![]() A dealer may use in its advertisements the statutory language, "a documentary service fee in an amount up to $200 may be added to the sale price or the capitalized cost” or other language that conveys that the documentary is optional and/or negotiable. Absent proper disclosure of the fee in print, radio and television advertisements, a dealer cannot charge a consumer a documentary service fee of any amount. In order to charge a documentary service fee, the dealer must include a disclosure about the fee in its advertising. Washington law allows a documentary service fee of $200. Buyer’s liability (remaining cost) at end of open-end lease.If your ad lists a finance charge, such as “2.9% financing,” the rate must be stated as an “annual percentage rate,” using that term or the abbreviation “APR.”Īds for cars available for lease must include these disclosures: Model or vehicle to which the offer applies.Payment amount and frequency of payments.In addition, a dealer must disclose all material limitations in a clear and conspicuous manner and disclose specialty and loyalty rebates separately.Ĭredit offers that list a down payment, payment amount or the number of payments must include these disclosures: Dealers can’t advertise optional equipment rebates because these rebates are not generally available to the public. Any offered rebate must be generally available to the public, available in combination with other rebates offered and expressed as a component part of the advertised price. In addition, don't imply an offer is “free” if any money must be spent to receive the item.ĭealers may only offer authorized manufacturer rebates in conjunction with sale. State on the first page of the offer if a winning ticket must be presented to receive a prize.Any simulated check used as part of a promotion must state “This is Not a Check” diagonally in dominant typeface.The words “no purchase necessary” and “a purchase will not increase your odds of winning” in a clear and conspicuous manner.Whether winner must attend presentation or pay any money to claim prize (disclosure must be in a size equal or greater than prize claim).Odds of winning (must be placed in immediate proximity to prize).Name and address of sponsor and promoter.If an ad says a vehicle is being sold above, below or at invoice price, then the represented price must be the actual cost the dealer paid to acquire the vehicle from the manufacturer.ĭealers can also include the actual cost of transporting the vehicle from the manufacturer and any mandatory advertising fees in the represented price.īut they can’t include dealer holdbacks, flooring incentives, manufacturer-to-dealer incentives, optional advertising fees, dealer overhead, document fees or consumer rebates as part of the represented invoice price.Īny advertised prize or promotion must include these disclosures: To better assist you in complying with these laws, we’ve provided some general information regarding the do’s and don’ts of auto advertising. You can save yourself a lot of time and money by simply abiding by state and federal laws. Most of the subjects of recent enforcement action have been responsible for the state’s costs at an average of $30,000 for attorneys’ fees alone. For example a mailer with a circulation of 25,000 containing 4 advertising violations could be subject to a potential penalty of $750 million ((25,000 x 4) x $7,500). The maximum penalty is $7,500 per advertising violation with each printing counted as an advertising violation. ![]() If you are found to be in violation of state advertising rules or laws, you could be responsible for paying penalties and costs to the state and restitution to customers affected by your actions. The potential liabilities of engaging in false, deceptive or misleading advertisements can be crippling. Regardless what method you use to promote your business, you have a responsibility to abide by state and federal truth-in-advertising laws. In today’s market, businesses must work twice as hard to catch the eye of potential customers and rely on a variety of advertising methods to do just that, including newspapers, the Internet, radio, television, billboards and direct mail. ![]() Advertising is a necessary component of any successful business.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |