I was charged over 50% for a $31,000 car after warranty – I tried to get a refund but the dealership was unhelpful

A DRIVER tried to reverse course after realizing she had paid almost half the RRP for a car in warranties, but hit a snag with the dealership.

The driver brought home a $31,000 Honda CR-V SUV before noticing the fees.

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Anna Riley brought the popular car home, believing she would pay a few thousand dollars for the suggested retail price, according to the San Antonio-based CBS affiliate. KENS-5.

But when she reviewed the contract, she realized she was saddled with $18,000 in warranty fees.

“I kind of thought, okay, this is too much,” she told the station.

“If you’re going to pay $49,000, then you need a car bigger than a Honda CR-V.”

Riley immediately began canceling the car’s premium warranties.

First, she canceled an extra $7,000 guarantee and received a refund.

She then attempted to write off a $1,800 PowerBuy Depreciation Program fee.

But she reported a months-long hurdle in getting the rest of her money.

Riley stated that she submitted the paperwork twice, once in May 2023 and again in February 2024, to get the money back, but she felt she was facing a mix-up.

“I sent them the forms again and they said, ‘We’ll take care of it,’ but they didn’t,” the driver said.

“I’ve been pulling my teeth trying to get them to give it back.”

Riley discussed the possibility of hiring lawyers to help with reimbursement issues.

Instead, she turned to local journalists who covered consumer issues in January.

The dealership said it had undergone an ownership exchange between Riley’s initial purchase when she resubmitted her documents.

To guarantee a refund, the dealership needed approval from the previous owners.

KENS-5 reported sending several emails about the matter before reaching a resolution after a few weeks.

Riley received a refund check for $1,829.

“As soon as I got the check in my hand, I was jumping up and down like, ‘I got my check!’” she said.

“I’m so grateful the journey is over.”

US Sun contacted the dealership for comment on this story – representatives did not immediately respond.

Tips for dealerships

Here are some expert tips when buying a car from a dealership:

• 1. Set your price: Make sure you have calculated your monthly budget before going to the lot. You must include your car loan payment, insurance costs, fuel and regular maintenance.
• 2. Research: Make sure you know which cars you’re interested in testing before you get to the dealership.
• 3. Pre-approval: Secure financing before going to the dealership. Dealerships may offer a better interest rate if they are competing with an outside bank.
• 4. Test: Drive before making any payments. Buying a car will be worth thousands of dollars – drivers should ensure they like the car’s drivetrain, steering and comfort before driving it off the lot
• 5. Haggle: Drivers should always try to negotiate the price. There are so many good cars on the American market – buyers have a strong hand in negotiating prices.

Source: Kelley Blue Book

RESELLER OFFERS

Several customers have complained about wild interactions after purchasing a new car.

One driver said he bought a Ford Bronco Sport in 2021 because he loved the nostalgic SUV.

But the dealership asked him to return the vehicle, saying he bought a “dummy.”

Plus, a Kia Telluride driver said she bought her family her dream car.

But after a few days of ownership, she received several strange calls from the dealership begging her to bring the car back.

It turns out that another owner was also paying off the loan on the same car.