Car dealership duped elderly woman into buying car she didn’t want: lawsuit
When the 85-year-old Chicagoan left the lot, she was driving a used 2014 Ford Fusion and was on the hook for monthly payments of
How that trade-in occurred is a matter of dispute.
Shivers alleges in a lawsuit filed last month in
"She did love that car," her son,
The dealership, however, says it has dealt with
The lawsuit highlights a growing area of concern for regulators and consumer watchdogs as a wide swath of the population ages: misunderstandings and malicious acts involving businesses and elderly consumers.
For example, the
Shivers visited Napleton Lincoln around
The lawsuit says a salesman asked if she wanted to test-drive a used Ford Fusion. She agreed, and her lawsuit alleges she was led to believe that she could take home the Fusion for a day or two and return it after the work on her Lincoln was done. She signed some documents and was on her way, the lawsuit says.
Her son was visiting her from
"They called me and were a bit concerned,"
The dealership has contacted
"Unfortunately, that request was flatly denied unless first agreeing to a 'substantial settlement,'" Kennedy said. "
When she bought the Ford Fusion,
The Ford Fusion had almost 23,000 miles on it and cost about
The dealership charged her credit card for almost
The day after she came home with the new car,
"They gave me a song and dance about how as children we don't always know what's best for our parents," he said.
The lawsuit says dealership workers refused to accept the vehicle, saying they're "not in the business of taking cars back."
Almost two weeks later, Steve and
"We were trying to find a way to unwind the deal,"
Later, the Ford Fusion ended up back at his mom's home with the keys in her mailbox.
A recent letter from the bank to
The bank said it doesn't comment on pending litigation.
Senior home care aides now visit
"They have a car,"
Weinberg said anyone considering a major purchase, such as a new car, should talk to family members and be careful when signing papers.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages and a ruling that
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