Avoid The Pitfalls Of False Dealer Ads

Pitfalls Of False Dealer Ads

Any online car search will return ads for low or no up-front payments, reduced-interest loans, or “bad credit, no problem” promises. You might even see free or low-cost add-ons, or maybe a dealership near you is showcasing its high trade-in allowance. Sometimes, these incentives are real – but more often than not, they’re just misleading dealer ads to get customers in the door.

Frisco CDJR believes you deserve a no-surprises, full-transparency car shopping experience, and that’s not just lip service. For years, our dealership has prioritized customer service, and that includes educating our patrons about misleading advertising and how to see through it.

The next time you search for a new or used vehicle, don’t be fooled by deceitful dealer ads. Protect yourself from unwanted markups by applying our tips below. We are here to expose dealer ads and how they take advantage of hardworking customers like you.

Common Dealer Ad Scams: Don't Fall for These Tricks

Common Dealer Ad Scams: Don’t Fall for These Tricks

Unfortunately, many dealerships today don’t have their customers’ best interests at heart, even if they claim to. Sales teams are trying to hit quotas and goals, and sometimes that pressure leads to false advertising, hidden fees, or scams. Even dealerships that look good on paper can be guilty of running misleading dealer ads that seemingly offer incredible pricing but bury you in extra fees as soon as you commit to the sale. Here is a list of the most common dealer ad scams.

  • Bait and Switches: Advertising a vehicle for a competitive price, then revealing additional costs or contingencies
  • Hidden Fees: Promoting cars with low monthly lease or finance payments while withholding important fees that will increase those calculations
  • False Interest Claims: Offering “zero interest” plans but limiting this opportunity to only the most highly qualified customers
  • Pressure Tactics: Marketing that conveys “limited time” offers designed to pressure buyers into making decisions they may not truly want
How To Spot Misleading Dealer Ads

How To Spot Misleading Dealer Ads

With a bit of practice, you can train yourself to spot common dealer advertising scams and markups. First, do a little market research on the vehicles you like most. Then, when you’re shopping online or in person for your next daily driver, look for tell-tale signs like these that often go hand in hand with misleading dealer ads:

  • Too-good-to-be-true pricing
  • Vague lease or finance descriptions
  • “Limited time” offers or “act now” ads
  • Ambiguous language like “starting price” or “starting payments”
  • Advertised vehicles that aren’t actually available at the dealership
  • Missing information about a vehicle’s condition or accident history
  • Low dealership reviews from recent customers

No Hidden Fees at Frisco CDJR, Your Full-Transparency Dealership

This information might lead you to believe that there are always negatives to dealer ads, and while that is true in many cases, it couldn’t be further from the truth at our CDJR dealership. We pride ourselves on our straightforward automotive offers and want to arm our patrons with all the information they need to avoid misleading dealer ads.

Frisco CDJR does not charge for any dealer ads; what you see is what you pay – no surprises, no hidden fees. We’re here to build trust and loyalty with drivers like you, and that’s only possible with complete transparency and no secret markups. If you’re tired of false promises and misleading advertising, choose Frisco CDJR for an honest, trustworthy car shopping experience.

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