I bought a new car with cash and a week later, the dealer called to say they made an error in the contract, and I owe them $1,250 more. My check has already cleared, and I have the car in my possession. I asked them to redo the contract. They said no, and that I need to bring them the difference. What do you think?
-- Mic
Dear Mic,
You need to read your contract carefully. If the contract clearly states what you owe for the transaction, and that price is what you paid with your check, then the dealer probably doesn't have a leg to stand on. But, it may not be that cut and dried.
Let's say, for example, that your contract states a specific price for the car, which is the amount you wrote your check for. But, it also calls out a fee of $1,250 for some additional service. In this case, you may be obligated to pay that fee, even if the dealer didn't attempt to collect it from you initially.
It's in a situation like this where things can get dicey. If you weren't told about the fee or it was somehow buried in the contract, then you may be able to argue it. But, whether that argument will stand up in court depends largely on the way the contract is written.
Look at your contract carefully. If you feel you weren't rightfully charged the extra $1,250, then talk to the general manager of the dealership and possibly even the regional manager who oversees that store to see what can be done.
If you have a car question, e-mail it to us at Driving for Dollars.