Dealer made a contract mistake in my favor

[hannahdukes]

I purchased my car about 3 weeks ago from a private dealership. Everything seemed great until I got home to critically review my contract, and realized that almost everything on it is wrong. First of all, they added on multiple extra warranties that I never agreed to, but added up to a value of an extra $5000 on top of the purchase price. Then once I added up all the numbers they printed on my contract, I realized they they misprinted my totals, and actually saved me the $5000 that was added on my contract. They printed $54k on my contract when it really should have been $59k. In addition, I know it is completely my responsibility to see the $54k price while reviewing the contract at the dealership, but when we were shown the contract, our sales man covered the total price with his hand and pointed to a number that said $45k. I feel as though I was tricked in every way on this contract. I want to take the contract back to them and show them that its all wrong and then ask if they will take the car back because I will not sign a new contract, but I don't know if I could worsen my situation by doing that. Can they force me to sign a new contract with a higher amount on it? Can they void the warranty I did purchase because they printed it wrong? If not, is it worth it to show them their mistake and see if they would be willing to void the contract?

Thanks--

Hannah D.

 

[quincy]

I purchased my car about 3 weeks ago from a private dealership. Everything seemed great until I got home to critically review my contract, and realized that almost everything on it is wrong. First of all, they added on multiple extra warranties that I never agreed to, but added up to a value of an extra $5000 on top of the purchase price. Then once I added up all the numbers they printed on my contract, I realized they they misprinted my totals, and actually saved me the $5000 that was added on my contract. They printed $54k on my contract when it really should have been $59k. In addition, I know it is completely my responsibility to see the $54k price while reviewing the contract at the dealership, but when we were shown the contract, our sales man covered the total price with his hand and pointed to a number that said $45k. I feel as though I was tricked in every way on this contract. I want to take the contract back to them and show them that its all wrong and then ask if they will take the car back because I will not sign a new contract, but I don't know if I could worsen my situation by doing that. Can they force me to sign a new contract with a higher amount on it? Can they void the warranty I did purchase because they printed it wrong? If not, is it worth it to show them their mistake and see if they would be willing to void the contract?

Thanks--

Hannah D.

You missed a lot of errors in the contract when you read it over. These (mostly scrivener) errors should have been noticed and corrected before signing.

You can take the contract back to the dealer and have the accurate figures written in. You can also have stricken from the contract the warranties you did not agree to.

Usually when there is an agreement made between two parties and both parties understand the terms of the agreement in the same way, errors in transcribing the oral agreement to paper can simply be corrected in person by the parties. Neither party will be held to any signed contract terms when both parties realize errors were made in the writing down of these terms.

What concerns me about the contract you signed is the "sneaking" into it of warranties, unless these were preprinted on the form and the dealer forgot to strike them out.

I suggest you return to the dealer and have a new contract drawn up that reflects the real agreement, with true figures added and the warranties removed. The dealer should be willing to work with you to get corrections made.

Unless, of course, you have buyer's remorse and are looking for a way to get out of the agreement entirely. Is that the case?

 

[adjusterjack]

One thing I can guarantee you, Hannah, is that they aren't cancelling the deal and taking the car back. Not without consequence.

They'll fix the contract but if you refuse to sign it'll be a repo and there goes your credit score.

By the way, that you signed while the guy's hand was covering something is on you.