• Once you sign the papers, you are almost always stuck with the deal. It's a common misconception that there is a "three-day right to cancel" for purchases of cars and other items. There is not.

• Most used cars in Georgia are sold "as is" with no warranty. Most consumer advocates say it's crucial to have a used car checked out by a mechanic before making a purchase. Many also recommend ordering a report from CARFAX (carfax.com), a commercial service that offers details on the vehicle's history.

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• Read your paperwork carefully. That's what will count if problems arise, not what the salesman told you.

• Carefully research "extras" like credit insurance and extended warranties. These products are often highly profitable for car dealers, but are not always a good deal for consumers.

• If you are buying from a used car dealer, make sure the dealer is licensed by the state. Also, check for complaints against any used or new car dealer you are considering by checking with state agencies or the Better Business Bureau.

• Ask to the see the title of any used car you may want to purchase. That will guarantee that the dealer can deliver ownership of the car he is selling. Plus, cars that have been totaled in accidents bear a stamp on the title warning the car has a history of major damage.

• Try to arrange financing in advance with a bank or credit union and then compare that with what a dealer may offer.

• Most car buyers drive off the lot with their new vehicle assuming the deal is final. But in most cases, the deal is contingent on final approval of the financing by a lender. This gives dealers the right to call and demand that the car be returned or that financing be renegotiated, a point rarely emphasized at the dealership.