which states have a "cooling off"/return period on new cars?

in mass, we have a 3 day for contracts. not sure how many miles you can put on a new car, if any.

 

New car purchases:
Maine.gov: Government: News

Basically there's no cooling-off period on sales outside the home. (That's mentioned in the used-car buyers guide.)

Lemons:
Office of the Maine AG: Consumer Protection: Consumer Law Guide: 07: The Maine Lemon Law And State Arbitration

Links to: http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/attach.php?id=27925&an=1

The page should say 3 years or 18,000 miles. (It's in the linked PDF). A used car can be a lemon as long as it's within the lemon period.

 

My understanding is as far as Automobiles go, there is no automatic "Cooling Off Period".

You might have rights if you were involved in fraud or misreprensentation, or if the vehicle proves to be a lemon. (That has to be established)

But as far as an automatic, I've changed my mind...I'd rather unwind the deal? My understanding is no state automatically allows for this.

Bottom line? You sign an auto contract, beware...make sure the contract you are signing is what you want....

 

From an online gov site for Texas:

Basically, it doesn't apply. However, many dealers elect to put in cancellation clauses. This varies by the dealer, and they don't have to do it.

And on the other side, we have signed car contracts from the house before. I am not sure how it applies to electronic contracts or contracts that are signed then electronically sent (like fax/email). Heck I did all my house paperwork online, I only showed up to pick up the keys and garage door opener. I was in and out in 5 minutes.

 

When I went to get my Prius v, I saw a sign next to the dealer's desk. California definite does not have a cooling off period, HOWEVER, it also stated that you can enact a cooling off period, for a percentage of the cost of the vehicle additional.

Car Buyer's Bill of Rights FFVR 35

 

Thanks for the pointer to this list. I knew very well that cars had no cooling off period here, but needed a reminder for what contracts are covered.

 

Lemon law has nothing whatsoever, zip to do with buyer's remorse, and yes I really do believe there are buyer's remorse laws on cars in certain states. I just checked my state and evidently there isn't one. And this is a liberal state...so perhaps many or most states do not have a cool off period.

I thought this law was relatively pervasive and shame on me. But then, a lot of people think sugar still makes kids hyper, too

I am aware that some dealerships or brands have return periods, though. There is at least one big car dealership near me that offers a no questions asked guarantee if you return the car because you didn't end up liking it.

 

Once a car is registered & titled with the state it is legally used - the car could still be sitting on the lot. At that point the car loses signifigant value and I can't imagine any state would allow you to backout after registration.

Perhaps there are some states that allow a prospective buyer to back out prior to the finalization of the sale and still get back a deposit left to reserve a car.

 

^ I think we've been educated. There are lemon laws that allow a car to be returned if it fits the definition of a lemon, and dealers that offer a return period as an incentive to buyers, but no state laws that require a dealer to take back a car without cause.

I never thought there were.

 

I googled in greater detail now. There are buyer's remorse laws in many states if not even at a federal level (though often answers on ehow are rubbish). That said, I cannot find a single link indicating a buyer's remorse law for automobiles in any state at all.

 

If you want to know, look it up. You have access to the same online resources as the people living in the various states. If you can't find it on Google, they can't either.

I'm going with daniel on this one: I think we have an answer.

Tom

 

Unless a dealer offers something like a 3 day money back guarantee, then there is no such thing as a "cooling off period". As soon as you sign the certificate of origin and register the car, it is a used car. You may be able to unwind the deal, but you can't make a used car new again.

 

ok ok ok ok ok,,, where i live it is standard practice,, where you are it might not be,, I WAS WRONG,,, i bet being married to you is a joy!

 

You said in another thread that you're in Illinois, and this info that I posted there proves you wrong:

Here's an official document from the Illinois Attorney General that says otherwise. The only right of return in Illinois is if financing is not approved (unless the dealer's contract specifically states that the car may be returned by the purchaser):

No Three-Day Right to Cancel
Dealers are not required by law to give car buyers a three-day right to cancel. The right to return the car in
a few days for a refund exists only if financing is not approved. However, some dealers may, by contract,
offer a right to cancel.​

 

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