Other LanguagesTACOMA – Consumers who purchased vehicles from Baydo Chevrolet in Pierce County may be eligible for refunds of documentary fees. The Washington Attorney General’s Office announced an agreement that resolves concerns the dealership engaged in unfair and deceptive marketing practices.
County Line Motors, Inc., denied any wrongdoing as part of the agreement filed this week in Pierce County Superior Court, but agreed to refund documentary fees to consumers who bought vehicles during the dealership’s November 2009 “Nationwide Unclaimed Vehicle Event” or in response to certain advertisements distributed between July 26, 2009, and February 10, 2010. The company does business as Baydo Chevrolet and Baydo Auto Outlet in McKenna.
“Whether intentional or incidental, it was clear that some of Baydo Chevrolet’s marketing practices were driving home some misleading information,” said Assistant Attorney General Mary Lobdell.
The agreement prevents Baydo Chevrolet from:
- Misrepresenting the optional nature of the documentary fee or failing to advertise the fee
- Making misleading statements regarding the nature of sales promotions
- Making statements to create a false sense of urgency
- Inferring in advertising that new vehicles were being sold when they were actually used
- Failing to use industry standard pricing guides to determine vehicle values
- Violating the Promotional Advertising of Prizes Act
- Failing to include voiding language on simulated checks
- Offering unauthorized manufacturer rebates
- Failing to identify specific vehicles for sale by vehicle identification number and the number of vehicles available at the advertised price
Baydo Chevrolet will reimburse the Attorney General’s Office $10,000 for attorneys’ fees and legal costs.
REFUNDS:
Consumers are eligible for refunds of documentary fees if they bought vehicles during the dealership’s “Nationwide Unclaimed Vehicle Event,” held Nov. 10-15, 2009.
Individuals who purchased vehicles between July 26, 2009, and February 10, 2010, may also be eligible. To qualify, they must have purchased the vehicle as a result of viewing an advertisement by mail, newspaper, radio or television that included a specific price or financing offer but did not disclose the documentary fee or misrepresented the documentary fee.
Eligible consumers will be contacted by the dealership and will have 30 days to respond.
DOCUMENT:
County Line Motors Assurance of Discontinuance
Media Contact: Kristin Alexander, Media Relations Manager, (206) 464-6432, kalexander@atg.wa.gov