By Hiring Lemon Law Attorneys Los Angeles Consumers Can Take On Unscrupulous Dealers

By Sarah Carter


There could hardly be a consumer left that has not saved for a treasured item only to be bitterly disappointed after the purchase. The product does not work, or it does not perform as advertised, it may prove to be dangerous or it breaks soon after the purchase. Many consumers can testify to the difficulties that they have experienced in getting suppliers and manufacturers to address their complaints. With help from lemon law attorneys Los Angeles consumers can take these scam artists to task.

When buying products, especially expensive ones, consumers are often reassured by the fact that the purchase is covered by a warranty. Unfortunately, express warranties, issued by the manufacturer, often contain numerous exclusion clauses that only come to light when the consumer experiences problems with the product. In many cases these warranties are meaningless and designed to protect the manufacturer rather than the consumer.

There are also implied warranties issued by the dealer. They are almost never in writing but the dealer promises to replace or to repair the product if it is faulty or if it does not perform as promised. In some cases the consumers is even promised his money back. Sadly, as many consumers know from personal experience, it is often very difficult to get the dealer to honour his promises.

The protection of consumers got a huge boost when the Magnus Moss Warranty Act was passed back in 1975. This was a federal act, but unfortunately it only made provision for the purchase of vehicles and some appliances. Luckily, many states have subsequently passed additional laws that aim to protect consumers more comprehensively and to provide legal avenues for settling consumer complaints.

Consumers need to keep in mind that their rights come with certain responsibilities. They cannot blame a dealer when they do not follow the instructions on how to use a product or when they use a product for purposes other than what it was designed for. If a product requires professional installation the consumer cannot complain if he does it himself and then experience problems with the product.

There is another thing. Consumers may not approach the courts before they have taken reasonable steps to resolve their complaints. They have to contact dealers and manufacturers before they can approach a lawyer. That is why lawyers advise their clients to communicate with manufacturers in writing and to keep detailed note of all communications, including telephone conversations, SMS messages and emails. These records will be important if matters go further.

If no satisfaction can be obtained a lawyer can be approached. He will study the history of the complaint and assess the chances of a successful legal challenge. He will then contact the dealer or manufacturer to inform them that he will be handling the case. Many businesses offer quick settlements because they want to avoid bad publicity, fines and the cost of defending the case in open court.

Consumers have been given the wrong end of the stick for far too long. Products that do not perform as promised, that do not comply to basic quality specifications and that prove to be dangerous should be replaced or refunded. A lawyer can help consumers get what they are entitled to.




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