New York City – Buying A Used Car? Use Caution, Says the Dept. of Consumer Affairs

New York City – ‘Tis the season for deals, but if you’re planning on buying a used car, the Department of Consumer Affairs says to use caution.

An investigation of 18 used car dealerships in New York City found that 10 employed bait-and-switch advertisements, according to the DCA.

DCA Commissioner Jonathan Mintz said that of the 63 violations handed out to 10 dealerships, 48 were for advertising vehicles after respective dates of sale. One of the dealerships with violations, City World Toyota in the Bronx, received charges from DCA in August 2008 advertising deceptive “free gas” promotions, Mintz said.

Some customers allege that they bought automobiles from City World Toyota on promotion weekends between May and June 2008 but did not receive $500 gas cards as promised.

Bronx Used Car Dealerships With Violations:
• City World Hyundai: 18 violations for advertising vehicles after respective dates of sale.
• City World Toyota: one violation for advertising vehicles after respective dates of sale.

Brooklyn:
• Bay Ridge Honda: one violation for disparate pricing.

Manhattan:
• Potamkin Manhattan: four violations for disparate pricing.

Queens:
• BMW of Bayside: two violations for advertising after respective dates of sale.
• Lee’s Toyota: six violations because the dealership was unable to produce a police log book.
• Major World: one violation for unlicensed activity and one violation for disparate pricing.

Staten Island:
• Manfredi Used Car Super Store: two violations for advertising after respective dates of sale.
• Manfredi Mitsubishi: one violation for advertising after respective dates of sale.
• Manfredi Hyundai: 24 violations for advertising after respective dates of sale.