Thoughts on advertising Ecodiesels

[drdfblackm]

I was just curious. I am finding some deals I want to act on...when I speak to the dealership they say they cannot sell or take a deposit on a vehicle and then say once it is fixed the advertised price might be changed.

Guess my question is, is it legal to advertise a vehicle for sale for x price but then say it is not for sale and the price might be different later after it is fixed. I'm not trying to fight this...it's just a curiosity.

Just wanting to see what you all think about this as I am sure I am not the only one that has experienced this.

Thoughts?

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[Deleted member 57233]

I've called on a couple around me and they say they can sell the used ones no problem. Only the new ones have the stop sale.

 

[drdfblackm]

I am talking about new, and since the fix came out last week, they can be sold or a deposit taken...depending on dealership, but you cannot take delivery until the recall is fixed. I understand this may vary from dealer to dealer.

 

[sharpsicle]

Unless you're planning on suing them, I'm not sure what you're after exactly. There's nothing that will really force them to sell you a truck.

 

[drdfblackm]

I suppose I was wondering if others have run into this more than anything else.

I suppose my mind is blown because I have never run into a dealership that did not want to take money.

 

[916WI]

I'm in the same position. I don't know if I'm as serious about the purchase tho. A loaded 2023 Diesel Rubicon with a list of $75k marked down to $64k. They are offering $42k for my spotless 2022 High Altitude--so I'm looking at around $22k+TTL. The diesel is effectively under the stop sale until repaired. They couldn't even let me test drive it. They also wouldn't take a deposit, because the truck is effectively off the market until the recall fix is performed. I was informed that the first pump they get is going in that truck. I liked the diesel I test drove two years ago, but when it comes down to it, there's just too many horror stories involving the diesel. With Jeep completely abandoning the motor, there's a good chance that they will only get worse. The one that I'm semi locked into is cool tho--firecracker red, the safety, cold weather and ACC packages. The 3.6 I have now does everything I need it to do though--and I LOVE the sting grey color. We'll see what happens.........

 

[drdfblackm]

It's funny because I have some dealers that will take a deposit...but I found a deal on one that I really wanted.....I really would like blue or silver with no leather but cold weather package.....blah blah blah. Anyway I found the one...they would not take a deposit and didn't even care to keep me informed if or when it was fixed.....I guess they just have too much business right now.....that's sarcasm and highly unlikely.

I'm a cash buyer and ready to make the move as I am all in on the Ecodiesel.

I suppose I'm just bellyaching.....but isn't that what the interwebs is for???

 

[Sweetums]

You can try reporting them to whatever state agency oversees car dealers, that might be the DMV or a board of consumer protection - it depends on your state. Other than that, you've suffered no damages and therefore probably don't have a case for a lawsuit.
You can also try reporting them to Stellantis corporate, but consider how that will affect you relationship with a dealer you may have to interact with for purchases, repairs, warranty work, and parts.

 

[drdfblackm]

No....I'm not trying to fight.....again.....I'm just complaining.

 

[Mr._Bill]

I was just curious. I am finding some deals I want to act on...when I speak to the dealership they say they cannot sell or take a deposit on a vehicle and then say once it is fixed the advertised price might be changed.

Guess my question is, is it legal to advertise a vehicle for sale for x price but then say it is not for sale and the price might be different later after it is fixed. I'm not trying to fight this...it's just a curiosity.

Just wanting to see what you all think about this as I am sure I am not the only one that has experienced this.

Thoughts?

They are supposed to honor the price they advertise. Since they can't actually sell it, they should not be advertising it. They are telling you up front that they can't sell it right now, and the price may change when they can. It's not a typical bait and switch tactic, so any governing agency will likely do nothing about it. If they were trying to push you into another vehicle, then that would be an issue to complain about.

 

[cranbiz]

Unethical, yes. Illegal, no if it's simply that they won't sell it to you now due to the stop sale. There is also nothing to stop them from adding a "Market Adjustment". As the consumer, you can either buy it or not.

I agree that the dealer should not be advertising it if they can not sell it. They are using the truck to create foot traffic.

 

[Hootbro]

"Not a Lawyer"

Basically, until you actually enter into a formal transactional arraignment either through a buyer order, deposit or other transactional instrument, advertised pricing does not necessarily have to be adhered to unless specific state law says otherwise.

With the chip shortage that saw many vehicles being manufactured and parked waiting for parts, it was not illegal or unheard of having the original Monroney Label window sticker rescinded and new one issued with updated pricing.

So in theory, either by revised Monroney Label or even added dealer addendum pricing, the dealership can advertise and ask a higher price if they so choose.

 

[Wolf Island Diver]

This would vary by state. Most states have weak to non-existent consumer protection laws and they really don’t come into affect until you’ve entered into some kind of agreement. For better or worse (worse), the American system relies on Torts. I don’t think most states protect against bait and switch. Hell, BestBuy has for years put out sales flyers where they actually increase the price of the item during the sale. Not raise it, so they can lower it. I mean they just raise it and advertise it as a sale price. ?.

Also, believe it or not these are frequently screw ups by dealerships in the sense that no one considered the inability to actually sell the vehicle when running a promo and they’re not intentionally running a bait and switch. Manufacturers do this all the time, put out a promo sheet that includes stuff that isn’t available. People in the BDS screw these promos up all the time. So they include general language that prices are subject to change.

 

[SargeDiesel]

I was just curious. I am finding some deals I want to act on...when I speak to the dealership they say they cannot sell or take a deposit on a vehicle and then say once it is fixed the advertised price might be changed.

Guess my question is, is it legal to advertise a vehicle for sale for x price but then say it is not for sale and the price might be different later after it is fixed. I'm not trying to fight this...it's just a curiosity.

Just wanting to see what you all think about this as I am sure I am not the only one that has experienced this.

Thoughts?

Happens all the time... its called "bait and switch"...

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