Twenty-one years of Lemon Law experience (with a primary concentration on California State Lemon Law) and over 6,000 settled cases involving just about every make and model of car, boat, motor home, recreational vehicle (RV) and motorcycle has given answers to many Lemon Law questions. Norman Taylor & Associates has a new Blog (http://www.normantaylor.com/blog) providing a way to pass along our know-how in an easy, down-to-earth style. Norman Taylor & Associates will talk about any Lemon Law issue that interests our community, and it may be one of the biggest communities in the country.

Although Norman Taylor & Associates are primarily a California firm, discussing the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, sometimes known as the Federal Lemon Law and of course, the Consumers Legal Remedies Act for those whose interest leans more toward fraudulent practices in the purchase of a vehicle. Our expertise covers all aspects of the Lemon Law from Ca. Lemon Law to the federal variety.

This is a big community, one of the biggest. Approximately 16,000,000 new cars and trucks are sold yearly in the United States. Whether your car, boat, motor home, recreational vehicle (RV) or motorcycle is trouble-free, this is a subject every consumer should know about. This new blog is another source of information and help. Perhaps there is even information we can provide for your next car, hopefully not a lemon car….

This announcement is also an invitation to anyone with interest in this area of the law to come on over and talk about it with our experts. Norman Taylor & Associates is full to the brim with experience and looking forward to passing it along to the public.

What do you want to talk about? Norman Taylor & Associates will post a subject thread and follow it as long as there is interest. Talking about the lemon law, whether it's California State Lemon Law or general lemon law, your questions are of primary interest. It probably goes with the territory, being experts in our field. This will certainly be an easy way for a consumer to be "in the know". Deciding to go against the Fords, Mercedes, BMWs or Fleetwoods of this world? Arm yourself with our knowledge and experience.

TRENTON – The Senate Commerce Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Senators Barbara Buono and Nicholas Scutari that would better protect consumers under the State’s “Lemon Law” for new car purchases by expanding coverage from 18,000 miles to 24,000 miles.

The Committee approved S-454, which would amend the “Lemon Law,” which protects purchasers of new automobiles or motorcycles.  The bill would expand protection under the law from 18,000 miles to 24,000 miles but keep the maximum time of the protection at two years.

             In addition, the bill would create a distinction in the “Lemon Law” between general defects and defects that are “likely to cause death or serious bodily injury.”  For those defects that are likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, the manufacturer would have just one chance to fix the defect before the car would have to be replaced. For non-lethal defects, dealers would be held to the current standard which allows three attempts to fix the defect before replacing the vehicle.

             “When safety is a concern, three repair attempts are two too many,” explained Senator Scutari.  “There is a major difference between an inconvenient oversight like a malfunctioning radio and the possibility that your car won’t stop when you hit the brakes.  Our drivers shouldn’t have to put themselves at risk two or three times before they get a car that provides the safe transportation we expect when buying a new car.”

             The Senators’ bill also requires that dealers provide information regarding the State’s “Lemon Law” protection Owner’s Warranty Rights Notification booklet, to ensure that the information gets to the consumer.  

             The bill passed the Committee by a vote of 5-0 and now awaits consideration by the full Senate.  

Jim Griffin
609-292-5215

Berlin-based auto dealer Chevrolet 73, Inc., will pay $200,000 to settle charges it violated New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act and Used Car Lemon Law, the state said this week. The dealership also agreed to comply with state and federal laws in the future.

In a lawsuit filed in Nov-ember 2006, the Office of the Attorney General and the Division of Consumer Affairs alleged that the dealership failed to honor advertised pri-
ces, failed to disclose all terms and conditions of a negotiated deal, and failed to disclose the mechanical condition of some used cars. The company does business as Chevrolet 73 and Chevrolet 73 Bargain Corral.

"Consumers are entitled to be told all the relevant facts before they purchase a vehicle. Under this settlement, the dealership will provide this information so consumers can make an in-
formed decision," Attorney Gen-eral Anne Milgram said in a statement.

The dealership also will participate in the Division's Alternative Dispute Resolution program for three years, and will respond to any complaints brought to it by the division within 30 days. Unresolved complaints will be forwarded for binding arbitration.

For more information on the Consumer Fraud Act, visit:

www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/ocp/ocplaw.pdf

For information on the Used Car Lemon Law, visit:

www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/ocp/usedlemon.htm

You can also call the division at 800-242-5846.

This is a celebration?

The state went to bat last week for hundreds of consumers statewide who contracted and paid for wedding photographs, videos and other services, but never received them.

The Office of the Attorney General and the Division of Consumer Affairs filed suit against Morris County based Celebration Studios, Inc., and its principal Marc S. Schwartz in Superior Court. Celebration was based in Chester, and also had locations in Clifton, Fairfield, Hoboken, Mahwah, Montclair, Paramus, Red Bank, Short Hills and Princeton, the state said.

The company was entering into contracts as late as October, 2007, according to the state, for weddings throughout 2008. Early this month the business suddenly closed, and the state has received 584 consumer complaints as a result.

"The emotional distress caused by the defendants cannot be overstated. We have close to 600 consumers who are distraught because they did not receive the photos, videos and other visual keepsakes of their weddings," Milgram said in a statement. "We want these consumers to get their wedding albums and for the defendants to be held accountable."

The court granted the state's request for a temporary restraining order that prohibits Celebration from disposing of any photos, negatives, proofs, digital files, videotapes, DVDs, albums and cards. It also requires the defendants to maintain all books and records of the business, and to maintain all consumer deposits and payments.

The state also is seeking an impound order to freeze the assets of Celebration, consumer restitution, civil penalties and reimbursement of the state's attorneys' fees and investigative costs.

Consumers who have been affected should be sure to file complaints with the state, either at www.njconsumer
affairs.gov or by calling the Division of Consumer Affairs at 800-242-5846.

Consumer Action will respond to each properly submitted letter about a problem or question, either in this column or by letter or phone. Letters must include copies – not originals – of all relevant documentation and a name, address and phone number at which you can be reached. Send letters to: Consumer Action, The Press, 11 Devins Lane, Pleasantville, NJ 08232.