Deceptive Advertising
A lot of the ads run by these shops are dishonest, false or misleading, deceptive advertisements. And here’s why:
First, they’re almost always run with the intention of selling additional parts and services to as many people as possible, but their ads promote ridiculously low prices for services with notes saying, “most cars.” When they’re caught selling unnecessary repairs in undercover investigations, the standard excuse is “those parts need replacing because of mileage.”
By claiming that cars needed fuel filters, PCV valves and other items because they were thought to have been in the cars for over 30,000 miles—even though the parts were brand new—they’ve exposed their dirty, little scheme. They’re admitting that cars with 30,000 miles (or more) need a lot more than just spark plugs, proving my point that their ads are deceptive. Since most cars with less mileage than that don’t even need tune-ups, and the shops plan to sell additional parts on cars that are over that mileage figure, their low-priced, “most cars” ads are deceptive.
Because of their heavily advertised, low-priced specials, few of these shops could afford to hire good mechanics on a salary or hourly wage basis, so they usually pay them a low salary plus a commission on the sale of additional parts and services. Obviously, this type of Compensation is hazardous to consumers because it often leads to the sale of unnecessary repairs.