NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper announced an agreement Wednesday with a Nashville auto dealer to resolve allegations of deceptive marketing in regards to a vehicle clearance event.
Gary Matthews Motors LLC, doing business as Gary Matthews Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Nashville, allegedly violated certain provisions of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act in a mailer sent to consumers. Gary Matthews allegedly failed to make proper disclosures to the consumers related to monthly payments, financing offers and prizes available to consumers.
"It is crucial that when a consumer receives an advertisement from an automobile dealer that the advertisement is presented in a lawful manner and in such a way that the consumer is able to make an informed decision," Cooper said. "Consumers should be presented all of the details when an item is offered as an incentive to purchase an automobile."
Under the terms of the agreement, Gary Matthews must pay $10,000 to the state and alter its allegedly deceptive advertising practices. Gary Matthews is permanently enjoined from offering a prize without clearly disclosing the approximate retail price of each prize and the odds of winning such a prize. Gary Matthews is also prohibited from promoting certain monthly and down payments next to pictures of automobiles that are not included in the financing offer.
Gary Matthews denied wrongdoing as part of the agreement.
Tennessee AG announces agreement with Nashville auto dealer
