RI Attorney General Sues Grieco Auto Dealerships for Allegedly Using Misleading Pricing Practices
GoLocalProv News Team
RI Attorney General Sues Grieco Auto Dealerships for Allegedly Using Misleading Pricing Practices
In the lawsuits filed this week in Providence County Superior Court, Neronha said he seeking a court order to "halt further conduct, obtain restitution for consumers where applicable, and impose monetary penalties for violating the DTPA, the state’s principal consumer protection law."
Specifically, the Attorney General is seeking: 1) a court order to permanently halt the defendant from advertising false and misleading prices for vehicles, refusing to honor advertised prices, and advertising prices without disclosing additional fees; 2) restitution to Rhode Islanders who paid more than the advertised price; 3) civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation of the DTPA; and 4) costs and attorneys’ fees.
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According to the complaints, Grieco Honda and Grieco Toyota have engaged in deceptive pricing practices directed at prospective car buyers in Rhode Island. Grieco Honda is alleged to offer an advertised price for a vehicle, only to refuse to honor that price and instead charge a previously undisclosed “addendum fee” as high as $5,000.
Grieco Toyota is alleged to deceptively advertise vehicles for sale at “wholesale prices” and represent that buyers could “pay what we pay going to auction.”
“Purchasing a car is always a challenging experience, and that is particularly true in today’s market, where the availability of new and used cars alike is at one of the lowest points in our nation’s history. Accordingly, it is now more important than ever that car dealers treat Rhode Islanders fairly and refrain from advertisement and selling practices designed to confuse and mislead them,” said Neronha.
“As alleged in the Superior Court complaints filed by my Office, these two dealerships have done exactly that. This Office will continue to act on behalf of Rhode Islander consumers whenever and wherever necessary to ensure that the bargaining process is fair and that the playing field is level. Most businesses in Rhode Island play by these basic rules," he added. "The comparatively few that don’t should know that this Office, now empowered by the 2021 changes we sought to the state’s consumer protection laws, is prepared to make sure they do.”