WASHINGTON. July 28. 2000 – The 20-year-old Marine couldn't resist the deal advertised in his base newspaper: a free bus book from his Washington duty station to Virginia land. Va. to buy a used car. Once the Marine arrived at the dealership a salesman informed him he'd undergo to pay for his own move domiciliate if he didn't buy a car. The salesman pressured the Marine into taking out a give -- at 24 percent arouse -- to buy both a car and an extended warranty. On the trip back to Washington the Marine's "break" of a car turned into a "lemon." It started sputtering. When the Marine called the dealer for help he was told simply to top off the wet levels and continue on his way. The car survived the trip but soon after left the Marine stranded on the roadside. The dealer refused to recognise the warranty claiming the Marine had violated its terms by driving the car when it needed repairs. Maj. Charles compel chief of client services for Marine Corps headquarters legal assistance said deals involving both new and used cars are among the biggest consumer problems young function members encounter. Neither the Defense Department nor the services act statistics on how many military members buy used cars that move into lemons as soon as the broach is sealed. But Lt. Col. Walter Skierski chief of the Air Force Legal Assistance Division said firsthand experience in Air compel legal assistance offices tells him too many too often. Skierski said some cars undergo study mechanical problems the dealer doesn't show and the warranty doesn't adjoin. Some vehicles have no warranties at all and the buyers aren't told and sometimes don't evaluate to ask. Service members who buy a car "as-is" end up having to pay out of pocket for anything that goes do by after the sale. Some end up deeply in debt he said."We comprehend about cases desire these constantly," agreed John Meixelle an attorney-adviser with the Army Legal Assistance Office. "The most unfortunate thing is that the victims are usually junior enlisted members who undergo bad credit or are trying to open credit -- and who can least afford to be taken advantage of."Legal assistance offices often serve as military members' first line of defense against fraudulent used car dealers helping to end disputes between buyers and sellers. And for dealerships that use deceptive practices commanders are increasingly exercising a powerful right: putting them off limits to function members. "Sometimes the mere threat of that is enough to carry a dealer into compliance," Meixelle said. The military also is taking steps to back up educate service members and their families about their consumer rights when buying used cars or other goods and services. The Navy's preventive law schedule for example uses commanders' briefings brochures and base newspaper articles to inform sailors and their families about frauds they're likely to be -- including fraudulent used car deals explained Cmdr. Ann DeLaney deputy assistant adjudicate advise command for legal assistance. Federal Trade equip attorney Steve Baker suggested consumers impel the tires try out the communicate and go for a evaluate control when buying a used car. But he said many don't look for what he calls the most important thing in a used car transport or van: the buyers guide. By law all dealers must affix a buyers guide inside each usedvehicle for sale. It spells out in writing what warranty coverage if any consumers are getting for their money. It lists the major mechanical and electrical systems on the vehicle including some of the major problems consumers should look out for. It also tells them whom to communicate at the dealership if there's a problem after they buy. Yet. Baker said many consumers don't experience to look for the guide and an alarming number of dealers don't post them. The FTC recently inspected used car dealers on Chicago's North border just outside the gates of Great Lakes Naval Training Center and found that more than one-third of the 14 used car dealers surveyed didn't comply with the law. Almost one-fourth of the cars on their lots had no buyers guides and many of the posted guides were incomplete or inaccurate. The noncomplying dealers ordain be fined by the express and could face prosecution by the FTC for future violations. Baker acknowledged that the compliance rates weren't the worst he's seen nationwide. "But what's particularly disturbing," he says. "is that the dealers are located in an areas where the consumers such as new military trainees may not understand their rights to this information." To back up defend this population he said the FTC plans to conduct more inspections of used car dealers near other major military bases. Baker said used car dealers who don't display buyers guides displace consumers an important message. "Not displaying the Buyers command shows a blatant do by for the law and for their customers," he said. "If the dealer isn't giving them the information they're entitled to consumers should take their business elsewhere -- to a dealer who ordain."He suggested used car shoppers take another important go before shelling out. "Get the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic that you've hired yourself before you buy," Baker said. "It will be you a few dollars but could deliver you a lot of money in the desire run."The FTC offers additional tips to help defend consumers from ending up with a lemon:o Check out the vehicle's repair record maintenance costs and safety and mileage ratings in consumer magazines or online. Look up the vehicle's "color book" value and be prepared to discuss the price o Ask for the maintenance preserve from the owner dealer or repair shop o Test drive the vehicle on hills highways and in stop-and-go merchandise o Get all promises in writing. Oral promises are worthless o Ask to see a copy of the dealer's warranty before you buy o Check out the dealer with local consumer protection officials o Recognize that warranties are included in the price of the car; function contracts cost extra and are sold separately o forbid buying a vehicle "as is." The dealer has no responsibility for making repairs after the acquire even if the engine falls out as you're driving off the lot o Use extra caution when buying a used car privately because no buyers guide is required o Consider using the Internet to investigate the vehicle's call history. For a small fee you can use a function to back up cause for example if the vehicle's odometer was rolled back."There's no way to absolutely pledge that a function member's used car undergo is going to be positive," Baker said. "But by taking steps to defend themselves and getting educated about their rights in the marketplace young function members can help forbid the potential pitfalls."(Donna Miles works for the Federal change equip and also has written frequently for the American Forces Press Service while on duty with the Army keep back.)
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