Lemon Law?
What is the Lemon Law?
Author: Bridget B
What is the Lemon Law?Lemon Laws were created to protect consumers from products that are plagued with serious defects. If an item cannot be satisfactorily repaired within a certain time, usually within the warranty period, or if the item is not new after so many repairs, it is considered a "lemon". Consumers who find themselves stuck with lemons can find help through lemon laws. Each state has its laws and requires consumers to take certain actions in order to solve the situation.There are different lemon laws that cover many products. For example, if you purchase or lease a vehicle, which develops one or more defects within the first year of purchase, that vehicle would likely be covered by your State's lemon law regarding new vehicles. The defect must be significant, and must be something that severely affects the safety, operation, or value of your vehicle.
Like most laws, lemon laws differ by State, so read local guidelines carefully to find out what action you need to take to protect your investment. A standard rule is that any vehicle that is not in working order for 30 days or more, or any vehicle that has required repair of the same defect on more than four occasions within the first year of purchase, is covered by a lemon law.Some manufacturers will attempt to convince you that you waived your rights when you signed the purchase or lease contract, because of a clause that was inserted into the agreement.
Any such clause or waiver is invalid, and lemon laws still apply in full force.The manufacturer may also try to tell you to engage in mediation rather than going to court. You are not required to participate unless the process complies with rules set out by the Federal Trade Commission. In some states, you must use mediation before suing under lemon laws, if the process is certified by that state's Department of Transportation. Even then, you are not required to accept any settlement that does not satisfy you.As with most legal matters, it is wise to consult with a competent attorney in your area that knows the details of the lemon law. Many lemon law attorneys offer free consultations, and do not charge a fee unless you win the case. They even ask for attorney's fees from the manufacturer, and the fees are usually granted to the prevailing party.
Essentially, Used Car Lemon Laws provide some legal recourse for consumers who happen to buy a lemon of an auto. You are guaranteed a written warranty that specifically states that a dealer must repair any problems or defects in the car or reimburse you for the cost of the repairs. If the car cannot be repaired, you are entitled to a refund.Lemon cars which are essentially cars that are covered by the lemon law cannot be sold as is which does not imply a warranty. Remember, a dealer who sells or leases you a used car must provide you with a written warranty that specifies the terms or sell the car as is which essentially means consumer beware. If the vehicle is covered by a warranty, it must be given to you prior to or at the signing of a sales contract or lease.
History of a LemonIt isnt easy for a car to escape its past. To be able to establish the fact that your car or truck is a lemon, you can research your car or trucks history on the internet at CARFAX. By supplying your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), a vehicle report will indicate the vehicles maintenance records for the particular vehicle. Furthermore, it is important to keep copies of all vehicle repair statements and invoices in the event that you need to provide additional evidence that your car is indeed a lemon.One way to prevent surprises such as these is to research a car or truck you are interested in buying prior to making the purchase. Researching the car or trucks VIN on CARFAX will indicate past maintenance problems, title, registration, and odometer information revealing your cars history.About The Author:
For more information please visit http://officiallemonlaw.info/
This article is free for republishing Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com
Author: Bridget B
What is the Lemon Law?Lemon Laws were created to protect consumers from products that are plagued with serious defects. If an item cannot be satisfactorily repaired within a certain time, usually within the warranty period, or if the item is not new after so many repairs, it is considered a "lemon". Consumers who find themselves stuck with lemons can find help through lemon laws. Each state has its laws and requires consumers to take certain actions in order to solve the situation.There are different lemon laws that cover many products. For example, if you purchase or lease a vehicle, which develops one or more defects within the first year of purchase, that vehicle would likely be covered by your State's lemon law regarding new vehicles. The defect must be significant, and must be something that severely affects the safety, operation, or value of your vehicle.
Like most laws, lemon laws differ by State, so read local guidelines carefully to find out what action you need to take to protect your investment. A standard rule is that any vehicle that is not in working order for 30 days or more, or any vehicle that has required repair of the same defect on more than four occasions within the first year of purchase, is covered by a lemon law.Some manufacturers will attempt to convince you that you waived your rights when you signed the purchase or lease contract, because of a clause that was inserted into the agreement.
Any such clause or waiver is invalid, and lemon laws still apply in full force.The manufacturer may also try to tell you to engage in mediation rather than going to court. You are not required to participate unless the process complies with rules set out by the Federal Trade Commission. In some states, you must use mediation before suing under lemon laws, if the process is certified by that state's Department of Transportation. Even then, you are not required to accept any settlement that does not satisfy you.As with most legal matters, it is wise to consult with a competent attorney in your area that knows the details of the lemon law. Many lemon law attorneys offer free consultations, and do not charge a fee unless you win the case. They even ask for attorney's fees from the manufacturer, and the fees are usually granted to the prevailing party.
Essentially, Used Car Lemon Laws provide some legal recourse for consumers who happen to buy a lemon of an auto. You are guaranteed a written warranty that specifically states that a dealer must repair any problems or defects in the car or reimburse you for the cost of the repairs. If the car cannot be repaired, you are entitled to a refund.Lemon cars which are essentially cars that are covered by the lemon law cannot be sold as is which does not imply a warranty. Remember, a dealer who sells or leases you a used car must provide you with a written warranty that specifies the terms or sell the car as is which essentially means consumer beware. If the vehicle is covered by a warranty, it must be given to you prior to or at the signing of a sales contract or lease.
History of a LemonIt isnt easy for a car to escape its past. To be able to establish the fact that your car or truck is a lemon, you can research your car or trucks history on the internet at CARFAX. By supplying your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), a vehicle report will indicate the vehicles maintenance records for the particular vehicle. Furthermore, it is important to keep copies of all vehicle repair statements and invoices in the event that you need to provide additional evidence that your car is indeed a lemon.One way to prevent surprises such as these is to research a car or truck you are interested in buying prior to making the purchase. Researching the car or trucks VIN on CARFAX will indicate past maintenance problems, title, registration, and odometer information revealing your cars history.About The Author:
For more information please visit http://officiallemonlaw.info/
This article is free for republishing Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com
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