Attorney General's News Release

Augist 28, 2000

Reliable Chevrolet to pay penalty, restitution over ads promising free PC to customers purchasing vehicles

Springfield, Mo. — A Springfield car dealership that dubs itself as "The Big Lot" will pay restitution to customers and a penalty to the state for a promotion it ran last summer that falsely promised a personal computer "at no additional cost" to those who purchased a vehicle, Attorney General Jay Nixon announced today.

Customers who expected to receive a PC "at no additional cost" from Reliable Chevrolet found that they were responsible for up to $100 in taxes, administrative and shipping fees in order to obtain the computer. Under the order obtained by Nixon, those customers who paid the taxes and fees will be eligible to receive restitution from the dealership, which is located at 3655 S. Campbell.

Under the consent judgment approved by the Greene County Circuit Court, Reliable Chevrolet also agreed to stop any misleading advertising and cannot advertise credit terms that are not actually available. Any limitations and disclaimers in Reliable's advertising must be clear and conspicuous to consumers under the court order.

Reliable also will pay $5,000 to the state to cover the costs of investigating, prosecuting and enforcing the case and also will pay a penalty based on the amount of customers who purchased a vehicle during the promotion but declined to obtain a computer because of the additional costs.

If Reliable Chevrolet violates the court order, the state can seek additional penalties of up to $5,000 per violation.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818