Legal Question in Consumer Law in California

Advertising used car incorrectly

I bought a used car on 7/14/06 (yesterday) at a car dealership. I was originally just looking, but ended up buying a 2003 Avalon XL. It was advertised in the local paper as being an XLS. When I asked about the difference to the sales person, I was told it was not a big difference, just a few minor variations. Well, I was researching the differentiations on the Internet just now and realized there is about a $2500 discrepancy in base price between cars & I feel that I should have been told the truth when I asked. Is there any recourse that I can take at this time (I have the paper's ad) because of their misprinted advertisement, or am I just out-of-luck for not knowing the variations in price of the two models? Please advise if I can do anything at this point in time...thank you!


Asked on 7/15/06, 8:58 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Mccoy Law Office Of Robert McCoy

Re: Advertising used car incorrectly

You may seek an injunction under the Consumer Legal Remedies Act against false advertising. And you would be entitled to an award of attorney fees if successful. However, I do not believe you would be entitled to a monetary award for damages, because you were told that there was a difference between the xl and the xls. Car dealers are legally allowed to "puff up" the value of a car, i.e., by saying things like: "The differences between a Mercedes Benz and this Volkswagon I am selling are minimal," or by saying what was said to you.

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Answered on 7/16/06, 11:06 am


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