ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) -- New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on Monday announced settlements with six auto dealers in the state's Capital District that allegedly used deceptive and misleading advertisements.
Zappone Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, Lia Nissan, Goldstein Auto Group Inc., DePaula Chevrolet, DeNooyer Chevrolet and Albany Dodge allegedly used illusory discounts and rebates totaling as much as $3,000 to lure in consumers.
The dealerships allegedly advertised car prices that reflected the supposed discounts or rebates, even though most consumers were ineligible for the reductions in price.
The rebates allegedly included a military rebate, which was only available to certain military personnel, a college graduate rebate, which was only available to recent graduates, and a lease conquest or competitive lease rebate, which was only available to consumers who leased a vehicle made by a competing manufacturer.
According to Schneiderman's office, the dealerships widely promoted the sale and lease prices that were not available to most consumers.
"A car is one of the most expensive and significant purchases a consumer can make," the attorney general said. "When shopping for a car, New Yorkers deserve to be dealt with honestly and fairly-not misled by deals that are too good to be true.
"These settlements ensure that consumers won't be lured into dealerships by unrealistic prices that have no basis in reality. Those who violate the law will be held accountable by my office."
Schneiderman's office also filed a statutory notice of his intention to sue a seventh dealership, Armory Garage.
Armory allegedly promoted sale prices that reflected discounts or rebates for which many consumers did not qualify. Without the rebates and discounts, the actual price allegedly would have increased over the advertised price by as much as $4,000.