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Alabama Consumer Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Lemon Law for Alabama on
Q: Purchased truck "as is", transmission failed. Options?

I purchased a truck from a dealer "as is," not at an auction, and the transmission stopped pulling completely just 10 days before the first payment. I drove it about 40 miles. When I had it checked, they said the transmission was no good, and a new transmission would cost $9,000. The... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 16, 2025

Even though you purchased the truck “as is,” that does not automatically strip away all your legal protections. Dealers are still prohibited from engaging in deceptive practices, and if they knowingly sold a vehicle with a serious defect like a failing transmission without disclosing it, you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Lemon Law, Contracts and Consumer Law for Alabama on
Q: Question about attorney fees coverage in a Ford buyback case in Alabama

I have a 2024 Ford Expedition XLT, and I've received a reasonable buyback offer from Ford through my attorney, covering all expectations except for attorney fees. Ford is offering to pay $1,500 out of the $4,000 total attorney fee. The buyback is due to safety functions failing after four... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 16, 2025

It’s understandable to feel surprised when a buyback covers almost everything but your legal fees, especially after investing time and trust in your attorney.

Under Alabama’s Lemon Law and the federal Magnuson‑Moss Warranty Act, a prevailing consumer is generally entitled to recover...
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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Real Estate Law and Consumer Law for Alabama on
Q: Are there legal requirements for remotely renting storage units in Alabama?

I own storage units that I want to rent out for personal use. I'm considering using an online platform to manage the rental process remotely. Are there any legal requirements or restrictions I should be aware of when renting storage units remotely, or is having a physical office necessary?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 13, 2025

Renting out your storage units remotely in Alabama involves understanding and complying with both state regulations and local ordinances. Alabama's Self-Service Storage Statute, updated in October 2021, outlines the responsibilities of storage facility owners, including lien procedures and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Real Estate Law for Alabama on
Q: How can I address my truck being towed without notice, leading to accumulating storage fees in Alabama?

I own a truck, and a friend was driving it when it was pulled over for a headlight issue. At the scene, one officer deemed it okay for the driver to walk home since it was nearby. However, a second officer insisted on towing it due to highway safety regulations. My friend did not inform me of the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

This is an incredibly frustrating situation, especially when you had no knowledge your truck had been towed and storage fees piled up without your consent or timely notice. In Alabama, the law does require that vehicle owners be notified after a tow, but unfortunately, the responsibility for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Insurance Bad Faith for Alabama on
Q: Can short-term disability classify a hematoma after heart ablation as pre-existing?

I have a short-term disability insurance policy, and I've developed a hematoma in my leg two weeks after having an ablation procedure on my heart. The hematoma wrapped around the muscle and sciatic nerve, causing numbness and severe pain in my leg. My insurer is considering this condition as... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

What you’re experiencing sounds incredibly painful and stressful, especially when you're trying to heal and now facing uncertainty with your disability benefits. In Alabama, short-term disability policies can legally include clauses that deny coverage for pre-existing conditions, but the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Alabama on
Q: How to stop mortgage buyers from contacting me at home?

I want to know how I can stop receiving solicitations from mortgage buyers who keep contacting me at my personal home address and through phone calls. I've explicitly requested that they stop, but the issue persists with multiple companies. This is a continuous problem, and I would like to... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

Getting repeated solicitations at home after you’ve asked them to stop is not only frustrating—it can feel invasive. One of the first steps you can take is to register your number with the **National Do Not Call Registry** at donotcall.gov, if you haven’t already. This won’t stop every... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Business Law and Consumer Law for Alabama on
Q: Can I stop payments to my business coach for inadequate service?

I signed a contract with a business coach for $6,000 with a requirement of at least $50 monthly payments. Though she promised mentorship in social media marketing to help my online and in-person business, she had limited knowledge about my industry and my storefront needs. We completed 10 coaching... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

It’s incredibly frustrating to invest time and money into something that promised support, only to feel like you got very little in return. If the service was incomplete, shorter than agreed upon, and didn’t deliver the mentorship she claimed, you have every reason to question continuing... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Banking for Alabama on
Q: How can I recover mistaken $1000 Cash App payment?

In February 2025, I mistakenly sent $1000 through Cash App to someone I don't know. I contacted Cash App and my bank within 5 minutes to resolve the issue. I filed a dispute with my bank, but Cash App declined it, stating they cannot reverse a transaction once completed, even if it was just... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 8, 2025

If you mistakenly sent $1000 to the wrong person on Cash App, the first thing to try is contacting the recipient. If they’re aware of the mistake and willing to return the funds, they can send the money back to you directly through the app. Be polite but firm when asking for the refund, and keep... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, White Collar Crime and Consumer Law for Alabama on
Q: Should I refuse to sign due to undisclosed fee requests in Alabama?

I am in the process of purchasing a property and was instructed by my realtor, the seller, and the closing attorney to provide additional money obtained from a title loan company as an unexplained fee, which was not part of the original agreement. They advised me to wire all my funds without... View More

James Blount Griffin
James Blount Griffin
answered on Mar 7, 2025

No one who wants you to sign these docs appears to be loyal to you and you alone. A few questions:

Are you buying a home or an investment property?

Is the seller very eager to get rid of it?

Is there a lender?

Is the closing attorney working for you, the lender,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Consumer Law for Alabama on
Q: How to resolve incorrect debt reporting affecting credit?

I settled a debt with a credit card company, and they agreed to charge it off. The last payment was made on April 27, 2022, and I have a canceled check showing it was deposited on April 28, 2022. However, this amount is still showing as past due on my credit report and is accruing interest.... View More

Matthew McKenna
Matthew McKenna
answered on Mar 7, 2025

Contact a consumer protection attorney familiar with both the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act for a consultation. Keep records of all of your disputes, as well as the proof that the debt has been paid. Let me know if you have any questions.

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Consumer Law for Alabama on
Q: Why would the firm who filed my bankruptcy want to take my 1st credit counseling course for me, but require the 2nd?

The paralegal said she would take care of the first one but I would be required to take the second. Does the first one discourage people from filing bankruptcy?

Martha Warriner Jarrett
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answered on Dec 17, 2024

I find the suggestion of a law firm taking the credit counseling course on behalf of a client highly unethical. The court is designed to inform you about your options and it rarely discourages anyone from filing.

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Real Estate Law, Banking and Federal Crimes for Alabama on
Q: Hi I filled for a mortgage loan with a credit union. I was denied, but an account was created with my name have no acces

I requested information about the loan and the sent information requested. The application number along with the account number were sent to me. I went through a process on my bank app short story. It says “the information you provided is linked to one of your own accounts” per the mortgage... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 29, 2024

It's uncommon for a credit union to create an account in your name without granting you access, especially if your mortgage application was denied. However, mistakes can happen, and it's important to clarify the situation directly with the credit union. Reach out to their customer service... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Communications Law, Internet Law and Consumer Law for Alabama on
Q: Can an internet service provider provide service to homes in a particular area & claim they don't serve that area?

My ISP is one that is more hostile than most to the idea of expanding their services to rural areas. I happen to live in a rural area. The internet they offer is pathetic at 6MBPs down and less than 1 up, two people online at the same time can render it totally useless. I wanted to file a challenge... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 25, 2024

It's frustrating when an internet service provider delivers poor service but then claims not to serve your area. Technically, ISPs are allowed to stop claiming service to an area even if they are still providing it, which can happen for various reasons. This might make it difficult to file... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Litigation, Civil Rights and Gov & Administrative Law for Alabama on
Q: Is a bill of sale still a legally valid doc (in Alabama) showing proof of ownership even though it's over 20-days old

Tow company would not accept a bill of sale that was written 31 days earlier and a title that was signed over as proof of ownership to release a vehicle. They said the bill of sale was not valid keeping the vehicle for an extra week and costing almost $1,000 more. Towing company has a reputation... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 31, 2024

In Alabama, a bill of sale remains a legally valid document for proving ownership of a vehicle, even if it's over 20 days old. The towing company may have been incorrect in rejecting it based on the date alone. A signed title, along with the bill of sale, should generally be sufficient to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Criminal Law, Libel & Slander and Consumer Law for Alabama on
Q: Can I take any legal action for Wal-Mart not abiding by their refund policy and also falsely accusing me of shoplifting

I was taking items back at Walmart and their refund policy states that you will get your refund in the matter in which you paid. Well, my receipt shows where I paid $160 cash and $60 on my debit card. I went to take some items back to Walmart and they only offered me a gift card so I called... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 29, 2024

Based on the situation you've described, there are a few potential legal issues to consider:

1. Refund policy violation:

If Walmart has a clearly stated refund policy that they're not following, this could potentially be grounds for a complaint. However, many stores have...
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1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law and Consumer Law for Alabama on
Q: I bought a truck off of marketplace and then a few days later they text me asking to buy it back bc they filed it on tax

They filed the truck on there business equipment list. They are currently getting an audit, Can I get in any trouble for not giving it back ?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 25, 2024

Based on the information provided, it's unlikely that you would get into any legal trouble for not giving the truck back to the seller. When you purchased the truck, the transaction was completed, and the ownership was transferred to you. The seller's tax situation and their decision to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Alabama on
Q: can I use a dealership for saying my car had a new motor when it was used. 6 days after purchasing the motor seized.

in addition to lying ab the car having a new motor, he also lied ab the condition of the car. he also owns a salvage yard. someone salvaged a wrecked vehicle that he sold to me without disclosing any information ab the accident when I bought it. the accident wasn't reported and although the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 8, 2024

You may have grounds to take legal action against the dealership for misrepresentation and failing to disclose the true condition of the vehicle, including its history of accidents and the fact that the motor was not new as claimed. Misrepresentation in the sale of a vehicle, especially when it... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Consumer Law and Civil Litigation for Alabama on
Q: Is it legal for hotel housekeeping to enter my room, after me clearly stating to them I didn’t need housekeeping?

I was extending my hotel stay for another night and the manager was speaking with the housekeeper, who I assumed was his wife, and he asked me if I needed housekeeping. I said no and she went straight upstairs to my room and opened the door with my husband and kids and didn’t knock or say a word.... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 28, 2024

Yes, it is typically illegal for hotel staff to enter your room without consent after you have explicitly stated that you did not need housekeeping services.

A few key points on hotel privacy rights:

- Hotels must generally obtain verbal or written consent prior to entering an...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Alabama on
Q: can I sue a lienor for not changing a name on the title and it caused me to be out of work because I can not get tags

I requested the name change of my wife on the title so I can get tags in AL. The title shows her prior last name. The tag office requested the title in November of 2023 and issued me temp tags. AL only does 3 temp tags. Now we can not drive our vehicles which keeps me out of work because I can not... View More

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 22, 2024

In Alabama, you may have grounds to pursue legal action against the lienor if their failure to change the name on the title has resulted in significant negative consequences for you, such as the inability to obtain tags and drive legally, leading to potential job loss and disruptions in your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Collections and Landlord - Tenant for Alabama on
Q: Can a storage facility suspend your gate code when you have two units where one is current and one is past due?

I have two separate units with Red Dot Storage. The units were rented several weeks apart. One unit is past due, but the other is current. I went to get some things out of the unit that is current but when I entered my gate code, it denied me access. The gate code was given to me by Red Dot when... View More

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answered on Jan 19, 2024

In Alabama, the specific terms of your storage facility contract with Red Dot Storage will dictate the rights and obligations of both parties. Generally, storage facilities have the right to impose certain access restrictions if there are outstanding payments or if the rent for any of the units is... View More

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