Is dealer's email legally binding?

[reverse01134]

I am planning to purchase Genesis from a dealership 4 hours away from my location. The dealer offered me 35650 OTD and this price includes $1000 bonus cash from financing thru Hyundai. After running my credit application, he also told me that I can get 0% special APR for 2012 Genesis.

But what I know is rebates from financing thru Hyundai and special APR can not be applied together. Either one can work, but not both. But the dealer offered me both $1000 bonus cash rebate and 0% special low APR. He also send me a confirmation email:

Hi, Mr. Kim
Here is confirmed your deal.
The car ; 2012 Genesis
Stock # H30034 VIN:KMHGC4DD7CU152683
OTD Price : $ 35650 (Except License & Title)
Financing Detail: Special Interest rate 0.0 % for 36 Months


I am wondering if this email is legally binding. If he lied to me, then my 4 hour trip would be worthless. (and I would be pissed off) What if the dealer says "I thought you could get both rebates and speical APR, but my manager says you can get only one of them. I am sorry"? I am not gonna sue him, but at least I want to know if the email has legal validity.

 

[Mark_888]

The email might be legally binding, if you acccept the offer in a reasonable amount of time. However, I would suggest that you have him fax you a copy of a sales contract that contains all of the financial terms and that has been signed by the dealer.

 

[GenesisCaptain]

I doubt it. The dealer is not obligated to sell you anything. If you know otherwise, then go into the deal with the risk that it might be $1K higher. Could you get an equivalent deal (minus the $1K) at a closer dealer? If so, I would go for that.

Also, keep in mind that the $1K is less than 3% of the deal, so it is not big money if it does not work out.

Last, if you want to mitigate risk, tell the dealer that you thought both offers could not be applied together, and ask them to re-confirm.

 

[SmoovC]

I am not sure if they changed the "rules" since I purchased on 7/30/2012, but I received: Competitive Vehicle: -$1500.00, Ex Military: -$500.00, Hyundai Motor Finance: -$500.00 and 1.9% for 60 months, in addition to $7591 in Dealer incentives.

If you look through the purchase price thread, many others have received both Hyundai incentives and Hyundai special financing.

Good luck with the purchase!

 

[reverse01134]

I applied for the Corporate Sponsored Program, which allows Korean immigrants who recently came to US to have cosigners from Korea. Its term says "these purchases are eligible for any applicable HMA rebates or low APR programs". So it sounds like either HMA rebates OR low APR programs will be applied.

I am going to purchase the car even if the dealer asks extra $1000 anyway. But if his email is legally binding, at least I can ask a couple hundreds bucks off or rebadging for free.

 

[SmoovC]

I applied for the Corporate Sponsored Program, which allows Korean immigrants who recently came to US to have cosigners from Korea. Its term says "these purchases are eligible for any applicable HMA rebates or low APR programs". So it sounds like either HMA rebates OR low APR programs will be applied.

I am going to purchase the car even if the dealer asks extra $1000 anyway. But if his email is legally binding, at least I can ask a couple hundreds bucks off or rebadging for free.

I would negotiate with the attitude that BOTH are available, and if they say they aren't, then put the pressure on the Dealer to sweeten the deal to get you there.

 

[reverse01134]

Thanks for replies.

One more question,

1. White/Saddle 2012 Genesis V6 with Premium Package for 34400 OTD
2. Dealer demo Gray/Saddle 2012 Genesis V6 with Tech+Premium Package for 35650 OTD (5100 miles on odometer)

What would be your choice?

 

[SmoovC]

Oh boy, that's a tough choice! Personally, I like the white/saddle color combo better, but I also like all the toys.

 

[OneFunGenesis]

By federal law, email is a legal and binding form of communication. Unless there us fine print or an immediate and formal correction, the email IS legally binding.

This is because email is private communication from one user to another or a group of others. It is a legally binding means of communication.

BTW: so is a Facebook Direct Message and PM on forums.

 

[Mark_888]

I doubt it. The dealer is not obligated to sell you anything.

A signed written offer that has the proper specifications and that is accepted by the buyer (also signed) is legally binding (subject to any terms of cancellation in the contract itself). Whether or not the email met all the necessary terms of a sales contract is hard to say, especially since we have not seen it. A written offer can be revoked or can expire (as specified in the offer or by common law), if done so before the offer is accepted.

Given that the buyer lives 4 hours away, I would think that the dealer would agree to fax the signed standard contract that is definitely binding once the buyer accepts.

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[Ruissimo]

I got the rebates AND the financing. Nobody gave me any trouble.

 

[Gunkk]

Dealers are motivated to move 2012 inventory off their floorplans to make room for the 2013s.

The local Fitzgerald Hyundai dealer's internet department sends out a fully detailed price workup sheet as a hard quote, no gimmicks. $37800 for a new 2012 4.6, including a zero interest/zero fee financing payment (part of the purchase price).

It's about 75 minutes from here, and the buyer had no issues with them honoring the quote.

 

[LA Genesis]

You're getting a lot of good info here but I would add one extra step. Call Hyundai Motor Finance to confirm you can get both of the items the dealer is quoting. Also document the name of the person you spoke to.

1-800-523-4030

 

[Potty_Pants]

I got the rebates AND the financing. Nobody gave me any trouble.

me too... 0% problems

ppp

 

[Strick]

x3 0% plus addtional $1000.

Strick