Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  08/16/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On August 16, 2002, I saw a vehicle advertised on Autotrader.com. The vehicle was advertised on the website ************************************* . Reduced Price Used 2010 ***** *** **** Truck SLT w/ Big Horn Regional Pkg. VIN: *****************, Stock #: *** 2010. Listing Price $3,999 When I called I was told that this was not the listing price. I immediately called **********.com. Who confirmed that the "Listing Price" is the price that the vehicle is sold for and no other price or commitments can be utilized for illegal advertising. In addition, I was informed that this was the second complaint on this vehicle. I called the owner who threatened me. All of this is in pictures. American Auto Bensalem Inc. **** ************ Bensalem,  Pennsylvania  ***** ************************************************* ************************************************************* ********************************

  Business response

  08/22/2022

  Good Afternoon

  
  

  We are replying you about this complaint mentioned above 

  
  

  What Exactly happened 

  
  

  We got a phone call from this person and they said they saw the truck online on auto trader .com for 3999 and they want to buy it 

  we advised them to see the full add ,they saw the full price of 14999 in the add but insisted that why we have on  top for 3999

  The person became very angry and started threatening us 

  The person said you have to give me the truck for 3999 or i am coming there with department of homeland security 

  we really don't know why we were being threatened by department of homeland security

  After giving us really hard time and ignoring the real price which was listed ,they continued calling at the dealership with unknown blocked number 

  
  

  Then they asked to speak with the owner ,i spoke to them and i told them they do they see the full price in add

  they said yes ,but why we have listed 3999 and if we don't give the truck for this price they will sue us 
  We told them they can exercise all their rights and then they asked to speak with our attorney 
  we said can speak to their attorney and he said he was an attorney and he has passed his bar exam 
  
  

  Resolution 

  
  

  We are extending an apology to the person for the inconvenience,and we are also in touch with auto trader to make sure they make prices more visible,please note that all the screenshots are from auto trader

  We will also take $1000 off any vehicle total price if they decide to do the business    

  Customer response

  08/23/2022

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: Submitted to the Attorney General
  
  Regarding: American Auto Bensalem
  Case #: ***-************
  (Address and Phone Provided Upon Request, SPII)
  
  Thank you for taking the time and effort to assess and evaluate this case and the information regarding both parties. We look forward to concluding this case with good faith and due diligence. I wanted to amend my previous information and resolution to reflect on the incident.
  
  I can only speak to the facts of the case and hope to find a good faith resolution as per the information from the auto trader.
  
  FACTS
  
  On August 16, 20022, I saw a vehicle advertised on **********.com. The vehicle was advertised on the website ************************************* .
  Reduced Price Used 2010, ***** ***, **** Truck SLT w/ Big Horn Regional Pkg. VIN: *****************, Stock #: *** 2010. Listing Price $3,999.
  When I called, I was told that this was not the listing price.
  I immediately called **************. Who confirmed that the "Listing Price" is the price that the vehicle is sold for, and no other price or commitments can be utilized for illegal advertising. (See below for Auto Trader Regulations)
  In addition, I was informed that this was the second complaint on this vehicle. I called the owner, who threatened me. All of this is in pictures.
  
  Auto Trader Rules:
  
  Advertised Prices (Quoted): See hyperlink.
  Price must be available to most shoppers.
  No qualifications should be required to receive the price (e.g.: Military or College Grad rebates should not be reflected in asking price).
  No financing of any amount or from any party should be required to receive the price.
  The price must be available regardless of payment method (Price cannot be available to those who pay in some preferred method of payment, e.g.: available only to those who are financing).
  A trade-in cannot be required to receive the price.
  No minimum down payment or trade-in equity can be required.
  
  In addition to these Guidelines, dealers must comply with all applicable federal,state and local laws, regulations, rules, and ordinances, including, but not limited to those relating to false or deceptive advertising, motor vehicle advertising and automotive finance.
  ************************************************************************************************
  

  PRECEDENT
  
  AG ************** PUTS AUTO DEALERSHIPS ON NOTICE FOR UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE PRACTICES.
  Under the Commonwealths Consumer Protection Law and regulations, AG **************** advised that both new and used car dealerships must:
  Sell a motor vehicle under the terms or conditions, including price or warranty, which a motor vehicle manufacturer or dealer has advertised or otherwise represented.
  
  In Addition:
  
  If a store advertises an item at a certain price and then refuses to honor that price, it is considered deceptive advertising, which is illegal in **********. Also, be sure to read the fine print on advertisements. Some contain warnings such as quantities are limited and not available in all stores.
  
  ******************************************************
  
  RESOLUTION
  
  I will pay the list price as advertised and agreed upon by **** ****** and the company at Listing Price $3,999. You can confirm that the list price is the price of the vehicle, and no other caveats are applicable. Their number is ************** (1-**************).
  
  Purchase the vehicle for $9,000, excluding tax and title (paid by me).
  
  Provide me a lump sum of $5,000 for the illegal, willing, and knowing acts (see above). Paid through ******.
  
  I believe these to be fair and good faith choices of resolution without pressing charges. The deceptive charges are indicated on the office of the attorney general site, cited below.
  
  Very Respectfully,
  

  Business response

  09/16/2022

  Good Afternoon ***************** ,

  on the letter we received ** ********************* os demanding to get the truck for 9000.00 and he says that he will pay the taxes and registration

  As a customer satisfaction being our number 1 priority ,we are willing to accept that with the following conditions

  
  

  * Truck will be sold as is 

  * *************************** accepts the offer he would have to pick the truck in next 7 business days 

  * He will be responsible for registration and title 

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩