WOW! I'm getting the runaround big time!

C50 said:
Is it possible to buy out the lease then sell the truck? I'm sure you are going to take a financial hit on it but maybe less than taking the lease to term.
Click to expand...
I've considered that. I had 2 men that were interested in it. I may consider that option again. The truck is basically brand new and only has 900 miles on it. That's why we leased because we didn't put many miles on a vehicle any more but who knew this would happen?
 

Gardenlover said:
In this case social media "may" be on your side, if all other options fail tell them that you will be forced to leave a bad review online on multiple platforms since they are taking advantage of a widow. You may also want to contact a local news channel to see if they are interested on reporting how the dealership is taking advantage of a widow. I doubt that they will want the bad press as it could cost them much more in the long run.
Click to expand...
I'll see what they have to say today when I go there for the state inspection. I've also thought about contacting the Attorney General's office here in PA and Consumer Affairs. I hope it doesn't have to go that far.
 
Colleen said:
I'll see what they have to say today when I go there for the state inspection. I've also thought about contacting the Attorney General's office here in PA and Consumer Affairs. I hope it doesn't have to go that far.
Click to expand...
When I lived in NH, I contacted our AG office in a dispute over butter! Yours is so much more important than that. I was made satisfied very quickly. Do it!
 

Colleen said:
I've considered that. I had 2 men that were interested in it. I may consider that option again. The truck is basically brand new and only has 900 miles on it. That's why we leased because we didn't put many miles on a vehicle any more but who knew this would happen?
Click to expand...
The DMV won't let those guys transfer the registration to their name.

Technically, because you're leasing it, the vehicle still belongs to the dealership. That will show on the DMV's system.

Those guys would have to go to through dealership to satisfy the DMV, and that's probably not going to happen.
 
Murrmurr said:
The DMV won't let those guys transfer the registration to their name.

Technically, because you're leasing it, the vehicle still belongs to the dealership. That will show on the DMV's system.

Those guys would have to go to through dealership to satisfy the DMV, and that's probably not going to happen.
Click to expand...
Right. I don't see any way to sell it or re-lease it.
I would hope that someone at the top of the dealership, would want to make an arrangement with you, that you'd have a different option, at least after those 2 extra payments.
 
I definitely think that you should contact the Attorney Generalā€™s office about this. They will contact the dealership and will speak to the manager, and the dealership does NOT want to be on a bad list from the AG office.
I remember having to do this many years ago. I do not remember why anymore, it was so long ago, but they contacted the business that i had the problem with, and it was settled right away once the AG office contacted them.
I also contacted the Better Business Bureau, and maybe the State Senator. I am not sure anymore, but I remember calling and then writing to anyone I thought could help me out.
The Dealership will not want that bad press, and will hopefully rethink what they can do to help you with this truck problem.
 
Last edited:
Kaila said:
Right. I don't see any way to sell it or re-lease it.
I would hope that someone at the top of the dealership, would want to make an arrangement with you, that you'd have a different option, at least after those 2 extra payments.
Click to expand...
I'd just leave 'em the car. Make the final payments, give 'em the keys, and get a ride home.

They won't like it, but that's their problem.
 
Murrmurr said:
I'd just leave 'em the car. Make the final payments, give 'em the keys, and get a ride home.

They won't like it, but that's their problem.
Click to expand...
The problem I see with this approach is that she owns her house and they could put a lean on it which would have to be paid when the house is sold. Plus it will hurt her credit and she still needs to buy a cheaper car.
 
Teacher Terry said:
The problem I see with this approach is that she owns her house and they could put a lean on it which would have to be paid when the house is sold. Plus it will hurt her credit and she still needs to buy a cheaper car.
Click to expand...
It's entirely up to her.

After 6 months paying on a new van, I relinquished it to the dealer without any percussion whatsoever. I was buying, not leasing, but I think the fact Colleen is leasing works in her favor. The term of the lease is up after her next 2 payments.
 
All states are a little different when it comes to vehicle leases.

At the end of the day, a lease is a contract and you signed it and everyone at the dealer and Nissan saying you have to keep making payments, likely know THEIR legal rights in Pennsylvania.

The best advice I've seen by trying to google your dilemma, was a suggestion to speak with an experienced estate planning attorney and see what options they may have found in the past in your state, when faced with specific similar circumstances. If an experienced estate planning attorney can't help you, ask who then might be able to.

Regardless, a contract is a legal and binding financial instrument. Unless you can appeal to the humanitarian side of the dealership's manger or owner by going up the chain of command ... (but their hands could be "tied" by Nissan's financial department), you would likely have to lawyer up. You can't just drop the car off at the dealer and stop making your monthly payments.

Here are links on how to end a vehicle lease early ...
Car and Driver: How to End a Car Lease Early
Credit Karma: How can I get out of a lease early?
Forbes: How To Get Out Of A Car Lease
Nerd Wallet: End Your Car Lease Early: Sell, Swap or Buy
Carfax: 4 Best Ways to Get Out of a Car Lease

^^^ Another thing to keep in mind if you chose to research those links ... every article has an author of the article listed, with contact information. Wouldn't hurt to try and contact any and all of them for advice since they are representing themselves as experts on vehicle leases.
 
Murrmurr said:
It's entirely up to her.

After 6 months paying on a new van, I relinquished it to the dealer without any percussion whatsoever. I was buying, not leasing, but I think the fact Colleen is leasing works in her favor. The term of the lease is up after her next 2 payments.
Click to expand...
I think the term of the lease is not up then.
The 12 months is the usual minimum before the dealer might be a little more willing to negotiate, is what I understand.
 
Kaila said:
I think the term of the lease is not up then.
The 12 months is the usual minimum before the dealer might be a little more willing to negotiate, is what I understand.
Click to expand...
True, and all the details are in the contract.

However, the contract was signed when Colleen was in a certain financial position. She isn't in that same position now. She has just, legal cause for getting out of the lease.
 
Murrmurr said:
True, and all the details are in the contract.

However, the contract was signed when Colleen was in a certain financial position. She isn't in that same position now. She has just, legal cause for getting out of the lease.
Click to expand...
I can't agree with your comment of "just, legal cause". Just because a person's financial situation changes doesn't absolve them of their debt and obligations, life isn't that easy. Seeing that she's under contract for the lease I don't believe there's any legal remedy that would compell the dealership to forgive that obligation.

I hope she can find a sympathetic manager that will help her, even if they don't let her out of the lease maybe they can help her transfer the lease/vehicle to someone else. Even doing that I fear she will be on the hook for some money for early termination.
 
C50 said:
I can't agree with your comment of "just, legal cause". Just because a person's financial situation changes doesn't absolve them of their debt and obligations, life isn't that easy. Seeing that she's under contract for the lease I don't believe there's any legal remedy that would compell the dealership to forgive that obligation.

I hope she can find a sympathetic manager that will help her, even if they don't let her out of the lease maybe they can help her transfer the lease/vehicle to someone else. Even doing that I fear she will be on the hook for some money for early termination.
Click to expand...
If forced to adhere to a contract causes financial hardship, a person has legal grounds to file a complaint.

A more extreme example - if you can't pay for your house because you lost your income, the finance company forecloses on your house, they don't force you to pay for it. No law allows them to do that.
 
Murrmurr said:
If forced to adhere to a contract causes financial hardship, a person has legal grounds to file a complaint.

A more extreme example - if you can't pay for your house because you lost your income, the finance company forecloses on your house, they don't force you to pay for it. No law allows them to do that.
Click to expand...
Debts remain even after foreclosure or repossession until they can be discharged in bankruptcy. So yes lenders can try to collect the debt.
The only exception to that that I'm aware of in the US is student loans which can't be discharged in bankruptcy, which is probably one reason education costs so much here.
 
Colleen, I'm so sorry you've been put in this position. I know that after leasing many vehicles there is huge payoff when turning the vehicle in early or trading for another vehicle. I doubt you will get anywhere with Nissan finance, since big corporations are all about the $$$ and put everyone into one bucket.

In your situation, I agree with others that possibly contacting a consumer advocate at one of your local TV stations may help. This sounds like the kind of case they would love to cover.
 
Colleen, I have no advice since I don't know how this stuff works but please let us know when you get this resolved. A mess and stress you don't need.
 
a) Make sure it is adequately insured.
b) Park it on the street, leaving the keys in the ignition and the door unlocked.

OR.

a) Make sure it is adequately insured.
b) Set fire to it.
 
Murrmurr said:
Yes, of course they can try.
Click to expand...
By obtaining a judgement the creditor can garnish income including SS [correction SS can not be garnished for this type of debt] or put a lien on a home. Walking away from a debt is a great plan if you have no assets or income which is not the situation the OP is in.
 

Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top