FTC Targets Long Island Dealership Over Hidden Fees and Misleading Car Prices
A vehicle advertised at an attractive price can become considerably more expensive by the time a customer reaches the dealership’s finance office. The Federal Trade Commission is taking action against Stream Auto Outlet, a Long Island dealership accused of using misleading advertised prices that did not reflect the actual cost of purchasing a vehicle. According to the agency, customers were shown prices that excluded mandatory down payments, dealer fees, and unwanted add-on products. The proposed agreement is intended to make advertised prices more transparent and prevent consumers from being drawn into a dealership by offers that do not represent the amount they must pay. How the Dealership Allegedly Advertised Prices That Buyers Could Not Get The FTC’s complaint involves three related businesses operating under the Stream Auto Outlet name in New York. These include 324 W Merrick Ave Auto, LLC, located in Valley Stream, 189 Sunrise Auto Amityville LLC, based in Amityville, and 2232 Sunrise Hwy Auto LLC, located in Islip. The agency alleges that the businesses used online vehicle advertisements to attract shoppers with prices that did not include the full amount customers would be required to pay. One of the central allegations involves mandatory down payments. According to
