California Lemon Law
The California Lemon Law, also known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act and the Tanner Consumer Protection Act, aims to protect Californian residents from being sold defective products. Few things are more aggravating than having to take a product back to the manufacturer or dealer for repair after repair. A car lemon is especially upsetting because it could lead to missed days at work and difficulty navigating day-to-day life. Yet local laws can cover anything from puppies and computers to motorized scooters and computers, in addition to vehicles.
Through five easy steps, consumers can file a California Lemon Law complaint with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org. First, state and vehicle make will be requested. Then, name, phone number, email and address will be requested. Consumers are also asked if they are being represented by lemon law lawyers. Feasibly, one could do both because only the Better Business Bureau can alert other consumers looking to do business with that unscrupulous manufacturer or dealer. Legal help is usually the best way to actually win the case quickly, however, since many lawyers only get paid when the cases are successful. After this step, the BBB will ask consumers for additional vehicle information and dealer information to complete the process.
The best place to start with car lemon negotiations is with a law firm specializing in California lemon law. For instance, the Law Offices of William R. McGee is a well-known place to find lawyer help in California. This lawyer has been seen on news stations and billboard ads across the state and their website says they’ve successfully won over 9,000 cases. “We settle over 99.7% of our cases, most with zero fees and never any money due up-front to start your case,” says their website. “All of our cases are on a contingency basis, eliminating financial risk to our clients.” When the case is won, the law fees are paid by the manufacturer. Consumers can contact them at 1-800-225-3666 or at experts4u@aol.com.
There are some pitfalls to the do-it-yourself approach. First, some consumers dealing directly with the car manufacturer may unknowingly settle for less than what they’re entitled to. Manufacturers often offer a “buyback” deal and then resell the vehicle to another unknowing customer, without any disclosure! Secondly, if the vehicle is actually unsafe and dangerous or if the vehicle has been tampered with, the consumer may be entitled to additional compensation, rather than simply receiving a trade-in. When manufacturers sense the heat, they often try to put out the fire as quickly as possible, taking advantage of the consumer’s desire to put this matter behind them. In the process, the consumer may wind up with another automobile lemon off the lot and will not receive their full rights under the California lemon law. For this reason, many people opt for legal advice on the matter.
Rene Lacape has been in the insurance industry for several years now and he has been a proficient worker in this field already. If you need anything about insurance, you can give him a call or visit his website anytime.