The signs of a good car-buying experience? Things like trust, transparency, and fairness at the dealership. The signs of a bad car-buying experience? Things like misleading ads, bogus fees, and discriminatory practices. How can you protect yourself when buying a car?
According to the FTC and the State of Arizona, at Coulter Motor Company — which operates dealerships in Arizona — many customers got those signs of a bad car-buying experience. The FTC and Arizona say Coulter often advertised low vehicle prices to get people in the door, then charged them thousands of dollars more at the dealership. Sometimes Coulter blamed the upcharge on a surprise “market adjustment.” Other times, the FTC says Coulter slipped in add-ons — like theft protection, paint coating, nitrogen tires, or tinted windows — that people didn’t want or agree to. If people noticed and asked to remove the add-ons, Coulter often claimed they were required to get the car. (…The add-ons were definitely not required.) (Read More)
The Virginia SMP 