We established this blog to share stories and information about topics relevant to our practice. Our intent is to regularly provide posts highlighting legal issues of local, state and national interest that we think you will find interesting. Check back later for...
Firm News
Pet Lemon Law
Several clients have called us recently with questions about their rights and options when their new puppy is sick. Thankfully, Connecticut is one of 22 states with a Pet Lemon Law. The law applies to cats and dogs that are purchased from a pet shop. If your new puppy...
Electronic Repossessions on the Rise
The subprime auto loan market is surging, and electronic repossessions are also on the rise. An article in the New York Times states that electronic disabling devices have been installed in two million vehicles. Lenders can activate these devices remotely, and they...
Avoiding Credit Card Fraud
You may be at risk of credit card fraud if you have ever charged a purchase at Home Depot. As widely reported in the media,hackers have obtained credit and debit card information for perhaps as many as 60 million customers. This may be the largest security breach...
Consumer Law Group Assists Plaintiffs in Obtaining Combined $65,344 Judgment Against Connecticut Auto Dealership
Consumer Law Group recently obtained a judgment against Prime Auto Group, LLC- an East Windsor, Connecticut car dealership- for its wrongful conduct in connection with the sale of motor vehicles to two Connecticut residents, and its subsequent wrongful repossession...
Are Direct Auto Sales Good for Consumers?
Tesla Motors, a manufacturer of electric cars, has announced plans to open a store in Milford, Connecticut. Aside from being known for making electric cars, Tesla has gained significant attention through its innovative marketing strategy. Unlike traditional...
Games Dealers Play: Tax Season Trip Ups
'Tis the season for tax refunds. This means that many car dealerships are running "special promotions" to help you spend that extra cash. Here's a list of some of the most common tax season trip-ups for consumers, as well as our advice on how to avoid them:"Double...
Webinar Announcement: How to Buy a New Car
Games Dealers Play: Should Consumers Buy GAP Protection?
GAP protection covers the scenario where a motor vehicle is totaled in an accident or stolen and not recovered. Insurance will pay for the retail value of the car minus the deductible. If that is not enough to pay the car loan, the consumer is responsible for the...
Games Dealers Play: Inflating the Down Payment
When we evaluate a potential client's contract documents, we always check to see whether the contract accurately shows the amount paid as a down payment. A few weeks ago, we discussed the problem of some car dealerships not crediting the full down payment to a vehicle...
What are lemon laws?
Lemon laws provide many important protections for car shoppers, car purchasers and consumers. For that reason, anyone considering a car purchase or who has recently purchased a car should be familiar with lemon laws. What is a considered a lemon? What qualifies as a...
What makes a problematic vehicle a “lemon” under the law?
When we purchase a new car from a dealer, we have the right to expect the vehicle to conform and perform to the expectations advertised by the manufacturer, as well as the dealership. However, many cars do roll off the assembly line with problems that were not caught...
What if I buy a car that’s been in an undisclosed accident?
Buying a used car always is a little bit of a gamble. You may choose to buy a car from an auto dealer because you feel better about that than buying one from a private party. However, auto dealers sometimes are sneaky and may try to sell you a car without disclosing...
Setting a Budget BEFORE Car Shopping
We continue our blog series on things to do before car shopping at a dealership. One important step to take before visiting a dealership is setting a budget. I bought my first car in 1982. Although I had graduated high school and had two years of college, I was...
Setting a Budget When Car Shopping
I bought my first car in 1982. Although I had graduated high school and had two years of college, I was financially naïve. I had never learned how to set a budget or how to manage credit. I was, in that sense, very much like many consumers today. Fortunately, the...
Check Your Credit Report Before You Start Car Shopping
The next article in our blog series on things that people thinking of buying a car should do before they visit a dealership addresses the importance of checking credit reports. According to a 2019 study,over 85% of new car purchases and over 55% of used car purchases...
The Way We Buy Cars
Not many people are car shopping during the COVID-19 shutdown. However, once businesses re-open and people get back to work, car dealers will be aggressively marketing to the public. In order to help our clients and friends avoid becoming a victim of the Games...
Toxic Car Dealerships
A recent lawsuit filed by employees of a New Jersey auto dealer shows the toxic atmosphere that exists in some car dealerships. While there are many car dealers that respect their employees and customers, we have heard many stories from employees and consumers about...
Avoiding Repossessions During COVID-19 Shutdown
Are you concerned about avoiding a repossession due to lack of work or reduced income because of the COVID-19 pandemic? Consumer Law Group Managing Attorney Dan Blinn offers advice on dealing with auto lenders in this new video.
Why Does the State Tolerate Auto Dealer Fraud?
The most frequently asked question that we hear from consumers who have been victimized by Auto Dealer Fraud is "How Do They Get Away With It?". We regularly see examples of auto dealers committing fraud, forgery, odometer violations, and the sale of dangerous cars....