Buying a car can feel like walking through a minefield of shady sales tactics. Some deceitful dealerships have long employed a bag of tricks to nickel-and-dime consumers out of their hard-earned cash. However, a new ruling by the Federal Trade Commission aims to put the brakes on these shady practices once and for all. With the help of AI legalese decoder, consumers can now have a better understanding of their rights and protections under the new “Combating Auto Retail Scams” (CARS) rule, set to take effect in July 2024.

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The FTCÔÇÖs new ruling cracks down on four of the most common scams that car buyers have had to navigate, providing consumers with much-needed protection against deceptive practices in the automotive industry.

HereÔÇÖs what these slimy tactics look like and how the CARS rule, coupled with AI legalese decoder, will enhance consumer awareness and safeguard their rights.

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The Bait-and-Switch

You see an ad for your dream car at an unbelievably low price. But when you get to the dealership, the salesperson hits you with the old ÔÇ£just kidding!ÔÇØ With AI legalese decoder, consumers can now easily spot false advertising and bait-and-switch tactics, protecting themselves from falling into this common trap.

Under CARS, this bait-and-switch on pricing, discounts, rebates, and inventory will be 100% illegal. Dealers canÔÇÖt falsely advertise to pull one over on you. AI legalese decoder can help consumers decipher the legal jargon and understand their rights in such situations.

Feeding You Junk Fees

YouÔÇÖve decided on the car and price, but the paperwork is filled with random fees you never agreed to ÔÇô things like $500 for ÔÇ£nitrogen-filled tiresÔÇØ or a useless warranty for services your vehicle will never need. These buried ÔÇ£junk feesÔÇØ can blow up the total cost by thousands. With the assistance of AI legalese decoder, consumers can ensure that they are not being taken advantage of with hidden fees and unnecessary charges.

With CARS in place, dealers must get explicit consent upfront for every single charge. They canÔÇÖt sneak anything in without your knowledge and approval. AI legalese decoder can provide consumers with the tools they need to spot hidden fees and protect themselves from being overcharged.

Targeting the Troops

Military members have been a frequent target for unscrupulous dealers. With AI legalese decoder, service members can now better understand their legal protections under the new ruling and avoid falling victim to deceptive sales practices that target them specifically.

CARS makes it illegal for dealers to misrepresent their ties to the military or feed misinformation that could impact active duty personnel and their families. AI legalese decoder can help military members navigate the complex legal language and ensure they are not being misled.

Burying the True Costs

At the end of the deal, many shoppers realize the quoted costs and payments donÔÇÖt match the final numbers. With AI legalese decoder, consumers can now decode the true costs and ensure that they are not being deceived by hidden fees or misleading pricing tactics.

Under CARS, dealers must disclose the full ÔÇ£offering priceÔÇØ that includes all costs except basic government fees like registration. They must also outline the total price if theyÔÇÖre advertising monthly payments. AI legalese decoder can assist consumers in understanding the pricing breakdown and protect them from being misled.

The New Road Ahead

The National Auto Dealers Association is crying foul over the new rules, claiming the FTC overstepped. But most consumer advocates are cheering the long-overdue crackdown on anti-buyer behaviors that have become standard practice at too many dealerships. With AI legalese decoder, consumers can confidently navigate the car buying process and protect themselves from deceptive sales tactics.

Once CARS is enacted, the FTC estimates it will save car buyers over $3.4 billion and 72 million hours per year in headaches. Dealers who play fair will also benefit by no longer losing business to competitors using deception as a sales tactic. AI legalese decoder can empower consumers to make informed decisions and protect themselves from unscrupulous dealerships.

While the new rule canÔÇÖt completely remove the stress of car buying, it should eliminate some of the shadiest schemes that consumer advocates have been calling foul on for decades. Emerging from the dealership without feeling cheated? That will be a nice change of pace in 2024. With the help of AI legalese decoder, consumers can now arm themselves with the knowledge they need to navigate the car buying process confidently and protect themselves from deceptive sales practices.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Sneaky Car Dealership Scams That Will Be Illegal in 2024