Tips on Buying Cars: Purchasing used car gone bad, motor vehicles office, delivery contracts

Question
Hello, I was looking at SUV,s and found a escalade that I really liked. My girlfriend really wanted it but I had to go to work. The dealer insisted that I take it home with me for the day. I left the down payment with them to hold the car and took it home for one day. I didn't sign any legal contracts or delivery contracts! Some personal issues arose and I wasn't going to have all the money cause the car was too expensive. So the next day I returned the car to the dealer. Upon return they stated that it cost them money cause they already transferred the title and that if I want to return the car there was going to be a 500 dollar fine. I am pretty sure this is wrong and I can sue them. I was wondering your opinion, Thanks.

Answer
Nathan,

Thanks for your question.  It really irks me when dealers do this sort of thing.  Unless you signed a form stating that you would owe them for miles or a rental charge, you do not owe them a thing.  They would not have done ANY title work until you signed paperwork.  They can't do any title paperwork without your signature on a title application form. They can not hold your deposit or down payment for any reason unless you signed a borrowed vehicle agreement stating this fact.  If you did not sign this form, then they have to legally give you every penny of your money back.  If they insist that they don't have to, then call you your local Department of Motor Vehicles office and file a formal complaint, and before you do, inform them of what you are going to do, and that should fix the problem.  They can't transfer a title without your signature, and they can not start title paperwork that quickly.

Hope this helps.

Thanks - JB