What does the “add on” consist of? The FTC is cracking down on a lot of these scams with new legislation, but the laws aren’t in effect yet.
Interesting to see what happens with this... https://fordauthority.com/2022/08/ftc-will-not-extend-comment-period-for-rules-that-impact-ford-dealers/ in short, the proposed rule would prohibit motor vehicle dealers from making certain misrepresentations in the course of selling, leasing, or...
www.fordraptorforum.com
In the background, it lists the following:
"Commonly offered add-ons include extended warranties, service and maintenance plans, payment programs, guaranteed automobile or asset protection (“GAP” or “GAP insurance”), emergency road service, VIN etching and other theft protection devices, and undercoating."
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In other instances, dealers might wait until late in the transaction to mention add-ons, and then do so in a misleading manner. For example, according to an FTC study, there were situations where dealers waited until the financing stage to mention add-ons, after consumers believed they had agreed on terms, and even though many add-ons have nothing to do with financing and were not mentioned at all during the sales process or when prices were initially negotiated. (70) According to FTC enforcement actions, dealers also have represented that add-ons are required when in fact they are not, (71) have misrepresented the purported benefits of add-ons, and have failed to disclose material limitations. (72)
Indeed, in a recent enforcement proceeding brought by the FTC, the agency cited a survey finding that 83% of consumers from ten dealership locations within the same motor vehicle dealership group—the thirteenth largest dealership group in the country in 2020, as ranked by total revenue—were charged for add-on products or services that they did not authorize or as a result of deceptive claims that they were required to purchase them."
I've experienced these in prior transactions, although not from the Ford Dealers I've worked with. I have from Land Rover/Jaguar twice now.