Were you required to sign an Arbitration Agreement form when you purchased your Prius?

not that i recall. could be a tennessee issue?

 

I did not sign any such agreement and would not have.

 

No.

 

nada!

 

Many jurisdictions have a time frame (usually a few days) where you can give written notice that you revoke your agreement to arbitrate. Some courts find that arbitration agreements over reach. Whether it's a car, or your MD you go to when you need a boil lanced ... if most all the MD's and most all the car dealerships and most all the roofing contractors, etc require you to include contracting away your right to litigate in order to get any service or product, then there's really a lack of a meaningful choice. Check with your local law office. Many firms will give you 1hr free consultation. They can tell you if your area permits you to sign then revoke. That's what I'd do. Or, I'd go to a better dealership. If your dealership feels they've been burned in court (and that may be the reason they want to arbitrate now) too often, you ought to ask yourself, "why would so many of their customers feel they need to take them to court?"

 

The last three cars I purchased were new and I didn't have to sign any arbitration agreements.

 

I frankly have never heard of such a thing. But, I am in CA and you're way out there in Tennessee. Perhaps it's a state thing.

 

:welcome:
Ask other "local" Toyota dealers if they require such an agreement. If so, call Jim Barkley Toyota in Asheville NC, just a little east of you, (New Toyotas Asheville NC Area Jim Barkley Toyota Cars Trucks and SUVs) to affirm they don't require such a doc (didn't when I purchased my Prius 2 yrs ago.) They are a posted price fair dealer.
The car is a great all around vehicle that promise and delivers very high mpg with plenty of space and minimal maintenance. Don't let a dealer's defensive measures prevent you from purchasing your baby.
Your deposit was not on the table when the forced arbitration was presented. They should refund it without hesitation...perhaps even wave the requirement if you're seriously walking out the door.
Good luck !

 

After a bit of searching, this is apparently a relatively common method used by car dealers and other companies to limit liability and it pays to read the contract.

However, the Tennessee legal system, seemingly, will rule unenforceable any one-sided arbitration agreements.

http://www.selegal.org/Arbitration in Tennessee.pdf

The document above refers to a case where an Arbitration agreement removed other legal recourse from the buyer but allowed the dealer access to the courts.

 

very sorry to hear that. dealers can be very strange. maybe next time around? i hope you take another look, by then, mpg's should be 75 to 80! all the best!

 

Have you tried searching other dealer's inventory in your area on the internet? I was checking my local dealer today and they are showing 5 ready for immediately delivery. This is the first time that I have seen immediate inventory on their site since the Japan disasters.

I would hate to see you miss a chance at getting your Prius.