The Consumer Action Handbook

4
● Some car manufacturers
may be willing to repair
certain problems without
charge even though the
warranty has expired.
Contact the manufacturer’s
zone representative or the
dealer’s service department
listed on page 68 for assistance.
● Keep copies of all paperwork.
● Some states, cities and
counties have special laws
that deal with auto repairs.
For information on the
laws in your state, contact
your state or local
consumer protection
office (page 72).
Buying a Car: New or Used
● Comparison shop.
● Research options by reading
Consumer Reports
(www.consumerreports.org),
Popular Mechanics
(www.popularmechanics.com)
and Motor Trend
(www.motortrend.com) for
performance, service, and
safety ratings. Visit
www.autoweb.com,
www.autovantage.com,
www.carpoint.com or
www.autobytel.com to get
quotes and purchase online.
● Don’t buy on impulse or
because the salesperson is
pressuring you to make a
decision.
● Read and understand
every document you are
asked to sign. Do not sign
anything until you have
made a final decision to
buy.
● Handle your car trade-in,
purchase, and financing
as three separate transactions
to get the best deal
on each.
● Shop in advance for the
best deal in financing at
your credit union, bank or
finance company. When
you finance a car, the
finance charge must be
stated as an Annual
Percentage Rate (APR).
● Compare their Annual
Percentage Rate and total
finance charge with financing
offered by the dealer.
● Look at the total cost, not
just the monthly payment.
● Get a written price quote
before you talk about your
trade-in or dealer financing.
● Don’t take possession of
the car until the financing
paperwork is final.
● Avoid high-profit, lowvalue
extras sold by dealers,
such as credit insurance,
extended service
memberships, rustproofing
and upholstery finishes.
You do not have to purchase
credit insurance in
order to get a loan. See
credit insurance, page 15.
● Check the complaint
records of car dealers with
your state or local consumer
protection agency or
Better Business Bureau.
● Read the “Buyers Guide”
sticker required to be displayed
in the window of
the car. It gives information
on warranties, if any are
offered, and provides other
information.
● If the “warranty” box is
checked off on the
“Buyers Guide,” ask for a
copy and review it before
you agree to buy the car.
Buying a New Car
● Evaluate your needs and
financial situation.
● Tes t drive several models
before you make a final
choice.
● Find out the dealer’s
invoice price for the car
Recalls
If you plan to buy a used car, truck, or other consumer product -- from a dealer, private individual,
thrift or other retail store, or over the Internet -- check to be sure it hasn’t been recalled for safety
reasons. Contact the appropriate Federal agency below, using the contact information beginning on
page 113.
● Cars - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
● Drugs, medical devices - Food and Drug Administration
● Food - U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration
● Seafood - Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
● Toy, baby, and play equipment, household products - U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission
Recalls are also posted regularly on the FCIC website: www.pueblo.gsa.gov