How to Cancel Pending Purchase of Car

**cljnco** · 05-14-2012, 02:53 PM

My question involves a consumer law issue in the State of: Missouri, Kansas

I live in Missouri, dealership is in Kansas.

On Saturday 12th I went to a dealership and looked at a used car, I agreed to the numbers and signed next to the quote the wrote down for me. All this with the idea that I would come back with the title to the car I was going to trade in and balance in cash. I put nothing down, No money ever traded hands.

Over the rest of the weekend I found a car I liked better for less money with more for my trade in and went ahead and purchased it evening of Monday the 14th.

Tuesday the 15th, (Tomorrow as of posting this), In the morning, I have to call them and let them know I purchased another vehicle and no longer want to purchase the car.

Since no money down traded hands, Is there anything the dealership can do?

**Mr. Knowitall** · 05-14-2012, 04:30 PM

I have no access to your purchase agreement, so I can't tell you what (if any) obligation you created for yourself.

**Conrad Hunter** · 05-14-2012, 05:52 PM

There likely is a consumer protection law in your state and/or the dealer's state that gives you three days to back out of the transaction. You need to read the consumer law in your state and the dealer's state.

There was no consideration and thus no actual agreement was reached or contract formed from what you have said.

I have never heard of a civil action to force someone to buy a car or pay for a car they did not get.

**free9man** · 05-14-2012, 06:35 PM

Quoting Conrad Hunter

There likely is a consumer protection law in your state and/or the dealer's state that gives you three days to back out of the transaction. You need to read the consumer law in your state and the dealer's state.

While I agree that the dealer is unlikely to sue the OP on this, it does not change the fact Kansas (which would control if a contract was signed in that state) has no cooling off period. Those states that have cooling off laws deal ONLY with door-to-door sales purchases within one's home. Federal statutes specifically exclude auto and home purchases from protection. State government agencies will only intervene for the consumer in the event of wrongdoing, not simply "I found a better deal."

**Mr. Knowitall** · 05-14-2012, 06:37 PM

Conrad, that's the second time today you have posted that utter nonsense about a three-day cooling off period. As I told you this morning, that only applies to unsolicited sales made in your home. Don't make others clean up after you.

Also, that is the second time today that you have argued that there is "no consideration" for a car sale in which one party agreed to trade an agreed-upon amount of money for a car. To put it mildly, you seem to know absolutely nothing about contract law.

**cljnco** · 05-15-2012, 02:31 PM

Thanks folks, I called and backed out. He was really really angry, yelled at me for wasting his time and tying up his car for a day, and hung up, Not that I blame him.

but no threats of suite or anything, SO I think it is alright. However, not that he will ever find out, the egg is on my face, After driving the car that I ended up purchasing, I believe I would have liked the other one MUCH better. Oh well, Just goes to show what happens when I don't go with my gut.