State alleges multiple violations of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act
August 18, 2008 -- Attorney General Steve Six announced today that he has filed a lawsuit against Chad Franklin Suzuki, a car dealership on State Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas. The lawsuit alleges multiple violations of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act, including unconscionable and deceptive business practices relating to an advertising campaign.
"Our goal is to work with Kansas businesses to comply with the law, while aggressively enforcing our consumer protection laws," Six said. "When businesses don't follow the rules, we aggressively pursue relief for consumers."
The Attorney General's lawsuit stems from Chad Franklin's "Drive a Suzuki" radio and television programs aired in the Kansas City media market. These programs generally promised one of two things: to drive a new Suzuki for life with no payments or drive a new Suzuki for a fixed time period at a fixed price. The state alleges the ads were aired at least 9,484 times between June 26, 2007 and January 27, 2008.
According to information gathered by the Kansas Attorney General's Office, approximately 650 consumers entered into transactions with Chad Franklin Suzuki to purchase a new Suzuki vehicle during the period the advertisements aired. The state alleges that Chad Franklin Suzuki limited consumers's ability to negotiate the contract's terms. In addition, the state alleges that Chad Franklin Suzuki abruptly ended the promotion without notice or remedy to the consumers. As a result, consumers were required to make full payments on the vehicles.
"Most businesses do a great job complying with laws designed to protect consumers," Six said. "But the few that violate the law harm Kansas consumers, as well as law-abiding Kansas businesses."
The Attorney General filed six counts of unconscionable acts or practices and six counts of deceptive acts or practices-all violations of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act. The Attorney General is requesting that Chad Franklin Suzuki stop doing business in Kansas, provide restitution to consumers affected by the "Drive a Suzuki" promotion, release all consumers from the "Drive a Suzuki" contract if they so choose, pay the Attorney General's Office reasonable investigative fees, and pay civil penalties to the state.
The lawsuit was filed in Wyandotte County District Court.