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“Don’t Settle With Honda” author Heather Peters on a judge overturning her victory against Honda in small claims court over the automaker’s ga...
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Not too long ago we brought -- the story of Heather Peters you remember -- She took -- -- the big company Honda to small claims court because her hybrid civic didn't get anywhere near the gas mileage promised.
And she wine.
But Honda appealed the case of David and Goliath brought in the lawyers and this week -- Superior Court Judge overturned the ruling.
Heather's with me now Heather -- what do you make you this you won't you want only to lose.
But that well you know they know what they've won the legal battle that I've won the moral victory because everybody's thinking twice about Honda now.
Well you know let you -- to -- -- statement after this because they were conspicuously silent.
When you -- going after them and when you won in small claims court but now today they're saying.
Honda is pleased with the court's decision which affirms that Honda was truthful in its advertising of the fuel economy potential.
Of the 2006 Condit Honda Civic hybrid -- thing blasting -- is still maintain they're not doing the right thing.
Well absolutely and there's no question that they were not proven that they were truthful they were proven that they were.
Allowed to get a -- -- that IB PF.
Well and that raises a very good question you know there was that a big small -- not small claims there was a big class action suit you could have been -- part up.
It was settled -- people who -- that's who got a 10200 bucks he wished now that you have been part of it.
Absolutely not I am so glad I got out of that.
The 200 bucks in a coupon is just not the right thing to do here.
They know it and they're getting away with it so I'm glad that I did this I stood up -- is right and I let other people know that small claims court is an option.
Just because I lost doesn't mean that other companies aren't standing up.
But you know it's just so hard for somebody like -- to -- one of these big companies -- But we had a recent case of -- -- AT&T were somebody did win.
Against the company in it was a similar kind of situation where -- they felt like the average of what they were being told about the product wasn't what they got.
Now are you going to be encouraged to maybe -- the EPA AG just said at the end of the day the EPA's letting them get away with office.
No no no I'm not gonna see the government I think the EPA is gone and change their their labeling requirements but it was too late for -- our.
I -- really encouraged by that eighteen T case and others.
That we're inspired by my case.
AT&T did a great thing they lost in court and they didn't hate the guy.
The guy they didn't they konduz mistake of hiring some huge law firm.
It -- make an example of the consumer they look like your money at one that look like in the courtroom Heather.
It would deal can you are an attorney viewing -- -- EO Brett and then this table full of really expensive years.
Yes exactly.
Behind it didn't just to hire anybody to appeal this case.
They hired the founding partner of an 800 lawyer national law firm -- -- he was a fish out of water was very funny was asking the court.
I'm not exactly sure how the procedure work here in small claims.
You know.
I'm glad I made them spend a lot more than 101000 dollars and I'm glad that people know that.
You know now that it they know that -- can't believe what's your read buyer beware especially of Honda.
These so that your hybrid right you haven't you haven't gotten rid of -- -- dumped it.
You know most American City -- looking to -- one I'd be happy except look at this but the but aren't well now you tell the Willis report viewers if we hear from anybody will let me now -- what's the next three I mean are you gonna take this -- further what else come.
Can you can you think -- to pursue this.
Well I tell you this this case it's done in the small claims -- is very quick and that's why I love it it's it's resolved very quickly.
-- what comes next for May I don't know I hope to continue to working consumer advocates -- It's been wonderful to give people a voice I think people are mad as hell they don't want to take it anymore.
And they can go to don't settle with -- don't settle with -- dot org click on the small claims stabbed and there's links all fifty states there.
For the small claims Heather have you heard from people all over the country.
I've heard from people all over the world.
It has been amazing.
I -- threatening email from someone in Prague -- telling me how round they where.
I had friend's mom call me from Sydney Australia saying she saw me on the morning news.
So it's not just a little blip for her for Honda and it's not just a little blip for corporations.
I think corporations are going to think like AT&T did in that little case.
And say boy is this worth the risking our reputation.
Where should we just live up to our advertising -- AT&T cut attack.
They said it's unlimited data here's your -- Honda didn't.
And instead there out bragging that they've tried sixteen or seventeen of these cases and they beat everyone but one and I think that's really sad commentary on what kind.
Well you know we should say any time on the wants to come on the show and talk about this case were glad to have them here would love to talk to you about it may be with -- with us as well.
Heather thanks for coming on the show -- always great to see -- thanks.
