Besides all your dealer and repair documents, did any of you bring any internet (car website threads, NHTSA site info such as TSBs, etc) info about the Z's problems to the arbitration to back up your claim?

I'm sure the NNA rep will make it seem like you're the only one with this problem and/or that there is nothing wrong with your car, but I'm not bringing an attorney and I want to make sure I am prepared for this day.

Those that have gone to arbitration, can you lend some advice?

Thanks in advanced.

 

Like you said i bought my repair orders. You will also need your original sales contract, they will make a copy of it for their records. They need the financial information from it just in case they mandate NAA to either buy back or replace your car.

You will need a copy of your registriation along with proof of insurance.

As far as documentation is concerned, I bought the TSB's. The NAA was represented by telephone. So the only documents that the arbitrator saw was the ones I provided.

I also brought a phone log listing all conversations with NAA. I didn't need to submit it but I atleast had it. I mentioned that I had to always call my consumer rep that she would never call me or return my phone calls. The arbitrator was a little concerned about that. I also bought letters and posts from people on this forum, but I didn't use them either.

Most importantly, be organized and well prepared. I made up a file and indexed everything so that I could easily find something when asked for it.

Best of luck. When I was leaving my arbitration hearing I thought the arbitrator was leaning towards having a specialist look at my car but also saying that he wanted to make some calls. When I got the decision he had decided that my vehicle should be bought back. He must have found out some interesting info.

 

Thanks for the advise. I'll try to have all my documents in order and will have some complaints on hand just in case.

I'm sure I'm not the only Z in Orlando that has gone to arbitration, so the arbitrators in Orlando may already be aware of the Z problem(s) (but I won't count on it).

Thanks again.

 

KEEP A COPY

of all documentation you have regarding your vehicle and its history. This includes all repair orders, purchase contracts, warranty book and owners manual that came with your car.

TAKE WRITTEN NOTES

of all conversations you have with your dealership and repair technicians concerning your vehicle and its “lemon” potential. Include the date, time and what specifically was discussed. This includes phone calls and in-person contact.

ASK ABOUT TSB’s,

or Technical Service Bulletins, instructions from the manufacturer that alert dealerships of specific defects or necessary repairs in certain models. If you don’t ask your dealer might not present you with this information, so speak up and ask your technician to write your request on the repair order.

PREPARE A TIMELINE

if you have many repair orders in your possession, to organize each repair attempt by date, the number of times the vehicle has been in the shop, and how many days total your vehicle has been out of service.

DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED

by your dealer, repair technicians, or others who might tell you the problems you are experiencing with your vehicle are minor and that you do not qualify under the lemon law for any sort of relief. ONLY AN ATTORNEY who is licensed to practice law in the state where you purchased your vehicle and has some familiarity with the lemon law, can make that determination!