Questionable contract for a used car purchased by non-English reading 18 year old.

[szyq51]

About six weeks ago in Utah an 18 year old woman who speaks English fairly well, but does not read English purchased a used car from a local high volume used car lot. Her only understanding of the contract was the monthly payment. It has only been in the last two weeks that someone read the contract and explained to her the interest rate (25%) and the fact that the purchase price of the car is more than double the actual value of the car. If paid in full according to the contract (which is for 5 years) the amount paid will be more than four times the current value of the car.

I am appalled that a business would pursue unsuspecting customers like this and I'd like to go to the dealership armed with some understanding of contract law and ask them to return the down payment and nullify the contract.

Surely there are grounds to nullify the contract when the signing party could not read the contract. And you can bet the dealership didn't volunteer any of the details.

Any advice and pointers to the law involved would be appreciated.What is the name of your state?

 

[shortbus]

Don't get your hopes up. There isn't some special contractual loophole for illiterate people.

 

[JmD]

If she couldn't read the contract, she should have had someone read it for her before she signed.

she has no case.

 

[JETX]

I am appalled that a business would pursue unsuspecting customers like this

And I am appalled that some illiterate person thought that they could sign a WRITTEN contract and then try to use the 'No English' excuse. If she is an adult, the obligation is on HER to understand what she is signing.... BEFORE she signs.

and I'd like to go to the dealership armed with some understanding of contract law and ask them to return the down payment and nullify the contract.

Go down there and confront them if you want. Be sure to have a pillow tied to your ass to make the landing softer when you (without ANY standing) try to argue with them and the kick you in the ass.

Surely there are grounds to nullify the contract when the signing party could not read the contract.

Not in this country.

And you can bet the dealership didn't volunteer any of the details.

Nor do they have to. If some otherwise legally competent idiot wants to sign a written contract without understanding it.... that is THEIR problem.

Any advice and pointers to the law involved would be appreciated.

Google 'caveat emptor'.