can a car dealer sell your trade in before your new deal goes through...

[drizz333]

...finance? The dealership called me 3 weeks after i signed the paperwork and said give us more money down or we will repo the vehicle.  At the time they had stickers in my trade and screwed with it while it was on the lot.  There are a lot of holes in their complaint.  They raised the finance total on me.  I dont know if there is anything I can do

[67 Bronco]

Did you finance the car with the dealership or with a bank? Because if it is with a bank they are out of the picture. The Bank it the only one that will be allowed to repo a car and they cant do that till you are late with the payments.

[j. rabbit]

I seriously doubt it! If you already signed the paperwork for a certain amount down, etc, that is a contract and they are as bound by it as you.

[ElGrande]

Hold on, folks.

The contract you signed when you took delivery is contingent upon the bank financing your deal. Sounds like the dealer did a "spot delivery" based upon your credit score. The finance office believed they could get you financed at the rate they proposed based on criteria. Sounds like, after 3 weeks, they could not do this. This is because of the credit crunch going on. Banks are turning down loans that would have been a "sure thing" a year ago.

In short, the car still belongs to the dealer, and if you refuse to return it, they can indeed send someone to get it back.

Go back to the dealer with their vehicle, tell them you do not accept the new terms they are asking, and get your old car back. Hand them the keys to the new vehicle, and walk away. They cannot sell your trade until a bank signs off on the deal.

Go to your bank, credit union, etc., and get pre-approved. Then, go shopping again.

[alfredb1979]

There is something you can do.

Be smart and finance through your favorite banking institution.  And be sure it is one you can reasonably afford, too.

Otherwise, give their car back.