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OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION
AUTO ADVERTISING AND SALES PRACTICES
ENFORCEMENT POLICIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................... 1
II. APPLICABILITY .......................................................................................................................... 2
III. RESPONSIBILITY........................................................................................................................ 2
IV. FAIR BUSINESS PRACTICES ACT PROVISIONS ................................................................ 2
A. COMMON VIOLATIONS [O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393(A) AND (B)]. ................................................. 2
B. PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS [O.C.G.A. § 10-1-397] ........................................................... 4
V. PRINCIPLES AND PRECEDENTS ............................................................................................ 4
VI. SPECIFIC POLICIES AND EXAMPLES .................................................................................. 8
A. CREDIT ADVERTISING PRINCIPLES AND PRECEDENTS .......................................................... 8
Truth in Lending .............................................................................................................................. 8
“No Money Down” Advertising ....................................................................................................... 9
Consumer Leasing Act/Truth in Leasing ........................................................................................ 9
“No Money Due at Lease Inception” Advertising ......................................................................... 10
Special Finance Rates .................................................................................................................... 10
B. PRICE REPRESENTATIONS .................................................................................................. 10
Specific Credit Scores .................................................................................................................... 11
Dealer Installed Options ................................................................................................................ 11
Duration of Offers .......................................................................................................................... 12
Monroney Sticker ........................................................................................................................... 12
Unique/Special Sales Events .......................................................................................................... 12
Wholesale/Wholesale Prices .......................................................................................................... 13
Fleet Prices ..................................................................................................................................... 13
Factory Prices/Factory Authorized Sale ....................................................................................... 13
Liquidation/Emergency Sales ........................................................................................................ 14
Going Out of Business Sales .......................................................................................................... 14
Auctions .......................................................................................................................................... 14
Use of the Word “Free” ................................................................................................................. 15
"Guaranteed" or "Minimum" Trade-in Offers ............................................................................ 15
Vouchers and Coupons .................................................................................................................. 16
Absorption of Sales Tax ................................................................................................................. 16
Credit Approval Claims .................................................................................................................. 16
Discounts on Used Cars ................................................................................................................. 16
Discounts on New Cars .................................................................................................................. 17
Rebates ............................................................................................................................................ 17
Special Incentive Programs ........................................................................................................... 17
Factory Invoice .............................................................................................................................. 17
Dealer Cost/Dealer Invoice/Dead Cost Offers ............................................................................... 18
Lifetime Warranties ....................................................................................................................... 18
“Money-Back” Guarantees............................................................................................................ 18
“Number One Volume Dealer” or “Largest Dealer” Claims ....................................................... 18