Cherry Hill Triplex auto dealerships, Cherry Hill, NJ - misleading TV ads in Philadelphia area

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on February 18, 2003:

From: Dave Robinson [Email User]

RE: Cherry Hill Triplex auto dealerships, Cherry Hill, NJ - misleading TV ads in Philadelphia area

Greetings, I am posting this complaint because it simply annoys me when a company makes a claim and then fails to make good. In this particular instance I am referring to the Cherry Hill Triplex family of Auto Dealerships located in Cherry Hill, NJ. For the past month or two, the Cherry Hill Triplex has been running these television commercials on WB network here in the Philadelphia area promising $8000 cash or your first 2 payments for any trade. Of course the commercial features individuals stating how they had no idea their 'old ride' could be worth $8000. Now about a month and a half ago, a friend and I, always being interested in a good deal on a vehicle, stopped by the Cherry Hill Dodge (one of the member dealerships of the CH Triplex) dealer to inquire about this promotion. When I asked about purchasing a vehicle in cash, (therefore having no payments) I was told the offer was actually 'up to $8000' cash or your first 2 payments. I was then told that on the vehicle I was considering trading (a 1990 Buick wagon) I would be offered the 'equivalent' of 2 payments (as if one were financing their new vehicle) as the vehicle I was considering trading in obviously was not worth $8000. At that point my friend and I no longer being interested left. Fast-forward to the present (2/18/03). Last week I saw the Cherry Hill Triplex commercial being shown again offering '$8000 cash or your first 2 payments for any trade'. I very carefully observed the commercial looking for any referrences to the deal being 'up to $8000 cash', or any fine print modifying the statements being blatantly made during the commercial. There are none. So I call the Triplex phone # listed in the TV commercial. I am connected to a sales person named 'Rob' at Cherry Hill Mitsubishi (another of the Triplex family of dealerships). I explain to him that I am considering purchasing a vehicle in cash (thus having no payments).

He tell me that I would then be offered the $8000, however that offer is only valid on the purchase of used vehicles. (At no point in the TV commercial does it state that the offer is only available on used vehicles.) I specifically ask 'Rob' if the $8000 would be offered on ANY trade. 'Any trade' he tells me. I tell 'Rob' I would then be interested in a used Neon R/T. (Blue book value currently $12.5k - $8000 = $4500, and still under the factory transferable 7 year 70k mile warranty) Apparently the Triplex has no Neon R/T's in stock though and refers me to the Cherry Hill Dodge used-vehicle department to see whether or not they could locate such a vehicle for me. I had also put in an internet inquiry (as on their website they state they can possibly locate a vehicle if they do not list it in inventory). I get a couple replies, I think automated, but not certain stating that they don't have what I'm looking for but call in and maybe they can work something out. So I call and ask for an 'Emerson Haug', the Internet Sales Manager Manager and Business Development Manager. (the individual named in the email replies) Emerson tells me they could only locate a used R/T if one was reposessed or located at dealer auction, and that the deal is 'up to $8000' and good on new and used vehicles.

I tell him that the commercial says nothing about 'up to $8000' and that 'Rob' had told me if I bought the car with cash I would be offered the $8000 in cash for any trade (since I had no payments to make), but only on used vehicles. I inquire then about a new 2003 Neon R/T, however Emerson tells me that I would not be offered $8000 cash for my trade. After I repeat what the commercial explicitly states, and what Rob told me last week, Emerson then connects me to Robert/ aka Rob. I repeat to Robert exactly what he told me the other day, and also what Emerson just told me.

Rob then affirms the 'only on used vehicles' and at first confirms the $8000 cash for any trade (as stated in the commercials) but when pressed further backpedals to 'up to $8000'. I am well aware that the 'first 2 payments' statement is the company's escape clause so as to not have to offer anyone $8000 for a trade worth significantly less, and this works perfectly well with a customer who is interested in financing a vehicle. If a custom is interested in purchasing a vehicle in cash, therefore having no payments, I do not see how The Cherry Hill Triplex can simply alter the deal advertised in their television commercial so as to not offer me the $8000 cash as specified in the commercial. Honestly I don't 'need' another vehicle so this situation is not exactly a terrible hardship. I would 'like' to own a newer Dodge Neon R/T and would purchase one if it were available with the $8000 trade advertised. (2003 R/T with power sunroof MSRP = $18.2 - $2500 Chrysler rebate, - $8000 trade = $7700) IMHO however advertising "$8000 cash or your first 2 payments for any trade" in a TV commercial and then not offering what was advertised is simply lying and lying in an advertisement is false advertising. This bugs me. I would like to see the dealership either forced to live up to their advertisement, or desist in that line of advertising. Thanks for your attention.

Comment On This

Thank you fro talking about this issue. Where didi you go to make the compliants. I would like to complaint to the state representative or i'm going to get a lawyer involved in the problems i am having with the triplex.