A LUCKY contestant on a popular game show walked away with a brand new car, but still had to pay the price.
The winner said she waited six months to drive the big-ticket prize.
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In a public blog post, Nicole Fong detailed her experience on the popular TV game show, Let’s Make A Deal, where she played a cheeky game of “car pong” and ended up winning a brand new Kia.
“People in the audience are cheering me on and congratulating me, and suddenly, I’m very self-conscious and almost embarrassed at what’s happened,” she wrote.
“I just won a CAR by throwing a tiny ball into a tiny cup. How did this happen?! It’s crazy talk!”
However, in the post, the contestant clarified that game show winners don’t just get to walk out with their prizes or prize money.
After the show ended, the lucky player said she was taken to an office room to fill out a bunch of paperwork.
Although the show was taped in September 2014, the episode actually aired on television at the end of January 2015.
Fong said she finally received the car roughly three months later, at the end of March 2015.
“I decided to keep the car, but I did upgrade it,” she said.
“I had to pay the taxes on the car, and license/registration, and will have to pay the additional taxes the car prize winnings adds to my income.”
“So it’s not a free car, by any measure, but I’m essentially paying the price of a used car for a new car,” she explained.
After winning the vehicle, Fong said there were a couple of things to keep in mind while she was waiting to get a pair of car keys.
She mentioned that if, for some reason, the show doesn’t air, winners don’t get to keep the prize.
Fong also noted that contestants were required to keep their winnings a secret from everyone because if they revealed their winnings on social media, their prize would be revoked.
Fong emphasized that winners should also be financially conscious about their prizes — a reminder that they will have to pay taxes on anything they win.
Steps drivers must take after getting new car
Purchasing a new car comes with a ton of follow-up:
- Insure your car: The first thing you should do is insure your new vehicle to protect yourself and other drivers in case of an accident.
- Estimate fees: A new car’s fees will depend on its weight, class, and where the driver lives. First-time fees include the sales tax, plate fee, title fee, use tax, and registration fee.
- Get temporary tags: Typically, dealerships will provide a 30-day temporary tag while your vehicle’s registration is being processed.
- Register and title your vehicle: The dealership should sign over the title to you (the new owner), and this paperwork should include the vehicle’s odometer reading. Within 30 days of purchasing the new car, drivers should register it with their state’s DMV. You will need to provide the title, loan documents, and proof of insurance.
- Schedule maintenance: It’s important to get your vehicle inspected for any damages or repairs. You should also check with the dealership and schedule regular maintenance checks to prevent any auto issues from arising suddenly.
- Save your paperwork: Drivers should keep their bill of sale, tax receipts, insurance certification, registration, and financing documents in a safe place in case they are needed later on.
Source: Car and Driver
Fong urged contestants who decided to keep their winnings to make sure they “will be able to pay for the taxes and any other monetary responsibilities” that follow.
Fong was given 10 days after the taping to decide if she was going to accept or decline the big-ticket prize.
Customarily, after the episode airs, it takes roughly 90 days to get the prize to you.
“If you win a car, you have to go to a specific car dealership that they exclusively work with the car prizes,” Fong wrote.
“And FYI, if you decide to upgrade the car, you’ll most likely be paying the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), and won’t get a deal on it.”
“These people already receive your prize money for the car before you come in, and they know you have to buy a car, and buy it there,” she explained.