How can Fletcher Jones say this?

Ask the Hackrs
1

In today’s LAT, Fletcher Jones Motorcars in Newport Beach has an ad for a MB C300 - they say “Thinking about Camry, Accord, or Altima? Think Again! For about the same monthly payment, you can drive a Mercedes Benz!”. It shows a $379 monthly payment plus tax (9%). BUT the kicker…a $4,733.00 due at signing which doesn’t include registration ($300+) taxes etc. And I doubt it includes prepaid maintenance!

I had one experience with them years ago…so bad I actually walked out with them running after my car!

But really…those Japanese cars, even nearly fully loaded, are probably less than $350/month with ZERO drive off…and 12K a year, not 10K!

With enough down/upfront, you could lease a Rolls Royce for less than an Accord!

2

Yep! That is the typical dealer strategy to bring customers into the dealership.
I’ve had clients that were hit with extra fees right before signing paperwork.

1 Like
3

This is a common practice not only used by Fletcher Jones exclusively, but by many, if not all, the dealerships.

The most common ways for dealerships to get to customers is by confusing the potential customers with such thing as $0 down payment. Most uneducated customers would walk-in believing that there would be nothing out of pocket until they’re slapped with first month’s payment and registration fees (and etc)… and of course there is the infamous “fine print”.