8 N.J. auto dealerships and owners to pay $1.8M for alleged deception, according to NJ.com.
Eight New Jersey car dealerships and their owners have agreed to pay $1.8 million to resolve allegations ranging from deceptive sales tactics to failing to disclose mechanical defects or past damage to used cars, state authorities said today.
The dealerships and owners — Carmelo Giuffre, of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Ignazio Giuffre, of Colts Neck — also agreed to resolve complaints filed by 45 customers by providing restitution or other relief under a binding arbitration process.
Dealerships included under the deal were Route 22 Toyota, Route 22 Honda, Route 22 Nissan and Route 22 Kia, all in Hillside; Hackettstown Honda; Hudson Honda in West New York; and Freehold Hyundai and Freehold Chrysler Jeep.
As part of the agreement, the companies and owners admitted no guilt and agreed to settle to avoid “costly and prolonged litigation,” a spokesman, Rich Tauberman, said. He added that the dealerships now offer only one price to eliminate negotiations.
“The Route 22 dealerships are confident that offering every customer the same price based on independent and public, third-party data will promote transparency and alter the culture in automotive sales in a way that inspires greater consumer confidence,” Tauberman said.
