On March 9 I purchased a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 used vehicle at this dealership that was advertised in the Houston Chronicle for $17,125.00. The salesman, Andy Patrick, added a fee noted as security coding as an additional item on the buyers order. This was for Auto Trac, a vehicle protection plan. I stated I did not want this, but was told VIN numbers were already etched on the vehicle glass, it could not be removed and the addition of this option was factored into the selling price of the vehicle.in other words, I had to buy the vehicle protection plan as a condition of getting the advertised price of $17,125.00. I repeatedly said I did not want this and Andy said he was between a rock and a hard place since the sale price of $17,125.00 was based on also selling the security coding. I also complained to finance officer, Sharon Shultz, as we finalized the sale documents. I specifically asked the salesman and finance officer So I must buy the security etching to get the advertised sales price of the vehicle? And was told yes by both of them. I told them I did not think this was right or legal.
I was so upset about this, on 03/10 the day after I purchased the vehicle, I typed a letter explaining my concern and mailed it via Certified Mail to West Houston VW. On 03/11, a man named Mike, who said he was the finance manager, called me on an unrelated matter. I told him about the requirement that I had to buy window etching to get the advertised price and I believed this was in violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices. He said he would say something to management, but he disagreed with my claim that this was illegal. The Certified Letter was received on 03/14/05 and as of today 03/18, there has been no response. I intend to pursue this matter through the courts if there is no response in 60 days.
This is in violation of Section 17.46 (a) and (b) (9) of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices. More specifically, West Houston VW engaged in an advertising scheme in which they advertised a vehicle at a certain sales price, but sold the vehicle for more than the advertised price by charging for an accessory (i.E., etched VIN numbers on glass) that was installed on the vehicle prior to sale and was required to be purchased to get the advertised price.
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