Should a car dealer give you a receipt for your car when you take it in for service?
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Should a car dealer give you a receipt for your car when you take it in for service?
They offered me a loaner and presented me with the rental agreement for the loaner. After filling out the form, I asked them to give me a receipt showing they accepted my car for service. They said they had no such form and we were at an impasse. I told them that they could say that I never gave them my car, and I would have no proof or recourse. They said they saw my point, but they take in a hundred cars per day without giving receipts. Was I wrong to demand a receipt? If not, where might I get a form for them to sign since they have no such form at the dealer’s office?
Asked on October 10, 2011 under Business Law, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You were right in the sense that everything you say makes sense--you should get a receipt. However, they are not obligated to provide one--the law does not require them to provide a receipt in this case or circumstance.
There is no one-size-fits all receipt form, but also no requirements as to what it must have. While you can't compel them to sign a form if they don't want to, you can certainly draft up a simply form saying "[Dealership] acknowledges receiving [your name's] car for service at [location] on [date]"; adding any other terms you discussed with them or feel important; and seeing if they'll sign it.
Ultimately, if you don't like how they do business or worry about this, you might want to explore other service options.
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