When you find out that the car you have purchased recently has turned out faulty, the first move which seems logical is contacting the dealership you got your car from. In case the four-wheeler is under warranty, the dealer might suggest you contact the manufacturer to get it repaired.
If the manufacturer fails to diagnose the defect and repair it despite many attempts, the chances are that they sold a faulty car. In simple words, they sold you a lemon. In such a situation, the manufacturers might recommend that you opt for lemon law arbitration instead of a court case. Should you listen to them and go for lemon law arbitration? Or would it put the manufacturer in an advantageous situation? Find out.
The BBB Auto Line
Choosing the BBB auto line route implies that you will have to face an arbitrator panel sponsored by no one else other than the manufacturer. Now, what will these arbitrators be up to? They will review the situation and eventually order the manufacturer to repair the vehicle. Along with that, they might start a partial or full refund. The process of lemon law arbitration is light on the manufacturer’s pocket.
As a result, they would have it quite easy while resolving the complaint out of court. If you take the previous incidents into account, either the buyers lose their claim or get an additional repairing session. Nothing more than that. There is only a handful who would get a buy-back or have the vehicle replaced. Does it seem like a good deal to you? It must not. In a situation when you have purchased a four-wheeler that has faulty parts, the manufacturer must take the responsibility and shell out every single penny they owe you. Lemon law arbitration can be just a compromise.
The Arbitrator Might Not Be Neutral
Suppose you are playing basketball and the referees are on your opponent’s side. Your chances of winning are bleak. You will face the same situation when you will be up against arbitrators sponsored by the manufacturers. Whatever decision they will pass to resolve the complaint will automatically be in the manufacturer’s favor. While trying to convince you that this is by far the best option you have, they will probably tell you that those presiding over the arbitration will be neutral in all respects. The companies hired for the arbitration will rely on the manufacturer to maintain their hold in business.
This is what happens in maximum cases. The manufacturers create and select these so-called independent arbitration entities. Therefore, the final decision will tilt in favor of the manufacturer. This happened in the past as a company engaged in this practice was caught red-handed back in 2009. Remember, the arbitrations sponsored by any auto-manufacturing company will always decide against you. It will be in your best interest to not fall into this trap and appoint a trusted lemon law attorney who will pass a decision in your favor.
It Could Work Against You In Court
If the decision in arbitration has gone against you, you can file a case against the manufacturer in court. However, the arbitrator’s decision can work as submissive evidence against you in court. And you wouldn’t get an opportunity to ask why there was no third-party inspection of your four-wheeler. Also, you wouldn’t get the chance to ask why the decision taken in arbitration has been against you. If you participate in manufacturer-sponsored arbitration, you will allow the other party to use them in court.
It’s Up To You
A grave mistake that most consumers commit in lemon law arbitration is assuming that they should reach out to the manufacturers when a lemon case is about to start. An essential thing you must be aware of is that no one will be on your side during the arbitration. In such a situation, getting the judgment in your favor becomes tougher. In certain cases, it becomes impossible to tilt the decision in your favor. Therefore, it’s entirely up to you how to take the case forward.
The essence of what we spoke about here is that you must seek a specialized and trustworthy lemon law attorney whenever you end up having to deal with lemon law arbitration. And it would help if you did not give the nod instantly to the manufacturer’s suggestion. Otherwise, you might have to repent later on.