Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Home Contractor Fraud
Contractor fraud occurs when an individual contractor or firm commits illegal acts. This includes everything from making substandard repairs and purposely misquoting project costs to failing to obtain the proper permits and making shoddy repairs. This type of conduct can have serious consequences for homeowners who may find themselves paying more than they should… Read More »
Pennsylvania’s Used Car Fraud Law
Customers who find themselves defrauded by used car dealers are often surprised to learn that Pennsylvania’s lemon law doesn’t actually cover defective vehicles if those vehicles qualify as used. Fortunately, there are other laws in Pennsylvania that protect consumers who purchase used vehicles in the state. To learn more about these laws and how… Read More »
What to Keep in Mind When Purchasing a Used Car
Whether you’re looking to buy a used car for personal use, or are shopping on behalf of a loved one, it’s important to remember that purchasing a used vehicle is a much different process than buying a new car. To this end, we’ve included a few tips to help reduce your chances of being… Read More »
Finding Hidden Damage on Used Cars
Pennsylvania dealerships are required to disclose certain types of damage to prospective buyers. Unfortunately, many fail to do so and some even go so far as to take steps to hide the damage. This type of conduct is unlawful, so if you recently purchased a used car and later discovered that it suffered from… Read More »
Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Philadelphia Car Dealer for Auto Fraud
Early last month, the Pennsylvania Attorney General filed a lawsuit in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas against a used car dealership and three of its business partners for selling defective vehicles, many of which, were not actually owned by the dealer. If you were the victim of this type of unlawful conduct, you… Read More »
Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Inspection Laws
State lawmakers, in an effort to help prevent used car buyers from being taken advantage of by dealerships, require used car dealers to abide by certain rules and regulations. Used car dealers, for instance, must have their vehicles inspected prior to sale. If a vehicle is unable to pass the state inspection, the dealer… Read More »
The Use of “As Is” Clauses in Used Vehicle Sales Contracts
Under Pennsylvania law, it is unlawful for used car dealerships to use unfair or deceptive advertising and sales practices in their dealings with consumers. This includes a general prohibition against using the term “as is” when advertising used cars. There are, however, exceptions to this rule that allow dealerships to use this phrase, so… Read More »
Disclosing Prior Usage
Pennsylvania car dealerships are required to comply with a series of rules and regulations when selling used vehicles in the state. For instance, these rules require dealers to disclose certain types of damage, refrain from using unfair advertising practices, and to disclose when a particular vehicle was used as a rental car or a… Read More »
Is My Vehicle Roadworthy?
Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL) was put in place to help protect consumers from the fraudulent or wrongful conduct of businesses in the state. This statute, in addition to applying to a wide range of consumer products, also comes into play when buying a vehicle in Pennsylvania. In fact, regulations… Read More »
Filing a Lawsuit Against a Used Car Dealership
Many of us have had good experiences when purchasing used vehicles from dealers who take great care to ensure that all vehicles offered for sale are properly inspected, safe to drive, and fairly priced. Unfortunately, there are just as many people who are misled by dealerships that utilize fraudulent methods when advertising, financing, or… Read More »
