FOR
BUYING A NEW VEHICLE
Before entering into any contract for a
motor vehicle, it is advisable that you read and understand these common
sense steps to buying.
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DON’T GET IN A HURRY, AND DON’T BE PRESSURED. Remember that
you are making a major purchase. If you need to think about it
overnight, be willing to walk away and go back tomorrow. Don’t sign
anything until you are ready to buy. |
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KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SIGNING. Carefully scrutinize every
document before you sign, especially the retail installment contract.
NEVER let someone “tell” you what the contract says. Examine and
understand the sales price, interest rates, payments, trade-in values,
and pay-offs. If you are leasing, or financing with a balloon payment at
the end, make sure you are aware of your responsibilities. NEVER sign a
blank form, or one with blank spaces in it. Make sure that you
understand every amount listed, and that it agrees with the “deal” that
you made. |
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THERE IS NO THREE-DAY RIGHT TO CANCEL. Many consumers believe
the law allows them 3 days in which they can change their mind and
cancel the contract. They are wrong. When you sign a contract at the
dealership, it is a valid contract, and usually only subject to
financing approval. |
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GET IT IN WRITING. If there are agreements that are not a
part of the contract, such as the opportunity to drive the vehicle over
the weekend before deciding to purchase, get the agreement in writing
and signed by a manager. A written agreement almost always takes
precedence over any oral representation. |
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TRUTHFUL ADVERTISING AND ACCURATE WINDOW STICKERS. You should
be able to buy the vehicle for the price advertised. Any “add-ons” are
optional. All new cars are required by Federal law to have the factory
“MSRP” window sticker on the car. |
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DEAL IS A DEAL. Once you have signed a retail installment
loan contract and taken possession of the vehicle, normally the contract
can only be cancelled if: 1) both parties agree to cancel it; 2) the
financing does not go through; or 3) there is a written agreement that
it can be cancelled, such as after a weekend “trial” period. |
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GET A COPY OF EVERYTHING YOU SIGN. You are entitled to a copy
of every signed document. Make sure you get them at the time of signing. |
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CAREFULLY CONSIDER WHICH OPTIONAL ITEMS YOU CHOOSE.
Additional items such as extended service agreements, credit life and/or
disability insurance, GAP coverage, etc. are optional. Make sure you
understand what they are, and whether any or all of them are right for
you. |
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Complaints
Consumers may file complaints
with the Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission regarding New Motor Vehicle
Dealers and their sales, management, or finance staff, which are
licensed by this Commission. Please refer to the complaint
form and instructions. If you need to refer to the OMVC law
and/or the Commission’s Rules and Regulations, you may also access
them from this website.
When the complaint
form is completed, it should be sent to:
Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission
4334 NW Expressway Suite 183
Oklahoma City, OK 73116-1515
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