Business ProfileforSherman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

The following describes a government action that has been resolved by either a settlement or a decision by a court or administrative agency. If the matter is being appealed, it will be noted below. 

On 9/16/2022 the business entered a final judgment and consent decree with the Illinois Attorney Generals' Office. The consent decree settles allegations that the business engaged in unfair and deceptive advertising and marketing practices. Sherman Dodges advertisements allegedly violated motor vehicle regulations relating to sales events, trade-in values, discount substantiation and advertised prices. The business entered into a Assurance of Voluntary Compliance with the AGs office in 2016. Under the AVC the business agreed not to sell a vehicle for more than the advertised price, advertise a vehicle that was already sold or leased, guarantee a specific value for a trade-in, failing to disclose a consumers potential responsibility for negativity equity on a trade-in, failing to promptly pay off a loan on a trade in vehicle, and advertising loan opportunities to those facing bankruptcy. The suit alleges that the AVC was violated and the business continued to engage in mentioned practices.

Under the terms of the consent decree, the business agreed to not advertise any vehicle which has already been sold, leased, or unavailable; mispresent to a consumer that an advertised vehicle is not available if the vehicle has not yet been sold or leased; to not advertise that it will eliminate a consumer's financial responsibility for the entire balance of an exisitng loan; to make available to the public all vehicles described by its advertisement at the advertised price; not to sell or lease a vehicle for more than its advertised price, not to advertise an offer to sell a vehicle without disclosing all material terms and conditions relating to the offer, not to advertise a price comparison without clearly and conspicuously disclosing the basis for the price comparison; not to advertise using the word "sale" and other similar terms that imply a price savings without reducing the selling price of its vehicles by at least 5% compared to its former price; not to advertise in which limited rebates have been deducted; not to advertise or offer a specific trade-in allowance or range of amounts for a trade-in; not to advertise or offer a free gift in connection with the purchase or lease of a vehicle; not to advertise offers to obtain financing to purchase an automobile to a person who has been adjudged bankrupt; not to offer a coupon in connection with the retail sale of a motor vehicle; not to distribute any document design to simulate a check without printing the words "This is not a Check" on the front and back; to remit payment to lien holder to pay off the lien on a vehicle traded-in to Sherman Dodge as part of a retail transaction within 21 calendar days of the contract date or the date when the dealership took possession of a consumer's trade in vehicle; to advertise the same vehicle for sale at the same price in all concurrent advertisement; to provide a print or hard copy of any internet advertisement displaying the price of the vehicle and obtain a signature from the consumer, confirming receipt, prior to completing the sale of a vehicle to a consumer; to disclose that a consumer is responsible for any negative equity on a traded-in vehicle in any advertisement in which Defendant offers to pay off a consumer's existing loan or lease on a vehicle traded-in as part of a purchase; to advertise the same vehicle for sale at the same MSRP in all concurrent advertisements; to maintain policies and procedures to track the advertised price of a vehicle and ensure that Sherman Dodge does not sell or lease a vehicle for more than the lowest price advertised on the date of the sale; to maintain policies and procedures to track which vehicles are currently appearing in any advertisement and ensure within 48 hours that any vehicle sold or leased is removed from any online or print advertisement; to maintain policies and procedures to ensure that any advertisement published complies with the consent decree and with all applicable Illinois laws and regulations. 

The consent decree was for settlement purposes only and should not be considered as an admission of guilt or finding of violation of the law.