Car buyers at an Orlando-based dealership group paid more than $3,350 above the advertised price, on average, the Federal Trade Commission alleges. The FTC’s complaint against Greenway Auto Group alleges that gap showed up in over 92 percent of its sales. Greenway has agreed to a proposed court order that would force it to show the real price, the commission announced Oct. 8.
What the complaint alleges
The charges are allegations in a complaint, and the order that accompanies them is a proposed settlement. According to the FTC’s announcement, Greenway advertised vehicle prices and then added administrative fees, dealer fees, delivery fees and processing fees that took the final price well above the one shown. The FTC says the added charges averaged more than $3,350 per vehicle in over 92 percent of transactions.
The trade group NIADA, which reported on the case, says the complaint also points to conditional discounts, meaning discounts that applied only if a buyer met some requirement. The FTC also alleges Greenway used deceptive prize mailers, though neither description spells out what the mailers promised. The complaint was filed in the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division…