Executive Russell M. Pry Unveils Findings from a Used Car Dealership Consumer Protection Sweep, National Consumer Protection Week

On Monday, March 8, 2010, Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry, Summit County Council President Jon Poda and Summit County Office of Consumer Affairs Director Cynthia Sich kicked-off National Consumer Protection Week (March 7-13) by hosting a press conference in Council Chambers of the Ohio Building, located at 175 S. Main Street in downtown Akron.

The event was used as a stage to unveil the preliminary findings from a used car dealership consumer protection sweep, as well as encourage citizens to participate in activities associated with National Consumer Protection Week.

"Preliminary results from the sweep indicate that 82 of the 95 used car dealerships operating in Summit County are in compliance with the Federal Trade Commission's Used Car Rule," stated Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry. "The sweep is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2010."

The Federal Trade Commission's Used Care Rule requires car dealers to feature a Buyer's Guide on any vehicle being presented for sale. A Buyer's Guide is a disclosure document that gives consumers important purchasing and warranty information. For example, a Buyer's Guide tells customers:

• Whether the vehicle is being sold "as is" or with a warranty
• What percentage of the repair costs a dealer will pay under the warranty
• That oral promises are difficult to enforce
• To get all promises in writing
• To keep the Buyer's Guide for reference after the sale
• The major mechanical and electrical systems on the car, as well as some of the serious problems that could occur
• To ask to have the car inspected by an independent mechanic before they buy

"At the start of our sweep, in September 2009, there was only a 53% compliance rate," said Summit County Office of Consumer Affairs Director Cynthia Sich. "As a result of our communication with these dealerships, we are now seeing an 86.3% compliance rate. Our goal is to see have a 100% compliance rate by the end of the sweep."

Dealerships that fail to comply with the Federal Trade Commission's Used Car Rule may be penalized with fines and law suits.

"Before fining, we would first schedule a meeting with the owner of the dealership and enter into an agreement of compliance," added Sich. "The goal of the sweep is not to collect fines. It is to protect citizens and educate area used car dealerships on the importance of complying with the FTC Used Car Rule."

The mission of the County of Summit Office of Consumer Affairs is to educate and protect the citizens of Summit County, and its visitors, from unfair, deceptive or unconscionable consumer sales practices. The county government office enforces consumer protection laws through education, complaint mediation and investigation.

"I would like to thank the Office of Consumer Affairs for going to such great lengths to enforce consumer protection laws," added Pry. "The preliminary numbers already indicate the success of this compliance sweep."

The Summit County Office of Consumer Affairs plans to release the final results of the consumer protection sweep in late-March 2010.

Representatives from Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray's Office and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) were also on site to encourage citizens to take full advantage of their consumer rights.

Citizens interested in learning more about how to protect themselves from frauds, identity theft and scams are invited to attend the "Surviving the Economy" information fair. The free event is scheduled for Wednesday, March 10, 2010, from 1 - 4 p.m., at the Twinsburg Community Center, located at 10260 Ravenna Road in Twinsburg. The public is welcome.

To view the National Consumer Protection Week calendar of events in full, visit www.co.summit.oh.us/conaffairs.htm. For more information contact the County of Summit Office of Consumer Affairs at 330-643-2879.