What do you think are the most common types of complaints that consumers file with the government? Everyone has frustrating experiences with housing, health insurance, and other industries, but some South Carolina residents might be surprised (or not) to learn that vehicles are the number one complaint category in the state. According to the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA), about 19.5% of their cases in 2017 revolved around cars – used cars, repairs, and credit issues were some of the biggest problems. In fact, cars make up the majority of complaints nationally, too.
But vehicles have only become a problem for consumers in recent years. "As the economy continues to rebound, more consumers are becoming active in the marketplace, especially purchasing vehicles," according to SCDCA Administrator Carri Grube Lybarker. South Carolina has protected consumers for years, though, as the state introduced a lemon law in 1989 to prevent the sale of defective cars (along with vans and small trucks – as long as they are passenger motor vehicles). Under the lemon law, consumers who purchase a car and find that its defects cannot be repaired are entitled to a refund. In order to get that refund, a South Carolina resident would have to participate in an arbitration procedure with the manufacturer (free of charge to the consumer) and if that process doesn’t help, only then can the purchaser go to court.
The SCDCA’s job is to ensure the auto industry complies with these minimum requirements, especially in regards to flood-damaged cars which are often sold to people who have no idea of the car’s history. Indeed, the SCDCA addressed 105 violations of motor vehicle advertising laws and issued several fines in 2015, leading to justice for wronged consumers.
Have you ever had issues with a car you recently purchased? Were you able to resolve them through the dealer or manufacturer, and if not, how did you deal with them?
But vehicles have only become a problem for consumers in recent years. "As the economy continues to rebound, more consumers are becoming active in the marketplace, especially purchasing vehicles," according to SCDCA Administrator Carri Grube Lybarker. South Carolina has protected consumers for years, though, as the state introduced a lemon law in 1989 to prevent the sale of defective cars (along with vans and small trucks – as long as they are passenger motor vehicles). Under the lemon law, consumers who purchase a car and find that its defects cannot be repaired are entitled to a refund. In order to get that refund, a South Carolina resident would have to participate in an arbitration procedure with the manufacturer (free of charge to the consumer) and if that process doesn’t help, only then can the purchaser go to court.
The SCDCA’s job is to ensure the auto industry complies with these minimum requirements, especially in regards to flood-damaged cars which are often sold to people who have no idea of the car’s history. Indeed, the SCDCA addressed 105 violations of motor vehicle advertising laws and issued several fines in 2015, leading to justice for wronged consumers.
Have you ever had issues with a car you recently purchased? Were you able to resolve them through the dealer or manufacturer, and if not, how did you deal with them?
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