The Hidden Costs of Car Buying: One Man’s Fight for Transparency
Mario Flores' car-buying nightmare unveils the deceptive tactics of auto dealerships. Discover Jase Patrick’s relentless mission to reform the industry.
In David Dayen's article "Escape From the Box" on The American Prospect, the story of Mario Flores highlights the deceptive practices of auto dealerships. Mario, a first-time car buyer, was pressured into signing a loan agreement without seeing the full terms. Enter Jase Patrick, a crusader against unethical car sales tactics, who exposed the dealership’s fraudulent practices, from illegal warranty tie-ins to inflated add-ons.
"The price online is only to get people into the dealership, it has zero correlation with what they pay."
Jase, with a personal history of being misled by auto dealers, has committed himself to exposing these scams. "The price online is only to get people into the dealership, it has zero correlation with what they pay," he reveals. His work underscores a broader issue: car buyers are often outmatched by dealerships that thrive on opacity and manipulation.
The article also delves into the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) proposed CARS rule, which aims to curb such deceptive practices. However, auto dealers, through litigation, are fighting these regulations. Jase's efforts represent a larger struggle for transparency and fairness in the auto industry, highlighting the need for stronger consumer protections.
David Dayen
