[Awareness] Misleading Car Advertisements

[Thaiyotakamli]

12 hours ago, Carbon82 said:

What is your first impression upon seeing the following advertisement, as a general public / consumer?

While I believe many seasoned buyers would expect the "from" price to be that of the lesser model (e.g. entry level trim, lower priced model, etc.), I don't think anyone would expect it to be for USED CAR!

https://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=1075337&DL=2038

https://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=1078169&DL=2213

Taking the Volvo S60 / V60 advertisement for example, anything that make it look like a used car advertisement? Used car need to "Book" and can choose to be registered (re-registered) in April meh? Wow... Wearnes Automotive and Vertex Automobile have really taken things to a new low!

There might be more ADs doing the same... beware!

Yes i went to see S90 last month for 189999k

thought its brand new

 

 No its mgmt car and i will be second owner. Really bluff ppl

[Thaiyotakamli]

4 hours ago, Benarsenal said:

To be fair though the ads never actually said the cars were 'new'.

But its listed by the AD of new car under new car promotion. Kind of misrepresentation

 

 

[1fast1]

4 hours ago, Carbon82 said:

I would say that the advertisement would have infringed the CPFTA, going by the clause highlighted in Red. Would sgcarmart exercises their obligation to ensure fair and truthful advertisement?

Under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act [a.k.a CPFTA], it is an unfair practice for a retailer to make false or misleading claims. Likewise, one of the general principles of the Singapore Code of Advertising Practice is that of truthful presentation.

From SCAP Chapter II ("General Principles"), Clause 5 ("Truthful presentation"):

5.1 Advertisements should not mislead in any way by inaccuracy, ambiguity, exaggeration, omission or otherwise. more specifically, advertisements should not:

1. Misrepresent any matter likely to influence consumers’ attitude to any product, advertiser, or promoter;
2. Misrepresent any information to mislead consumers into believing any matter that is not true, such as the source of the product, quality of the product, obligation (or non-obligation) in using a trial product, and others;
3. Mislead consumers about the price of goods or services;
4. Underestimate the actual total price to be paid;
5. Mislead consumers to overestimate the value or mislead consumers regarding the conditions on the terms of payment such as hire purchase, leasing, installment sales and credit sales; or
6. Mislead consumers regarding the terms or guarantee, delivery, exchange, return, repair and maintenance; and mislead consumers regarding the extent of benefits for charitable causes.

In a country where an AD rep can testify that the mileage was false and the case can still go against the consumer, we want to split hairs about CrapFTA? My toes are laughing. 😂😂😂

There is practically no real consumer protection in this silly place. 

[Knighthunter]

They already practice this so many years, management cars sale AKA test drive cars. Only this time never mention it in their ads.

As ex-Volvo owner, if I ever go again to this brand I won't buy MIC models that priced by AD with super fat margin for new unit. 

[Wt_know]

if it's too good to be true, it probably is

[kobayashiGT]

11 hours ago, Benarsenal said:

To be fair though the ads never actually said the cars were 'new'.

long time no see bro!

[Mkl22]

9 hours ago, Carbon82 said:

Picture speaks a thousand words. @Benarsenal @Lethalstrike you decide if these advertisements are misleading or otherwise...

Seat Tarraco Ad on sgcarmart

Volvo S60 Ad on sgcarmart

 

@Tianmo here's my "learning journey" to the "great discovery".   

Accompanied a friend to check out the Seat Tarraco last Friday, and the advertised price was for selected model (a total of 5 units, all registered in late Dec 2021, bearing SND 46xx to 49xx VRN - 1 x Style trim @$164,999 and 4 x Xcellence @$171,499). New car pricelist is totally different from what advertised. My friend actually said out loud "what a scam" in front of the SE and we left the showroom in less than 5 min...

Then I saw the Volvo ad on sgcarmart on Sunday and called my SE to enquire on the actual promotional price for the V60 CC which I am quite keen with. I am intelligent enough to tell that $199,999 confirm and chop NOT for the V60 CC, and was even prepared that it might be unregistered test drive car or the OCBC Cycle event car - with mileage of up to 3,000+Km, as I have been following their ad since late last year.

Little did I expect that $199,999 is for a S60 management unit registered in Feb 2022 (a loaner / courtesy car as what @Lethalstrike has pointed out earlier). I told my SE the ad is very misleading and he said he got a few complaints from his other potential customers as well, as the ad was posted under "New Car" section. So in both cases, it was from the AD / SE, not my own wild guess, nor alternative recommended by the SE.

they did say for April registration. meaning must be a new car. really misleading. whack on social media and see how they reply. but maybe all they want is such publicity.

[Lethalstrike]

20 minutes ago, Mkl22 said:

they did say for April registration. meaning must be a new car. really misleading. whack on social media and see how they reply. but maybe all they want is such publicity.

I suggest Carbon82 to call his Wowo SE and clarify again could be better. If they really selling courtesy car as a new car, then they deserve to be whacked. 

[Watwheels]

I understand what Carbon82 is coming from.

He said first impression upon reading the ad. You will think new car starting from the stated price but then when you go down to the showroom they will tell you it is a test drive unit or as long as not brand new.

When you read to the words, "limited units", it is a giveaway, you know what it means. Usually if you know the listed price and out of the blue a few units cost lower, you will know.

It is not very clear cut but season buyers would know what it means. The way it is written is used across all dealers I believe.

Edited April 5, 2022 by Watwheels

[Carbon82]

23 minutes ago, Lethalstrike said:

I suggest Carbon82 to call his Wowo SE and clarify again could be better. If they really selling courtesy car as a new car, then they deserve to be whacked. 

GPGT. I follow up with call to this SE for further confirmation after seeing the WA replies. 

[Carbon82]

15 minutes ago, Watwheels said:

I understand what Carbon82 is coming from.

He said first impression upon reading the ad. You will think new car starting from the stated price but then when you go down to the showroom they will tell you it is a test drive unit or as long as not brand new.

When you read to the words, "limited units", it is a giveaway, you know what it means. Usually if you know the listed price and out of the blue a few units cost lower, you will know.

It is not very clear cut but season buyers would know what it means. The way it is written is used across all dealers I believe.

Let don't just focus on Volvo / Wearnes. The advertisement by Vertex is outright deceiving to say the least. $164,999 & $171,499 are clearly indicated on sgcarmart new car page, no room for any form of "justification". 

When my friend and I were at the showroom, the price list available at the show room does not reflect $164,999 or $171,499 but something else. 

[Mkl22]

6 minutes ago, Carbon82 said:

Let don't just focus on Volvo / Wearnes. The advertisement by Vertex is outright deceiving to say the least. $164,999 & $171,499 are clearly indicated on sgcarmart new car page, no room for any form of "justification".

When my friend and I were at the showroom, the price list available at the show room does not reflect $164,999 or $171,499 but something else. 

not even effective price?

[Watwheels]

7 minutes ago, Carbon82 said:

Let don't just focus on Volvo / Wearnes. The advertisement by Vertex is outright deceiving to say the least. $164,999 & $171,499 are clearly indicated on sgcarmart new car page, no room for any form of "justification". 

When my friend and I were at the showroom, the price list available at the show room does not reflect $164,999 or $171,499 but something else. 

Vertex I know of one guy is not trustworthy. Dunno still there or not. LoL...

I believe it is a tactic to get ppl to go to their showroom.

[Thaiyotakamli]

1 hour ago, Watwheels said:

I understand what Carbon82 is coming from.

He said first impression upon reading the ad. You will think new car starting from the stated price but then when you go down to the showroom they will tell you it is a test drive unit or as long as not brand new.

When you read to the words, "limited units", it is a giveaway, you know what it means. Usually if you know the listed price and out of the blue a few units cost lower, you will know.

It is not very clear cut but season buyers would know what it means. The way it is written is used across all dealers I believe.

If its a display or test drive unit but registered as new car or you will be first owner, i understand

 

but this one literally registered car with few thousands km on mileage. Basically used car 

[Darevil]

Car Ads on the internet is like flyers on your windscreen.

 

its for you to catch cockroach, coastal for your drinks, or write number in case you double park.

[Wt_know]

一 蚊 一 支 雞

 

 

[ToyotaShuttle]

14 hours ago, Lala81 said:

Dont even pay any attention to this but sounds misleading and just to get people through the door...

But wearnes advertising to me is like audiohouse for electronics. lol.

 

What's wrong with audiohouse? I found them quite cheap

[Beregond]

14 hours ago, Benarsenal said:

To be fair though the ads never actually said the cars were 'new'.

To be frank when u look at those 2 Advertisements. Do u feel its new car?

I totally believe its for new car at first.

Until i read some more then i realise its for used car..............

i think most ppl would believe its for new car unless they call in to check or went straight to ad to book.

this is already misleading.