Are Your General Motors Sliding Doors a Problem? Lemon Law advice for GM users.

By Paul Fleming
You could have a lemon law claim! Read this important consumer alert for drivers of the Chevrolet Uplander, Saturn Relay, Buick Terraza, and Pontiac Montana.

Imagine driving in your minivan with your children when all of a sudden the sliding door pops open, putting you and your family at risk. More than 2 dozen complaints have been filed with the national Highway Traffic and Safety Administration from drivers with faulty sliding doors with General Motors minivans, most notably the Chevrolet Uplander. Other vehicles being complained about include the Buick Terraza, the Pontiac Montana and the Saturn Relay. Despite these complaints, there has been no recall Consumers have complained of having the door pop open at speeds exceeding 45mph. Most complaints filed have dealt with 2005-2006 models.

According to on-line reports, GM has previously said there is a quick fix for the problem and they have issued a preliminary report to the service managers on how to fix the issue, blaming it on doors sensors being affected by debris, but there are plenty of consumers who are returning to the dealer time and time again, only to hear that the service manager can't diagnose and/or fix the problem.

Kimmel and Silverman has handled over 100 sliding door case similar to this in the past two years, and says the problem is not limited to GM. These cases have resulted in full or partial refunds for our clients. The frustration lies in the fact that GM is not issuing a voluntary recall on the problem.

If you find that you are dealing with an intermittent sliding door problem, be as specific of when the problem is happening--how fast are you traveling? What are the road conditions? What are the weather conditions? Do you have problems closing the doors? Does the door lock? All of this information is very important to the service department when it comes to diagnosing the problem.

Make sure that each time you pick up your vehicle, you receive a repair invoice which clearly outlines your complaints and the repairs. Once you have three or more repair invoices for this problem, contact a specialist Lemon Law firm in your state. For further information, a useful resource targeting General Motors issues, check out www.gmproblems.com where you will be able to find further information on some well known mechanical issues including water leaks, brake rotors and sliding doors.

For more information on the GM sliding doors lemon law and free legal representation, call 1-800-LEMON-LAW (1-800-536-6652) or visit http://www.lemonlaw.com .

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Don't Get Taken for A Ride When Buying A New Car

By Paul Fleming
The winter is an ideal time to purchase a car, according to lemon law office representatives. With an assortment of 2007 and 2008 models on the dealership lots and competitive pricing initiatives, consumers have plenty of opportunities to get behind the wheel of a shiny new car, truck or SUV that fits their lifestyle.

However, drivers need to take certain precautions to make sure they aren't taken for a ride or stuck with a lemon car. "An automobile purchase is something that should not be rushed", they warn. The Lemon Lawyers offers consumers the following tips:

RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!. Make sure the car you are looking at has a strong customer satisfaction rating, provides the features that you are looking for, and is priced within your range. Consumer Reports remains an exceptional research tool. Also check out Jack Gillis' "Ultimate Car Book". For pre-owned cars, check out carfax.com and Kelly Blue Book (www.kbb.com) to insure that used car drivers don't discover problems down the road.

ASK YOUR FAMILY, NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS. These people can provide useful information and recommendations. They may know someone who adores their SUV or someone whose sport car is constantly in the shop. User forums on the internet can also provide some useful perspectives and uncover common complaints consumers have with their particular vehicles.

KNOW THE MSRP! The MSRP stands for the manufacturer's suggested retail price. Unless a car is in high demand, most dealers will offer their cars at a price that is lower than MSRP. Knowing the MSRP can help you when you are discussing costs. Also, don't forget to call other authorized dealerships to see if they can get a better offer for you. A little legwork can save you thousands and if you are not one who likes to haggle, take along someone who does, or consider one-price shopping offered by Saturn and other manufacturers. Remember, this is your hard-earned money and you want to get the best ride for your dollar.

TRY IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT! This is a common error in judgment. We often order cars in special colors or with additional features and when they arrive, we sign on the dotted line and drive off. STOP! Before you take possession of the car, you need to check out the exact car you are buying, not one just like it. Make sure you try every feature (i.e. air conditioner, defroster, trunk latch, cruise control, sunroof, etc.) Also take it for a quick test drive before you sign any papers. If something isn't working right, don't sign anything. This is the one time you are in control. Demand perfection.

DO NOT PURCHASE A USED CAR WITHOUT A MANUFACTURERS' WARRANTY. Make sure that any car you purchase is protected with a warranty from the manufacturer. This is the only way a manufacturer will stand behind a pre-owned vehicle. And make sure that if you are buying a "pre-certified" car, it is certified by the manufacturer, and not the dealership. Otherwise, you will not be protected under the State and Federal Breach of Warranty Statutes.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! If you have purchased a new car or a car with an existing manufacturer's warranty and you have a reoccurring problem that they can't seem to fix, you do have legal rights. If a car is in the shop a significant number of days in the first year, or has a reoccurring problem under the manufacturer's original or extended warranty period, you could be entitled to a new car, or a full or partial refund. Best of all, there are State and Federal laws that provide 100% cost-free legal help. Don't be afraid to consult a specialist lemon law attorney if needed.

Paul Fleming represents the Lemon Law firm Kimmel & Silverman who have been providing cost-free, quality legal representation to distressed consumers of "lemon" cars since 1991. Contact them at http://www.lemonlaw.com/mail.html or visit their website at http://www.lemonlaw.com .

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Computer use and abuse – is your business protected?

By Andrew Crisp
Recent surveys have found that a third of office staff spend the equivalent of 7 to 14 days a year on personal web surfing, e-mails or texts during working hours. Andrew Crisp an employment specialist at Mason Bullock Solicitors Northampton, looks at some of the legal problems involved in providing computer facilities to employees, as well as considering the policy measures that businesses can take to guard against the risks of computer misuse.

Harassment

We have all received emails containing jokes, humorous images and even film clips. These are all capable of causing offence. If they do so, they may constitute 'harassment' for which the employer may be liable.

Harassment does not need to be targeted at anyone in particular or to be deliberate. Recently, a court awarded compensation to women who worked in an office where men downloaded pornographic images. This amounted to harassment and the employer had to pay.

Defamation

Defamation is the publication of a false statement which lowers the subject of the statement in the estimation of right-thinking members of society. The law applies to electronic communications in the same way as it applies to more traditional forms of publishing.

Several forms of electronic communication can give rise to the employer being liable for defamatory statements made by employees. For example, e-mails emanating from the employer's servers or messages posted on an employer's website, although created by an employee, are likely to render the employer legally liable for any damaging effect.

In order to avoid this, we recommend that employers should have a well-publicised computer-use policy, including a compulsory e-mail disclaimer distancing the company from any personal comments made in the e-mail.

Inadvertent formation of contracts

Despite the fact that e-mails are generally seen as an informal means of communication, they are capable of forming a contract in the same way as a letter. An email sent from an employer’s computer can be the equivalent of sending a letter on the company’s headed notepaper.

There is therefore a danger of employees inadvertently forming contracts on behalf of their employer, without realising it.

A requirement that all e-mails bear a 'signature' or disclaimer limiting the extent to which they are to be taken as being sent on the employer's behalf will assist in negating the employer's liability in this respect.

Policy

It is crucial for employers to have a detailed computer-use policy in place and to make sure it is well communicated to employees. This should refer to the issues outlined above, as well as any other issues that are relevant to your business.

A suitable computer use policy will help to protect you if any problems arise from employees’ misuse of your computers. You may wish to obtain professional advice from an employment law solicitor on drafting a policy.

Andrew is a partner at Mason Bullocks Solicitors Northampton . If you are looking for Solicitors in Northampton to provide you with legal advices, have a look at the website http://www.masonb.co.uk.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com