As is the case with most other automotive brands out there, there are some good Ford dealers, as well as some, well, not so good ones. Automotive dealers, in general, have earned a reputation for engaging in some unscrupulous practices over the years, including bait and switch, a fraudulent sales tactic where a seller advertises a product or service at a low price to attract customers, then tries to sell them a different product at a higher price or of lower quality. Now, a Ford dealer is facing charges from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over that very practice, among others.
According to The Mocoshow, the FTC and Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown have filed charges against Lindsay Management Company and its dealerships – which includes Lindsay Ford in its portfolio – alleging that its stores engaged in deceptive trade practices including saddling customers with unauthorized add-ons, financing kickbacks, and engaging in misleading pricing activities, all of which violate both Maryland and federal consumer protection laws.
Additionally, the Ford dealer reportedly advertised vehicles at prices that were significantly lower than what consumers ultimately paid, largely due to fees and misleading discounts. In some cases, the dealership allegedly informed customers that they would have to pay additional fees if they didn’t finance their vehicle through certain lenders, which gave the dealer financial kickbacks. Some customers were reportedly charged for things like extended warranties and Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) coverage without their knowledge or consent as well.
“Buying a car is a significant financial investment. Marylanders deserve to know upfront how much they will actually pay for a vehicle and should not be surprised by hidden charges that they did not budget for,” said Attorney General Brown. “Our Office will not let car dealerships profit from unfair and deceptive practices.” “Auto dealers who trick consumers with bait-and-switch advertising, financing sleights of hand, and unwanted add-ons should expect to hear from the FTC,” added Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The FTC and its state partners will continue working to combat this illegal conduct.”
Comments
Ford trucks use the payload to pull trailers, and haul other weights. Could they use torsion bars as Packard used, and Chrysler used only torsion bars in the front suspensions. Back in 1965 , Ford liked swivel bars, that were strong , and replaced leaf springs .
I had that problem with Ted Britt in Fairfax. When I tried to use the Costco price at the end of the deal they then said “oh the 0% financing and all the incentives don’t apply if you use the Costco price”. I didn’t know any better at the time so I took their financing and incentives. It wasn’t till later I discovered that Costco explicitly says all dealer incentives and financing are valid with the Costco price.
Funny, Ted Britt no longer is part of the Costco car buyer program.
My son bought a new 2024 explorer. He was told by the sales person that it would takes months. He would drive by weekly and see new explorers being unloaded. My son bought his Ford using a pin number which meant a fixed price and no commission to the sales person. My other son was the Director for Ford. So my son was given a Vin number for his car. He finds out that it was given to someone else. Finally my son goes to the sales person and the manager, he tells then what they have done to screw him over. The manager with my son goes out to the lot and my son points one out and says he will take it. When they go in to finalize the paperwork that’s when they start to tell him about all the extras he needs to pay. My son said “do you really want to go down this road” he refused to pay the extras and finally got the car. His brother, my other son told him to report their scam but he didn’t, but after reading this article, I had to write this.
The sales person got no commission and sold his ordered car to someone else. My son was given numerous Vin numbers and a tracking number and it showed the car going to other places. I wish Ford would see these comments and email me. This all took place last year.