A North Texas woman just wanted to buy her teen daughter her first car but all she got were headaches until she called NBC 5 Responds for help.
"I bought a vehicle for my 17-year-old daughter," Pamela Wilson said. "Her first car, for a back-to-school, senior year, whole independent-type of situation."
Pamela's daughter, Olivia, is a good kid who works hard and earns good grades. That's why her mom thought she deserved something special. And Olivia sure could have used that car to get to school and all of her activities.
"I have a part-time job. I play basketball for my high school and I also do community work for my National Honor Society at school," Olivia said. "So I had a lot going on."
Wilson bought the car last fall, but she returned it after it had problems and got another vehicle. Then that one had problems too.
That's when Wilson had enough, but she said she had trouble getting her money back. The loan she took out to pay for the car was more than $5,000.
"It wasn't a lot of money," Wilson said. "But it's my money and, at this point, I didn't feel like they deserve the business."
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Wilson said she had a hard time getting the dealership to pay off the loan. That's when Wilson contacted on us. Soon after, Wilson's credit union called her back with news that the loan had been paid off.
"I would not have that money back in the account moving forward if you guys hadn't gotten involved," said Wilson.
Wilson is now in the process of getting a new loan. She said once that's done, they'll start all over again looking for a car for her daughter.
If you're thinking about buying a used car, here are some tips:
- Check out the vehicle's history before you buy. You can do that on the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System.
- Check the car model for outstanding recalls. You can do that on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.
- Make sure the mileage disclosures offered match your odometer.
- Ask about the dealer's return policy and get it in writing.
- Have the car inspected by an outside mechanic before you buy.
- Check prices at websites from the National Automobile Dealer Association, Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds.com
Consumer Reports recently made these recommendations for good used cars for teens.
Remember if you have a consumer problem, everyone who calls or emails us get a response. The number is 844-5RESPND or 844-573-7763 or fill out the complaint form on the NBC 5 Responds page.
