3 Tips to follow if a Dealer Tries to Add Charges Above the Advertised Price
Sep
13
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
You’ve heard it on the radio; it’s following you online; you’ve seen the TV commercial—that’s right, the one with the dog relishing a car ride; tongue lapping the air, fur flying in the wind…
By now, you’re aware that all-in price advertising is the law for car dealers in Ontario. If a dealer advertises a price for a car (new or used), that price must include ALL fees and charges the dealer intends to collect, with the exception of HST and licensing. However research shows that a small minority of car dealers continue to add hidden fees or extra costs that exceed their advertised prices.
What Should a Consumer do if a Dealer Tries to Add Charges ABOVE the Advertised Price? 3 Tips
- Walk away
- Shop elsewhere
- Call OMVIC
“Don’t buy from that dealer. Walk away!” exclaimed Terry O’Keefe, OMVIC Director of Communications. “If a dealer tries to add charges in excess of the advertised price, that dealer doesn’t deserve your business so you should simply shop elsewhere and report that dealer to OMVIC.”
OMVIC takes its job of enforcing the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act (MVDA) very seriously as is evidenced by recent discipline decisions. But we don’t want consumers to mistrust all dealers: “The vast majority of dealers are compliant and offer excellent service to their customers,” said O’Keefe. “However there are a few who tarnish the reputation of the many.”
So while OMVIC is here to protect consumers and enforce the legislation, it’s just as important consumers learn their rights. In those infrequent instances that a dealer doesn’t live up to the standards required of them, an educated consumer is the best line of defence. Visit OMVIC’s website to learn more about your car-buying rights including all-in price advertising.
Important note: OMVIC does not regulate vehicle manufacturers; therefore advertisements placed by manufacturers do not have to comply with the MVDA and the all-in price advertising rule. That said, some manufacturers voluntarily comply with the all-in price advertising provision and commendably provide transparency to consumers.
To learn more about car-buying rights in Ontario, including all-in price advertising, consumers can visit OMVIC’s website at omvic.ca.
Connect with OMVIC on social media!
Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council
@omvic_consumers
@omvic_official
Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council
www.omvic.ca
www.ontario.ca/page/consumer-protection-ontario
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