How long do you have after purchasing a new car to return if you decide you do not want it?

Answer

None - the minute you've signed the contract, the vehicle is yours. "Buyer's Remorse" is a myth pertaining to the buyer's supposed legal right to change their mind and return a vehicle after signing the contract. Not at all based in reality! This myth probably stemmed from a stipulation called the "Right of Recission" when refinancing a home loan, which allows the person refinancing a three-day "cooling off" period after signing the refinancing paperwork to change their mind and cancel the refi. This IS true and does exist (for refinances only, not home purchases). With regard to vehicles, clothes, jewelry, or anything else...nope.

Probably not the answer you wanted, but I hope this helps.

Answer

If you live in California and you sign any contract, you will be unable to return the vehicle. In a rare case, I practically begged the manager of a used car lot to unwind the deal. I told him that my wife purchased a car for me prior to my purchase of their car, but I was completely unaware of it. They finally let me out, but withheld a $40.00 documentation fee and a 2.9% credit card surcharge. $178.00 is better than a $6000 used car that I decided that I didn't want. Also, when I purchased the car, I left it at the car lot and told them that I'll pick it up in a matter of days. I guess the unwinding of the deal helped for the simple fact that the car never left the lot and I came back the next morning. It only took me one night to think about the deal and realize that I wanted out. The most important thing is to not let the sales person pressure you into signing anything. Don't listen to 'this car may be gone tomorrow,' 'this is as low as I can go,' 'you will not find a deal better,' etc. It's all bull. It will get you in trouble if you sign the contracts, but you later want out. THERE IS NO WAY OUT AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT. Everything is monitored and recorded from the minute you step on the car lot until you go to the back office to sign the 'nail in the coffin' contracts. Before you sign anything, go home and think about it. It will save you a lot of headaches. DON'T SIGN ANY CONTRACTS UNTIL YOU ARE COMPLETELY HAPPY WITH THE CAR! If you already have and you want out, the best advice that I can give is make up any good believable heartbreaking lie such as: Someone passed in my family and I need the money to help fund the burial expenses, etc. Go in the office crying if you have to. It may work, but it may not. YOU WILL BE CRYING FOR REAL IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO UNWIND THE DEAL. The best time to put on an act is when a sales person is with a potential car buyer. The car lot or dealership people most likely won't show their true colors in front of potential car buyers. They'll put on an act and most likely, unwind the deal. But again, this is rare, like in my case. DON'T SIGN ANY CONTRACTS UNTIL YOU ARE COMPLETELY HAPPY WITH THE CAR!

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HELLO I PURCHASED A 2003 CHEVY CAVALIER I HAVE HAD IT FOR 11 MONTHS AND IM NOT HAPPY WITH IT AT ALL SINCE I HAD IT IT HAS CAUSED ME PROBLEMS AND BEEN IN SHOP ABOUT 10 TIMES..THEY TELL ME IT IS THE COMPUTER SYSTEM..NOW THE METAL IN MY SEAT IS COMING THROUGH THE CLOTH AND IM NOT HAPPY..I PAY 300 MONTH FOR THIS CAR..IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN TRADE THIS CAR IN WITHOUT ANY HASSLES..

Answer

Autumn - Check to see if your state has a Lemon Law. If so and your car has been in the shop FOR THE SAME PROBLEM three or four times within the first year, you may be entitled to some sort of settlement.

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I just recently had this problem, in fact I came here to get answers. I was dissapointed to find out that i could do nothing. But I did try the suggestion that was posted about leaving the car, and forcing the dealer's hand. And sure enough, as I put the keys donw and started to walk away, the dealer owner came up to me with an offer to buy back the car, and get me a new one!!! I told the salesmanager that they can tow the car, and it can be repossessed, because I will not make a single payment on the vehichle! Now they obviously couldve let me leave, and I wouldve been screwed, but they obviously would rather sell me a car that I will make payments on, versus a car that is gonna end up at the auto auction. So I say try the leaving the car their threat, it may not work, but I bet it will, it did for me.

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As a manager of a succesfull dealership in western Pennsylvania, I would like to dispence of the idea that car dealers are heartless and uncaring. There have been numerous occasions that I have unwound a deal because of "buyers remorse" or other such situations. I can't speak for everybody, but usually honesty is the best policy. If you simply tell the true reason you want to return the vehicle, you will probably have better luck than by making up a lie, such as paying for a family members funeral. It is common knowledge that people consider salespeople liars, however, the reality is that we are lied to every single day of our lives in this business by customers. My point isn't that people are liars, most probably don't even realize they are doing it, my point is that we are more likely to react positively to the truth. After all, we do depend on word of mouth. A satisfied customer will tell nobody, an upset customer will tell everybody, and so will they, and so will they. Get my point? The truth will set you free!

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LOL. I purchased a 2005 Kia 4 days ago. The car had 20 miles on it and the motor blew up the same day with only 29 miles on it. Nothing that they will do for me. I'm stuck with it. I advise everyone to stay away from Kia. This is my 2nd bad experence with that company.

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I just purchased a 2004 Ford Tourus demo yesterday at 5:00pm. I was charged 17.25% financing and when I went home and did the math after leaving with the vehicle, I decided, there was no way I could go through with this deal. I returned to the Ford dealers with the car, today at 1:00pm. Less than 24 hours after the purchase. I told the dealer, I wanted out of the contract because the interest rate was to high. He told me I was bound to this contract and said there was o way out. I told him I just came to give back the car and the keys. He said we do not want it. I said neither do I and dropped the keys on the desk and walked out. I work across the street from the dealers, so I could see the car. About a half hour later, the dealer moved the car back into their garage. I have not heard from them yet. What do you think will happen now? Will I have to wait to see if I get te payment book in the mail? Can they still hold me liable, when they took my car back into their lot?

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I can't speak for other states, but, in Texas, the Lemon Law only takes effect if the car has been in three times for the same problem within a specified time frame (6 months or a year, I think). Also, it has to be something that renders the vehicle inoperable or dangerous. In other words, if your stereo keeps going out, or your power window is broken, then Lemon Laws do not apply.

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Better Be carefeul the dealer dosn't put it in his garage--and than file a lein for storage. (Because you left it there against the dealers will). Than you will owe the finance company AND the dealer money --having no way to get back your car. Cut your Nose to Spite your face...should've read the agreement. Sorry, Harsh but true

First answer by Janeen. Last edit by ID1193318277. Question popularity: 262 [recommend question]

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