I got RIPPED OFF by a dealership!!

[keatoncruiser]

Hey everyone,
I've loved the PT Cruiser for years, but I've never owned one until now. I always wanted a low mileage later model convertible, and this past saturday I found the car I wanted. It was advertised on the website of a very reputable dealership 2 hours from my home. It was a 2006 Touring Edition convertible. The ad stated that it was a 1 owner car with only 10,000miles. It also stated that it was a Turbo, with leather seats, optional chrome wheels, A/T, etc. It sounded perfect, and it looked like new in the photos. I made the trip down to look at the car, and I ended up buying it. They were asking $12,000, but I got it for $10,500. I thought this was a good deal for a practically new Turbo convertible. After getting home and doing some research online, as well as reading through the owners manual...I had some doubts that it was actually a turbo. A visit to my local Chrysler dealer this morning confirmed it...my car is NOT a turbo. It has the standard 2.4 engine. Needless to say, I was not happy. I paid for a Turbo PT Cruiser, which is what the ad says...but that's not what I got. The dealership basically told me "tough luck". They said I should have discovered that BEFORE I bought the car. They did admit that the online advertisement was "an oversight" on their part, but there's nothing they can do for me now. He told me the fine print at the bottom of the ad protects them from guys like me that find things wrong with a car after they buy it. There's nothing "wrong" with the car...it just isn't the car that was advertised.
To show me what nice guys they are, they offered to take it back as a trade in while they look for me another PT Cruiser. I'm a newbie to PT Cruisers...I didn't know to look for a turbo emblem on the back. I just assumed their ad was correct and that I was getting a Turbo car. I like the little car, but I don't like getting ripped off. They refuse to take the car back, and they refuse to make it right in any other way. What would you guys do??? Should I just keep the car and forget about having a turbo? Is $10,500 a fair price for a like new Touring Edition convertible? Should I call a lawyer? HELP!!!

[PuterChickFL]

Honestly, I don't think a lawyers is even remotely the answer. These type of things happen all the time I'm sure (and they knew to protect themselves with the fine print from little things like this). I say keep what you have. I think I have the basic one and I'm loving it (hell, it's got enough kick where I dont need turbo)

Unless I'm missing a huge difference between regular and turbo. can touring be turbo at the same time?

[cdynaco]

Originally Posted by keatoncruiser

Hey everyone,
A visit to my local Chrysler dealer this morning confirmed it...my car is NOT a turbo. It has the standard 2.4 engine. Needless to say, I was not happy. I paid for a Turbo PT Cruiser, which is what the ad says...but that's not what I got. The dealership basically told me "tough luck". They said I should have discovered that BEFORE I bought the car. They did admit that the online advertisement was "an oversight" on their part, but there's nothing they can do for me now. He told me the fine print at the bottom of the ad protects them from guys like me that find things wrong with a car after they buy it. There's nothing "wrong" with the car...it just isn't the car that was advertised.
To show me what nice guys they are, they offered to take it back as a trade in while they look for me another PT Cruiser. I'm a newbie to PT Cruisers...I didn't know to look for a turbo emblem on the back. I just assumed their ad was correct and that I was getting a Turbo car. I like the little car, but I don't like getting ripped off. They refuse to take the car back, and they refuse to make it right in any other way. What would you guys do??? Should I just keep the car and forget about having a turbo? Is $10,500 a fair price for a like new Touring Edition convertible? Should I call a lawyer? HELP!!!

I'm confused with your response....

If they advertised in writing (with a specific number/id for this vehicle) and you got something different, I'd immediately write the State Att Gen with a copy to the CEO of the Dealership, and next call an attorney (if CEO doesn't intervene to your satisfaction), if in fact the Dealer won't make it right with a price adjustment - or the correct vehicle as described in said published ad. Regardless of fine print - a decent attorney can convincingly overcome misleading advertising.

My 08 Touring (non-turbo) w/18k and WARRANTY asked 12.5, sold for 10.4 - from a Dealer. Don't let car hacks off the hook! There's always something 'they' can do if the pain (not to) is great enough! From a career (non car) salesman.

[quicksilverdon]

Whatever you do, DO NOT let them take it back and find you another car - they will screw you again - either get your money back and go elsewhere or keep what you have.
Call and speak to the owner and say you want your money back. Mention "bait and switch", which is illegal everywhere.
DO look up and email your state's Attorney General.
Didn't you notice no leather?
Are wheels chrome?

[Hooligan]

Many time there is a TV station that will pick up your story and broadcast it throughout their area.Give them a call, show them the ad that describes the PT. Bad publicity will show everyone what a bad egg that dealer is. I am assuming it was a Chrysler dealer, or was it another dealer?

[garner49]

You have three days to cancel any contract with a dealer, sometimes more if it's in the paperwork.

One, you should have known by looking at the car. A Turbo has that emblem on the rear deck and can certainly see it under the hood, behind the engine. I'm not taking the dealers side; but as always - "Buyer beware"...

Two, go over your paperwork; does it say anywhere that it is a Turbo or a GT?

Three, go park in front on a busy Saturday with a sign that says False Advertising. They might 'wake-up'...

Good Luck with this one, you'll need it.

[BLUEH20]

The day right of return only to applies to vehilces sold and delivered to you off the sales site--such as--they came to your home and completed the paperwork and delivered the vehilce into your possession there.

Recommend that you get the deal coancelled with return of all funds...

That said if they ill not--follow on with your state AG and include Chrysler Corp in the mailing.

Keep very accurate records of all contacts with the seller and keep all documentation that the deal was based and concluded on.

[atlctuzr]

Congratulations on finding a great convertible, sorry to hear that the dealer ripped you off. It sounds like you may have found a very good car, if you like it, you may want to keep it and enjoy it. An 06 convertible in that kind of condition with low miles is hard to find

I know you are disappointed that you didn't get the Turbo you wanted. But on the flip side the PT Convert is a great fun car, you can have a lot of fun with it without the Turbo. You might want to think about the overall situation and see if the price you paid was right for a base convertible in your area, it doesn't sound out of line to me. It would be difficult to find another convertible with low miles and in good condtion like the one you bought.

Lawyers cost lots of money, complicate matters and can consume a lot of time. You could end up spending a lot of extra money and not reach a satisfactory resolution with the dealer. People tend to dig in their heels when lawyers get invloved. The dealer has probably protected himself well with all of the legal boilerplate.

[PetePT]

Originally Posted by cdynaco

... I'd immediately write the State Att Gen with a copy to the CEO of the Dealership, ....

Originally Posted by BLUEH20

...on with your state AG and include Chrysler Corp in the mailing.

Keep very accurate records of all contacts with the seller and keep all documentation that the deal was based and concluded on.

Attorney General!! Yes! Right away! Don't let these aholes screw you, get mad. Call Chrysler and keep them posted. Take copious notes.

Contract law varies from state to state regarding buyers regret clauses btw.

Good luck.

Pete

[ROCKETMAN8060]

Something similar happend to a friend of mine and he won against the dealership and he didnt use a lawyer. I can give you his info so he can tell you what he did. Dont give up my friend!!!!