Help Me Hank: Taken for a Ride

If you ask Stephanie Powers what makes her the angriest about this car one item on her list might be this: It doesn’t start.

In fact, it stopped starting two days after her 17-year-old son spent every penny he had to buy it.

Stephanie Powers
"He was duped, completely duped."

This bill of sale is also on her list. It says the car was sold "as is" and she knew that was iffy.

Stephanie Powers
"When we ever saw the paperwork, we knew, you know, there was something wrong."

But here's what makes Stephanie the angriest, because her son Aaron was underage, the car dealer had put Stephanie's name as the buyer -- without her permission.

Stephanie Powers
"I was shocked, I was absolutely shocked."

A bum car, a blown engine, a bogus bill of sale and bye bye to her son's $2,000.

Stephanie Powers
"Sick. You know, it was all the money he had saved all summer long from his summer job."

So mom to the rescue, she called the car dealer…

Stephanie Powers
"He called me many names that made me blush."

She called him again…

Stephanie
"He was very nasty to deal with."

She even called the police…

Stephanie
"Who were very helpful, although, there was nothing they could do."

So dead in the driveway, what might have been a very expensive object lesson -- until mom had one more idea.

Stephanie
"Actually the secretary at the high school suggested I call Hank Philippi Ryan, which I did."

We called the car dealer and told him what we'd discovered that he wasn't licensed to sell cars. He'd sold this one "as is" -- illegal. He signed a contract with a person under 18 -- illegal. And used Stephanie’s name -- illegal! All of which we said better add up to refund city -- and soon.

And soon after, there was another vehicle in Stephanie’s driveway -- a tow truck sent by the car dealer to pick up the clunker. Give back the $2,000 and wrap this story up with a happy ending.

Stephanie
"If there weren’t ice out here, I'd be doing a happy dance. It was just thrilling to see it get towed away."

The States Consumer Affairs Department offers free booklets on car buying filled with valuable advice.

If you’re fighting a consumer battle, maybe I can help!

For More Information:

Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs
Car Smart 2003