Consumer Issues
Many people find buying, insuring and caring for a car stressful. However, the resources below can help you protect your rights and save money.
Buying a Car & New York's Lemon Laws
The New York State Office of the Attorney General's Office has publications on a variety of consumer issues related to autos. These include:
New Car Buying: Consumer Tips
Advice on choosing a vehicle, choosing a dealer, contracts, financing, and other key topics
Used Car Buying: Consumer Tips
Reminders for used car buyers, like being sure to learn about important factors such as the vehicle's history and various financing options
New York's New Car Lemon Law & Used Car Lemon Law
The New Car and Used Car Lemon Laws provide a legal remedy for new and used cars that turn out to be lemons. If your car does not live up to its warranty, and cannot be repaired by the manufacturer or its authorized dealer, you may be entitled to a full refund.
You can also call the NYS Attorney General's Office at (800) 771-7755 to receive a free copy of the New Car Lemon Law booklet.
They also have information on deceptive automobile advertising.
New York's Auto Leasing Excess Wear & Damage Arbitration Program
This guide explains the difference between leasing and buying. If you've been charged extra fees for excess wear and damage to the vehicle, this program can help you challenge those charges.
Other 'before you buy' resources
"Let the Buyer Be Aware" is a free pamphlet full of information on buying a car from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
CARFAX.com (pay service) provides the history of a vehicle you're considering purchasing, including accidents, title issues, service records and more.
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit consumer organization that objectively rates a wide range of consumer goods including automobiles. A subscription or fee may be required to access this information.
Edmunds.com offers car buying tips and advice, tips and advice, insurance information, car reviews and can calculate your True Cost to Own a particular car over time.
Kelley Blue Book offers information on car values, consumer reviews, help finding the car for you, and a section on 'green cars'.
Cooperative Extension's Consumer Issues Program
On the 3rd Wednesday of each month, a representative from the New York State Attorney General's Office meets with interested consumers at the Cooperative Extension Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, New York from 11 am until 1 pm. Following a brief presentation on a specific topic, local consumers can discuss their individual problems with the representative. No appointment is necessary.
"Avoiding & Resolving Problems with Car Purchases and Repairs" is a regular topic of this series, which is free and open to the public. For a schedule of topics, visit "Consumer Issues Program" at ccetompkins.org. Time-Warner cable customers in the Ithaca service area can tune to channel 15 on Mondays at 7am, 1pm, and 7pm, to view these consumer issues presentations.
Call the Consumer HelpLine at 607-272-2292 between 10 am and 2 pm weekdays with questions on the new or used car lemon law, and for more information about the Attorney General's consumer presentations.
Insurance Information Resources
The New York State Automobile Insurance Resource Center
helps drivers understand the various coverage options, contact insurance companies, and engage in intelligent comparison-shopping. The 2007 Consumer Guide to Automobile Insurance, available on their web site, will familiarize you with basic automobile insurance terms, describe the major coverages that are available, and provide important shopping tips. See their Frequently Asked Questions on automobile insurance.
Additional sections of this resource center will help you learn how to buy insurance on the Internet, request no-fault arbitration, contact insurance companies, answer questions on collision damage waivers and rental vehicle coverage, and see which companies have the fewest complaints lodged against them according to an Annual Auto Complaint Ranking.
The New York State Attorney General's Office also offers information on auto insurance fraud.
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
The New York State Attorney General's Office also has consumer information on auto repair covering: Common Questions, Finding the Right Repair Shop,
Finding the Right Technician, Repair Charges: Unlocking the Mystery, Preventive Maintenance, and Protecting your Auto Repair Investment.
Heading Off Problems
Things to know before you hire an auto mechanic
Finding Department of Motor Vehicle-regulated vehicle repair shops
