Wed, Sep. 10, 2003

Ford dealer ordered to pay $840,000 damages for selling lemon

By LINDA MAN
The Kansas City Star

In March 1994, Lance Scott bought a used Explorer from Blue Springs Ford for $25,000.

On Monday, a Jackson County jury told the dealership to return the money and ordered $840,000 in punitive damages because the business knowingly sold Scott a lemon.

The dealership acknowledged Tuesday that the sport-utility vehicle had been wrecked and later salvaged, but said the business simply made a mistake in selling it.

"It was not right, but everyone makes mistakes," said Bob Balderston, owner of Blue Springs Ford.
Balderston said his dealership sold 19,000 used vehicles in the 1990s and only a few have resulted in legal troubles.
But juror Lizabeth McNamara, reached Tuesday, said jurors heard plenty of evidence that it was "business as usual" for the dealership to sell salvaged vehicles without informing the customer.

"There were too many for it to be a `Oops. A slip through the crack,' " McNamara said. "They never took any steps to remedy it. It could be our moms, our friends."

Balderston, however, said the dealership employs more-vigorous procedures now to check a vehicle's history. Mechanics inspect the body, and previous owners are asked about any wrecks. The dealership orders an automobile history and tracks automotive work done at Blue Springs Ford.

In an interview, Scott said that his troubles began a few months after the sale. Repairs included an engine, two transmissions and a rusted windshield frame, he said.

Scott said he didn't know the Explorer was a salvaged vehicle until 1999 when he tried to trade it and saw its automobile history report.

"You rely on their word, their representation," Scott said Tuesday. "That's why I bought from a franchise dealer -- I was expecting to get a quality car."

Balderston said that Scott drove the vehicle 200,000 miles and ordered $3,000 worth of repairs -- a moderate amount.
He said the dealership plans to appeal the judgment.