- A new lawsuit filed against Olathe Dodge in Kansas alleges that it violated several consumer protection laws.
- It’s accused of adding on bogus charges, falsifying paystubs, and forcing customers to sign deceptive agreements.
- Similar accusations against a nearby Kia dealer resulted in a $14.8 million judgment.
A Dodge dealer in Kansas is facing civil lawsuit alleging it ripped off customers. The accusations span a range of questionable dealer tactics, such as adding on unnecessary fees, manipulating data, and pressuring customers.
Olathe Dodge is now in the process of defending its reputation amidst these claims. Meanwhile, the attorney representing the two plaintiffs from Humphrey, Farrington, & McClain (HFM) is encouraging other customers to step forward with their experiences.
Dealers have countless ways to make a profit, but many fall under the category of questionable ethics and legality. According to the law firm HFM, Olathe Dodge has been implicated in several of these practices. It says that the dealer falsely inflated customers’ income including paystubs to get credit approvals. If substantiated, this would suggest that Olathe was putting customers at risk of financial hardship from the outset.
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HFM also claims that the dealer added junk fees like extended warranties, service contracts, GAP coverage, diag fees, and environmental protection plans. To hide the additional fees the dealer evidently rushed customers through the contract process and required them to sign “deceptive arbitration agreements.” The firm went as far as to call Olathe Dodge a “fraud factory” due to the extent of its practices.
While the case has yet to go to trial, it’s evident that this sort of conduct is pervasive in the industry. It’s part of why the FTC is targeting junk fees across the nation. It might also be why the same law firm engaged in this lawsuit secured a $14.8 million judgment against a Kia dealership in Lawrence, KS, for similar practices.
In response, the dealer refutes the allegations. An attorney representing Olathe Dodge issued the following statement to KMBC News:
“We are aware of complaints made in a lawsuit. Our team at Olathe Dodge has a long history of treating our customers with care and respect. The allegations raised in the present lawsuit do not match the reality that our customers experience. Our business is built on treating people well and earning loyal customers who return again and again. Our approach is to resolve issues with customers when they arise. We have worked for years to build a reputation for integrity, and we will defend that reputation appropriately through the appropriate forum.”
HFM is asking anyone who has bought a car from Olathe Dodge in the last four years to come forward as they might be eligible to join the lawsuit.