A) Maintain in this state sufficient service and repair facilities reasonably close to all areas where its consumer goods are sold to carry out the terms of those warranties or designate and authorize in this state as service and repair facilities independent Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-78267403077600584852007-08-16T00:44:00.002-07:002007-08-16T00:45:31.355-07:00You think you have a “lemon” – who do you call first?Many vehicle problems can be identified and repaired by your franchised dealership right from the start, or by the 2nd visit. Sometimes a visit with the Service Manager at the 2nd visit can result in a potential repeated problem being resolved right away. Other times vehicles have a chronic problem (or problems) that despite repeated visits to the dealership (not to mention countless days in the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-69476772411802249832007-08-16T00:44:00.001-07:002007-08-16T00:44:46.776-07:00Lemon Law AttorneysGoing up against the “automobile giants” can be a daunting task, often met with intimidation and misinformation being dispensed to the consumer. Lemon Law attorneys serve a valuable function in the Lemon law and should be consulted early on when the consumer suspects that their vehicle is turning out to be a “lemon.” An experienced Lemon Law attorney can provide valuable information and guidanceUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-88679556647179723332007-08-16T00:43:00.002-07:002007-08-16T00:44:13.320-07:00The “lemon lawsuit” – taking it to Court?All too many consumers are under the impression that in order to have their vehicle repurchased or replaced under their state’s Lemon Law, they must “go to court.” This is far from the fact. “Going to court” is the “last resort” when all other means of “settling” a case have failed. Consumers also use the term “court” and “win” in the same sentence. While “winning” at court case is the desired Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-51965997007759804892007-08-16T00:43:00.001-07:002007-08-16T00:43:32.858-07:00How your car dealership can contribute to the problemOne of the key documentation elements to a Lemon Law case is the “repair order” and “invoice.” Most states’ Lemon Laws use the number of times you visited the dealer to get a particular defect corrected in determining whether a vehicle qualifies as a “lemon.” Dealers can create a problem by what is known as the “open” repair order. An example of this is when a customer has a “repair order” Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-14439658095364217472007-08-16T00:42:00.001-07:002007-08-16T00:42:57.475-07:00Turning frustration into “time well spent”For most Americans, their vehicle is one of their largest monetary investments and reoccurring monthly payments. Protecting equity in that investment is why Lemon Laws were written in the first place. To turn frustration into “time well spent,” take the frustration and put it to use. If you think your vehicle is, or may turn out to be a “lemon,” start with the basics: paperwork. Find and Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-61063478774093688792007-08-16T00:41:00.000-07:002007-08-16T00:42:19.281-07:00Automobile Manufacturer’s “solutions", “offers” and “releases”The consumer will often call the manufacturer’s “customer assistance center” or other facility offered by the manufacturer via an “800” number to “assist” in resolving the customer’s request for help, or a repurchase or replacement vehicle under their state’s Lemon Law. It is vitally important to know that these “assistance centers” are staffed by people who are typically recording your Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-84724045364114713152007-08-16T00:40:00.004-07:002007-08-16T00:41:33.743-07:00ArbitrationArbitration, or “third-party dispute resolution,” is a process that allows the manufacturer’s agent and vehicle owner to “state their case” to an “unbiased” 3rd party, called an “arbitrator,” in an attempt to resolve the consumer’s Lemon Law claim for a repurchase or replacement of the “lemon” vehicle. First, the requirement for arbitration must be established. Each state has its requirement (or Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-38739920336589177102007-08-16T00:40:00.003-07:002007-08-16T00:40:55.948-07:00The “Trade Assist” and other car dealership practices to “help” customers “get out” of their “lemon” vehiclesVehicle owners not familiar with the Lemon Law will often seek the help of their selling dealer in resolving their “lemon vehicle” situation, asking the dealer to “take back” their defective purchase. Here the car dealer can take potential advantage of the customer when the customer is most frustrated – and often at their weakest. The “trade assist” facilitated by the selling dealer is typically Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-83848602318670823512007-08-16T00:40:00.001-07:002007-08-16T00:40:20.774-07:00“Warranty Repair History” - What it is, why you need it, and how to get it.All too often in the excitement of the “new car experience,” consumers do not retain records of their warranty repair visits, only to be frustrated later when their vehicle turns out to potentially be a “lemon”. Sometimes this is as easy as asking your servicing dealer for copies of your warranty repair invoices – or sometimes not. Today’s automobile manufacturers and their dealerships are Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-1992906268275766322007-08-16T00:39:00.001-07:002007-08-16T00:39:33.566-07:00Multiple repairs during warranty, but now vehicle is now out of warranty –Many consumers have vehicles that have repeated repairs that take place during the period covered by the manufacturer’s new vehicle limited warranty only to see the same problem re-surface shortly after the warranty has expired. Many states’ Lemon Laws can offer the consumer protection for vehicles that appear repaired but the same problem(s) comes back again. Contacting a qualified Lemon Law Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-84100519236127729932007-08-16T00:38:00.001-07:002007-08-16T00:38:59.238-07:00Complaining to your Dealer – time well spent?It is very common for a consumer with problem new vehicle to go to their dealer for help, more often than not with the notion “you sold it to me, you fix it” as the basis for the dealer providing a solution to their problem. Consumers will often go to the owner, manager or other “high level” personnel for assistance and answers. It is important to understand that in the case of Lemon Laws, the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-75272315547817401432007-08-16T00:37:00.000-07:002007-08-16T00:38:24.760-07:00Manufacturers’ “Certified” and warranted used vehiclesIn today’s highly competitive automobile retailing business, manufacturers are boosting the desirability of their used vehicles by offering “Certified Used Vehicles.” These are vehicles that come with a written warranty directly from the vehicle’s manufacturer. These vehicles can qualify for Lemon Law protection just like a vehicle that is purchased or leased “new.” A qualified Lemon Law Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-33019349245424460902007-08-16T00:35:00.000-07:002007-08-16T00:36:22.817-07:00Your New Car Warranty and the Lemon LawYour new car warranty is a written promise by your vehicle’s manufacturer to repair your vehicle without charge to you if found to be defective in materials or workmanship for the covered components/systems during the designated period. Your new car warranty is not a Lemon Law, but rather a promise to repair any component or system that does not conform to the manufacturer’s New Vehicle Limited Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-5286383266449306012007-08-16T00:34:00.000-07:002007-08-16T00:35:18.609-07:00Your vehicle’s warranty book “instructions” on the Lemon LawWhen you purchased or leased your new vehicle, it came with a warranty book or other printed pamphlet on what steps to take in resolving complaints you have with your vehicle. These “steps” are designed to “assist” the customer in resolving their complaints. Consumers should be aware, however, that these “steps” are often what the automobile manufacturer suggests, and not necessarily what your Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-8474237182520376262007-08-16T00:32:00.002-07:002007-08-16T00:33:22.009-07:00Is my vehicle a Lemon?Finding out if your vehicle is a “lemon” is full of potential traps. Automobile dealerships and their personnel can’t tell you if your vehicle is a “lemon”, as they are not attorneys and don’t know the law. The auto manufacturer isn’t going to tell you if your vehicle qualifies under your state’s Lemon Law, as the phone representatives within their “customer assistance centers” are not attorneysUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-88505120642948575652007-08-16T00:32:00.001-07:002007-08-16T00:32:25.912-07:00What defines a vehicle as a “Lemon”?The consumer’s definition of a “lemon” may be a vehicle that just spends too many days in the dealership’s shop, or the same problem happening over and over again, or just a lot of different problems, spoiling the “new car experience.” Under Lemon Laws, vehicles must meet specific criteria, which varies from each state. It’s typically triggered by a specific number of repair attempts, a specific Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-348318677201986182007-08-16T00:30:00.000-07:002007-08-16T00:31:53.657-07:00Why Lemon Laws were EnactedUntil the passage of Lemon Laws in the United States, it was nearly impossible for a consumer to force an automobile manufacturer to replace a defective or unsafe vehicle. Auto manufacturers would just have their dealers repair the offending vehicle again and again, or worse yet, just tell the customer “they are all like that” or that the problem “could not be duplicated.” The enactment of LemonUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-91312166702963180352007-08-16T00:29:00.000-07:002007-08-16T00:30:33.171-07:00Automobile lemon lawState lemon laws offer protection for buyers of new cars, trucks, motorhomes, and motorcycles. State lemon laws provides different options to the consumer and manufacturer.For cars and trucks that qualify under a states lemon law, the manufacturer must offer to replace or repurchase the offending “lemon” vehicle. The qualifications and restrictions regarding "replacement" vehicles will vary by Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5603794553705416483.post-2322362451082892952007-08-16T00:05:00.000-07:002007-08-16T00:06:49.984-07:00What is a “Lemon Law”?Each state has it’s own “Lemon Law.” In simple terms, a Lemon Law is a law that requires an automobile manufacturer to repurchase or replace a vehicle that has not been properly repaired within “a reasonable number of repair attempts.” What is “a reasonable number of repair attempts” is typically measured by how many repair attempts there have been for the same problem, or by the total number Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0