Return Policy

Vehicle sales at Pacific Autohaus are final at signing. We do not accept returns, exchanges, or refunds on vehicles once the sale is complete. Every vehicle is sold AS-IS unless a separate written warranty is provided in the sale documents.

This isn't unusual — it's how the used-car market works in California. Below is the full picture, in plain English, so you know exactly where you stand before you sign anything.

California has no cooling-off period on used vehicles

You may have heard of a "three-day cooling-off period" that applies to some purchases. That law does not apply to used vehicle sales in California. Once you sign the purchase contract, the sale is legally binding — you cannot cancel or return the vehicle just because you changed your mind or found a better price. Financing is a real exception to this, and which rule applies depends on who arranged the loan — see the section immediately below.

This is confirmed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Please see the DMV's consumer information at dmv.ca.gov.

Financing: the one real exception

There are two different ways to finance a car, and they do not work the same way if the financing falls apart afterward. This distinction matters, so we want to spell it out.

• You arranged your own financing (outside financing). If you brought your own bank, credit union, or cash to the deal, the sale is done when you sign. If your lender later changes its mind, or your circumstances change, that is between you and your lender — the sale still stands.
• We arranged the financing for you (a conditional sale contract). This one is different, and it is not a case where the sale simply stands. California conditional sale contracts contain a standard seller's-right-to-cancel clause. If we are unable to assign your contract to a lender within the period stated in your contract, the dealer may cancel the sale by giving you notice within that period. If that happens, you get your consideration back — your down payment and your trade-in vehicle (or, if we have already sold the trade-in, the amount stated for it in the contract) — and you return the car.

The terms printed on your own purchase contract control. The length of the cancellation period, the notice we have to give you, and exactly what happens to your down payment and trade-in are all spelled out on the contract you signed. Read that document. If you can't find your copy, or it isn't clear to you, call us and we will go through it with you line by line.

The 2-Day Contract Cancellation Option (California law)

California's Car Buyer's Bill of Rights requires used-vehicle dealers to offer a 2-day contract cancellation option on used vehicles priced under $40,000. This option is not automatic — it must be purchased as a separate line item at the time of sale.

• If you purchased the 2-Day Contract Cancellation Option at time of sale, follow the terms printed on that option agreement. Contact us within the window on that document.
• If you declined the option (or the vehicle was priced above the $40,000 statutory limit), the cancellation right does not apply. The sale is final at signing.
• The option covers changing your mind — it does not cover mechanical problems, financing issues, or damage that occurred after you took delivery.

Every vehicle is sold AS-IS (unless we tell you otherwise, in writing)

Federal law requires us to post an FTC Buyer's Guide on every used vehicle for sale. That guide states the warranty status of the specific car. Our default is AS-IS — no dealer warranty. If a vehicle carries an active manufacturer warranty, a certified pre-owned warranty, or a limited written dealer warranty, that will be disclosed on the Buyer's Guide and in the purchase documents.

Optional extended service contracts from reputable third-party providers are available at time of sale. Ask us for a quote — we will never push one on you.

Before you sign — what we recommend

Because sales are final, we want you to feel confident before you commit. We actively encourage every buyer to do all of the following:

• Read the free CARFAX. Every vehicle listing on our website links to a free CARFAX vehicle history report — no signup required.
• Take a real test drive. No time limit. Take it on the highway. Bring a friend. Bring your kids. Drive it as long as you need to.
• Get an independent pre-purchase inspection. Take the vehicle to your own mechanic, or we'll refer you to an independent shop. We'll allow reasonable time for this before the sale.
• Check for open recalls. Enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls — this is free and takes 30 seconds.
• Read the Buyer's Guide and every contract page before you sign. Ask us about anything that isn't clear.
• Confirm your financing is fully approved before you sign a purchase contract. If you arranged your own outside financing and it changes after the sale, that is between you and your lender — the sale still stands. If we arranged the financing, different rules apply; see the financing exception above and the terms on your own contract.

If something is wrong — talk to us first

Our no-return policy is not a shield against legitimate problems. If we made a mistake, misrepresented a material fact about the vehicle, or omitted something we should have disclosed, we want to know and we want to make it right.

Call or text us at (805) 904-0010. When you contact us, please have your buyer's order, VIN, and a specific description of the issue ready. We take these seriously.

If we cannot resolve a legitimate concern directly, California buyers have independent legal remedies:

• The California Department of Motor Vehicles — dmv.ca.gov — handles complaints against licensed dealers.
• The California Bureau of Automotive Repair — bar.ca.gov — for repair and warranty disputes.
• Small claims court is available for disputes up to $12,500.
• An attorney of your choice — nothing in this policy waives any legal right you have under state or federal law.

Refunds, deposits, and dealer fees

• Deposits are handled according to the written deposit agreement you sign at the time you place one — read it before you sign, and ask us about anything that isn't clear. In practice: a deposit holds the vehicle in your name and takes it off the market, so we stop showing and selling it to other buyers. If we cannot deliver the vehicle for a reason within our control, your deposit comes back to you in full. If you decide not to complete the purchase for reasons unrelated to us, we may retain an amount that reflects our actual costs of having held the car off the market, as set out in that written agreement — and we will explain that amount to you. We are not in the business of making money on deposits.
• The $85 document processing charge is a dealer charge, not a government fee. California law caps the maximum a dealer may charge for it, but the charge is ours, not the state's — it covers our cost of preparing and processing your paperwork. Once that paperwork has been prepared and processed, the charge is not refundable.
• Sales tax and DMV registration fees are different. Those we collect on behalf of the state and pass through to the state — we do not keep them. If any of those amounts turn out to be refundable to you, that refund comes from the state or the DMV, not from us.
• Optional add-ons (extended warranties, GAP insurance, service contracts) purchased at signing have their own cancellation rules — those are printed on each product's cover page. Read them before you sign.

Non-vehicle purchases (parts, accessories, merchandise)

We do not currently sell parts, accessories, or merchandise through the website. If you purchased a physical non-vehicle item directly from us on our lot, please contact us within 7 days of purchase and we will handle it on a case-by-case basis. Unopened items in original condition are eligible for exchange or store credit at our discretion.

Contact us

Pacific Autohaus
933 S 4th Street, Grover Beach, CA 93433
(805) 904-0010 · Text us

California Dealer License #70919. Hours: Mon–Fri 10am–6:30pm · Sat 10am–6:30pm · Sun 11am–6pm.